Here is an out of the box idea that goes against every church planting network out there. Many denominations are letting church revitalization fall to the side. There are many reasons for this. Little fruit. Not as exciting. Excuses like: “can’t put new wine in old wine skins.” Then there are the statistics that show how difficult it is to turn around a church. So what can we do?
I have an idea. Whether it is revitalization or resurrection It may take “Elijahs” to do it. Not fresh seminary students, not the experienced pastor who has hummed along in their ministry career. Maybe, just maybe those pastors who have been burned and burned out, tossed out, not met denominational expectations are the Elijahs who need to go to these widow churches to see a resurrection in the house of God (2 Kings 18).
2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. Kerith means “cut off,” or it means “cut down.” 2kings17
A few verses later after being alone and cut off he goes to a widows home and raises a boy back to life. First time in the Bible we see such a supernatural act. All of these pastors/planters who have been cut off, run away, been depressed, everything Elijah went through, are the keys to resurrecting and reviving such churches and not the cookie cutter, model planters in PQ Magazine. Maybe the Elijahs need called back and revitalized first so the Elishas in Seminary can come behind and get a double blessing.
Maybe something needs to be done to encourage such planters and pastors. Maybe they need free tickets to conferences. Maybe, these Elijahs need to sit in on some successful staff meetings. Maybe these Elijahs need a card sent to them and their families.
The challenge is how to find the great Elijahs who can get a fire going again from those who have been burned beyond recognition and are too bitter to serve again? Finally, you have to ask how to teach an old dog new tricks? How can you get these planters and pastors to recognize that they can learn some new things and dove tail them to their experience that will bring about resurrection?
You are entitled to over come. Find out why: Entitled to Overcome.
Halloween has become a major unofficial American holiday. Researchers at Hallmark Cards report that 65 percent of us decorate our homes and offices for the annual event. It is second only to Christmas in retail spending at about $5 billion, and it is the third biggest party day of the year in the U.S.
The treat ends there for many thoughtful Christians, however, who understand a very troubling reality. Halloween is the high holy day for real witches and pagans, not just a night of “pretend.” Several hundred thousand American pagans, Druids, and witches celebrate Halloween as a holy day called Samhain (pronounced “sow-en”) or Shadowfest, a 2,000-year-old Celtic festival held to honor Samhain, the lord of earth. Pagans considered it to be the end of “life” (summer) and the beginning of “death” (winter).
Although today’s pagans don’t roam in black or bloody garb, snatching children, they nevertheless gather to sing ritual songs and chant ancient prayers, most of which were condemned by the early Christian church. Some still put out food offerings for the dead.
October 31 is also All Saints Day is when the Church commemorates all saints, known and unknown. The eve of All Saints is known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. All Saints Day is November 1.
Christians have been honoring their saints and martyrs since at least the second century AD. The Martyrdom of Polycarp, probably written near the middle of the second century, attests to this reality:
Accordingly, we afterwards took up his bones, more precious than the most exquisite jewels, and more pure than gold, and deposited them in a fitting place, so that when being gathered together, as opportunity is allowed us, with joy and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant us to celebrate the anniversary of his martyrdom, both in memory of those who have already finished their course, and for the exercising and preparation of those yet to walk in their steps (18).
So what do we do with Halloween if you are a Christian. Here is where I turn to Colossians 2. 16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
I see God’s word saying for us to keep the main thing the main thing. That main thing is Jesus Christ. If your Christian brother is taking their children out dressed like Bob the Builder and Dora out to collect candy don’t loose sight of whose they still are. They are children of God. For those who don’t wish to celebrate it do it so those around you see you as a child of God not a judge.
What I don’t understand is why we stop at Halloween? There are so many more common practices in our daily life that are rooted in anything but Christianity and we practice them all the time. The common handshake came as a result of distrust not friendship. It was to hold the fighting hand of the other person. Then there is saying God bless you when you sneeze:
The connection of sneezing to the plague is not the first association of sneezing with death. According to Man, Myth, and Magic: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mythology, Religion and the Unknown, many cultures, even some in Europe, believe that sneezing expels the soul–the “breath of life”–from the body. That doesn’t seem too far-fetched when you realize that sneezing can send tiny particles speeding out of your nose at up to 100 miles per hour!
We know today, of course, that when you sneeze, your heart doesn’t stop, nor will your eyes pop out if you can keep them open (www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_30 4.html), nor does your soul get expelled.
