Our Thanksgiving Day was very enjoyable. Kael, Sara and Isaac came Wednesday evening and were here all day. Isaac, who is now three months old, "talked", smiled, and laughed; and we enjoyed every minute of it.
We had dinner at Dad's with my brother Ron and wife Lynn from Tuscon, and my sister Marthana and husband Byron, from Iowa. Byron and Lynn did most of the cooking, and we all ate too much.
We were able to talk to all the other kids except Ryan. He tried several times last night and again today, but the phone system he has to use was not functioning properly. Hopefully he will be able to get through in a day or so. We look forward to the day when our family is totally reunited. Amen!
Tomorrow a group of guys are going to help move Mom's grand piano from upstairs to a U-haul trailer so my sister can take it back to Iowa and have it restored. I will watch and pray while others do the work. It is heavy! This is not a baby grand. It is six and a half or seven feet long and was made back in Boston or New York in the early 1900's, I think. The folks bought it for her as a girl sight unseen, upon the recommendation of a piano tuner, and it was shipped out on a rail car from Denver. Marthana plays wonderfully and she will get great enjoyment out of it. It will be beautiful when it is all re-finished.
I trust your Thanksgiving Day was as enjoyable as ours.
PrairieParson
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thankful
Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving, therefore I want to pause and give thanks.
I am thankful for the beauty of God's creation and thankful that God loved the world He created so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to redeem it.
I am thankful that there is another King, Jesus, and that I am part of His kingdom and that my King and His government is my source of supply.
I am thankful for the privilege of being "pastor" for nearly 32 years; almost 20 of those at Gateway Fellowship - the greatest group of people on the prairie.
I am thankful for friends. I am also thankful for co-workers at the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center, where Genelle and I both work. I am thankful the Lord opened the door for us to work there when it became necessary for us to secure employment in the market place.
I am thankful that by His stripes I am healed and that Jesus heals all my disease.
And I am thankful for family: Genelle, the love of my life; our five children, Ryan, Kari, Kyle, Kael and Janae; our three daughter-in-laws, Jessica, Sara, and Brandi; and our three grandchildren, Cheyenne, Tyler and Isaac; Dad and Mom Githens and my Dad. Family, what an awesome idea from God; and the privilidge of being part of His family, awesome indeed.
And so, with a thankful heart, I say happy Thanksgiving to you.
PrairieParson
I am thankful for the beauty of God's creation and thankful that God loved the world He created so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to redeem it.
I am thankful that there is another King, Jesus, and that I am part of His kingdom and that my King and His government is my source of supply.
I am thankful for the privilege of being "pastor" for nearly 32 years; almost 20 of those at Gateway Fellowship - the greatest group of people on the prairie.
I am thankful for friends. I am also thankful for co-workers at the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center, where Genelle and I both work. I am thankful the Lord opened the door for us to work there when it became necessary for us to secure employment in the market place.
I am thankful that by His stripes I am healed and that Jesus heals all my disease.
And I am thankful for family: Genelle, the love of my life; our five children, Ryan, Kari, Kyle, Kael and Janae; our three daughter-in-laws, Jessica, Sara, and Brandi; and our three grandchildren, Cheyenne, Tyler and Isaac; Dad and Mom Githens and my Dad. Family, what an awesome idea from God; and the privilidge of being part of His family, awesome indeed.
And so, with a thankful heart, I say happy Thanksgiving to you.
PrairieParson
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Election Selah
I encourage you to read an article entitled This is the Day the Lord has Made by Francis Frangipane. You can find it at http://frangipane.org/
The insight from Pastor Francis always amazes me, and this is certainly no exception.
Pause and think about this.
PrairieParson
The insight from Pastor Francis always amazes me, and this is certainly no exception.
Pause and think about this.
PrairieParson
Friday, November 7, 2008
There is Another King - Jesus
The elections have come to an end, and although the Presidential election did not turn out as I preferred, I am reminded: "There is another King - Jesus." (Act 17:7)
The Church is not the Republican nor Democratic party. The Church belongs to the King of God, and there is another President whose name is Jesus. The answers to our Nations problems are not found in political leaders: not in McCain, Palin nor in President elect Obama - but in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, on one hand, it matters not who our political leaders are. Why? Because there is another King whose name is Jesus; there is another King who is Lord forever.
