FAIR SUNSHINE

The familiar feeling of dread once again overtook me as we drew near to our spot this afternoon. My stomach started acting up and my chest was pounding. An all too familiar feeling with every instance of pleading in public. I had to face this every time in the past when I went out alone, but now, having my wife beside me was more than enough great comfort. It's perfectly fine to be afraid, as long as you obey in spite of it. And so we prayed. We pleaded for mercy and unction. We parked. And we made our way to the park. I immediately went to look for an enforcer but there was none, and I was directed to the nearest precinct. It is my custom, first of all, to ask permission from any available law enforcement person before I plead in public. In this case, the nearest police district was a good leg stretch away. It was a short but amusing conversation that both of us obviously wanted to end quick. The gentleman was only too pleased to even encourage me by saying "by all m

This is a small part of a complete sermon by my dear brother Jordan to the church where we hold fellowship with. Touching mostly with the current news of an American pastor and mental health expert, a self-confessed advocate of the LGBT agenda, who committed suicide. The purpose is to identify the sin of worry among the flock early, so it does not come anywhere near the contemplating of suicide. We can employ fancy medical terminologies to describe anxiety, but doing so deals only with the symptom, not the root of the disease: unbelief . The mind is a spiritual thing. It cannot get sick. It can only get influenced. Scripture says we wrestle not against flesh and blood. But in failing to identify the root, because it will hurt our pride, we fail to properly address the enemy. We have not been given the spirit of fear, but we have been given power. So many Christians today live powerless lives. They choose to be paupers instead of availing the riches and glory that can be found in

It seems surreal to see this before my very eyes. I have been looking at this only on the screen of my laptop, but up to the first day that we dug into the ground ourselves, persistent to prepare the ground to receive the rain we were asking for, unable to find professional help for a week or so; suddenly out of nowhere, a call came. He was a professional mason. Needless to say, our immediate need for somebody who can work on our base properly was answered. That same night he came over to check on the plans I drew, and to discuss settlement. Now the funds are again cut in half. It will go to the workers instead. Yet I have peace in it, and after he left I thanked the Lord. I was determined beforehand not to skimp on the foundation. Father is mindful even of that. I volunteered to drive the workers to and from where we currently lived to where the build would be (16 km) so they won't have to spend money on commuting. We are shouldering that expense on top of their fees. (May

God is sovereign. When my son ran away for three nights I did not pray that he might return home, but that God would teach him what he needed to learn from it. When my wife was laboring for 14 hours in the hospital with our first baby and I was left outside waiting and wondering I did not pray for a safe delivery, but that God would give me reason to abound with joy in trusting him though I see not. When I slid into adultery 19 years ago my wife prayed for me to return, but God patiently changed her selfish petition to one of surrender. 14 years was the LORD witness to her pleas and cries. And when finally the fullness of her time in the school of secret prayer came, God then delivered me. When I received an incurable wound in my body because of my sin I did not pray to be healed, but that it should remain with me unhealed all my life, and that it would serve to remind me that I have offended God severely, yet in His mercy He forgave me. When my wife was diagnosed with a bes

A journal entry on the early morning of June 19th, 2018. A paraphrasing of entries in the Book of Psalms, when my soul was much disquieted from prolonged neglect of intimacy with the Lord. Psalms 42:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. To be cast down within me is to magnify my troubles over the LORD and despise His saving hand. It is to say, thou canst not deliver me, thine right hand hast no power. Greater are my troubles than thee. I fill my self with pity, I cannot run with horses, I have made man mine confidence, and my intimacy in the place of secret prayer is empty. I move about my business without regard for thee, I find no pleasure in meditating on your word in the night watches. I would sleep rather for tired is my mind and body. I delight not in Christ as my joy, therefore my reins are consumed within me. But thou hast looked upon thy servant with your loving