So here is my suggestion. Whatever you do keep it biblical and don’t loose your head this Halloween. More specifically don’t loose Christ’s head. “19He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.” It is Christ who will keep you doing the wise thing. That’s my take.
John Wesley said it “When you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn.” He was speaking of the martyrs who where burned alive for their faith. Right now the news is all over The LosAngels fires. It reminds me of the Florida fires we had a couple summers back and how the news media were all over that too. Why? People are drawn to fire. So where is the spiritual fire?
Many in the church have been living their spiritual life in the same way we were taught to deal with fire by Smokey the bear. Smokey taught us to 1. Stop 2. Drop. 3 Roll. We were taught to stop drop and roll and put out the fire and so it has quenched a spiritual fire too. Maybe that is what has happened in the church throughout this country.
They say if you can’t handle the heat get out of the kitchen. There are a lot of wrong leaders in the kitchen. Rather than getting out and letting a spiritual fire burn with the right people, many “spiritual rangers” have almost made it impossible to keep a fire going let alone start a fire. Fearing burns, fearing chaos the church has run from fires when Wesley knew best the missing and the lost run to them. Rather than fanning in to flames a gospel message we have stopped, dropped and rolled our way from revival fire.
My prayer is that these natural ecological fires be a reminder to those of us in the spiritual kitchens and churches throughout our country. The church core must be hot as a forest fire so the city and the curious see the ash & smell our smoke @ the fringe. “Only u prevent church fires.” So Don’t! It is the fire that attracts the city.
- Brokenness can lead to the greatest relationship
In Luke Jesus broke bread… Jesus is like this isn’t what you think it is.
Mark 14:22-31 22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”23Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.24″This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25″I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”26When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.27″You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ” ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. 28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30″I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
Jesus says, this is my body which has been broken for you. I don’t want to hear the negative talk. If you are from God there needs some positive thinking. We want to hear about you political platform. What’s with all the metaphors and parables? We never got them before. What makes you think we’ll get it now?
Think about the setting. They are eating together. It’s the most intimate of settings. You eat with family and friends. We spend time cooking. Invest in Kitchen upgrades not to dine with people who have broken up with us or will be breaking up with us in the immediate future… That’s why I never liked homecomings in school… I’d pay for a nice dinner then I’d get dumped at the end of the night…
Could you do this? have the very ones who would deny you, leave you, and turn you over to die? Would you do this? Let’s keep it real? Imagine inviting someone over for dinner and then accuse them they are going to cheat on you, stab you in the back, ditch you. Peter says I won’t ditch you, but later that same day and all that faith of his , he hears a young girl and denies him three times. What will come out of this broken relationship?
New Life! You didn’t see that coming did you? God takes what is broken, sets it, repairs it, heals it. Jesus can take what is broken in your life and do the same . When uncertainty and brokenness shakes our world it can bring you into a greater relationship with Christ.
In John 11 you have 4 totally unique people: two polar opposites, another who ditches his friends with no warning and another friend that lets down all of them. This is a disaster waiting to happen right? Wrong. Everyone was convinced Lazarus was gone, it’s finished. it stinks, it’s over. We have times like that in our life too. A relationship dies, in a moment we feel it is over, life stinks the smell of death around with you. Mary and Martha were convinced Lazarus was gone, Jesus was late, it’s over. The truth is it’s not over.
38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
God wants you to know His power, His son, brings things back to life. What in your life do you need God to bring back to life? It’s time you trust him to move the stone that is holding in what you think is dead but with God can live again.
The following are factors that can lead to marital unfaithfulness:
Looking for ego boosts outside your marriage. Men tend to turn to extramarital liaisons to build up their self-image or sexual self-esteem. Women are suspect to affairs to satisfy their longing for love, appreciation and tenderness. Beware of leaning on others beyond your marriage as primary sources for love, value and respect.
Neglecting to talk openly with each other. If you only talk to your spouse about the bills and household chores, you may be sliding into trouble. Holding in your thoughts and feelings does not enhance transparency in your relationship. Practice the art of small talk that can open the door to deeper sharing.
Resisting conflict resolution. Every couple runs into communication rough spots. It’s important not to build walls between you and your spouse. Some people mask their hurt while others spew their emotions. Neither method is constructive. Both ways create relational roadblocks. Unresolved conflict leads to isolation and leaves you vulnerable to fleeing your marriage.
