BLOG: Spiraling

I know I'm not the only one noticing it. The trend toward chaos, confusion, and collapse. It's unsettling at the same time as it's compelling.

Compelling only because prophecy warned us it would happen.

Wars and rumors of wars* have become the norm. Nation shall rise against nation* rings more true by the day. Famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places* is nothing new but the frequency and intensity is a strong cause for pause.

The message of Jesus, as He sat there on the Mount of Olives answering the probing questions of His disciples, was clear ... see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass*.

But He also said, all these are the beginning of sorrows* .

We're in Thailand watching it all unfold and there's one thing we know for certain: it is not time for retreat. Satan is going to tempt every believer so that we'll see men's hearts failing them for fear. That fear will drive many from the posts which God has not directed them to abandon. But as the saying goes; out of the pot and into the fire.

We are not safer where it seems safest if it's not where God has told us to be.

We're surrounded by people who desperately need to hear the truth. They need a chance to choose. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent? *

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've had an encounter with God and it's likely you have insight into, not only what's happening now, but also what's coming. Imagine seeing all of this without the peace that comes from knowing how it all ends.

The "preachers" must be sent.

But also, it's our collective job as parents to steward our time with our children so they grow knowing they, too, are preachers. Disciples. Reflectors of the light.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.*

These two verses tell me it's not enough to have morning and evening worship, although those times are certainly necessary. But this discipleship needs to be happening every waking moment of every single day.

We cannot expect fruit from seeds we don't sow.

Right now as things spiral and it feels uncomfortable the temptation for all of us is to numb out. To scroll. To occupy ourselves in the small squares fed to us by the algorithms-that-be. It's going to take a warrior mindset, fully settled on the heart of God, to overcome the desire to check out as current reality settles in.

And we have to fight so our kids aren't swept away. The tide is rising and the current is swiftly pulling families away from the shores of truth.

We're not alive in this period of time by accident. Each of us is here according to plan and very much on purpose. We have been called for such a time as this.* I've told my children many times that I believe this generation is like a special ops team, entrusted with a mission that can't be accomplished if we cower.

A coward hides in the shadows, hoping to be exempt from the mission. Courage lives in the Light.

We have 24 Thai children doing life with us at Ban Ta Yim. Plus six of our eight biological children (two of our adult sons are still pursuing God in the states ... each person needs to be where God tells them to be!) are here seeking to share the truth of the gospel with these beautiful people.

Many days we feel discouraged. Often it seems as though we work in vain. Progess is slow and sometimes painful. But Jesus said, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.*

Unless, or until, the day comes that He clearly directs our hands to a different plough, we'll stay this course, by the grace of God. Please pray for us but also pray for others. There are countless servants of the One True God, serving across this planet. Some are working near to home while others have been sent to live as foreigners in countries not their own.

But the reality is, none of us are home.

Just as in the parable of the nobleman who was going to a far country to receive a kingdom and then return ... he told his ten servants to occupy till I come.*

Our job is to be faithful and productive, in cooperation with God's instructions, until Jesus returns.

Then we'll discover what the word home really means.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worhty to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.*

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All quoted Scripture was from the KJV and the references are below:

Matthew 24:6

Matthew 24:7

Matthew 24:8

Luke 21:26

Romans 10:14-15

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Esther 4:14

Luke 9:62

Luke 9:13

Romans 8:18