Our call, first of all, as authentic Christians is to be untangled citizens of the Kingdom of heaven; to be unstoppable citizens of the Government of God who call people out of Babylon into the Kingdom of Light; int the Kingdom of God; and who seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Our prayer is to be: "Let your Kingdom come, let your Government come; let your will be done, let your policy be done; on earth as it is in heaven."
Next, we are called to be good citizens of America (or whatever nation you are from); to be salt and light and to influence our culture. But we must keep first things first. If you are more passionate about being pro-life than you are Jesus, there is an imbalance in your life - you are out of alignment - you are being entangled. We cannot have more passion for our politics than we have for our King, Jesus!
As good citizens of the kingdom of heaven your political worldview should be shaped by President Jesus and His policies. There is another King, and His name is Jesus. He is the pattern for earthly kings, presidents, and prime ministers. His politics, His government, His policies transcend earthly politics, policies and governments. His policies and politics are to be emulated by earthly governments and by its citizens. And the government of God, the throne of God, the rule of God, the reign of God, the administration of God is built upon the foundation of justice and righteousness. Psalm 89:14 "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face."
So the main issues are not the economy or taxes or energy. They are righteousness and justice - including righteousness and justice for the unborn. There is a poverty of justice in our world today. Lets work at doing justice, loving mercy, and waking humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8). Let's pursue making wrongs right. Let's apply ourselves to restoring all of creation to God's original purpose and goodness. Let's turn garbage dumps into gardens. (Psalm 113:7 NLT)
If we do so, I believe Jesus will be well pleased and His government and policies will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
PrairieParson
The Church is not the Republican nor Democratic party. The Church belongs to the King of God, and there is another President whose name is Jesus. The answers to our Nations problems are not found in political leaders: not in McCain, Palin nor in President elect Obama - but in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, on one hand, it matters not who our political leaders are. Why? Because there is another King whose name is Jesus; there is another King who is Lord forever.
Our call, first of all, as authentic Christians is to be untangled citizens of the Kingdom of heaven; to be unstoppable citizens of the Government of God who call people out of Babylon into the Kingdom of Light; int the Kingdom of God; and who seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Our prayer is to be: "Let your Kingdom come, let your Government come; let your will be done, let your policy be done; on earth as it is in heaven."
Next, we are called to be good citizens of America (or whatever nation you are from); to be salt and light and to influence our culture. But we must keep first things first. If you are more passionate about being pro-life than you are Jesus, there is an imbalance in your life - you are out of alignment - you are being entangled. We cannot have more passion for our politics than we have for our King, Jesus!
As good citizens of the kingdom of heaven your political worldview should be shaped by President Jesus and His policies. There is another King, and His name is Jesus. He is the pattern for earthly kings, presidents, and prime ministers. His politics, His government, His policies transcend earthly politics, policies and governments. His policies and politics are to be emulated by earthly governments and by its citizens. And the government of God, the throne of God, the rule of God, the reign of God, the administration of God is built upon the foundation of justice and righteousness. Psalm 89:14 "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face."
So the main issues are not the economy or taxes or energy. They are righteousness and justice - including righteousness and justice for the unborn. There is a poverty of justice in our world today. Lets work at doing justice, loving mercy, and waking humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8). Let's pursue making wrongs right. Let's apply ourselves to restoring all of creation to God's original purpose and goodness. Let's turn garbage dumps into gardens. (Psalm 113:7 NLT)
If we do so, I believe Jesus will be well pleased and His government and policies will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
PrairieParson
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Opportunity to Believe God for a Miracle
2 Corinthians 5:7 says: "For we walk by faith, not by sight." Amen! So I say, "I will walk by faith and by faith I will walk." Amen!
Genelle and I returned from Denver Friday, where I had an appointment with Dr. Quan, a neurologist at the University of Colorado Hospital. On Wednesday evening I had an MRI of my head, neck and entire back. She has not received the reports from those tests yet. On Thursday afternoon we had a consultation with her and Friday morning I had extensive nerve tests done.