Discounting fun and relaxation together. Think of the last time you and your spouse enjoyed a date or a weekend getaway together. As the old adage says, “Couples that play together, stay together.” If career, family and homes responsibilities are crowding out laughter and friendship with your spouse, you need to book in some recreational retreats with each other.
Increasing the time you spend apart. The demands of work travel, ill children or differing interests and hobbies are common issues that can keep couples apart. The more time you spend away from your spouse, the greater temptation to drift in your relationship.
Allowing daily stresses and fatigue to sabotage your intimacy. Packed schedules and raising children are two common reasons husbands and wives feel ho-hum in their relational intimacy. Romance, in an instant, can remind you of the reasons you love each other. All marriages require times of refreshing and an in-depth look at intimacy saboteurs. Letting your love life fizzle instead of sizzle. Familiarity and boredom can creep into any marriage. Beware of shaking things up in your sex life by dumping your spouse for another more promising lover. If you or your partner suddenly is disinterested in sex with each other, be sure to explore the true reasons.
Giving in to predictability. A little mystery can go a long way in adding spice to your marriage. Many couples succumb to affairs out of fading interest in their spouses. One way to continue your wedded bliss is to surprise your mate with love notes or an occasional unexpected outing or gift. Living in denial. Pretending that problems do not exist in your marriage will only widen the gap between you and your spouse.
Many extramarital affairs start when a frustrated spouse searches for a reality check in marriage by turning to an officemate or friend of the opposite sex for support. Dare to face the truth of your marital struggles. Forgetting your commitment to each other. Over time couples are prone to forget why they fell in love. In our easy-come-easy-go culture, it takes courage and determination to honor commitment instead of convenience.
Failing to resist come-ons and temptations. In our over-sexed world, even the most innocent husband or wife can fall prey to sexual temptations. Before you or your mate find yourself in compromising situations, talk about safeguards for your marriage. You may need to avoid after-work soirees, certain hotels on business trips and sexually compromising magazines, movies or television shows. Thinking “Just this once,” can lead to a lifetime of regret.
Quick Infidelity Quiz
If your marriage partner exhibits several of these following behaviors, your marriage may be in danger of an affair:
Avoids eye contact with you. Talks continually about the unknowns of the future. Shows an increased disinterest in the topic of sex.
Makes excuses for not spending time alone with you. Acts unusually guilty when you do something nice for him/her.
Quits complimenting you on your physical attractiveness. Stops saying, “I love you” and even acts rudely to you.
Starts buying you gifts to ease his or her guilt.
Many factors can drive a marriage to the rocks. Help ensure an enriching relationship for a lifetime by taking steps today to guard the fidelity of your marriage. One of the best recommendations for troubled marriages is enlisting the help of a licensed, Christian counselor.Often, involving a third party — especially one who’s trained to counsel — can force root issues out into the open and guide you and your spouse on the road to healing.
Copyright © 2005 Beth J. Lueders, bethlueders.com. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.
Vision of the Lost by William Booth
Co-Founder of the Salvation Army
(1829-1912)
On one of my recent journeys, as I gazed from the coach window, I was led into a train of thought concerning the condition of the multitudes around me. They were living carelessly in the most open and shameless rebellion against God, without a thought for their eternal welfare. As I looked out of the window, I seemed to see them all . . . millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles, ignorant – willfully ignorant in many cases – and in other instances knowing all about the truth and not caring at all. But all of them, the whole mass of them, sweeping on and up in their blasphemies and devilries to the Throne of God. While my mind was thus engaged, I had a vision.
I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over it the black clouds hung heavily; through them every now and then vivid lightning flashed and loud thunder rolled, while the winds moaned, and the waves rose and foamed, towered and broke, only to rise and foam, tower and break again.
In that ocean I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.
And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with its summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this great rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw that a few of those who were already safe on the platform were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety.
On looking more closely I found a number of those who had been rescued, industriously working and scheming by ladders, ropes, boats and other means more effective, to deliver the poor strugglers out of the sea. Here and there were some who actually jumped into the water, regardless of the consequences in their passion to “rescue the perishing.” And I hardly know which gladdened me the most – the sight of the poor drowning people climbing onto the rocks reaching a place of safety, or the devotion and self-sacrifice of those whose whole being was wrapped up in the effort for their deliverance.
As I looked on, I saw that the occupants of that platform were quite a mixed company. That is, they were divided into different “sets” or classes, and they occupied themselves with different pleasures and employments. But only a very few of them seemed to make it their business to get the people out of the sea.
