Sunday, February 07, 2010 – Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of the Bible called The Message has become one of my favorite ways to read God’s word. The story of Legion in Mark, Chapter 5 is paraphrased in a way that really applies to my past week here in PAP, Haiti.
I’ll start after the point Jesus has healed Legion, the pigs ran off the cliff, and the people that saw it ran to the town to tell everyone and the town’s people became typical “rubber neckers at a car wreck” racing out to see what had happened. It is at this point where Dr. Peterson describes it like this.
‘They came and found him (Legion) sitting there in his right (sane) mind and were in awe. Then they thought about the pigs and asked Jesus to leave.’
This has been one of the most spiritually challenging weeks of my life. Sunday through Thursday, the Lord led me by the hand, put me in the presence of some very strong brothers and sisters in the Lord and grew my faith deeper than it ever before. During that time, He opened my eyes and gave me the vision of how our response should be structured. I was in total awe of what the Lord was doing. Yet then, I thought about the “pigs” and lost focus on awe of how the Holy Spirit was enveloping me with love and opening my eyes and in a way, “I asked Jesus to leave” by letting the distraction of Satan effect me.
This morning in my quite time I asked the Holy Spirit to help me regain the focus on the awe of what He is doing in Haiti through His people. I asked that He guard me from “pig” issues that distract me and cause me to stumble.
My challenge to you today is to reflect on if this morning during the time you worshiped God (went to church) and ask yourself. Were you focused and in awe of what God is doing and who He is or did you think about the pigs? (I.e. hot/cold, sermon short, asking about tithes, type of music, etc)
Pray for me that God will keep me focused on His awe.
February 7, 2010 at 9:02 am |
Fritz,
Been praying for you right along. Thanks for these thoughts, it will help me be aware of the “pigs” today. Keep safe and well, my brother.
Mason
February 7, 2010 at 9:17 am |
Praying for you Fritz. You have the wisdom. God has the insight. He will lead you down the right path. Stay safe.
February 8, 2010 at 12:04 pm |
Hey Fritz,
I can only imagine how challenging each day is for you; know that I continue to pray for the people of Haiti and for those who are ministering. Today God has reminded me of His strength and power so I claim Isaiah 40:29-31 for you my friend. I pray that as He gives you strength and power that your focus will be narrow and that you will see, hear and act with His heart. Blessings Fritz!!
Candace McIntosh
Alabama WMU
February 8, 2010 at 3:45 pm |
What a blessing your “journey” is providing for us Fritz. You are humbly prayed for as you lead in this God-sized task of the Haiti response. We are walking with you – or should I say we are kneeling with you friend.
February 9, 2010 at 7:07 am |
I’m Praying for you all. Keep looking up!
In His Service,
Sylvia M. Johnson
February 9, 2010 at 4:47 pm |
Dear Fritz:
Thank you for all that you do to minister in the name of Our Lord Jesus. We here at First Chattahoochee are praying for you and your fellow workers as you lay the groundwork for future ministry. I for one am getting my passport renewed just in case God wants me to do something. We are actively filling buckets and many want to get hands-on with meeting needs. We will continue to lift all the convention leadership up in prayer. You are an inspiration in your devotion. May God place his army of angels about you and your teams and give you opportunity to see His hand at work.
Barry
February 11, 2010 at 10:46 pm |
I have been praying for you since day 1 of the quake, knowing FBDR was right there. I was blessed to serve with you in Texas City and am willing to go when needed now, knowing this will be a very long process. I do pray that God will keep you focused. Yes, there is a job to do, but He is doing an even bigger job among the people of PAP and throughout the world.
Nurse in Florida awaiting your and His call.
: ) Sadie