Pastor's Perspective - Undignified

Last Wednesday night my family and I had a very enjoyable holiday rendezvous with a dear Christian sister of ours – Nicky Peterson. Earlier this year Nicky moved to South San Francisco to help a brand new church gain traction in the city. For years she has been a treasured part of our lives and ministry, so the opportunity to connect with her in the city, have dinner together and see some Christmas lights was too irresistible to pass up. So, feeling very urban, we Kiefers bundled up and took BART into the heart of San Francisco.

After dinner we all walked to Union Square to explore the decorated department store windows. As we were walking on the bustling sidewalk in front of the multi-story Macy’s store, loud shouting erupted. The huddled movement of people, of which we were a part, stopped abruptly. In the middle of the cluster were two middle-aged parents, screaming for their daughter. They were impeccably dressed – suit & tie, fancy holiday dress, neatly groomed. They were clearly people of tremendous means based on appearance. Somehow in the chaotic trajectories of busy shoppers, they had lost track of their little girl.

I don’t think I will ever forget the sound of their screaming as they called her name into the frigid night. It was a sound I’ve heard only a few times in my life. It was haunting; a loud undeniable sonic mixture of fear, helplessness and love. Immediately I felt nauseous. What we were observing could best be described as primal. Though neatly tailored for a special holiday night out, the parents ran up and down the sidewalk piercing the atmosphere with their cries, hoping somehow their little girl could hear them. Their eyes darted wildly from one another and then to others – frantically recruiting any help they could muster. I immediately began backtracking down the sidewalk, looking for a female child in a ‘red hat’, but to no avail. Suddenly a child I never met or even knew existed meant something to me. As a fellow parent, my heart had connected empathetically. Some helped in the search, others stood frozen. Within a few minutes, that seemed like an eternity, a pretty little girl with a stylish cherry red hat was being reunited with her parents. “We found her!” was immediately followed by an eruption of applause from huddled strangers. As we continued walking, my wife Michelle and I both felt sick physically and squeezed emotionally. Did that just happen? What if that was one of our kids? Did you hear their screams?

We made some wonderful memories that night, but that episode has really stuck with me, reminding me of a few important things.

First, love is willing to get undignified. Money, attire and image meant absolutely nothing to those parents in that moment when they discovered their little girl was lost.

Friends, Jesus Christ died the most agonizing death know by the people of His day. He was willing to get undignified because He loves us, and He knew without His substituting death, we would remain forever lost.

Second, celebration is the natural reaction to something treasured being found. In an unanticipated snapshot of pure beauty, those relieved parents hugged their child joyfully and unashamedly. There was no condemning or scolding the child, just pure elation, as onlookers applauded wildly on a San Francisco sidewalk.

Jesus told us through the parables of the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, and the one lost son, that when just one soul is found by turning toward Him all of Heaven celebrates! No condemnation. No scolding. Just pure elation!

Friends, two thousand years ago on a Roman cross, Jesus got undignified - just for you.

Why?

Because you were lost.

Without Him, you are lost.

Turn to Him today.

Be reunited.

Start a party!

Pastor's Perspective - i-Paperweight

Admittedly, I’m a complete dunce when it comes to my i-Phone.

For over a year my wife Michelle (a satisfied i-Phone user) told me about how it would add so much convenience to my busy pastoral lifestyle. I was very hesitant for the sole reason that everybody I observed who owned one always had their nose down looking at the darn thing! Eventually I caved, and after owning one for two years now I can say, “My wife was right.” I couldn’t imagine going back to a conventional mobile phone after owning one. With the flip of a thumb, no matter where I am stateside, I can access my personal and church emails, consult my online calendar, check Facebook and Twitter, access the Bible in multiple versions, get directions on the fly, take vivid photos and videos, show-off my beautiful family, check on my favorite German soccer team (Karlsruhe SC), get directions and restaurant reviews, check flight statuses, calculate, find the local time in Mumbai, and play a quick game of Zombie Highway. Amazing!

This summer I took my i-Phone to remote western Kenya. For those of you who’ve never been there, there is absolutely no coverage in remote western Kenya. The locals were amazed by it! I showed them photos of my family. I took a lot of pictures and videos of them at our open-air crusades. The orphans had a ball taking pictures of each other with it! I used the alarm clock feature every day to help me be timely (which in remote western Kenya means nothing!). I also listened to the songs repeatedly on i-Pod that I had downloaded in the States.

Why am I sharing this information with you?

I found that when I was disconnected from coverage, the i-Phone became nothing more than a sleek-appearing paperweight! In Solano County it was my lifeline (or so it seemed); but in Africa, all I could get from it was what I intentionally downloaded ’back home’. In other words, in California it’s a marvel with limitless evolving eye-popping potential. But where we were this summer, it was severely limited by what I had (or had not) put in it.

Pop Quiz Hot Shots!

Someone takes your one and only Bible - your Bible. It’s the one with your name embossed on the cover, the sweet handwritten dedication near the front, the highlighted verses, and the note somebody passed you while you were pretending to enjoy the sermon – your Bible!

Now here’s the proverbial ‘kicker’ – you can’t buy or borrow another one – ever!

Questions.

With what you’ve read and memorized from the Bible, could you continue to encourage yourself in the Lord?

Could you lead someone to faith in Jesus Christ?

Could you explain cogently the underpinnings of your faith?

The psalmist wrote a long time ago, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you’ (Psalm 119:11)

Are you currently and intentionally downloading God’s powerful and infallible Word into your heart?

Hide it now.

You’ll need it later!

Pastor's Perspective - Encouragement to Encourage

During quail season in Georgia, an Atlanta journalist met an old farmer hunting with an old pointer at his side. Twice the dog limped gingerly ahead and pointed. Twice his master fired into the open air. When the journalist saw no birds rise, he asked the farmer for an explanation. "Shucks," grinned the old man, "I knew there weren't no birds in that grass. Buck’s nose ain't what it used to be, but him and me have had some wonderful times together. He's still doing the best he can -- and it'd be mighty mean of me to call him a liar at this stage of the game!"

We all need encouragement.

Like the little boy who said to his father, “Let’s play darts Daddy. I’ll throw them and you stand here and say ‘Wonderful!’”

We all need someone to come along sometime and say, “Wonderful!”

William Arthur Ward wrote, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will never forget you.”

We in the church need to be encouraged – even the pastor. Christ Himself needed the encouragement of friends and the encouragement of the Father.

Christ has called us to lives of faithfulness.

When we read Hebrews chapter eleven we are inspired by those saints of old who were characterized by faith. They are immortalized in Scripture! However, we must remember that they are remembered as members of the ‘roll call of faith’ against the dark and daunting backdrop of big challenges and harsh trials.

Big challenges.

Harsh trials.

Got any?

As I peck this, a young military couple in Sacramento is diligently praying for their newborn son born ten weeks prematurely. Likewise, a member of my former ministry is spending day and night by his severely injured Marine son’s side.

What do they need?

What do we all need?

Encouragement.

Nothing big and fancy.
Just a visit, a card, a call, an email, a text message.

Something.

Anything!

Something that reminds a person that they matter, what they are doing is worthwhile and appreciated, that they are not alone, that they can do it, that with God all things are possible.

The Apostle Paul knew this. He challenged a young congregation, “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Let’s face it. It’s easy to tear down, to share a comment hastily out of anger or frustration. We’ve all done it.

Personally, lifting the hood a bit and allowing you to peer into the pastor’s engine, I want to share a prayer request that God has never failed to answer in my life. Admittedly, many of my prayers have been answered with a ‘no’ or a ‘wait’. But one prayer has always been answered quickly and predictably. It’s such a proven prayer request that I only pray it when it’s absolutely necessary. The prayer request is simple and always sincere – “Father, encourage me.” And He does.

Will Rogers said, “We can’t all be heroes, because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as we go by.”

One of my favorite definitions of the church is this, “The church is a group of highly imperfect people who will convince you you can make it, then stand with you while you try.”

Remember, the best thing you can do behind a friend’s back is pat it!

Choose to encourage.

Somebody you know, like old Buck, is doing the best they can.

Somebody you know, like the little boy, needs to hear, “Wonderful!”

Choose to build up.

Choose to clap.

Choose to be unforgettable.

Pastor's Perspective - Just Trying to Help

True confession: I’ve got a bit of a weird sense of humor. I’ll own that. That’s why I was genuinely tickled by a recent news story I read online. The reason I found it humorous is because it involved an embarrassing problem that could potentially happen to any one of us, an innocent airline passenger, and a sequence of events that played-out vividly in the theater of the mind – mine!

