Sunday I returned from MTW's second Global Missions Conference, and have had a little time to reflect on the weekend. Currie is right on in his summary and reflection on Skip Ryan's reminding us to show the sufficiency of God's grace in the midst of our weaknesses.
I came away challenged to be in prayer, to pray believing that my Father will answer the prayers, and that He does work through my prayers and those of my brothers and sisters in Christ. James tells us that Elijah was a man just like us, and he prayed and it didn't rain for 3 years--the implication for me is that like Elijah I need to really believe that God will answer my prayers.
After Jay Eastman's seminar, "Jesus, Broccoli, and Ice Cream: evangelism in post-modern Berlin" I decided that I was going to hang around the Berlin team's table, listening and talking with them. I was encouraged by hearing how the team has seen answered prayers, in some cases very direct answers.
In one case, Jay was fishing with a guy at night, only Jay didn't have equipment, so he only watched while the other guy fished. Jay observed this guy doing something weird with his hands after having not caught any fish, and when the guy saw Jay's puzzled look he said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you: I'm a wizard." Jay told us that he thought "Ok, what've I gotten into here" but said to the guy, "That doesn't work. There's no real power there, but if I pray to God, you'll catch fish." "OK, sure." replied the fisherman. So Jay prayed, and the guy caught fish. The fisherman said that he'd have to bring Jay each time he went fishing.
That is just one example of direct answered prayer. Another direct answered prayer: Sunday night as I crawled into bed late, I prayed that I'd be mentally alert enough in the morning to spend some time praying before work; it was a small request, but I asked it believing that God would answer, and He did. I woke up 20 minutes before my alarm went off, feeling exhausted but my mind was racing, so I prayed. As I prayed I realized that Jay and David had both said they'd pray for me, and in Germany it was already noon time and they'd probably already been praying for me. Needless to say, I was really excited to see such direct answered prayer--and I pray that the Lord will continue to build my trust in His promise that He hears and answers his sons' prayers.
Another really exciting part of the conference was that Jay Eastman told me he'd had a 'heavy thought' a few weeks ago: that God was asking him if he was ready for a harvest in east Berlin. He said he wasn't ready, and that God would have to prepare him. Well, at the conference four churches expressed interest in establishing more direct partnerships with the MTW Berlin team, and there were a number of people, including an opera singer and a piano teacher, who are interested in going to help the Berlin team. Please hold the ministry in Berlin up in prayer.
Lift up your heads, lift up your hearts: Aslan, the King, is on the move!
We just received word at the Martin Scott campaign headquarters that the Georgia State House is a majority of Republicans.
It also looks like Martin Scott has an unofficial 69.12% victory in District 2.
CNN just gave Florida to Bush--with 98% of the precincts reporting, Bush leads with 52% of the vote. By Electoral Votes, Bush leads with 234, and Kerry 188.
Colorado (70% reporting): Bush 53%, Kerry 46% 9 EV
New Mexico (70% reporting): Bush 51%, Kerry 48% 5 EV
Montana (29% reporting): Bush 55%, Kerry 43% 3 EV
Ohio (76% reporting): Bush 52%, Kerry 48% 20 EV
If you add the 37 from the four states above to Bush's 234, that's 271, a Bush victory. I'm not making a prediction here, but...
What's the score? Which states have come in? What percentage of the precincts? Who's the next president?
Results are reported on TV, radio, the internet, by phone... how much of it is true?
This is the first election in which I've watched returns from campaign headquarters. Martin Scott is running for Georgia House of Representatives in District Two, and I'm here with a crowd of folks who volunteered during the campaign.
Anticipation fills the air, not only concerning the results of Martin's race, but the various other races. Folks are talking, laughing, praying, watching the television returns, and checking various internet news sites to see who has the most current return results.
Guy Fawkes' Night is almost upon us, this Thursday evening (November 4th). Check out the linked website if you want to read more about the Gunpowder plot and the failed attempt to blow up Parliament back in 1605. The website has historical information, a few traditional Fawkes' Night recipes, and even a poem (see the extended entry for that).
Interestingly, the folks who put the site together said that, thought the Oxford English Dictionary won't vouch for the theory, there are many linguists and historians who believe the use of the word "guy" to refer to a person has come from Guy Fawkes name.
When I studied in Scotland I was in Stirling for the city's Guy Fawkes celebration. The whole town came out to a muddy field, and built huge bonfires of old cabinets, chairs, etc., and burned multiple effigies of the Guy. They had cotton candy and rides for the kids, and a general carnival feel, and loads of incredible fireworks. 'Twould be a grand excuse for a party this Thursday evening...
Keep reading for the poem
the traditional Guy Fawkes Night poem:
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.
By god's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.
And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!