We went out in teams of three or four – two Americans and one or two Moldovan translators. When we rang a bell, the translators would explain that we came from America to bring them food. For some reason the fact that we were Americans opened doors that would not normally be opened. Yet even then many remained closed from fear or skepticism. When doors did open, we explained through the translator why we had come. Our goal was to share not just physical food with them, but spiritual, life-giving food as well.

Since many of the people we visited are lifelong members of the influential Eastern Orthodox Church they are religious. But religion does not equal a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we shared the Gospel message of Christ with them they often told us about how often they pray or go to church. Sadly, Moldova is not the only place in the world where religion hinders someone finding Jesus.

Many of those we talked with had also had visits from Jehovah Witnesses. Because of that, some would not listen to what we had to say. Others equated our message with theirs. One morning, while walking between apartment buildings I saw two women and two young girls pass by. This group of Jehovah Witnesses was out doing the same thing we were – sharing their faith.

At that moment a thought hit me hard. Without the activity and presence of the Holy Spirit the people we talk to will see us and our message no differently than they see the Jehovah Witnesses and their message. I cannot convince them that the Gospel of Jesus is truth. I cannot talk them into receiving Him as their Lord and Savior. I cannot argue them into eternal life. This is solely the work of the Holy Spirit.

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor 2:14

We cannot understand the things of God on our own. The Holy Spirit must give us understanding. God sends us to tell others about Jesus – in our neighborhood, in our city, in Moldova – but only He can empower the words for eternal life.

God’s lesson to me that particular day reminded me to pray that God would go before us at every visit. That He would empower our words. That He would give understanding. That He would do what only He can do. And He did! But more about that later!

You may be wondering “where in the world is Moldova?” Moldova, a former Soviet block country, is squeezed in between Romania and Ukraine in Eastern Europe. Most Moldovans in the rural areas speak Romanian and most in the urban areas speak Russian. Of course, I don’t speak either one.

Our team went to work with a local church in Kishinev with which we’ve had an ongoing relationship for many years. Our goal was to help them in their ministry and open doors for them in their community. We made home visits to distribute food and share the Gospel and conducted a VBS, American Club, and sports camp.

God’s help and intervention began before we even reached our destination. One of our big tasks was to get all the supplies for all the activities to Kishinev. We purchased almost everything here to take with us. Each of the team members was limited to one personal bag so we could take extra bags for the supplies.

Of course with the new airline regulations we were limited to one free bag each. We took fifteen extra bags for supplies and each of us pitched in to cover the $50 per bag fee charged by American Airlines which we paid when we checked in here in Midland.

American does not fly all the way to Moldova, so in Frankfurt, Germany we had to pick up our bags and check in with Air Moldova. In previous years Air Moldova had not charged for extra bags. This year was different. However, they don’t charge by the bag, but by the kilogram. The extra charges were going to be around $3,000 US! That would take all the money we had set aside to buy some needed items for a local orphanage we planned to visit.

One of our group leaders asked to speak to a manager and the rest of us began to pray. The manager was not in yet. We had to wait six hours. But that gave us a lot more time for intercession.

Two hours before our flight, we finally had our answer. Air Moldova agreed to make a special deal with us. They charged us $150 US for all the bags! God revealed Himself to us even before we stepped foot on Moldovan soil. We could hardly wait to see what He would do during the rest of the trip.

Stayed tuned for Part Two of Moldova Moments

I just started a great book yesterday by Donald S. Whitney called “Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health.” It’s only 130 pages and so far a very easy read. What I’ve read so far is chocked-full of useful and practical information.

The titles of the ten chapters are questions we can ask ourselves to help evaluate the state of our spiritual health. Here they are:

1. Do you thirst for God?

2. Are you governed increasingly by God’s Word?

3. Are you more loving?

4. Are you more sensitive to God’s presence?

5. Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual and temporal needs of others?

6. Do you delight in the bride of Christ?

7. Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you?

8. Do you still grieve over sin?

9. Are you a quicker forgiver?

10. Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?

Of course each chapter elaborates on the question and gives some very practical direction and advice. I encourage you to consider getting the book to give your faith walk a boost. Here’s a link.

The entire coaching staff and more than a hundred high school football players filled one entire side of the church sanctuary yesterday. They were the first to be ushered outside when the service was over. When they left the building they lined both sides of the walkway leading from the door to the street. They stood in silent honor as the pallbearers carried the casket to the hearse. A fitting tribute to a life well-lived.

I have no doubt that when Don entered heaven last Friday he heard these words from Jesus, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I want to hear that when God calls me home. How about you?

