Ransomed, Resurrected, Called

Just a quick reflection from a book our families are studying together on Sundays. Yesterday we addressed the question: "How are we born again, or how does God regenerate us?" Notice these three verses in I Peter 1.

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

Because of our depraved hearts and sinful rebellion against God, he bought us back with His Son's precious blood - imperishable.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

The resurrection births us to new life and our life becomes his life in us. Our new birth is a result of his new life in the resurrection!

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

The abiding word of God is what makes the effectual call in our lives to see the light of the glory of God in the face of Christ! Praise God for making me alive unto salvation!

There is a reference in each text to imperishability. We are united to Christ in these works, and our union is imperishable. This is the only imperishable reality a human can experience in this world! Rejoice in the imperishability of your salvation today - not even a bad day, or a bad performance on your part can alter your status as a genuine believer!

The Day God Planned for Me

I left home around 10 with intentions of dropping off a package at the post office, paying a bill, updating my military status and getting my car inspected. This was a little more ambitious than I thought. I pulled number 43 at the post office - only 3 in front of me - great - this should be quick. Number 41 walked up with his package - and only a package - no tape, and no address! Meanwhile a disgruntled number 42 decided to fill my ear with his thoughts about number 41. I waited a full 10 minutes with my tiny little sealed, addressed, package. Ok - now let's go to the bank to pay my bill. This time the wait would be longer - 10 in front of me. I got comfortable, reading a good book. Meanwhile I watched a teenager walk in and right up to counter to be seen. Not sure what was going on there. I decided to get some information for my next stop with the guy after me as we clearly had some time. He was well-intentioned and being new in town- I believed him. After 30 minutes at the bank, my agenda took me across town, across the bridge, into down town Florianopolis. I arrived at the military joint only to find it closed for lunch. So I had some food and headed back an hour later. Sargeant Djalma kindly informed me that my need would take me back across town - close to where I began. Ok - here we go. I arrived at a very small office - one desk, two computers, and 4 employees - 2 outside smoking - 2 helping another person. My sense was that of an invisible man. My need seemed to take a back seat to any distraction in the room - phone, mail, interesting conversations of any sort. After a good while, my situation was made clear and simple. Here's what you will do: I need a copy of your social security, your license, a proof of residence, your birth certificate, your military document, and a picture. All this simply to do internet research on my situation which could take anywhere from 3 days to a month. Ok - that makes sense. "Just another 45 minutes and you will be set to go." Let's go get a car inspection - this should be quick! Honestly, an hour and a half went by quick in light of the rest of the day! I'm also not suprised that I've failed the inspection. "Just head back once you've made this $100 fix and we can sign you off."

If you've read this far and think I'm venting - your wrong. I strongly believe that God planned this 8 hour adventure, to prepare me for 1 hour this evening. I arrived home looking forward to some fellowship with my brother and family. God decided to wrap up the day by bringing a freind to the gate - who came for a Bible study. How did my day prepare me for this? I confess that for part of the day - I objected God's sovereign plan for me. There seemed to be a conspiracy against the flow of my day - let's slow it down - however possible. By the end of the day though, the Lord had granted me an incredible level of patience to sit down and calmly share His Gospel graciously. The result: a clear understanding of the cross, repentence, and faith. Glory be to God. He has crafted my day for His purpose and for my good. My advice to you: never take a bad day for granted!

A Long-overdue Post

It's hard to believe that almost three months ago we left the city of João Pessoa to move 3000 km away toFlorianópolis. We are glad for the year God gave us at Valentina Baptist Church and thankful that we were able to leave them with a Brazilian pastor. The church members hosted a going-away lunch for us and we were touched by their many kind words, gifts, letters and even tears at our parting. This is Pastor Gildo and his wife Lúcia.

The search for a house to rent in Florianópolis took longer than we thought and there were many obstacles in the whole process. In fact, there were times when I think we both wondered whether God actually wanted us to move there or not. But everything has worked out so well and our house is only 10 blocks away from James and Christen's house (David's brother and sister-in-law with whom we will be starting a new work here). Here are some pictures of our new home.
David's study (Gabriel loves to mess in Daddy's top drawer -- so much fun stuff in there!)

Part of the kitchen/dining room

Our bedroom looks out onto the front street

Gabriel's room

Our living room

Our house -- I love the contrast of the pine tree and the palm tree

We went on an outing a couple of weekends ago to a place someone recommended to us. Just the drive itself was so beautiful and we were amazed at God's creation over and over again. Here are some pictures to entice you to come visit us sometime.

On a different note, pray for us this week as we begin a series of Bible studies in our home. It's a six-week study that uses the book of Mark to explain Christianity. We have gone out several times this past week to invite our neighbors and hand out flyers. Pray that people will come and that many will be saved. Several have said they will be here, so we are encouraged by that. Pray for wisdom for David and James as they lead these Bible studies and for Christen and myself as we teach a class for any children that may come. We are excited about what God has in store for us. Thank you for your faithful prayer and support!

Affected by the Gospel

During this time of transition between ministries, we have been privileged to sit under the ministries God has entrusted to both Sharon and my families. Last week I heard my brother preach the word faithfully in the morning service and then had the same treat in the evening, this time by my father. My mind takes me back to a recent service in Joao Pessoa where we were pastoring. I asked the congregation to raise their hands if the majority of their close family was unregenerate. At least 90% raised their hands and my heart sunk. I have so much to be grateful for! The greatest of all treasures has changed the lives of the ones we love the most!

Last evening I was deeply affected once again by the gospel. We attended New Life Baptist Congregation, a congregation I had a part in helping get started with dad back in 2002. My brother and family have been helping there in the past year. The choir (a dozen out of 35 who attend) brought a series of 8 songs reflecting on the blood shed by Christ for our sins. After the music, my brother brought our attention to Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. He focused his brief thoughts on the last three words of this verse. Ransom - price paid for our rescue, For - not so much "in benefit of" but rather "in the place of", Many - those who will repent and believe! The exposition combined with James passion and zeal for the lost impacted me greatly. I am so glad that we are moving south with such a strong message, as well as a brother and family who are committed to a God-centered proclomation of the gospel. May God glorify himself through His message and our faithfulness to proclaim it in São José.

Praying for a House

Just a quick update for the three of you who check our blog ... :) We arrived in Curitiba safely last week. Our car was waiting for us when we got here and our belongings are waiting in São Paulo for us to release them once we find a house to rent. Last week, David and I traveled to São José along with James and Christen to look for a house. We found one that would have been a good option, but someone else is ahead of us on the waiting list and we won't know until this weekend whether they got it or not. Even then, we still would have to be approved as renters -- a process which can take several days. The amount of documentation that realties here require just for renting is amazing and often frustrating.

Yesterday, David drove back to São José with his dad to keep looking for a house. There just aren't that many available and of the ones that are available, most of them are not good options for us due to size, location and/or price. However, we are confident that God has called us to serve Him in São José and that He has the right house for us there. We have to patiently wait on Him while we pray and continue looking for a house.

Here are some specific prayer requests:

* patience as we wait for God's clear direction
* quick approval as renters once we find a house
* safe arrival of our belongings
* contentment as we adjust to living in a new place
* opportunities with our neighbors to share the gospel and have home Bible studies


This is a picture of the house we are on the waiting list for, just so you can have an idea.

Thank you for your prayers for us.