Apparently, en route from Ashville, North Carolina to LaGuardia Airport in New York, the captain of a Chatauqua Airlines plane needed to take an unanticipated bathroom break. Fellow human beings, these things happen, right? However, what was not anticipated was that he would get stuck in the lavatory! The door jammed, leaving the embarrassed and frustrated aviator in the crammed space, while the plane was in a holding pattern high above the destination airport. Desperately he began beating his fist on the lav door. That’s when our innocent passenger entered the scene. Hearing the loud thumping, the kind-hearted passenger got up and went to the sky john to somehow help. Through the door, he was instructed by the panic-stricken captain to alert the other crew members, which he promptly did. Did I mention that this traveling ‘good Samaritan’, according to the news source, had a heavy foreign accent?! So, when he tried physically and verbally to gain entrance into the cockpit to tell the other crew members what was happening, well, let’s just say, that’s when ‘in-flight entertainment’ went to a whole new level.

Now, like you, I live in a post 9-11 world. Unauthorized cockpit entrance stories are not even remotely humorous. But, you’ve got to admit, an esteemed decorated captain accidently stuck in the john because he just had a bad ‘Field Hand Special’ at the Ashville Regional Airport is funny! Then to add to it, the guy that tries to help him needs stinkin sub-titles! Again, admittedly, I’ve got a weird sense of humor.

Have you ever tried to help someone out and it didn’t turn out so well?

I’ll never forget. In the summer of 1974 while on vacation with my grandparents in Germany, I had such an experience. Being a dopey eleven-year-old kid from suburban Tampa, Florida, I had no idea that some people on the planet were actually employed to operate elevators. See where this is going? While in a downtown high rise Karlsruhe department store, I entered the elevator to go up several stories to rejoin my family. As I entered, so did an elderly woman. Growing up in the south, manners were well-engrained into my cranium by eleven. So, I asked her what floor. She looked at me a bit confused, said the floor number in broken English and I pressed the number obediently. Mom and Dad back in the states would have been supremely proud. Did I mention that there was another elderly fellow already in the elevator, sitting on a stool, right by the floors panel? The split second I pressed the number he was on me like a hobo on a ham sandwich! He lambasted me for vier (English translation: four) floors! Although I wasn’t fluent in German, some words I clearly recognized – and let’s say, they weren’t encouraging. He screamed at me like a rabid drill sergeant with jock itch for what seemed like an eternity. When the elevator doors finally opened, I ran out as fast as I could. In that moment, I didn’t care what floor I was on! I ran and jumped into my Oma’s hug while still hearing Helmut Von Nastyschmidtt screaming in the distance.

Sometimes, even our kindest, most well-intentioned efforts can go bad, can’t they?

The gospel narratives tell us repeatedly that Jesus was always being confronted and assaulted by the unyielding self-righteous of His day for the good things He did for others. The hyper-religious leaders of His day simply didn’t get Him. They longed for a Messiah who would be a blue-blood, an iconic regal, a military strategist who would break their chains of cruel Roman oppression and look really great on a coin! Instead, Isaiah tells us that Jesus had a very ‘average guy’ appearance. He was a good old boy construction worker from ‘one stop-light’ Nazareth. He had a very scandalous family tree, and his birth account would have been sealed information. Instead of glad-handing the movers and shakers of society for personal gain, Jesus chose to hang-out with drunks, food junkies, hookers and marginalized people with highly checkered pasts – and presents! In other words, Jesus put the needs of people over protocol.

As mentioned, though some recognized His Lordship, many with great religious influence rejected Him and His consistent heart of selflessness. He was a square peg in a round space, and for folks like that, we rarely have much use. Openly mocked, despised and rejected, Jesus refused to acquiesce to shallow self-absorbed expectations. He just kept on doing good – even when it got Him in trouble.

Why?

Because people matter most. Jesus died for people – not rules.

He was simply more interested and invested in pleasing His Father, than bending to religiosity – the kind that elevates rules and religious facades above the needs of real everyday people created in God’s image.

Friends in Solano County, not every attempt to help others, no matter how heartfelt, will turn out the way you want it to. If you step out and reach out to do good, it’s only a matter of time before you’re misunderstood. Even some you’re attempting to assist will bite your hand. If you’re doing benevolent and selfless things for gratitude; ticker tape parades are few and far between. However, Jesus commands and modeled that despite potential misunderstanding, rejection and ingratitude along the way – help anyway!

Lastly, the above story reminds us that if you live long enough, sometimes you’re the alert rescuer, and sometimes just when you think you’re the captain, you get caught with your pants down! Let both experiences and extremes soften your heart and humble you to the plights of many in our beloved community. God will honor your desire and endeavors to help. Keep trying. Keep reaching. People matter most!

As a closing note (no extra charge), if you’re ever in a high-rise downtown department store in Karlsruhe, Germany, and you need to move between floors – use the escalator.

Pastor's Perspective - Way to 'Go'!

Last Thursday evening during our annual Congregational Meeting, I was able to share a list of things we accomplished so far in 2011 through God’s immeasurable kindness. If you weren’t able to join us, here is a sampling of the list I shared.

We celebrated our 33rd years as a community of faith.
We ordained 5 new deacons into our faithful and expanding leadership team.
We launched ‘Go’ a revolution of motion & contagious obedience.
Vacation Bible School was highly successful.
Twenty-seven middle school girls and their mothers went to the Revolve conference in southern California.
Awana celebrated its 4th years at FCC.
Celebrate Recovery celebrated its 5th year.
Pie Club celebrated its 7th year.
Derrick Iglesia took the reigns as our new Youth Pastor and re-launched the youth group as ‘Zombie Initiative’.
The church sent Derrick and Tim Boyer to the National Youth Workers Convention.
We had, for the very first time, two ‘Art of Marriage’ events at FCC.
Seventy-eight women from the church went to Women of Faith last month.
Our Alyson Barret said yes to ‘go’ and went to serve in Cambodia.
Our Nicky Peterson likewise said yes and moved to San Francisco to help launch a new work there – New Community.
Our Mark Asprey said yes to ‘go’ and will leave us on January 4th to serve full-time in western Kenya.
We’ve had 19 baptisms YTD.
Special events include: Sewing dresses & shorts for Kenya, a fresh water fundraiser by Candy Hanratty, Low Country Boil fundraiser, car washes, Spaghetti Feed for the Homeless Ministry.
The Homeless Ministry expanded by now going weekly to the local city parks and camps. This ministry fed and ministered to hundreds throughout the year, and collected and distributed 512 blankets.
The after-school program for middle high students in conjunction with Suisun City picked up speed through new leaders and donations – officially launching soon.
30 Hour Famine was a huge success led by Tim Boyer.
LIFE (our Homeschool ministry) tripled in size.
Natalie Cross stepped up to lead our women’s ministry under the new name ‘Sisterhood’. The launch was a rousing success.
FCC participated in the National Night Out.
Celebrate Recovery represented Christ and FCC at the Suisun Marina greeting people and distributing water.
Our new Giggle ministry launched.
‘Family Sunday’ was instituted the last weekend of every month.
Our Church Beautification Day was a hit late last month.
The annual Harvest Festival, led by Jeanette Kleeman, was highly successful again this year.
FCC worked in conjunction with The Leaven through participation from Mark Asprey & Grace Agbalog.
The annual Church Picnic, led by Kelli Chiolero, at Lake Solano Park was great fun.
Twelve from FCC flew to Kenya and completed multiple projects including fresh water. 2,268 first-time decisions for Christ documented.
We have sent $31,477 YTD to missions.
Mac Young took over the management of The Fourth Watch.
Numerous CR step studies were completed and continue to take place weekly.
Wayne King unveiled our Christmas 2011 endeavor – ‘Go Without’ – so others won’t have to.
We unveiled our new updated church website thanks to Jeramy Sossaman.

With over 50 days remaining in 2011, we as a church family have much to celebrate and be grateful for, with much still ahead.

Way to ‘go’!

Pastor's Perspective - What God Can Do!

Last Christmas-time, we at First Christian decided to do something new - something together - something that reflected the true message of the season. Instead of buying each other gifts we didn't really want or need, we pooled that money together as a church family and decided to use it for the glory of Christ somewhere else. Knowing that our 250+ HIV orphans in Shisisari, Kenya were drinking filthy water that was making them sick, broke our hearts. We knew we had to do something - anything. So we sent them a gift they couldn't give themselves - fresh water!

Through the support and generosity of many inside and outside the church, we were able to not only fund a desperately needed fresh water project in Africa, but we were also able to send an FCC delegation over to work on it, complete it and dedicate it in a community-wide ceremony for the renown of the true Living Water - Jesus.

The photos above are proof and a simple and humble sampling of what God can do through one church family hungry to make a difference.

Matthew 25:40

go.

Pastor's Perspective - Remembering Jonathan

Today marks the birthday of a dear brother who left us way too soon – Jonathan Booker.

