When I'm 80, I want to be like the...

When I'm 80, I want to be like the Briscoes. Mandy and I had the privilege of attending a pastors and wives retreat recently. It was so refreshing and it was great to be with each other. The speakers at this retreat was Stuart and Jill Briscoe who are on staff at Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stuart is 80 and his wife, Jill is 76. Their approach to God's Word and the challenges which were given were not only eye-opening but served as great reminders. At their ages, the Briscoes have a fierce travel schedule which takes them all around the globe teaching God's Word to a variety of groups. When retirement could easily be a logical step, the Briscoes are moving fast for the Kingdom. How challenging!

As I consider the Briscoes and their resolve to take the message of Christ all around the world, I feel personally challenged. I can't think of a better way to spend my time and my resources than investing it into ministry. I love ministry. Although ministry can be draining and highly frustrating at times, I desire to do nothing else. I love serving others. I so desire to have the same resolve of the Briscoes---selflessly giving myself to others and Jesus Himself. At times there is a cost and their are pressures. However, to follow God into full-time ministry is so fulfilling.

I hope when I'm 80, I'm serving my King (as the Briscoes are). Whether it's here in the United States, Cambodia or Timbuktu (a small city in Mali), I want to be serving my King and His Kingdom.

The MOST Important Thing

What is "the MOST important thing"? Some would say it's family, others would say it's vacationing. Some would say friends, and many would say there church. There's probably a thousand different answers to that question. But how would God answer this question? What would God way is the MOST important thing?

In Matthew 22:37, Jesus addressed some religious people (his critics) by telling them the greatest commandment---to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Jesus then went on to say that the 2nd greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself". If the most important thing is to love God with ones entire self, then the second most important thing is to love others selflessly. I fully embrace the greatest commandment and then fleshing it out in practical ways to a lost and hopeless world. I've found that it's so difficult to love others selflessly when we fail to focus on our love for the One, true God.

But what does it really mean to love God with our heart, soul and mind? What does this mean for you? What does this mean for me? To demonstrate a deep love for God not only includes living a life of obedience, living a lifestyle of worship, and honoring others. It also includes telling others about the goodness of God, the plan of God and the love of God. Sharing this message brings pleasure and glory to God. If we keep this message all to ourselves, we become selfish and we fail to tell the Truth to those closest to us.

So, how can we actually say that we love God if we fail to tell anyone about God? Tough question! Let me phrase it another way: How can we say that we've embraced a transforming, life-altering Truth when we're unwilling and unable to share this Truth with others? Can we really claim to be loving and passionate followers of God, if we fail to be passionate Truth-tellers? I say, "no". I'd say to be a passionate follower of God, one must embrace the Truth so much that they're willing to share this Truth in both word and deed.

So, this is why on March 12th, we're training people to share the The MOST Important Thing (a relationship with Jesus Christ). For 3 short hours, I'll be sharing some very practical and simple methods that can help anyone share the hope of Jesus Christ with others. If you've never shared the Gospel with others and you want to, or if you simply want to get a jump-start and get motivated to share with others, then come out on March 12th @ 9:00am for The MOST Important Thing.

See you on March 12th @ 9am as we learn to share the MOST Important Thing. More questions...email me at lendingtothepoor@gmail.com.

Burkina Bound!!!

So, today I booked the tickets. A friend of mine, my brother and myself will board a plane and travel to Burkina Faso in April. The purpose of this trip is to spend some time developing the micro-lending process and then visit some of the clients who have been recipients of loans. It will be a great experience to meet those that the loans were designed for.

We'll spend a lot of our time in the village that we've targeted with our loans. I want to see how the loans have helped the borrowers and their families. I want to see what they're doing with their loans. We'll also do some business training with those that are currently in the loan pipeline. I'll be spending a considerable amount of time with Jean, the loan officer that I work with. My goal is to put more definition and parameters around the work that we're doing.

I have lots to do to prepare. In addition to preparing for other facets of the trip, there are some things that I'm trusting God to provide. Here are some things that I'm asking God to provide:

• A digital camera. Our loan officer needs a camera to take pictures and videos of all the clients and the products that they in turn produce with their loans.
• A laptop. It doesn't have to be elaborate, and I'm OK with a used laptop. If you know of a laptop that could be used for our loan officer in the micro-credit ministry...please let me know. Currently, the loan officer uses cyber cafes, and it's getting to the point that he needs a competent computer that he's able to rely on.
• A loan could be as small as $20. It's that simple. If you want to join in, let me know. It only takes a little to make a large difference. We have a lot. They have a little. We've got to step up and make a difference. Let me know if you feel led to contribute. I'd be grateful to partner with you.

Although there are other needs, these are 2 primary needs. If you're able to help or even contribute to these 3 practical needs, please let me know. Send me an email at lendingtothepoor@gmail.com.

I'll keep you posted on the developments and some other things we'll be doing on our April trip to Burkina. Stay tuned. Pray with me. God's doing some cool things...it's such a cool thing to stay behind Jesus and His plan for my life.

He is able (don't forget it!)