All is Peaceful so Far

I didn’t expect such a great response from everyone. More than 200 people have clicked on my blog since yesterday morning. I hope that means that at least 200+ people are praying. At the moment things are quiet and people are going about their business as usual, but everyone is waiting to see what might go down tomorrow. Keep praying. Only God can keep the peace.

Tension is Mounting

Driving home from the airport last night in Port-au-Prince, I saw more police officers than I thought existed in Haiti. I saw all types of troops, even some in heavy black armor. They are all over the streets, anticipating something big.  Senatorial elections are this Sunday… and it’s not looking good.

A little over a month ago all 16 of the senatorial candidates from the Lavalas party were eliminated from the race.  The reasons for their exclusion are a bit confusing, and some claim that the reasons are sketchy and invalid.  I don’t know enough to choose a party, but even as a non-supporter I would say that was a horrible move to exclude Lavalas from the race.  It was a horrible move even if there was reason for them to be excluded.  First, they are the most popular party.  Second, some say they are the most forceful and most prone to violence.  Five years later, they are still vying for the return of their exiled leader, former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and there were times during these years that our government was fearful of them.  To go further and “exile” all of their Senatorial candidates is a political slap in the face.  Some suspect that someone actually wants to prod Lavalas and incite them to violence.  Some even suspect that someone wants to anger the Lavalas party and then do violence themselves while hiding behind their name.  Some even think that these are empty threats intended to rile up every criminal in the country and give them an excuse to take the streets.  Why?  No one could really tell you…  There are lots of dirty hands at play…

In Haiti, all of these things are possible.  There are many things going on behind the curtains, but all that we, the people, know is that someone has been anonymously distributing propaganda saying to anyone who goes out on Sunday, whether or not they are voting, their blood is on their own hands.  They have been threatening people with decapitation saying to write their names and phone numbers on their feet if they feel bold enough to go out, so that their families can identify them.  There have been many more threats and I sincerely believe that without divine intervention Sunday will be a very bloody day.  Please pray for Haiti.  It is more urgent than ever.

Please forward this blog to everyone who knows how to pray…  As for me, if something happens and I lose communication, do know that I have more than one safe place to go.  Furthermore… I’m supposed to be here… so I can’t die…. like my dad after all he’s been through in 39 years of ministry.  So don’t be anxious for me, just pray.

Imitation = Flattery + Humility

This morning I had another precious, eye-opening moment with my children.  Toward the end of every service, after the sermon has been preached, we always ask if there is anyone in the crowd that would like to make a first-time commitment to follow Jesus Christ.  I used to pray with the team that received these people at the front of the sanctuary, until I realized that whenever I did, children would come only because they wanted to receive prayer from me.  They would even return again days or weeks later, not to receive Christ again (as if that could be done), but to be prayed for by me.

I don’t really mind praying for this children over and over (for other reasons), but I wanted every decision to follow Christ to be sincere, so I decided to remove myself from this particular prayer group and I found a way to pray from a distance.  Now, every time that this call is being made, I take my place on a ledge that is just off of the right side of the stage and next to the first pillar that holds up the second floor of the stands.  I stand there and stretch out my hands to pray for those who are coming to make this new commitment.  This morning, as I was praying with my eyes closed and with my left hand extended, I felt a little hand grab onto my right hand.  I opened my eyes to find a line of three or four little boys standing on my ledge, with their hands stretched out and their eyes closed, just like mine were, and the one holding my hand was looking up at me smiling as he copied me.

It was a very precious moment, but it was also very sobering to realize how closely these children are watching my every move…  “Oh be careful little hands what you do…“  Children are very impressionable and they are very impressed by you…  Use that power for good.

Godly Investment: Duke CCF Devotional

Focal scripture: Colossians 1:3-14

“…As indeed in the whole world [the gospel] is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth… For this reason, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God… “
–Verses 6, 9 & 10

In the face of the current financial crisis, many Americans have been suddenly re-introduced to the concept of “smart spending” and “smart investment.”  Many are beginning to learn the difference between a luxury and a necessity, when they once thought them to be one in the same.  By working part-time at classy restaurant, I am witnessing first-hand that many are learning to forgo the regular splurge on an expensive meal to embrace the culinary arts at home.  When resources are scarce, we wise up.

What is interesting to me about this scripture, is that Paul assumes that God is also a wise and frugal investor, even though the resources of his knowledge are unlimited.  If you step back a few verses to verse 6, you will see that Paul and his partners prayed for the Colossians relentlessly because of the fruit being produced by their faithfulness to the word that they received.  Paul saw a chance for a “great return” on God’s further investment into the Colossians, so he prayed that God would give them more.  We do not see the result of his prayer in scripture, but I can guarantee, based on other scriptures (namely the parable of the talents–See Matthew 25:14-30), that God surely answered that prayer.

We all want to know God more.  We all want to know His will.  As you pray and fast today, I challenge you to examine the fruit of the gospel that you received.  God gives more to the faithful.  Pray that he will do just that for Christians on this Campus.  Pray that he will exalt the knowledge of the faithful, in increase the faithfulness of the knowledgeable.