For the many of you reading this who perhaps didn’t have the privilege of knowing ‘JB’, he was a true one-of-a-kind! He was a devoted husband to his sweet wife Viola. He was a dedicated father to his children Victor and Jasmia. He was a caring friend and a zealous follower of Jesus Christ. He was funny, energetic, gregarious, outspoken, hardworking, responsible, ambitious, loving and lovable. He was a treasure to us all and we all miss him. He would have been 31 today.

Yesterday I had the honor of officiating Estalita Tapnio Cross’s funeral service here at FCC. ‘Lita’ was the precious mother of Bart Cross, a cherished partner in the church. Lita, 64, was visiting and helping an ill brother in the Philippines, when she was violently attacked and senselessly killed over her purse. Simply put, Lita was a wonderful person. The building was packed yesterday with many who had been profoundly touched by her life and grief-stricken by her shocking death.

As I think about Jonathan today and Lita yesterday, I’m reminded of the brevity and uncertainty of life. I’m reminded that we live in a fallen, violent and unpredictable world. Tomorrow is a hope that comes with absolutely no guarantees. None of us are immune to the realities of evil. The good die young and bad things happen to them along the way. Death comes to the ones we label ‘good’ – the ones we categorize under ‘bad’ – the poor – the mighty and affluent – the despised – the young – the aged. Someone once said, ‘Death is an equal opportunity reality’ – and it is.

Yet, in the midst of the heart-breaking losses and jaw-dropping suddenlies, we can have hope! Because God the Father intentionally allowed something terribly-bad to happen to His Son, we all have access to a living hope. That through putting our faith in the completed redemptive work of Christ and His cross, we can have a hope and peaceful assurance that transcends the very worst scenarios this life can throw our way.

I was able to share yesterday that recently I took seven different flights to get to Kenya and back. On each flight someone stood in front of me and pointed to the closest door in the “unlikely event” the plane descends against the pilot’s will. Likewise, the closest and most reliable door available to me was in written form in the seat pocket in front of me.

Friends, like those flights, God is saying through a person (me) and God has said it clearly in written form (the Bible) that there is only one door that leads to everlasting life in His presence. In John 10 Jesus told us that He is that door. In John 14 He told us He is that way – the only way.

In conclusion, honestly speaking, if my plane is descending, I’m moving to that door! In a world that has fallen and continues to rapidly descending around us, isn’t it prudent to move toward that door?

Have you found that proven age-old door? His name is Jesus.

Knowing Jonathan the way I did, I think he’d want you to know that today.

Pastor's Perspective - The Sky is Falling

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

A minister from ministries-gone-by humorously posted on his Facebook wall this morning, “If the satellite falls on me today I want you all to know I love you!”

The space junk he was referring to is the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), a dead, six and a half ton, school bus-size satellite that is hurtling toward us as I peck this! Scientists stated earlier this week that it would totally avoid North America, and now they’ve retracted their statement. So, good luck out there fellow earthlings!

For a few other grey hairs out there, this news story takes us back to 1979 when Skylab met its fiery demise over remote parts of South Africa and western Australia. I still remember the ‘Skylab is Falling’ t-shirts and well-publicized panic. My guess is that UARS will make an even more uneventful re-entry.

Let me ask you a question.

Do you know Chicken Little people?

Perhaps you’re a chronic ‘the sky is falling’ peeper.

Our culture, and sadly our church directories don’t lack ‘Negative Nellys’; those whose glasses are perpetually half empty and blinded to silver linings. Eyore Syndrome is pandemic!

Friends, of all the people on this garden planet, we as Christians should be the most optimistic! We have Jesus! Through His cross we get immeasurably more than we could ever dream of, ask for and certainly deserve. We are loved unconditionally be the greatest Father and most powerful monarch in existence. We are filled and sealed for salvation with and by His Spirit. We are viewed not by our filthiness and incompatibility, but now through the perfect righteousness of our Redeemer. Through an empty tomb, our archenemy named death is a defeated foe. Through His grace we are recipients of a living hope! All this - then Heaven.

So as beloved subjects of the kingdom, let’s lift our heads and eyes from the doom and gloom this world tries to sell us, and see the bigger exciting picture above us. Let’s look to the skies for Jesus! Anything else is a bunch of junk.

Pastor's Perspective - Dog Days

LOST DOG: Male hound. Three legs. Blind in one eye. Left ear partially chewed-off. No tail. Parts of coat missing. Answers to the name ‘Lucky’!

Years ago I read about a real-life ‘Lucky’ up in Clearlake. Fox News reported about an 8-month-old puppy who miraculously recovered after being hit by a car, shot by a police officer and stuck in a freezer for two hours!

Dosha, a carmel-colored pup, apparently was struck by a vehicle after escaping from her owner. Soon afterward, humane officer Bob MacDonald came upon the scene and attempted to end the canine’s suffering by using his revolver. She was then placed in an Animal Control freezer for two hours before someone discovered she was still alive!

Veterinarians treated the pooch who made a full recovery. Talk about a ‘dog day’!

The Apostle Paul was well-acquainted with dog days of his own. We wrote the Christians worshiping in ancient Corinth: “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:23b-28).

It never ceases to amaze me when Christian whine about being slightly inconvenienced, or scream in disillusionment when just a hint of personal persecution comes their way. Jesus Himself told us that if we truly represent Him in this life, we would receive scorn and rejection, just like He did. He told us that, “In this life you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He elaborated, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:10-11).

Now wait a minute! Trouble? Persecution? Insults? Lies? Surely that kind of negativity shouldn’t accompany a Christian’s life. We are called to peacefulness and contentment, right? Doesn’t the popular gospel of our day promise abundance, popularity, acceptance and trouble-free living? In other words, can’t we all just get along?!

The truth is, light is an affront to darkness. Truth is an enemy of deception. Salt is antagonistic to blandness. Life is an opponent of death. Therefore, if we are authentic modern-day advocates of light, truth, saltiness and life, we will make our share of enemies this side of Heaven.

Jesus Himself said, “I came not to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). His life and message were confrontational in a morally bankrupt society. As I share with my Suisun City congregation, “We will not mark-down the gospel in order to sell it!” The timeless Word of God and the people who live by it were never called to be socially pliable for the sake of just getting along. Like Jesus, we are called to truth and grace.

So the zillion dollar question du jour is – How well are you fitting in? In other words, are you receiving your fair share of rejection and scorn? Are you characterized where you live, work and play as an uncompromising and unashamed follower of Christ? For such individuals, ‘dog days’ are foretold and yes, guaranteed. But, Jesus reminds the faithfully consistent: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12). In other words, it’s not about here – it’s about there! It’s not about you – it’s about Me! It’ll all be worth it!

So fellow Christian, when you face opposition, stop your whining. Remember, Jesus can turn water into wine, but He can’t turn your whining into anything! None of us have come even close to the rejection He personally experienced for our redemption. So here’s my brotherly advice. The next time you’ve been run over, shot and shoved away for your faith, remember: You’re not ‘Lucky’ – according to Jesus you’re ‘Blessed’!

Pastor's Perspective - In the Crosshairs

Being a current events junkie, I got my fix this morning surfing the major news sites. Predictably, all gave the largest block letters to three stories – the battle for Libya, yesterday’s eastern seaboard earthquake, and a bad girl brewing up in the Caribbean named Irene. CBS News online featured this headline about the approaching hurricane today – ‘Irene now Category 3; U.S. in crosshairs’.

Personally I grew up and lived most of my life in Florida, a place very familiar with fierce hurricanes. I now live in earthquake country - California. Though neither meteorological or geological anomaly are particularly enjoyable, I would admit that earthquakes are preferable. Why? Because by the time you realize an earthquake is happening it’s almost over! On the other hand, for days and days back east, one is subjected to reports of approaching categorized doom! Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the advanced tracking technology, but waiting for catastrophic storms can be a bit unsettling.

Growing up with sand in my shoes, we all were well-trained in the drill. When a hurricane’s path was even remotely nearby people prepare. Plywood is bought to board-up windows. Bottled water is purchased, as are batteries and non-perishable food. Likewise, gas tanks are topped-off just in case a run to higher inland ground is necessary. Shelters are announced and manned. Schools and businesses stop, and ‘hurricane parties’ begin.

Today as I was sipping my Project 7 coffee, I was reminded that more people are talking about and aggressively preparing for Irene than the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scriptures, Christ, and angels all foretell that the Lord’s second advent will come suddenly, with no advanced notice from The Weather Channel. In the blink of an eye every human being will either rejoice or wail at the reality of His coming.

Are you preparing?

Are you preparing your life and the lives of those you live with, play with, and work with for that great and dreadful day?

For you personally, will His promised return be a glorious and welcomed fulfilled, or, a tragic and regretful interruption?

In the very last chapter of the Bible, Jesus tells us three very intentional times that He is ‘coming soon’. In other words, He wants you to be ready!

