Recently I read an article that brought up the subject of 3D vision and in particular 3D glasses.  When I think about 3D glasses I think of movies like The Creature from the Black Lagoon or Jaws which were a couple of movies that I watched as a young boy growing up.

I also think about trying to watch a 3D movie without the glasses. I cannot remember the movie, but I remember wanting to watch it and not being able to find the 3D glasses. I chose to watch it and it was rather bothersome. The picture was fuzzy and because I knew that certain parts of the movie were geared for the glasses, I felt like I was only able to partially enjoy the movie.

When we become a part of the family of God, we gain a new perspective of life. Before coming to Christ, I viewed life differently and as a result of coming to Christ I am regularly challenged in my day to day thinking. In fact my perspective is significantly changed when I view circumstances through the lens of eternity and in light of what pleases God.

As children of God, we have access to viewing and experiencing life from a clearer and better perspective, but we must choose to "put the glasses on." Make the right choice and enjoy the view. What better way to begin this new year.

One of the joys that Heather, the family and I have had since we have been in Wilmore is to host Matundu Zulu in our townhouse. Matundu came to Asbury for six weeks this past October. He came to complete some research on what he and others can do to be effective in reaching the people of the Congo of Africa with the Gospel of Jesus. Matundu has known the Congo all of his life, he loves the Congo, his people that he loves are in the Congo, he has given his whole life to reaching the people of the Congo.

This was Matundu’s first time to America. America was quite a culture shock. In one of our conversations he asked, “Paul, why do your homes breathe?” With a smile and a perplexed look I said, “What do you mean, our homes breathe?” At this he went over and put his hand over the air conditioning vent and said, “This is what I mean, feel it! Your house breathes and its breath is cold!” At this I had come to see Matundu had just experienced air-conditioning for the first time! And he was 54 years old.

I asked Matundu, “Do you like America?” His reply surprised me. “No not really!” I thought could it be the breathing houses, the strange food, country music, (I thought for such it was the country music:-)

“No, I don’t like all the stuff, it is distracting, I can’t experience Jesus in America, too much stuff.”

With this I felt that Matundu felt sorry for me, when I had felt sorry for him. He told me his church and his home, and all the homes don’t have floors, windows or doors, but to Matundu it didn’t matter. He could always find Jesus, so he was happy.

Matundu taught me a lot that day and I pass it on to you, the people I love! The greatest gift of the Gospel is that we get to know Jesus; we get to know him personally through the indwelling Spirit. He wants to be known by you more than you ever know. And let’s make sure all the stuff doesn’t get in the way.

I love you, have a great Christmas, I am proud of you!

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, I have been reminded that my life is much more eternal than I often give consideration to. It says that God leads us in “triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” and that we are “to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing”. So basically, we have victory because of Christ and we are smelling up the place with God.

These really are two great realities to embrace. At first we can walk away thinking that we need to focus on odor management, because that is something that at times we really find ourselves busy doing… trying to create a better aroma of Christ for the people around us.

If I can just know more of the Bible, or be more involved in ministries, or make greater sacrifices then I will become more like Christ. Do you see how these things can almost leave God out of the picture? They become new ways to get what we want without any need of God.

We live in a world that is obsessed with bettering ourselves. What we need to remember is that we cannot do that work, because that is a work that only God does in us. He gave us the Holy Spirit to do all the “God stuff” that ultimately changes us from the inside out, not the outside in. Let’s commit ourselves to chasing after God and leave the “odor management” to him.

Hello from Asbury!!! It is mid-October and the weather is still hot and humid and the bugs are still a constant!

This week I had the privilege of sitting in the class on the book of Acts taught by Dr. Joel Green. Dr. Green is seen as one of the most prominent scholars on the Book of Acts in the world. I see this time as a great blessing, a blessing that calls me to be a good steward of.

As we have studied the book of Acts in an in-depth way, I and others are seeing a Theme emerge, it is, People First, Vision Always.

The church in the book of Acts is different from any other religious body of its day because it valued and loved people. The Church in Acts did not care about social status, gender or race. The church in Acts loved and prioritized people.

But also the Church in Acts passionately lived out God’s desired vision for the church. Jesus tells his vision for the Church in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the end of the earth.”

The Church in Acts is also passionate about vision-fulfillment. Taking the Gospel to every person, to the person across the street, to the other side of the world, God’s vision for the church is that I reach out beyond its walls.