Her diagnoses is that I have motor neuron disease and more specifically ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.
It is possible that the MRI's will show something differently, but she does not think so. Her diagnosis came as a complete surprise as we had been told by the first neurologist (this is the third one I have seen) that Lou Gehrig's Disease was ruled out.
The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked and snake bit, but he made it on broken pieces and he shook the snake off and suffered no harm. And revival came to Malta. I am shaking off the viper, believing for a miracle and believing a revival will come to the prairie.
And so, we are believing God for a miracle, and we ask that you believe with us. So again I say, "I will walk by faith and by faith I will walk." Amen!
Shaking off the snake bite,
PrairieParson
Genelle and I returned from Denver Friday, where I had an appointment with Dr. Quan, a neurologist at the University of Colorado Hospital. On Wednesday evening I had an MRI of my head, neck and entire back. She has not received the reports from those tests yet. On Thursday afternoon we had a consultation with her and Friday morning I had extensive nerve tests done.
Her diagnoses is that I have motor neuron disease and more specifically ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.
It is possible that the MRI's will show something differently, but she does not think so. Her diagnosis came as a complete surprise as we had been told by the first neurologist (this is the third one I have seen) that Lou Gehrig's Disease was ruled out.
The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked and snake bit, but he made it on broken pieces and he shook the snake off and suffered no harm. And revival came to Malta. I am shaking off the viper, believing for a miracle and believing a revival will come to the prairie.
And so, we are believing God for a miracle, and we ask that you believe with us. So again I say, "I will walk by faith and by faith I will walk." Amen!
Shaking off the snake bite,
PrairieParson
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Visiting Jesus
The power of the Gospel to change lives was very evident this past weekend. It was my great privilege to be part of the Kansas Kairos Prison ministry team that ministered Thursday through Sunday at a prison here in Kansas. I must say, my rookie outing was one of the most, if not the most, rewarding experiences I have ever had.
Matthew 25:36 came alive to me: "I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Many of the men never have a visitor, nor receive letters, and some have lost contact with their families. The letters each Kairos team member wrote to every participant brought tears to many eyes; participants, team members and mine. The table placemats children had drawn meant so much to the inmates - it reminded many of their children and grandchildren.
We sat at round tables as families; I was in the family of Paul. On my left was a young man from Cuba. He spoke no English and I spoke no Spanish. At the end of the weekend I saw a glimmer of hope replace the sadness that was so evident when the weekend began. To my right was a young father with two young daughters; he did not know where his wife or girls were. Across the table was a man who showed me a picture of his wife and six children. We were able to pray that God would restore his family.
For many of the men, their faith in Jesus Christ was strengthened; for others, seeds of the Gospel were planted; and all were impacted by the love of Jesus Christ.
I am looking forward to the next opportunity to visit Jesus in prison. I invite you to come with me. Check out the Kansas Kairos Prison Ministry website at http://kskairos.org/kskairos.
PrairieParson
Matthew 25:36 came alive to me: "I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Many of the men never have a visitor, nor receive letters, and some have lost contact with their families. The letters each Kairos team member wrote to every participant brought tears to many eyes; participants, team members and mine. The table placemats children had drawn meant so much to the inmates - it reminded many of their children and grandchildren.
We sat at round tables as families; I was in the family of Paul. On my left was a young man from Cuba. He spoke no English and I spoke no Spanish. At the end of the weekend I saw a glimmer of hope replace the sadness that was so evident when the weekend began. To my right was a young father with two young daughters; he did not know where his wife or girls were. Across the table was a man who showed me a picture of his wife and six children. We were able to pray that God would restore his family.
For many of the men, their faith in Jesus Christ was strengthened; for others, seeds of the Gospel were planted; and all were impacted by the love of Jesus Christ.
I am looking forward to the next opportunity to visit Jesus in prison. I invite you to come with me. Check out the Kansas Kairos Prison Ministry website at http://kskairos.org/kskairos.
PrairieParson
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