Something really big is brewing. Something greater than our highest expectations and worst nightmares is an approaching reality. Something historically unprecedented is coming our way as a planet. It’s an unavoidable biblical certainty. We’re in the crosshairs.

Doing God's Work - Latest Kenya Trip Article (Daily Republic)

SUISUN CITY — The person who touched Zoey Quewon’s heart the most during her recent mission in western Kenya was an orphan named Marvin who first came in for medical treatment in the shreds of the school uniform he wore.

“He sleeps on the floor and doesn’t even have a blanket,” Quewon said of the child’s circumstances.

But after getting a set of clothes from Quewon and other members of the First Christian Church of Suisun City, the child made a point of sitting on a fence waiting “for us to walk with him to church,” Quewon said.

The group of 13 people, all but one of them from the First Christian Church of Suisun City, left July 19 for western Kenya and returned Aug. 3. They flew into Nairobi and then drove for two hours to get to the small town of Kakamega, where they started with missionary and humanitarian work.

They were far from the drought-stricken humanitarian disaster area of northeastern Kenya near Somalia, but they did pass by a Kenyan Army checkpoint, where soldiers blocked the roads with spike strips to stop and search cars to make sure they didn’t contain any refugees.

The members described their destination, Kakamega, as a dusty town of brick, sheet metal and mud with the ever-present smell of diesel. The streets were a chaos of cars, trucks, motorcycles, carts and goats.

Their primary humanitarian projects consisted of extending a pipeline and improving spring wells, providing medical assistance and giving out clothing to about 300 orphans the group hopes to build an orphanage for in the future, lead pastor Steve Kiefer said.

“The unemployment there is very high,” team member Mark Asprey said. “People beg to dig a trench for a dollar a day.”

Asprey was so moved by the need he saw there that he plans to move to that part of Kenya permanently to continue the work and help build a church, he said.

Despite the prevalent poverty, Candy Hanratty said the people they met “were always ready with a smile.”

Improving the water supply involved extending a water pipe 1.4 miles to the community’s school and putting concrete around one of the springs “so people could get their water out of a clean site instead of getting their water out of a mud puddle,” team member Tricia Isayi said.

Hanratty treated a lot of children with dirty skin wounds and said the next time she goes back, she will bring more antibiotics and vitamins to help those children who she said showed obvious signs of suffering from malnutrition.

“It broke my heart to see the children, their eyes are always pleading for more,” team member Malissa Huff said. “That was where it got me, the children and their need.”

That didn’t stop the Kenyans from showing what members described as warm, selfless hospitality.

More than 600 pieces of clothing were passed out to the orphans, including 250 dresses that were made by hand by parishioners here and in a church in Florida.

“Seeing all the girls getting new dresses, that meant so much to me,” Isayi said.

Kiefer described the needs in the area as “overwhelming,” and described the time the team distributed food one evening as his most haunting experience there.

Hundreds of Kenyans showed up for the food and when the serving bowls started running low, the hungry crowd noticed “and chaos broke out,” Kiefer said. The team had to step back away from the bowls and the local school master had to restore order.

With such a need still there, all of the group members said they plan to go back some time within the next two years with a larger mission to help the Kenyans of Kakamega as well as to promote the nonprofit Operation International, with which their church works.

“We will be working to raise funds for an orphanage because there is no orphanage there now,” Isayi said.

“We also want to help more than just the orphans, because all of the children are just as needy,” Huff said.

Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.

Pastor's Perspective - Kenya Journal

During my recent trip to Kenya (‘Go’ with One Mind & Voice Missions Trip) I kept a daily journal. I’m sharing my brief daily entries with you for two reasons. First and foremost that Christ would be honored. Second, that those of you who have never taken a missions trip might be somehow inspired to say ‘yes’ to future opportunities. Enjoy!

July 19, 2011 – 8:04AM PST – United Airlines 777:
Well the adventure has just begun! Currently climbing out of the San Francisco Bay area. Got up at 2AM and met my team at the church at 3. After the distribution of boxes (donations) between the SF and Sacramento team, I led a prayer and away we went. Upon arrival at SFO our check-ins as a team went smoothly and uneventful. As a trip leader I had been a bit anxious about the rules airlines impose regarding luggage, number of check-ins, weight, etc. Several of our boxes & bags were well over the 50lb limit, yet the favor of the Lord made the overages a non-issue. We (Candy, Zoey, Mark & I) just kind of nervously smiled and winked like kids who were somehow getting away with something! Yet, I was reminded by the Spirit that nobody loves these orphaned children more than God. Security went smoothly. Short wait at gate. Full flight to Dulles Airport. Mark is my seat partner (36A&B). 4 hrs & 40 minutes of flying ahead. The boxes are behind us, not to be seen again until Nairobi. Thank you Lord! The adventure has begun. I’m so honored to ‘go’. Not just to preach it and promote it – but to do it.

July 19, 2011 – 3:40PM EST – United Airlines 777 (over Atlantic Ocean):
Landed at Dulles Airport. Exchanged some US currency for (Kenya) shillings. Ate burger at Wendys. Met great couple from Indianapolis in gate area before departing. Spent a little time with the Sacramento team. All going well. Beverly, 3 hours into the flight asked Malissa, “Is this Kenya?”! Boarded flight to Brussels. So blessed. My seat partner is a wonderfully faithful woman from Reston, VA. She works with children regularly in various outreach opportunities in Liberia. Grateful for her warmth, insight, encouragement and example. Proud to show her a pic of my six blessings. Will be flying all night. Getting more and more excited. God’s hand is on us. In Christ we can do all things.

July 20, 2011 – 10:00AM - Brussels, Belgium:
Landed at 7:15AM in Brussels. Curveball! Our Brussels Airlines plane that was going to take us to Kenya was damaged yesterday in a hailstorm in Cameroon. We were given the option of being put up (complimentary) in a hotel delaying our Nairobi arrival 24 hours, or, take a flight to London Heathrow and take an all-night Virgin Atlantis flight to Kenya arriving tomorrow (Thursday) morning. To hold as tightly to our itinerary we have chosen to fly all night – again! The Lord is in control. Nothing is an accident. Camped-out here at the Brussels Airport. God’s got this! Called Anthony to reschedule our pick-up in Kenya. Safari for some on our team will now take place at the end of the trip. Attitudes on the San Francisco team are stellar. Rejoicing in our trials. Good things about to happen. By the way, just went into my first European unisex restroom. Crazy nervous!

July 20, 2011 – 7:25PM – Van Der Valk Hotel (Brussels, Belgium):
Sometimes life is stranger than fiction! After waiting 8 hours at the Brussels Airport to fly to London then take Virgin Atlantic to Nairobi, at boarding time we were informed that VA cancelled our tickets! 8 hours of sitting in an airport wasted. We were given hotel vouchers and here we are. We’ll take off in the morning with Brussels Airlines and will (hopefully) arrive in Nairobi after 10PM tomorrow (Thursday) night! Great hotel! Clean. Slick. Ikea! Watching German TV. Very cool novelty. Used dinner voucher downstairs with Candy, Connor & Mark. Meeting early for breakfast then back to the airport. Nairobi tomorrow? Man I hope so! Can think of worse places to rough-it for the night.

July 21, 2011 – 2:22PM – Brussels Airlines A330 (Lybian Airspace):
I’m on a Belgian airliner sitting next to a French woman married to a man from Burundi, surrounded by people speaking Swihili 37,000 feet over Lybia. When you say “Yes” to God, He creates amazing scenes in our lives!

July 22, 2011 – 1:20AM – Hampton (Missionary) House – Nairobi:
Finally here! After much delay our SF team landed in Nairobi at 10:33PM after stopping briefly first in Bujumbura, Burundi. After deplaning we got our visas then proceeded down to baggage claim. All our stuff was there except Zoey’s luggage. She kept a good & positive attitude which inspired me. So great to see Tricia and Anthony. The baggage boys were soliciting tips and an airport revenue official threatened to charge us for our donation boxes! Anthony aggressively dealt with both issues. Impressive. Mark & I are staying in a room in a Baptist missionary housing facility. The plan is to sleep, clean up, breakfast, supply shop and head to Kakamega. I’ll be in the Gold Hotel tomorrow night. Asked Anthony about the Sacramento team. All were positive and wanted to stay here in Nairobi to wait for us so we could all go to Kakamega together. With our 24 hour delay safaris (according to Anthony) are the only challenge. We lost a day on our itinerary, but, that won’t stop us! God is in complete control of this thing!

