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The thing that is better than children - grandchildren! All the joy and hope of new life, and less responsibility. At least that is how it feels to me to have become a grandparent.

Church-planting is pretty much the same. Getting to visit Marian and Maria Kozak, who minister in Alytus, Lithuania, is just pure joy. Looking into the faces of the people that are impacted with the good news of Jesus is simply the greatest delight.

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Our church in Germany has had the greatest pleasure to send missionaries. Not just participate financially in other ministries, but actually equip and send families to other cultures. Does it get any better than that?

Sending churches have responsibilities and we want to take ours seriously. Part of that is praying, cheer-leading, coaching, supporting.

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Sunday, June 2, 2013.

18 people - all young families and single adults - have banded together to impact their community for the cause of Christ. And today was the grand opening of all their hard work, the birth of their dream.

They called it a "grand opening" - and over 40 adults joined to celebrate their beginning, including the mayor. His words encouraged the group and welcomed their impact in the city. He even gave kind words how that more churches should be a warm place to attend - then maybe more young people could be found at church.

Home is a storefront building that has been renovated to house those attending services on Sunday @ 10:00 AM in a warm, living room atmosphere. Everywhere you look there is creativity, a touch of class.

It has been my honor to coach this group as they have worked toward this day. At the end of it, honestly, they did more to inspire me than what I could ever give them.

Sergej, Benni, Regina, Renate, David, Eugen, and so many others - your future looks bright. Sunday was a beautiful day.

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Imagine attempting to get a job in today's competitive marketplace - and having to get their without ever having had a teacher to instruct you how to read, to add, to discover, explore and experiment.

Imagine needing a doctor, knowing that he or she had never had an internship with qualified staff to observe and guide their development, to show them the proper way to diagnose organs, perform surgery safely.

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There's an art to breaking things. As kids, my brother and I did our best to perfect our trade. During a certain phase, my brother wanted to know how electronics worked, so he would disassemble various working items. I would mechanic and always seem to have surplus bolts at the end of reassembly. 
 
Breaking things is easier than fixing things. Getting them back together after they are busted is not quite as easy. 
  • Getting kids to put the toys back in their place after pulling everything out - not always as much fun. 
  • Replacing the luggage at the conclusion of the vacation - how is everything supposed to fit like it did when we left?
  • Rekindling a relationship after the initial fascination has worn off, or following a deep emotional wound?
  • Getting a church back on track after momentum has been lost. 
  • Renewing the vision of a once-strong culture that has been devastated economically and politically?
Some try and become frustrated. Some end up in an endless cycle of self-discovery and therapy. Some lose hope and bail - looking for a fix under other circumstances. 
 
It is easier to break things than fix them. 
 
That is why the words of God to King Solomon are so powerful. At the conclusion of the dedication to an amazing temple construction, God tells Solomon: I would be honored to have a place among my people and dwell I their midst. (That is good news.)
 
But God goes on to say that if the relationship gets sideways (implying that it is only a matter of time), it,can be renewed. Four vital indicators of our desire lead to renewal, forgiveness and healing. God says, it is not unknown and complex. 
 
Humility - lose the attitude. Lose the pride and arrogance. That alienates, but humility is a magnet. Vulnerability is a key to close and lasting relationships. It is dangerous and scary, but indispensable. 
 
Pray - there are no 'magic' words with God, no written prose that gain his attention. Prayer is our indication to him that we are stating clearly - I need you. Lack of prayer indicates - I have everything under control. Make prayer a life habit. 
 
Seek my face - God states that he must be the priority. He is not wanting to be one of the boxes on the checklist, not an afterthought - he will only accept being the first love of your heart. 
 
Turn from wickedness - there are choices to be made which indicate who you love. Letting go of destructive habits that hurt God, hurt others are an indication of their value. Secret sins, dirty habits, shady practices - they alienate. 
 
It is not complex, but it will require a choice. It will require a shift in priorities. Refocus.
 
Broken things can be renewed. 
 
God told Solomon that during the big ribbon-cutting ceremony at the temple. (2. Chronicles 7:11-14)
 
 
1. Which arrogant tendencies, which prideful expressions in your life need attention right now?
2. When will you carve out time and speak with God about renewing your heart?
3. What would it look like in your life, your daily activities, your decisions - if Jesus had first priority?
 
Maybe this should be a discussion starter at your next group study. 

 

  1. InSignificant