How do we even begin to pray? I started with some of the obvious physical needs:

• Rescue for those that are trapped
• Medical care for those who are hurt
• Basic necessities for those who are homeless and hungry
• Protection from violence
• Access and supplies for aid workers

Then God led me to also pray for the spiritual:

• That Jesus’ name would be boldly declared in the streets
• That hearts would be open to God and His healing
• That missionaries would have the freedom and opportunity to share Christ with the people of Haiti
• That the Holy Spirit would be poured out
• That the hopeless would turn to the one true Hope

Today I came across a blog by the Prayer Director from the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. He suggests many concrete ways to pray for Haiti. Check it out here.

I’m still praying. I’m still listening for God’s leading in my prayers. How are you praying?

The dozen plus workshops and sessions I attended over the course of two days were jam packed with relevant information to help every Christian defend their faith. There is no way I can share it all with you here. But, I do want to touch on some of the highlights that impressed me the most and share a few resources you would probably find helpful.

There are three main arguments believers can use to reason that God exists. The first is the “cosmological.” Because our universe has been expanding and continues to expand, most scientists now agree that it had a beginning. It did not always exist. And if the universe had a beginning, then there must be a “Beginner.” If there is an effect, then there has to be a cause. Even if someone believes in Darwinian evolution he cannot explain where the primordial ooze came from.

The second big argument we have on our side is “teleological.” The extreme precision and fine-tuned intricacies of the created order could not have happened by chance. For instance, the genetic information in our DNA is more advanced than any software ever invented. Dr. William Lane Craig waxed more eloquently about the complexities of cells than I could understand. But I got the overall point: The nature of our universe demands a super-intelligent designer.

One of today’s biggest obstacles against a Christian worldview is the prevalence of the erroneous belief that truth and morality is relative. But Frank Turek, founder of CrossExamined.org, easily argued for the absolute existence of absolute truth and for the One who established it. In the workshop I attended, Turek laid out several different means to show that truth must exist. However, here are a few statements I find particularly poignant.

    * The existence of moral principles is undeniable. We know it better by people’s reactions than their actions. Just try to cut in front of someone in line or steal his car. He will immediately claim there is a right and wrong.

     *If there is no standard beyond humanity for morality and truth then we can’t say anything is objectively wrong. For instance, whether or not the Holocaust was wrong would just be my opinion against Hitler’s opinion. (And we all know the Holocaust was wrong.)

     *If there is any objective morality then there has to be a moral lawgiver. Every law has a lawgiver.

I came away from the conference both encouraged and challenged. Encouraged that my faith is reasonable and intelligent. Challenged to arm myself, my family, and my church with the tools to defend my faith in today’s cultural arena. If you’re interested in learning more, here a few books I plan to spend some time reading:

Life After Death, by Dinesh D’Souza

Resurrection, by Hank Hanegraff

I Don’t have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, by Frank Turek

20 Compelling Evidences that God Exists, by Ken Boa

“O” God: A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah’s Spirituality, by Dave Sterrett (I actually read this one on the plane ride home. It’s a quick read and will open your eyes to the dangers of Oprah’s brand of spirituality.

About the third summer the raft developed a small hole. For a while it still floated pretty well. It only took on a little water, not enough to cause any trouble. But over time that hole got bigger. Then other holes developed. The last time the kids used it they had to continually bale out water with a bucket just to keep it afloat.

We threw it away because the boat no longer served its purpose. It was designed to float, not to sink. It was supposed to be in the water, but not for water to be in it. The water was supposed to stay out of the boat.

You’ve probably heard a thousand times that Christians are supposed to “be in the world, but not of it.” But do you know what that looks like? How can we interact with lost people without being influenced by the unbelief and hostility towards God that is so prevalent in our culture? It’s a lot like a boat in the water. The boat is made to be out in the water – surrounded by water on all sides. But there isn’t supposed to be any water in the boat.

Unfortunately many of us Christians get it wrong. Some of us take our boats out of the water all together. Our intentions are good. We want to protect ourselves and our families from the sin of the world. But our lives have no impact on the lost world for Christ.

Others of us get out in the world but because we don’t protect ourselves from the influence of the world and guard ourselves against sin, we end up taking on water. The result is worldly Christians who bring dishonor to the name of Christ.

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He spent some time praying for the disciples about this very thing. (See John 17:13-19.) Jesus asked the Father not to take His followers out of the world but to protect them from Satan and his schemes; to guard them from temptation. He also asked that God would make them holy through the truth of His word. So, how can this help us be “in the world and not of the world?”

First, we must guard our own heart and lives from temptation. Take an inventory of your life. Where are you weak? In what areas are you most tempted? Ask God to help you identify those weaknesses and then take steps to protect them. Take precautionary measures. Find an accountability partner. Take things out of your life that constantly cause temptation.

Second, immerse yourself in God’s Word. Know the truth inside and out so you can recognize lies when you hear them. Obey what God shows you in His word so your life will be holy and above reproach. Then get your boat out in the water! There are some drowning souls in need of rescue.