July 23, 2011 – 12:30AM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
We just got here after a marathon day. Last night we spent the night at the Hampton House after pick up at Nairobi airport. Mark Asprey was my roommate. Slept well. Woke up and showered. This was the first opportunity I had to shave since Monday. My toiletry bag was in my check-in all week. Had to buy a toothbrush & toothpaste at the Brussels Airport just to get through. So glad the Brussels hotel had many complimentary toiletries! This morning we reconnected with the Sacramento team. Enjoyed meeting Sylvia Franco, our teammate from NYC. She’s very sweet. An artist married to an artistic manager living in Manhattan. She came to Kenya two years ago on an OOI trip and she clearly has a big heart. I’m not sure if she is a Christian or not. Anthony & Tricia brought breakfast items so we all picked and ate. I also met Pastor Polycap for the first time. We embraced warmly and had a great first encounter, I look very forward to ministering with him! Using the safari van (driven by Shadrach) and Anthony’s car, we all packed in and left Hampton House (managed by Wayne, a former mgr at the Grand Canyon McDonalds). We went to two banks to exchange our money (uSD) into Kenya shillings. Our biggest challenge of the day – nobody here cashes Traveler’s Checks! Sadly we brought $3,000 in them for projects. Somehow we know that God will make it all work. Nairobi is amazing! Hustling-bustling. People everywhere. Crazy drivers. Diesel smell in the air. Dusty. We marveled at the level of poverty, yet, the joy the people possessed. I already feel a sweet connection with the African people. I had already met several in transit. Their demeanor is intriguing. We stopped at one of the most amazing scenes I’d ever seen – the great Rift Valley. Simply break-taking. We were converged upon by the best & most tenacious salespeople I think I’ve ever met! They utilized every sales technique! They did well with us. I bought Emma a souvenir elephant made from alabaster and a couple of bracelets. Amazing people. You can tell that their aggressiveness is not so much greed-based as it is survival-based. The scenes on the way to Kakamega (western Kenya) were unequalled. Gross poverty. People walking. Animals grazing along the road. Zebras! Fantastic scenes! We stopped for an early dinner/late lunch in Nakuru at a beautiful hotel. I had beef and a ginger ale – safe. From there we drove all night. One detour (‘Diversion’) put us for about an hour on the worst road imaginable! We got into Kakamega at midnight and went straight to the Gold Hotel – an 11 hour trip. Kakamega looked rather impressive at night compared to the many other shanty towns we passed all day – neater. Looking forward to seeing it during the day. The Golf is not a 5-star by any means, but clean and comfortable. Unpacked & organized everything. Only 3 channels on the TV. Tomorrow’s plan is breakfast, meet with Anthony and plan, maybe the rain forest, and then a soccer tournament final OOI created & sponsored. I’m fully trusting the Lord. I’m a fish out of water. I’m desperate for Him to use me somehow. One of the highlights of the drive? Tonight in our dark quiet van, Shadrach sang several hymns in Swahili, including ‘Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?’ Moved by the overwhelming reality that Christ’s grace & love knows no borders. Off to bed. I-Phone adapter working well. Time to unfurl my mosquito net! The adventure is getting good.

July 24, 2011 – 10:15PM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
To say that “today was exceptional” would miss the mark! Woke up early, cleaned up and read my Bible. Had breakfast downstairs with Candy, Connor & Sylvia, then met with Anthony alone on the GH property. During the night he had fired our driver for breach of professionalism. Anthony explained that twice he unnecessarily exposed our team to unnecessary risk. I liked the man, but in this case, I must trust that Anthony knows a lot more about these matters than I do. The driver was replaced by our new driver Joseph. Very pleasant young man. From there we drove to Shisasari. Amazed! Anthony & Tricia have a beautiful home. I met Anthony’s parents, toured their property, water source and school. Likewise it was my joy to meet many. I’m very eager to say “Jambo”, exchange names and talk. For several I showed a recent pic of Chelle and Emma to jog their memories. Many remembered them fondly including Gabriel. I love the sincere and humble gentleness of these people. I want them desperately to know the love and hope of Jesus. As mentioned we toured the school. Much bigger than I anticipated. Several classes were beautified by previous OOI trips and the work of locals. Afterward we went to the Kakamega Rain Forrest. Awesome! Abraham & Ncholas were great guides. As we left a large family of monkeys jumped from tree to tree near our vehicles. So cool! From there we went to the soccer tournament final hosted by OOI to promote peace in the community. As we drove onto the property a band of people formed, instruments and dancers, parading us into the tournament. Amazingly special! As we got there we saw about 3,000 assembled. They surrounded our car dancing & singing. I shook hundreds of hands as we were escorted by dancers to our special guest seating under the tent. There we were offered soda – a special gift & privilege. After the match I was introduced to speak. I greeted the crowd on behalf of the US, California, FCC, my family & team. Anthony followed. He is a rock star here. I see so many great qualities in him. He would love to be an ambassador for Kenya. I believe strongly that he will do that some day. This surprise of warmth & welcome will never be forgotten. I recorded it on my i-phone. Can’t wait to share these images online soon! Afterward we all ate together at the Golf Hotel restaurant. Interesting cheeseburger! Definitely a long way from home. God has already given me a great love & grace for Kenya. Afterward our very tired team held a meeting in an upstairs conference room. The real mission starts on Monday. Can’t wait! Got a feeling that as amazing as today was, God has even greater just ahead. Church tomorrow morning at Polycap & Patrick’s church, followed by lunch then a crusade. Am I really doing this? I was dared to dance with the locals tonight. Everybody was shocked & laughing when I did! White boy dance in Kakamega! Think it’s just the beginning.

July 24, 2011 – 10:45PM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
Where do I begin to describe the day I just had? After showering, putting on my suit and having breakfast, Joseph our van driver drove us to church. I was blessed beyond measure! Church was held at the school. The African expression of worship overwhelmed me! We danced and did a conga line that actually snaked outside once. Zoey & Mark spoke. Anthony brought up the entire team to introduce them. Each was given an opportunity to speak. Jeanette was moved to tears which greatly touched me. I spoke about our motivation for being there – to be servants. That the servants touched and carried the miracle. John 2 was my text. This was my first experience with an interpreter – Pastor Polycap. For our first time together people said we did quite well. The message I shared was warmly received. Beautiful people! Afterward several Kenyan pastors and I met to form relationships. I asked each about his family and his dreams. Each are wonderful and so humble – desiring to serve. After a great impromptu sit-down we broke for lunch. I went to Anthony’s where I ate rice and beef, all washed down with Fanta. Afterward I watched a Kenya Premiere League match on TV with Godfrey. I wanted the AFC Leopards to win but they didn’t. This club is the local favorite since they represent western Kenya. Afterward we drove to the outdoor revival meeting held in the front yard of a house in Shisasari. With a mobile PA, we danced wildly. Malissa spoke and gave her testimony. Afterward I preached that Jesus was passing by taken from the Bartimaeus account. The Spirit was clearly in control. Pastor Polycap translated. I gave an invitation and many gave their hearts to Jesus – well over 50. Indescribable moments, watching God expand His kingdom. I was exhilarated and humbled all at the same time. I then asked for anyone sick to come forward for prayer. One young man about 6’ 5” came up. For two weeks he had been experiencing severe abdominal discomfort. I asked the other pastors to join me and we laid hands on him. The Father healed him instantaneously! He then shared in tears how he feared he couldn’t be part of our revival because of his pain, but now it was all gone. After the revival, Polycap and I spent time in the Golf Hotel lobby drinking chai getting to know each other better. Tomorrow we’ll meet the students, meet as pastors to devise our strategy, begin canvassing the community with house-to-house visits, then tomorrow night more open-air preaching. By the way, Zoey was healed today of sever/troubling jaw pain. Her and Mark’s testimonies were awesome & well-received. I’m learning to work well with Polycap after only one day. I already love him and the other pastors dearly. I look forward to serving the community with them and getting to know their hearts. I love Kenya! Their joy is inspiring. They have nothing, but they smile and dance easily. This experience is overwhelming! By the way, Mark has become a dancing machine! He dances unashamedly and the people thoroughly enjoy him. He clearly was meant to be here.

