Deaf Manna in the Desert: September 2007

Monday, September 24, 2007

hear MY Word

No.. I'm not saying that you hear "my" words, you hear "MY" Word which is God's!

"If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account." Deuteronomy 18:19 (niv & bold mine)

I was told that people tell those who attend Fairfax Church of Christ Deaf Ministry that they do not like what I preach, they do not like my sermons, they do not like how I present them, they do not like how the message steps on their toes, and many other lines.

And you know what I did? I laughed. Seriously! I laughed. I can say, "Ok, so be it." Or "I am very sorry you feel that way." Or I could say, "You don't like how God speaks to your heart?" Of course, it's NOT my words that I'm preaching. It's His! Though, maybe my style isn't theirs which is fine. They may be looking for an entertaining preacher. I may be one but I don't entertain people, I do these for the glory of God.

This past Saturday, my family and I attended a revival at McLean Bible Church. Some of you may be shocked beyond oblivion that a "Church of Christ" preacher would dare step his foot inside any denominational building. It didn't bother me. Jesus went into the presence of sinners. Paul went into the presence of the Jews in synagogues. I was glad to be part of the fellowship at MBC. A couple of members were a bit uncomfortable having us around but a very few of them really enjoyed our presence. We shared our hearts with those who loves the Lord, not those who acts like "Pharisees" passing condemning words or questions at us. I felt like "Jesus" entering Jerusalem where all the Pharisees bark out hollow and deceptive words/questions (Col. 2:8) at me. Even one of them accused me (secretly with a fellow brother of mine) that I'm a cult leader of the church of Christ. Of course, I say, "Oh, please! Me, a cult leader!? Ha! Never in my life!" LOL!

Nevertheless, I did enjoyed David Hansen's messages on "How to study the Bible?" and reviewing the life of Abraham, Moses, John with an emphasis on our faith with God! I thanked God for David. And do you know why? There are too few ministers, preachers and "pastors" (I'm not going to get into any doctrinal discussions on this but you know what I mean here..) for the deaf giving up their lives, their hearts, their times to serve the Lord bringing deaf souls to Jesus! David's style is different. But that's God's work, not mine. Jose Abenchuchan's style is different. Joe Kaplan's style is different. Andy Deuschle's style is different. Or, better yet, we say, "a unique servant design by God!"

You don't like my sermons, messages, lessons??? That's ok.. Worst yet, you're not listening to God...

"As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day." John 12:47-48 (niv)

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Do Not Go To Church!

LOL! I'm sure you're ShOcKeD to read this title today! Your eyes may be wide open! Now, I got your attention! I got this from my brother in Christ. It's amazing receiving his email because I've been talking with my wife about the deaf men and women of faith in the world today. Many deaf Christians continues to be ignorant in what church ought to be. This verse hits dead center into my heart while we continue to think of how we can better teach deaf men and women of faith the real meaning of "church". Read on..

VERSE: This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: "Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba." -- Amos 5:4-5

THOUGHT: Do you "go to church"? I hope not! Now don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating you skip worship and fellowship this Sunday! We're told not to forsake gathering together as believers (Hebrews 10:25). But when we assemble as a body of believers, we're gathering together for encouragement and meeting with God.

We're not GOING to church; we ARE the church! (The New Testament never used the word church to refer to a building!) God warned his people in Old Testament times that simply going to the places of worship was worthless.

Instead, they needed to seek him! I believe that is exactly what God would have us do. And as we seek him together, we get to share fellowship, comfort, and encouragement with each other.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Waking the Dead Pt. 1

based on the book, Waking the Dead, by John Eldridge.

Waking The Dead Pt 2

based on the book, Waking the Dead, by John Eldridge..

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

End Of Yourselves??

By A.W. Tozer...

"The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven’t yet come to the end of themselves. We’re still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us."

Which are you?

1. Still under construction (Hebrews 5:13-14; 6:1)
2. A work of God in progress

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 5:22-23 (niv)

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Sandpaper People

Morning!!

It is September already!! Hard to believe, huh?? The older we get, the faster the time! And you're just this much closer to.... ETERNITY!!

I recall posting Mary Southerland's article on, "Sandpaper People" and I stumbled upon another article reflecting Mary's article. If I may be blunt, while reading this article, I thought of many people I minister to are in the "Sandpaper People" category. Of course, I'm not going to name names here. My reason isn't to tear these people down but to build them up, to open their hearts, to see the truth, to admit their sins and flaws, to confess Jesus, to move from the "Sandpaper People Category", to become fruitful, to be the shining light of God, to be the salt of the earth, to be respected because you respect others.

Please pray before reading this article. Ask yourself if you have the tendency to "rub your peers the wrong way".. Ask others for their honest opinion how they perceive you. This article hits dead center in the heart!

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D166050%252526M%25253D200859%2C00.html?

Here's a couple of scenario why people becomes sandpaper people:

1. This individual may be broken inside.
2. He/she continues to be a prisoner of the lie.
3. They cover a wound that has never been healed.
4. They remember a wrong that's never forgiven.
5. A hideous sin that's never been confronted or confessed.

Here's two different possibilities that we can get out of "sandpaper people":
1. Am I going to allow the constant rub of my sandpaper person to cause me to scream?
2. Will I let God use the situation to polish me into the shining image of Jesus?

Great article! May the Lord guide us all into repentance from our sins!!