A Slower Pace

This morning, while reading my devotions with breakfast, it happened again. I turned exactly to the page in Scripture for the day. While that is always amazing to me (this is the third time it has happened – see a previous post here), I was not trying to get to the exact page and, even more interesting, it was in an Old Testament book that I rarely read from – Nahum – and don’t know exactly where it is in the Bible (although I know it is in the minor prophets section towards the end of the OT).

It was a cool way to start the morning.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Someone’s reading my blog and has a sense of humor.

However, do NOT mistake one false prophet man’s mis-interpretation of Jesus’ return as if it is not going to happen. Technically, Harold Camping is right — he just is very wrong in his timing. Which is the sign of a false prophet.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I have heard some recent hubub about a certain sect of folks who think that the rapture / judgment day / end of the world are coming tomorrow. Interesting…..but not very Scripturally based.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” – Matthew 24:36-37

So these folks know that tomorrow is the day, but Scripturally Jesus himself said that He did not know. Again, interesting.

For my perspective on end times prophesy, take a look at this previous post.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I have been out of the blog habit for a few weeks now. No real reason aside from the many conflicting priorities of life. For example, right now I am on business travel sitting at an outdoor cafe in old town Basel, Switzerland enjoying a freshly poured cola by a nice waitress while listening to street musican Tribela classically exhibit his cello skills. I have been in Switzerland all week and it has been a challenging combination of jet lag, a mild illness, and long corporate meetings. But that is not necessarily an excuse for not blogging — it just hasn’t happened.

And that’s not to say that there hasn’t been anything worth blogging. There were stories in my meeting Gary, a morning with Joe, an Abraham lesson, and a side of the road hat trick. We’ll see if I retrospectively go back and blog each of those experiences, but for right now I am going to focus on the one God placed right in front of me today. It became the highlight of my week. And it was my encounter with two of God’s servants on earth – Elisabeth and Ruth.

My meetings for the entire week were finally completed. I was not lucky enough to be invited to the 1pm-4pm final meeting (which I say tongue in cheek), so I decided to abandon my hotel room and fast internet connection for the slower pace of Swiss life — slower connectivity-wise as well as pace-wise. I relocated to the scene described above – Restaurant Schlusselzunft on Freie Strasse — a Troy Aikman football throw away from the Marketplatz in old town Basel. My intent was to actually get some computer work done on my laptop but for once blogging has actually become a higher priority than what I was planning (I guess blogging ranks higher than work).

Across from me is Tribela who I had met earlier in the week playing cello at this same location. He was so good that I bought his classical music cello CD for future enjoyment. And now I am enjoying his live concert while I imbibe in a cold-ish drink which cost way too much in Swiss francs…..and even more in U.S. dollars. However, I substantially tipped the waitress so she wouldn’t kick me out of the outdoor cafe while enjoying this very European atmosphere.

But I am digressing from my story. I made my way down the main street from my hotel to catch the local tram. Basel has a very nice, clean and efficient streetcar/train system that allows you quick access to most parts of the city. I sat down to wait for the #6 line which was due to arrive in 4 minutes. And knowing the punctual Swiss, it would only take 4 minutes. The day was perfect — sunny, warm around 21C (70F for you stateside), and early afternoon with boundless possibilities. Soon enough an older lady approached me and said something in German while handing me a brochure I could not read. When I said that I did not understand German, she reached into her bag, gave me another brochure and switched to English. Knowing now that I could not fein inability to communicate (since she switched to English), I prepared a defense for whatever she was peddling. However, when she mentioned Jesus and I caught a glance at my now-English brochure, I realized she was a fellow believer obediently spreading the Gospel. We engaged in a delightful conversation and I was impressed with her fortitude and willingness to put herself out there. She had literature material in 70 languages and while she could not communicate in all those languages, she had the necessary road signs to direct people in the right direction — to Jesus. She said she carries those materials with her so she can give them away while on the train. But when she goes out in public to specifically do what she was currently doing, she always goes with a fellow believer because of the command Jesus gave to go out two by two. In fact, her fellow sister in Christ was on a bench behind us praying and managing the literature.