July 25, 2011 – 8:55PM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
Just when I thought God had shown me His best – He gave me today! This morning Joseph drove us to the family homes of Polycap, Patrick and their parents. Simply amazing! Mark is ataying with Patrick. Manure floors. Mud walls. Cooking huts. Cows. Clothes lines. Smiles. Beauty. The simple beauty of people connected to each other, to the land, and to God. Afterward Anthony drove us to the school. Like the soccer tournament, a group met us and paraded us there with colorful costume, dancing, drumming, blowing horns. When we neared the school over 800 students poured onto the road and ran toward us screaming with huge smiles on their faces. Overwhelming! I shouted “Jambo!” as I shook hands. Beautiful, sweet, innocent faces. Bald heads. Filthy feet. Torn green uniforms. Ecstatically happy! Don’t they know how poor they are? Today I realized how poor I am. We were introduced and I spoke words of greeting, love and affirmation. After the beautiful and moving welcoming ceremony, I met with the ministry team from Nairobi. Productive meeting. I led the meeting, soliciting their geographical & cultural insight. I’m so touched by their humility. Many of them left their families far away to be here this week. They are eager. They adore the gospel. Their passion for Christ is evident. Afterward I spent a few hours conversing with Polycap at Anthony’s place. Truly love him. Huge heart. Big dreams. His sister and pastor husband stopped by so we could meet briefly. Soon it was time to go to the night crusade. Different venue tonight. People came from nowhere – some appearing out of heavy darkness. Four audio speakers. Feedback. One floodlight. Hundreds of people of all ages. We danced. Zoey gave her very moving testimony. She is an amazing soul. She clearly has a special calling. Her life was and is hard. But, her hope in Christ is sincere & inspiring. With Polycap translating I preached on the bronze snake in the wilderness. At invitation many responded and received Jesus. I’ll know the number tomorrow. One of the pastors has been assigned the duty of keeping track of decisions. Then we prayed for the sick. Many were instantaneously healed, including God restoring sight to a blind eye! Glory! Glory! Then we shouted in celebration and danced wildly with joy. Tomorrow we’ll start the house-to-house visits at 9AM, followed by lunch at 1PM, followed by an abbreviated open-air crusade in the community, followed by another large night crusade. Going back to the same place we were tonight. More people expected tomorrow. We found a great fishing spot!

July 26, 2011 – 3:40PM – Anthony’s House:
Today we started 3 days of home visits. We sent out 8 teams of three members. The experience was beyond words. Each household warmly invited us into their homes to sit down. I shared the good news and prayed for many needs. Though the houses are primitive, each had large main sitting areas in which we could speak. Our team of three led 8 to Christ and prayed for many. At 1PM we all reconvened at the school. A total of 56 salvations – with two more days to go! These teams are hungry to serve the Lord. We rejoiced together at God’s kindness in our freshmen effort. Afterward the Americans had lunch at the school with the teachers. Ugali. Rice. Potatoes. Greens. Simple & delicious! I enjoyed talking with a couple of teachers comparing the Kenyan & American diets. Very different! Afterward I went outside to speak with the school children. They loved seeing pics of my family. Each said that they want to someday visit America. So I used that to speak to them about the importance of their education. The spring protection project is in full swing, and, the pipe bringing clean city water to the school is almost there. Both projects were financed by the Advent Conspiracy (Christmas-time) giving at FCC. I wish each of our church members could see all of this personally!

July 26, 2011 – 9:15PM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
Just got back to my room. Spent! My feet are killing me. I have worn a suit, tie and hard dress shoes consistently for days now. Today we held two crusades. Our “small” one was packed and many came to Christ. I preached on the “Bad News & Good News”. The second crusade had more people, but they were clearly distracted by the placement of the floodlight (in their faces). I preached on the prodigal son. Many got saved. Afterwards we all celebrated and danced. I’m done. Wasted. Not even eating dinner. I ordered 2 cold Fantas to rehydrate somehow. More house visits in the morning.

July 27, 2011 – 7:35PM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
I just got to my room. Amazing day! Went out again with Polycap & Charles. Led 17 to Christ on our home visits. 58 for all the teams today. Glory! Had a beautiful and moving time with students today. They are so precious. They love having their pictures taken and seeing themselves! Torrential rain cancelled the small crusade. I told Anthony that I needed to get back to the hotel to adequately prepare for the Pastors Meeting on Friday.

July 29, 2011 – 6:10AM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
A day was lost due to sickness. All day yesterday (7/28) I was in the bed ill. I woke up early that morning with severe uncontrollable shaking. Scary. Body chills and aches. Severe nausea. Throbbing headache. All night I was up and down between the bed and the bathroom – all night! Not sure what it was. For the past few days I noticed that my appetite was diminishing. Also, I was fight dehydration. I have been wearing a suit daily and have been walking throughout the countryside. Plus I have been touching people and shaking countless number of hands. I think I was very vulnerable to get something. Plus I must not discount the spiritual aspect. So many have been coming to Christ daily. Attack/interruption was expected. Anthony & Candy came to my room yesterday morning. They were so caring. Anthony alerted the Golf staff who checked on me throughout the day. Candy said I had a severe fever. She gave me a variety of medicines and nutrients. For two days I ate meager portions of plain white rice, plain toast and bananas. I also have been sipping water & Sprite. My fever broke yesterday at dinner-time. Soaking wet! I slept relatively well. Woke up with a bit of an appetite. Encouraging. Anthony will pick me up at 10 this morning to take me to teach the Pators Meeting, then right back to bed. God is good and faithful! I will finish this trip strong in His might.

July 29, 2011 – 5:40PM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
I just got back to the hotel. God gave me the strength to persevere through the Pastors Meeting today. Huge success! I taught approximately 100 church leaders the need for and principles of servant leadership. They really got it! Such beautiful people. Such beautiful hearts. After a brief soda break, each introduced themselves and shared something about themselves & their ministries. Afterward we had a time of Q&A. The principles of Christian marriage seem to be an issue for them, contradicting some old cultural views and practices. I will focus more on marriage when I come back. After Q&A I prayed over and personally handed-out Bibles. I was shocked how few pastors had a copy of the Word! They literally rushed my table – hungry. I was weakening from sickness so we felt it wise for me to come back her to the Golf and rest in preparation for two busy days ahead. Orphans Party tomorrow! Everyone prayed for my healing. Very moving. Before the meeting Mark Asprey asked me if I had heard his big news – He’s moving here!! In his fasting & praying, the Spirit told him to sell his possessions in America and move here to help the local church. We both embraced and cried with joy. This is such an answered prayer. With so many first-time decisions this week, now who will reach & disciple them? Mark will be a big part. So proud of him! FCC is a sending church. Other big news, our teammate Sylvia received Christ and will be baptized on Sunday! Jen played a big part in her decision and she will baptize her. Overwhelming blessings! Thank you Lord Jesus!

July 30, 2011 – 10:00PM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
Was told I would be picked up at 9:30AM for the Orphans Party. Waited until 11:30 in lobby. Receptionist told me that I would now be picked up at 12:30. Got picked up at 2! Miffed! Thought all day that I was missing out on one of the true highlights of the trip – the Orphans Party. Apparently it began about 10AM and the people were waiting for me while I waited for a ride. A group met our car and danced ahead of us to the school. So amazing! A huge community gathering with local dignitaries, citizens, and students. I was ushered to pray a prayer of dedication & blessing at the almost-finished spring protection project and city waterline project. Then I had to sign the school guestbook (something very important to them). I took my seat under the tent and the festivities began. Speeches, musical numbers, dancing, drama, more speeches. The orphans I found out had been there all day without eating. Though I had prepared much to say, I abbreviated my comments greatly for their sake. Afterward the orphans were called by name and each was given a pre-packaged bag containing their newly-sewn outfits and other donated things. They were then given cookies and a soda – Christmas morning! After that we fed them a big meal with great variation – Thanksgiving! So much food had been bought by FCC donations and prepared that after all the orphans were fed, we fed other children in attendance. As darkness quickly fell, and serving bowls ran low, nothing short of chaos began! Children pressed against us frantic to get a serving of anything. We literally created human blockades and shouted for them to back up and follow some form of order & organization. Futile! Truly one of the saddest things I’ve ever witnessed in my life. The deputy school master called an official end to the feeding, we dropped our ladles and fought back waves of sadness over what we just experienced. In the darkness we were glad to receive a ride from Pastor Peter Aquilla (Nairobi) to Tricia’s house where we ate something. Appetite slowly coming back, but not risking it. Moderation! My suit is looser. Anthony’s brother Engosi drove us Golf people to the hotel. Church tomorrow. Last Sunday in Kenya. Raining & muddy.

July 31, 2011 – 10:45PM – Golf Hotel – Kakamega:
Got to church this morning an hour and a half late! Nothing runs on time here. Hakuna! I spoke on Jesus healing the invalid at Solomon’s Colonnade (John 5). Afterward we changed clothes and baptized several at the local river. I shared a brief baptism teaching (Philip & the Ethiopian – appropriate!) and prayed. We baptized people with great joy, including a recently converted Muslim! Also to our great joy, Sylvia was baptized by Jen. So happy for her. Answered prayer. I was soaked! Joseph, our driver, took us back to the Golf to shower and eat. Then he took us to the crusade. When we got there, they had already been praising & dancing for at least an hour and a half! I preached on the Cross as Polycap interpreted. Began pouring rain. People quickly left, but several men gave their lives to Jesus. We prayed for them as the rain fell. After I scrambled to the waiting van. So saddened I wasn’t able to say goodbye to Pastor Patrick or the Nairobi team – only Polycap. The mission aspect of the trip officially ended. Exhausted & exhilarated. Went back to the Golf and packed. Leaving at 4AM. By the way, I tried my first Kenyan simosa for dinner. Safe & delicious! Of course washed down with Fanta.