In the last few weeks, I’ve had many opportunities to “love one another.” Several families in my church have been slammed by life. In the midst of their difficulties God has taught me something about myself. I’m quick to take and slow to give. I’m still a child. Wanting what I want. Thinking of myself first.

The night Jesus was betrayed He gave the disciples this directive:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35 (NASB)

Jesus told us to love each other like He loved us. Jesus loved us enough to die for us. But loving each other like Jesus commanded does not come easily or naturally for us sinful humans. How can we love like Jesus loves when we are so normally self-centered?

The Apostle John gives us some insight in 1 John 4:7-17:
- God is love, so all love comes from God (vs 8).
- God’s love is active (vs 9).
- We should love others because God loved us. His love is the basis for our love (vs 10-11).
- God is revealed to others through His people acting in love (vs 12).
- If we love others it proves that God is abiding in us (vs 12).

If we love others because we are abiding in God, then the opposite is also true. If we fail to love it’s because we are not abiding in God like we should be. Lack of love for our fellow Christians is a sign that something needs to be fixed in our relationship with God. So, the key to loving others is abiding in Christ. As we cling to Jesus and depend on Him for every moment His love will flow through us to others.

There’s only one solution to my failure to love: More of Jesus and less of me.

Once we know how our non-Christian friends perceive us, we can take steps to connect with them more effectively.

What They Think:

- We spend too much time at church. Non-Christians often see our commitment to church as all-consuming. They fear that if they start attending, they will lose time for their families and hobbies.
- Our lives are full of “no” and “don’t.” Non-Christians often perceive that Christianity is extremely restrictive. They may assume that becoming a Christian means giving up things they enjoy.
- We judge them. Our non-Christian friends may notice that our lifestyles are different from theirs and conclude that we judge them for their activities and behaviors.
- We might confront them with Scripture. The chance that we may quote a Bible verse during a conversation makes some people break out in a cold sweat.
- We are completely different. Our lifestyles often seem foreign to non-Christians, and they may feel that we have nothing in common with them.

What We Can Do About It:

- Find common ground. Do you both have children in a soccer league? Are you both avid fishermen? Connections like these make you more of a real person to non-Christians.
- Build a relationship. Treat non-Christians as people, not spiritual conquests. Accept them as they are and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting.
- Have fun. Show them that Christians do not have to be stuffy and boring. If you’re planning a Hawaiian luau, invite your non-Christian neighbors.
- Be open and honest. Share your life, including your doubts and failures, with them. Christianity is about real people living a real, often messy faith.
- Pray. Ask God to show you when and how to share your faith.

By Kathy Howard
As published in Discipleship Journal, Sept/Oct 2006, Issue 155

Don’t get me wrong. I pray. It just rarely feels natural. It doesn’t come easy for me. Being still is hard work. However, in recent years, God’s been taking me on a journey of discovery. He is teaching me to pray and growing my desire to sit and talk with Him.

One stop along this journey included the Bible study “Live a Praying Life.” The biblical concepts in this study knocked down some false barriers for me. If you also struggle with prayer I would recommend you take a look. However, that’s really not what I want to talk about today. I want to tell you about the author of that study, Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

I met Jennifer last March in Dallas at the Christian Book Expo. Since we share the same

Me and Jennifer Kennedy Dean

publisher, New Hope, we had a chance to visit. Jennifer loves the Lord and loves His Word. She has a heart for teaching the truth of God’s Word to others.

Well, my friend Jennifer has just released a new study called Set Apart: A Six Week Study on the Beatitudes. You can read more about it at www.prayinglife.org. If you place your order from there, you will get an email that directs you to a page of bonus gifts from some of your favorite authors, ministries, and artists ready for you to download immediately. You will also be invited to a free webinar with Jennifer Kennedy Dean as she introduces the study.

Jennifer is best known as a biblical expositor, and her unique and fresh insights never fail to inspire.

“God calls His people to be set apart, living lives of holiness in devotion to Him. Jennifer Kennedy Dean leads you through the riches of God’s Word and helps you learn in a very practical way how to live a holy life yielded to Him. Her love for the Bible shines brightly through the pages of this study, and I know your life will be enriched and blessed as you join into this journey of joy. Whether you use it for your own personal study or in a group setting, you are sure to grow in a deeper walk with Him.”

Karol Ladd
Best-selling author of The Power of a Positive Woman

“Even though scripture has the power of profoundly change our lives, the familiarity of some passages can limit our receptivity to their transforming impact. Every time I hear or read Jennifer’s teaching, I am aware of her unique ability to extract applicable truth in a fresh way. While you may have read the Beatitudes many times, Set Apart will give you the sense that the Beatitudes are reading you.”

Daniel Henderson
President – Strategic Renewal, Author of numerous books, including PRAYzing and Fresh Encounters