But what puzzled me most was the fact that though all of them had been rescued at one time or another from the ocean, nearly everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it. Anyway, it seemed the memory of its darkness and danger no longer troubled them at all. And what seemed equally strange and perplexing to me was that these people did not even seem to have any care – that is any agonizing care – about the poor perishing ones who were struggling and drowning right before their very eyes . . . many of whom were their own husbands and wives, brothers and sisters and even their own children.
Now this astonishing unconcern could not have been the result of ignorance or lack of knowledge, because they lived right there in full sight of it all and even talked about it sometimes. Many even went regularly to hear lectures and sermons in which the awful state of these poor drowning creatures was described.
I have always said that the occupants of this platform were engaged in different pursuits and pastimes. Some of them were absorbed day and night in trading and business in order to make gain, storing up their savings in boxes, safes and the like.
Many spent their time in amusing themselves with growing flowers on the side of the rock, others in painting pieces of cloth or in playing music, or in dressing themselves up in different styles and walking about to be admired. Some occupied themselves chiefly in eating and drinking; others were taken up with arguing about the poor drowning creatures that had already been rescued.
But the thing to me that seemed the most amazing was that those on the platform to whom He called, who heard His voice and felt that they ought to obey it – at least they said they did – those who confessed to love Him much were in full sympathy with Him in the task He had undertaken – who worshipped Him or who professed to do so – were so taken up with their trades and professions, their money saving and pleasures, their families and circles, their religions and arguments about it, and their preparation for going to the mainland, that they did not listen to the cry that came to them from this Wonderful Being who had Himself gone down into the sea. Anyway, if they heard it they did not heed it. They did not care. And so the multitude went on right before them struggling and shrieking and drowning in the darkness.
And then I saw something that seemed to me even more strange than anything that had gone on before in this strange vision. I saw that some of these people on the platform to whom this Wonderful Being had called, wanting them to come and help Him in His difficult task of saving these perishing creatures, were always praying and crying out to Him to come to them!
Some wanted Him to come and stay with them, and spend His time and strength in making them happier. Others wanted Him to come and take away various doubts and misgivings they had concerning the truth of some letters He had written them. Some wanted Him to come and make them feel more secure on the rock – so secure that they would be quite sure that they should never slip off again into the ocean. Numbers of others wanted Him to make them feel quite certain that they would really get off the rock and onto the mainland someday; because as a matter of fact, it was well known that some had walked so carelessly as to lose their footing, and had fallen back again into the stormy waters.
So these people used to meet and get up as high on the rock as they could, and looking towards the mainland (where they thought the Great Being was) they would cry out, “Come to us! Come and help us!” And all the while He was down (by His Spirit) among the poor struggling, drowning creatures in the angry deep, with His arms around them trying to drag them out, and looking up – oh! so longingly but all in vain – to those on the rock, crying to them with His voice all hoarse from calling, “Come to Me! Come, and help Me!
And then I understood it all. It was plain enough. The sea was the ocean of life – the sea of real, actual human existence. That lightning was the gleaming of piercing truth coming from Jehovah’s Throne. That thunder was the distant echoing of the wrath of God. Those multitudes of people shrieking, struggling and agonizing in the stormy sea, was the thousands and thousands of poor harlots and harlot-makers, of drunkards and drunkard makers, of thieves, liars, blasphemers and ungodly people of every kindred, tongue and nation.
Oh what a black sea it was! And oh, what multitudes of rich and poor, ignorant and educated were there. They were all so unalike in their outward circumstances and conditions, yet all alike in one thing – all sinners before God – all held by, and holding onto, some iniquity, fascinated by some idol, the slaves of some devilish lust, and ruled by the foul fiend from the bottomless pit!
“All alike in one thing?” No, all alike in two things – not only the same in their wickedness but, unless rescued, the same in their sinking, sinking . . . down, down, down . . . to the same terrible doom. That great sheltering rock represented Calvary, the place where Jesus had died for them. And the people on it were those who had been rescued. The way they used their energies, gifts and time represented the occupations and amusements of those who professed to be saved from sin and hell – followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The handful of fierce, determined ones, who were risking their own lives in saving the perishing were true soldiers of the cross of Jesus. That Mighty Being who was calling to them from the midst of the angry waters was the Son of God, “the same yesterday, today and forever” who is still struggling and interceding to save the dying multitudes about us from this terrible doom of damnation, and whose voice can be heard above the music, machinery, and noise of life, calling on the rescued to come and help Him save the world.