August 1, 2011 – 10:15PM – Nakuru:
Against all odds, Joseph and the van were there at 4AM! We loaded up and drove to Eldoet to exchange to a bigger van. I love western Kenya! So scenic. The sights of people and animals are captivating. Enjoyed wonderful praise & worship i-phone music on the long drive. Got to Nakuru and checked in at a nice Catholic-owned/run retreat center. Rooming with Mark. After ordering lunch to-go (a chicken? Sandwich & greasy fries) we went to the Lake Nakuru preserve. Huge! Beautiful! Before going in a monkey chased Jeanette and jumped in the car with Nicholas! We all howled! Inside the park we saw every animal imaginable – including (at the end) two amorous lions! So fantastic to see them in the wild. So glad we did this. Had dinner at the retreat center afterward as a team. Prayed and bid farewell to Sylvia.

August 2, 2011 – 11:55PM – Swiss International Airlines A330:
After breakfast we checked-out of the retreat center and Joseph drove us souvenir shopping in Nakuru. Played hardball with a shop owner and got my last souvenir. Some of the girls are amazing hagglers – namely Malissa & Zoey! They were literally banned from the store. The ruthless store owner met his match! We then drove to Nairobi. Horrible traffic! Ranks right up there with SF traffic. Eventually we got to the famous Carnivore restaurant. Anthony & Tricia and the kids & Pastor Polycap & Ann met us there. Awesome eating experience! Exotic cuts of meat served and cut right onto your plate – as much as you can eat. Ate camel, crocodile, ostrich, and a part of the ox I won’t mention! Great atmosphere! So glad that we ended this way as a team. We treated our driver Joseph to dinner and gave him a monetary gift of appreciation. He was wonderful. With our flight-time closing in, we choked down dessert and raced to the arirport. There we said our goodbyes. Unorthodox check-in and security, but we navigated it all together. Flying the Swiss carrier for the first time. Great airlines! We’ll fly all night and wake up in Zurich!

August 3, 2011 – 12:50PM – Frankfurt Airport:
Woke up this morning (seat 40A) flying over the Adriatic Sea – the lights of the Italian coast to my left! Beautiful view. After landing in Zurich, we took a Lufthansa 737 here to Frankfurt. Taken by bus from plane to terminal. Delayed a couple of hours. Not my first 747 delay in this airport. My last one was in 1974! The longest leg of the entire trip awaits us – Frankfurt to San Francisco non-stop – 11 ½ hours! Bought a few sodas, a fruit cup, and a pen here at the airport to update my journal. What a trip! We’re all so tired, yet so glad we came. Can’t wait to see Chelle and the kids. I’ve missed them all/each so much. We met all of our mission objectives and more! We saw 2,268 make decisions to follow Jesus. We were inspired and inspirational. We loved on orphans and it was amazing. I made life-long friendships and grew so close to our team. Thank you Jesus! Kenya 2013? We’ll see – if He wills.

'Go' with One Mind and Voice - Kenya Trip Itinerary

Jambo!

Several of you have promised us as Kenya team members that you will be praying diligently for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Likewise, several have requested the opportunity to pray speficically for us daily. With that treasured request in mind, I'm sharing with you our daily itinerary. Please pray that the spirit of our mission passage - Romans 15:5-6 - would permeate every aspect of our journey for God's glory!

Tuesday, July 19 - Depart US to Kenya

Wednesday, July 20 - Arrive in Nairobi

Thursday, July 21 - Supply shopping in Nairobi, Drive to Kakamega, Visit Rift Valley, Lunch in Nakuru, Dinner at Gold Hotel (Kakamega)

Friday, July 22 - Shisasari school visit & introductions, Kakamega Rain Forest, Crying Stone

Saturday, July 23 - House-to-House visits, Evangelism

Sunday, July 24 - Church in Shisasari, Evangelism

Monday, July 25 - Thursday, July 28 - Medical outreach, Spring protection project, House-to-House, Vacation Bible School, Evangelism Crusade (nightly)

Friday, July 29 - Visit Kisumu, Spring protection project, Pastor's Meeting, Drama rehearsal, Evangelism crusade

Saturday, July 30 - Orphans Party (big meal, distribution of dresses, shorts, & Bibles), Drama presentation

Sunday, July 31 - Church in Shisasari, Baptism service (river), Evangelism crusade

Monday, August 1 - Lake Nakuru, Travel to Nairobi, Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant

Tuesday, August 2 - Souvenir shopping in Nairobi, Depart for the US

Wednesday, August 3 - Arrive in San Francisco

Thank you to all of you from Florida to California who sewed dresses and shorts for orphans, sent generous donations, shared words of encouragement, prayed, and donated your time and resources to this worthy cause to help the 'least of these'. We're taking each of you to Africa in our hearts.


Mungu Awabariki! (God Bless You)

Pastor's Perspective - Getting What She Deserved

She’s not getting what she deserves!

I’ve heard that animated sentiment a lot the last few days regarding the ‘not guilty’ verdict handed down to Casey Anthony. If you’re one of three people in America unfamiliar with her case, she is a young Florida mother accused of taking her young daughter’s life in 2008. Through a lot of circumstantial evidence and unusual behavior on Casey’s part after the child went missing, we all thought her guilt was a slam-dunk. However, the judicial system ran its course and twelve jurors acquitted her of the severest charges against her. Casey Anthony will be released within the next couple of weeks.

Personally, as a current events junkie, I was shocked by the verdict. I had been following the trial diligently and truly believed that the prosecution had a strong case. Since I’ve never met anyone connected to the case, all I really know is what I’ve seen and read. Like most of you, I believe that she was directly involved in what happened to her daughter. Therefore, the thought that someone blessed and entrusted to love and protect an innocent child, harmed that child and somehow got away with it is simply unsettling. As a Christian, in times like this, I can rest in and trust a more accurate and thorough judicial process is at work. Absolutely nothing escapes God.

Justice and the desire for it are qualities we share with our Creator. Without ever being taught to appreciate justice, we all have an innate desire to promote it, police it and protect it. Therefore, when someone appears to elude it, we frenzy. In other words, it is angering and scandalous for the clearly guilty to be declared ‘not guilty’.

Grace is scandalous.

The cross is scandalous.

Though the name Casey Anthony will always spark a visceral debate regarding her possible or probable guilt, there is one thing proven beyond a shadow of a doubt - I’m guilty!

I’m a murderer.

Jesus said to be maliciously angry with a brother is to invite divine judgment (Matthew 5:22)

I’m an adulterer.

Jesus said to look at a woman lustfully is to commit adultery with her in my heart (Matthew 5:28).

I’ve stolen, lied, and broken the lion’s share of God’s clearly identified commandments.

Simply put, I’m not sure if Casey is guilty or not, but I know I am.

Yet, in and through God’s grace offered to all of us through the completed redemptive work of Christ’s crucifixion, I’ve been declared ‘Not Guilty’; not by my good works but by His!

“Casey is not getting what she deserves.”

Maybe not.

Scandalously, I didn’t get what I deserved.

That, dear friends, is the beauty of the gospel.

Kenya Trip Article in Daily Republic

The following article was just published today in the local Fairfield newspaper the Daily Republic. Great thanks to reporter Ian Thompson for his work.

Prayers and donations are gladly accepted.