As we follow God into our future, I believe the book of Acts motto of: People first, Vision always will serve as our guide. We are so excited out the land opening up, but God has made this happen so we can reach, grow and train people!

People First, Vision Always.
I love being your pastor!

How incredible!!! We are beginning to see answers to our prayers for “How will we continue to grow in a space challenged facility?”. We also know that the “journey” to seeing that through will be an essential part of our faith.

I don’t think that it is any coincidence that I am reading the book, “The Peacemaker,” as it has already challenged me in how I deal with conflict in my life. To be honest, I don’t really like having to come to grips with this messy reality, but I do see how necessary it is for me and all that are a part of the family of God. After all, Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” and “Blessed are the peacemakers”, and conflict is definitely a reality we all must deal with.

As we journey together, facing inevitable conflicts of desires, may others come to know us as peacemakers to the glory of our God.

Is China an unreached country? It has been estimated that 30,000 people come to Christ each day in China. Already, about 8% of the country are Christians! That is far higher than the percentage of true believers in places like England or France.

So why do we need to send missionaries to China? Like the United States, China has incredible diversity in religious and cultural groups. Most of the rural minority peoples have no witness of Christ and have never even heard the name of Jesus.

What is Warner doing about it? Through the C&MA, we financially support efforts to help the growing Church in China. In addition, Warner is preparing to send one of our own families to that part of the world. They will soon be sharing more about their vision and how you can be a partner with them.

Be praying that God will open hearts in China to His message of love.

Worldwide, about 1 in every 5 people follows the religion of Islam. About 20% of all Muslims live in the Middle East.Ways you can pray:

• According to Islam, Allah keeps himself separate from mankind no personal relationship with his people. Pray that they will have a full revelation of the true God and His loving character.
• Many Muslims are very sensitive to dreams, and God has already called many this way. Pray for dreams that lead them to Christ.
• In some of the oil-rich countries, the younger generation is turning to materialism over their traditional culture. Pray that they will turn to Christ to fill the void in their lives.
• Muslims who choose to follow Christ often live with the constant threat of persecution. Pray the Holy Spirit to give them extra strength, courage, and peace.
• Many Christians are ministering to the Middle East through creative ways like radio, TV, internet, humanitarian and professional avenues. Pray for their continued success and safety.

Every Muslim is someone God loves. He created them and desires them to know Him!

How to learn more:

• 30 Days
• Arabic Bible
• Frontiers

Do you know what is significant about September 12th through October 11th? Those 30 days are the Muslim holy days of Ramadan. Those 30 days are also the days that Christians around the world have set aside to pray for the Muslim world. Over 20% of the world claims to follow Islam, and it is one of the fastest growing religions. However, only about 6% of Christian missionaries are ministering to this group. Clearly there is a great need!

At Warner, the Muslim world is designated as our “Destination” for October. We hope you will use the resources provided on Sunday mornings to understand and pray for these people who need Jesus. If you’d like additional information, a great web resource is Arabic Bible.

While looking over some journal entries that I made earlier this year, I ran across one that really seemed to stick out. John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you”, and although he was speaking to his disciples at that particular moment, I believe there is definitely a timeless transfer of truth to us today.

Because God has chosen to use his children, us(disciples), to be the messengers of bringing the lost to him, we have been chosen, too. Immediately I think of school yard days and the picking of teams… wanting to be chosen. Unfortunately wanting to be chosen didn’t stop after grade school.

Today it may be being chosen for a position at work, chosen as a potential spouse or chosen as a close friend. We still want to be chosen. Be reminded that you are chosen… for the most significant and lasting team ever.

Lets allow this truth to be the foundation that prepares us for what is ahead of us today and the days to come. You have been chosen!

I am sure the land and the future hope of building a new facility is on everyone’s mind. These are some great times at Warner Alliance. I believe in the years to come we will see God do amazing works regarding, provision, faith and church unity. He won’t accomplish work within us without us being strong and courageous in our belief in him. As the great pioneer missionary Hudson Taylor wrote, “All God’s giants have been weak men [and women], who did great things for God because they believed that God would be with them.”

But this past week in my prayer time I was reminded that we have in our possession something which is of greater worth than land or a building; it is the person and work of Jesus in our hearts and lives. As Colossians 1:18 points out, “And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

In this new journey that our church will be taking God is not desiring that land and buildings take a greater place in our hearts than he. May all of his gifts and the newness of ministry that he will have us walk in, always point back to him and the supremacy of his son.

Grace and Peace

I miss you all and love you all!