My friends in Christ, you are rescued from the waters, you are on the rock. He is in the dark sea calling on you to come to Him and help Him. Will you go? Look for yourselves. The surging sea of life, crowded with perishing multitudes rolls up to the very spot on which you stand. Leaving the vision, I now come to speak of the fact – a fact that is as real as the Bible, as real as the Christ who hung upon the cross, as real as the judgment day will be, and as real as the heaven and hell that will follow it.
Look! Don’t be deceived by appearances – men and things are not what they seem. All who are not on the rock are in the sea! Look at them from the standpoint of the great White Throne, and what a sight you have! Jesus Christ, the Son of God is, through His Spirit, in the midst of this dying multitude, struggling to save them. And He is calling on you to jump into the sea – to go right away to His side and help Him in the holy strife. Will you jump? That is, will you go to His feet and place yourself absolutely at His disposal?
A young Christian once came to me, and told me that for some time she had been giving the Lord her profession and prayers and money, but now she wanted to give Him her life. She wanted to go right into the fight. In other words, she wanted to go to His assistance in the sea. As when a man from the shore, seeing another struggling in the water, takes off those outer garments that would hinder his efforts and leaps to the rescue, so will you who still linger on the bank, thinking and singing and praying about the poor perishing souls, lay aside your shame, your pride, your cares about other people’s opinions, your love of ease and all the selfish loves that have kept you back for so long, and rush to the rescue of this multitude of dying men and women.
Does the surging sea look dark and dangerous? Unquestionably it is so. There is no doubt that the leap for you, as for everyone who takes it, means difficulty and scorn and suffering. For you it may mean more than this. It may mean death. He who beckons you from the sea however, knows what it will mean – and knowing, He still calls to you and bids to you to come.
You must do it! You cannot hold back. You have enjoyed yourself in Christianity long enough. You have had pleasant feelings, pleasant songs, pleasant meetings, pleasant prospects. There has been much of human happiness, much clapping of hands and shouting of praises – very much of heaven on earth.
Now then, go to God and tell Him you are prepared as much as necessary to turn your back upon it all, and that you are willing to spend the rest of your days struggling in the midst of these perishing multitudes, whatever it may cost you.
You must do it. With the light that is now broken in upon your mind and the call that is now sounding in your ears, and the beckoning hands that are now before your eyes, you have no alternative. To go down among the perishing crowds is your duty. Your happiness from now on will consist in sharing their misery, your ease in sharing their pain, your crown in helping them to bear their cross, and your heaven in going into the very jaws of hell to rescue them.
We begin a new series this Sunday.
if you knew when your friend might die, what would you do to save them? Would you be able to? What if your friendship with someone was on the verge of dying, or maybe the love you have for someone is running out of life, what would you do? If we knew how to save that life we would! Jesus knew how to save a life and so can we.
Watch our new series vid: How to save a life!
Just had lunch with a pastor who was is a retired special forces commander and just meeting with him eating some fantastic Korean food with chopsticks convinced me of something: Resistance to change is not a God thing. Here is a man of God not giving up, striving to change and fight for what God wants! I want to do that too! It may be natural it may be human, but it doesn’t mean it’s right. Getting old doesn’t mean you hang up your guns and never fight again. I get that we want to have some things normalized as we mature through life. We’d like to have more constants in our life. That’s normal even as a child. Our children grow best when there are constants around them and stability. Here’s the thing God has called into the process of sanctification which is all about change.
I was reminded of Joshua who at the age of 40 scouted out the promised land that God was going to give to the people of God. In Chapter 14 he remembers that time with vivid clarity even though he is now 85. Check out the story and I’ll tell you something powerful thought to wrap it up.
Joshua 14 6 Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’ [a]10 “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
Joshua was just as vigorous to go out and chase God’s vision at 85 as he was at 40. His faith had not subsided. He didn’t say, no thanks I’m just going to retire. He didn’t say, no it’s time for the young ones to do it now and let me sit back and watch. He didn’t say, I’ll be glad to tell you what to do, but I’m not fighting. He didn’t say, I’m happy with where I am now. I chased after it and I’m now at a place where I want to stay. No, he said, “Give me this hill country that the Lord promised…. the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” Joshua had a faith and passion for God at 85 that I wish I had every day. My prayer is, “Lord, make me that 85 year old today who will fight with you and not the 38 year old who at times wants to pick the wrong fights or at times run from the fights he is afraid of.”