SUISUN CITY — The small sign greeting people as they leave the First Christian Church’s parking lot reads “You are entering the mission field.”
On July 19, 13 members of the Suisun City congregation will extend their mission of helping the less fortunate halfway around the world to a small village in western Kenya.
Pastor Steve Kiefer will be one of those going, putting into practice their belief that it is the work of Christians to take care of those in need both in the local community of Suisun City and far away in a small Kenyan village such as Shisisari.
The mission’s genesis occurred when Trisha and Anthony Isayi came from Kenya to settle in Suisun City and joined the First Christian Church of Suisun City five years ago.
Anthony Isayi’s story of his village’s extreme poverty and his need to help moved the other parishioners, particularly to help the population of 250 HIV orphans “who didn’t even have enough nourishment to go to school,” Kiefer said.
His village, Shisisari, is located in western Kenya not that far from Lake Victoria.
The Isayi family was already making efforts on their own to help by forming a nonprofit group called Operation Orphans International.
With the help of First Christian, they created a daily feeding program for the orphans “to make sure they have a good breakfast and lunch, and make sure they have a good education,” Keifer said.
Four years ago, Michelle Kiefer and their daughter Emma Kiefer went to Shisisari and saw the extreme need for themselves.
“For most of the orphans, the only clothes they had were their school uniforms and a lot of the children had boils. They were well fed only because we were feeding them for the past year,” Michelle Keifer said.
The schoolhouse was “a run-down, one-story building with classrooms with dirt floors,” according to Michelle Kiefer.
The primary mission of Michelle Kiefer’s two-week trip was to establish a rapport with the people, meet the orphans personally and to let the village know that First Christian’s assistance will be a continuing mission to help them.
While there, Michelle Kiefer was able to work with Engineers Without Borders to start building a well, lay concrete in some of the classrooms and put new tin roofs on some areas of the school.
On July 19, a 13-person team from the church that included Trisha and Anthony Isayi are returning to the village with clothes for all of the orphans, sports equipment and medical supplies to do vaccinations.
“The team is using vacation time and are digging deep into their pockets for the financial costs. I am so very proud of these people,” Steve Kiefer said.
Anthony Isayi left Thursday after ensuring each member of the team will be carrying one of the boxes of clothes when they leave for Kenya in an effort to cut down on shipping costs.
The clothes, dresses and shorts, were made by parishioners both here and from a parish in Florida
During his own packing Anthony Isayi stated he got part of his own education as a youth from the Peace Corps and took the goal of educating Kenya’s youth as his own. A large part of his reason for coming to America was to work as an informal ambassador for Kenya and help his homeland.
The July mission’s top project is getting the village a safe, fresh water source, according to Steve Kiefer.
Villagers presently draw water from springs “where mud and animals are causing people to get very sick,” Steve Kiefer said.
The plan is to improve and protect two springs for human use only and leave a third one for animal use.
One of the mission members will also be vaccinating all of the orphans as well as about 1,000 other people in the community.
“We will also be conducting a regional soccer tournament to foster good will and to offset some of the political fracturing in the region,” Steve Kiefer said.
The mission will also assess the needs for future groups with the goal of returning in 2013 with an even larger contingent.
Steve Kiefer stated all the effort to meet the needs of such a village so far away is part of the basic bedrock of why his congregation exists.
He states it is the work of Christians to take care of those in need both in the local community of Suisun City and far away in a small Kenyan village such as Shisisari.
“It is something that we can do and we believe honors God,” Steve Kiefer said.

Pastor's Perspective - Dude, Your Mic is On!

Dude, your mic is on!

Recently an unidentified Southwest Airlines pilot on a flight from Austin to San Diego began ranting to his co-pilot about flight attendants he had flown with on recent flights. With beep-worthy expletives, he unashamedly bashed fellow in-flight employees regarding their age, sexual orientation and weight. His foul-mouthed tirade was heard all over Texas air space due to a stuck-open mic! For over two minutes, Houston air traffic controllers could not communicate with other planes, because this captain’s rant dominated the radio frequency. A Southwest official stated that he was “deeply saddened” by the pilot’s “inexcusable language”, and that the pilot was currently grounded without pay.

This recent news story is a reminder that as humans - all of our mics are on!

Whether we want them to or not, people are listening to us. They are listening intentionally or unintentionally to every word we say. Not only do they hear every verb and noun, they also hear every exclamation mark and attitude behind it.

It is proven that careless words can initiate illness, destroy the best of relationships, distort personalities and even cause war. A Ginsu knife is not the only thing that slices and dices!

The Bible says many things about our words . We are told that the power of life and death are in our words. We read that the words we use are the overflow of what we allow in our heart. That our words are fickle, praising God one moment and cursing His children the next. James tells us that the tongue’s potential damage is immeasurable and untamable, and that it is a fire demonically fueled.

Knowing that our mics are stuck open, is there anything we can do to prevent regrettable red-faced situations?

My best advice is to deal with your words before them go public!

Before a revealing and potentially damaging sentence is spoken, it is an internalized thought. While it is still in the deep recesses of your cranium, ask yourself three important questions:

Is what I’m about to say verifiably true? (Or is it just gossip or hearsay?)

Is what I’m about to share needful? (Does this person really need to hear this?)

Is what I’m about to share kind and edifying? (Will this lift-up or tear-down?)

If what you are about to say fails to fit cleanly through even one of those question-filters, my best advice - swallow it!

Remember, each of us with the fruit of the Spirit called ‘self-control’ have the ability to run this 3-question checklist, no matter how emotionally stirred-up we might be in the moment.

Friends, it’s better to swallow it than be grounded by it. Just ask a certain pilot.

Pastor's Perspective - Nothing Even Comes Close

I was so blessed this morning to read this Facebook entry by our Tricia Isayi, co-founder of Operation Orphans International – “We spent the day yesterday packing boxes of clothes for Kenya. We completely filled eight boxes with 50 pounds of clothes. The orphan kids in Shisasari are going to be the best dressed!!! We still have medical supplies and new dresses, shorts, and shirts. Thanks for all of these blessings.”

Bill Hybels in his book ‘Courageous Leadership’ conveys the following powerful truths – “The local church is the hope of the world…Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness…There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right…No other organization on earth is like the church. Nothing even comes close.”

Over the course of the last several months, women and children attending two congregations 3,000 miles apart, have been serving selflessly in tandem to sew new clothes for approximately 250 HIV-affected orphans 10,000 miles away in remote western Kenya. The wonderful ladies of First Christian Church in Wauchula, Florida (onefamilyonefocus.com), my former ministry, joined our vision and efforts here at First Christian Church in Suisun City, California, and the result is just another priceless example of what God can do through His Bride for ‘the least of these’. These beautiful dresses and shorts sets will be personally delivered by our team of fifteen next month – all compliments of Jesus.

Huge thanks goes to everyone who sat smiling behind a sewing machine from sea to shining sea, motivated by the thought of smiling orphans and a smiling Savior. There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Nothing even comes close!

Pastor's Perspective - Grab a Blanket!

Is it me, or are we seeing a spike in influential people doing foolish things on the national stage? From current congressmen, to former governors and presidential candidates, to star entertainers, to mega-church pastors, and sports heroes, there is no famine of over-exposed celebrities falling into our headlines. It seemed at one time people ascended into the national spotlight, but nowadays the descending get water cooler prominence from sea to shining sea.

Since Eden we’ve all fallen – no exceptions. Simply put, fallen people fall. Some fall very loudly and publically. In a highly-connected society where we’re all carrying cameras disguised as mobile phones, documented falleness is everywhere around us. It is the stuff of checkout line magazines and sensationalized television. The saddest indictment is not that fallen people fall; the saddest indictment and commentary is that we like it! There is something fallen in us that enjoys other people falling – especially those who enjoy a certain slice of celebrity.

What is it? Do we somehow feel justified in our own falleness by the carnal publicized missteps of others? Does it make us feel like we’re somehow better, or at least, as good as? To quote the prophet Frank, regrets, we’ve had a few. So why do we relish in the downward spiral of others and engage in rock-throwing? As Christians, how should we respond and react to such head-wagging headlines?

One of the many things I love about the Bible is its honesty. It shares inspiring acts of faith, and, it shares embarrassing episodes alike, reminding us that it is a book about real people for real people. One of those embarrassing episodes is found in the story of Noah. In Genesis we read that when there were only eight people on the entire planet, one of them had a regrettable red-faced moment! After being used by God to preserve mankind, following the great flood, Noah planted a vineyard. From his harvest he made wine, got drunk, and passed out naked in his tent. Personally, I have seen the ‘Noah and the Ark’ theme used in baby nurseries all across America; but I have never seen ‘Inebriated Noah’ in junior’s first bedroom!

The Almighty used a faithful human being to help save mankind; yet, Noah was fallen and did something regrettable, something embarrassing, something uncharacteristic. Can you relate? Do you have a similar story? Ever worn the lampshade?

One son saw his father in this less-than-patriarchal state on the tent floor, snickered, and went to announce it to his brothers. In essence he Facebooked it, Tweeted it, and made it story one in the ‘Mount Ararat Gazette’! He couldn’t wait to share with others the poor decision his father had made. Later, Noah pronounced a curse on him for attempting to augment an already bad situation.

When the other two brothers heard about their father’s condition, they deliberately took a blanket and backed into his tent and covered his nakedness, refusing to look at their dad in that disgraced state. They in turn were blessed by their father afterward.

Friends, we’ve all been Noah. Likewise, we’ve all been his discovering son. We all have things we’re proud of and not-so proud of in our pasts. Some things honored God. Many other things didn’t. We’ve also been the first one privy to juicy information about the poor choices of others.

In those moments when others are clearly guilty, exposed, caught, embarrassed and vulnerable, as Christians, let’s back into the tent! I’m not suggesting covering-up sin, but instead, not perpetuating it for the carnal appetite and satisfaction of others. Our sinfulness cost Jesus Christ His very life. Why would we want to celebrate it in others?

So, when prominent people fall, put down the bullhorn, pray for them and their families and grab a blanket!