Inheritances

I have read through the book of Joshua many times, but never got very excited about the section on the Israelites dividing up the land as their inheritance (Joshua 17-19), until now.  I noticed that the land was divided by family/clan, and thought, "What is my family's inheritance?"  Many earthly families do have inheritances, whether it is a special gift, calling, business or spiritual anointing. For example, my family seems to have an inheritance of unusual memory (through my father's side) and also financial skills and blessing. But I am not looking for a piece of land as an inheritance!  But I asked God for a spiritual inheritance for my family, and think it was answered.  I have no idea what it is, but want to see it. It will be something we share together.

It is interesting that the leader Joshua came up last to request and receive his inheritance.  Leaders, can we ask God for a special inheritance?

What is your family's inheritance?  I encourage you to ask for one.

The ultimate Bible trivia question

Here is the ultimate Bible trivia test- where does the word "Bible" come from?

I am so much enjoying reading through the Archaeological Study Bible this year.  This Bible must weigh about 5 pounds, it has lot in it!  Every year I read through a different Bible and all the footnotes and articles, which helps me to see some verses differently, and also learn a lot from the notes.  I picked this Bible to prepare me for our June Israel trip, and have learned a ton about the history and archaeology of the mid-east through it.  But I never knew where the term "Bible" came from until the other day when I read it there.

The first person to answer this question right gets a free Christian book as a prize.  Impress me with your answer! The book is "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian.

Malta

The sleeper hit of our trip was the island of Malta (population about 400,000). I knew almost nothing about this place, other than that it is a strategic island in the Mediterranean. But Paul went there unexpectedly in Acts 27:39-28:1-10 (he was shipwrecked as a prisoner on his way to Rome). The island below is the traditional spot where he landed, known as Saint Paul's bay.

Paul unexpectedly evangelized the island through 2 miracles, first of not being hurt through snakebite, and then through healing the father of the governor Publius. The church on the right marks the spot where Paul cured the father. From these experiences, the whole island was evangelized and became Christian, history tells us.

The lesson for us is that we too need the miraculous to reach our towns and area.

Southern Europe trip

Recently I went on a 10 day trip to southern Europe with 10 other Assemblies of God pastors and spouses. It was a highlight of my year, and rejuvenated me. We visited churches (current and old), pastors, missionaries, Bible schools, sights, etc., in 5 countries. It was a little like Amazing Race-8 flights, 10 days, 15,000 miles! I gave my testimony on the red box with Kevin Prevost in the center of Madrid, and preached in Abel Aureli's church south of Rome.

Southern Europe is so needy, it has not been evangelized since the days of the early church, and is functionally secular and post-Christian. Until recently, Catholicism persecuted evangelicals bady in these countries (ask me about the Mussolini-Pope pact in Italy). Very sad, even Italy is now mostly post-Christian (we were in Spain, Portugal,Italy, the Vatican and Malta (more on that in a separate post). Our host was area director Gil Rodriguez, one of our missionaries (see the right photo). It really gave us a burden to pray for him, his area needs revival.

Some things in the photos of interest-

-smart car- we saw a number of these, tiny, but easy to park and drive in small ancient streets.

-The Colosseum, a terrible place where countless Christians were martyred, but today a tourist attraction. The movie "Gladiator" has made this even more famous.

-The arch of Titus (not pictured), which shows the furniture of the Jewish temple being carted off in 72AD. This still stands, right near the Colosseum.

-The steps are the original steps where Luther crawled up on his knees to get merit with God, and to do penance. People still do this by the masses!! It was here he had his great revelation that "the just shall live by faith."

-St. Peter's Cathedral (the ornate dome in the photos) in the Vatican may be the world's most beautiful building, but its opulence caused the Reformation, as the Pope commissioned the selling of indulgences to pay for it.

An amazing spiritual trip, with spiritual leaders and fellowship.

Hillsong worship

Last week I was listening to Hillsong music on Youtube while working on my message (at least some of it- several songs were blocked by our new irrational internet filter, I guess they are questionable!). As I was listening, a thought wafted through my mind- "what if MWC could send out worship teams like Hillsong?" I said wow, this would be great, and assented spiritually to this.

Two days later at church Benilda Salvador told me that the vision of our youth worship team is to travel and minister all over like Hillsong.

Maybe God is in this. Let's see where this goes.

Dead Jesus

Recently I learned that my son Tim was drafted into acting in his church's Easter drama "Out of the Shadows". Check it out at www.lancastercma.org. He is dead Jesus (as opposed to living Jesus, or resurrected Jesus). Obviously he has few words, but can't gain much weight, or he will be difficult to carry away from the cross.

I reminded him that he got his start in his church acting career at Monmouth Worship Center as a disciple (I think Thaddeus) with one line! But I am proud of his "silent witness"!

Renewed youth

In worship about a month, we were singing a song- what song, I don't even remember. We got to a line from Psalm 103:5-"He renews your youth like an eagle." I felt the Holy Spirit immediately quicken me to ask for renewed youth. I asked for this! Since then I have felt unusually good and yes, young. I do feel very renewed.

Is it possible to go backwards in years?