Somehow we got onto the topic of small cards and I showed her my “business card” that I use to connect people with Jesus. It seems Elisabeth uses the same company I use to get the cards made inexpensively. She had some cards made specifically for Muslims. It is in Arabic and points them to a website created by a guy who used to be a Muslim but converted to Christianity and is using his conversion as a tool for others. The websites are www.hayatfudla.org and www.enjeely.com. I have not yet been to them but if they are at all like what Elisabeth is doing in spreading the Gospel, they are God’s tool.

NOTE — Tribela has just packed up and unfortunately my beautiful cafe atmosphere just went down a notch.

Elisabeth took me over to her friend for an introduction. Her name is Ruth and together they are Christ’s disciples in Basel spreading His Gospel message of salvation. I was, again, impressed with their obedience, humility, and service.

NOTE — no sooner has Tribela vacated than an accordian toting man shows up 50 meters up the street peddling his fare of tunage.

Before I departed, I asked Elisabeth and Ruth to pose for a picture. We also prayed together and I left them with some resources that I hope will continue their printing and distribution mission here in Basel. With our goodbyes, I let them know that, coindicentally, it was National Day of Prayer in the U.S. My meeting with them was also the highlight of my week and I will continue to keep both of them in my prayers. What a great example they are for all of us. And I love writing about all the other servants of Christ who are out in our midst.

What a wonderful surprise it was to bump into Elisabeth and Ruth and even more, wonderful, what surprises God has for us during our days if we are open to them.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Your God loves you and wants to hear from you today.

www.nationaldayofprayer.org

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

In today’s sermon, the topic was service and how Christ was the model servant. He shows us how to serve, He tells us how to serve, and He expects us to serve others.

An observation was made during the sermon of some Christians who continually take in faith — reading, Bible study, small groups, devotions — the list goes on of what is consumed in pursuit of faith. But just as we inhale when we breathe, we must make sure that we don’t always take in for our faith. We must serve and exhale our faith into the world, as Jesus calls us to do.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I am a very big supporter of Christian radio — and for so many reasons. It is a ray of light into our dark world. Musical joy and hope for our day. A form of entertainment you can listen to and enjoy with your kids without filter or censorship. And, of course, a conduit and vehicle for people to find their way to Christ.

My local Christian radio station, 88.5 WJIE, is an awesome community partner that provides local support, great praise and worship concerts, and scriptural encouragement. You can join me in enjoying their ministry by streaming them at — http://www.wjie.org/.

Another Christian radio station I support is K-LOVE. They are a national Christian radio station that retransmits in many different cities. You can also stream them online at http://www.klove.com/ — just like I am doing right now. I blogged a previous post about K-LOVE’s ministry during a recent multi-state drive I made from Texas to Kentucky.

WJIE had their big fundraiser back in February and they surpassed their goal thanks to the generocity of the Lord. I was blessed enough to be able to support them financially, spiritually, and physically (by answering phones). What a blessing they are!

K-LOVE is having their big fundraiser this week! You can participate with prayer and by donating. They are another effective vessel that God is using for His glory and you have the opportunity to be a part of that. Go check it out at http://www.klove.com/.

At the very least, go online and stream the wonderful music these radio ministries provide. I can guarantee that the positive, uplifting music glorifies Christ and will change your heart, mind and life.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

While praying this morning in the shower, the image below came to me and I was awed by the vastness, power, grace and gentleness.

God provides for the flitter of the butterfly’s wings and the firing of the sun.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Yesterday was my weekly day to volunteer serving breakfast at Wayside Christian Mission. And for the last two weeks I have added a twist by bringing one of my kids to help serve. They are reluctant when I get them up at 5:00am so we can be down there by 6:00am but we have had a wonderful time serving Christ each time we’ve done it.

So yesterday, when my son and I were serving donuts, hash browns and cinnamon biscuits, a lady came across our line. She was more peppy than the average person that time of the morning. We exchanged niceties and as she began walking away with her full plate I commented that I liked her shirt — which had a picture of Jesus.

Now this can sometimes be challenging in this situation. Not because it is Jesus. But because many of the folks that frequent Wayside get their clothes secondhand or donated. And just because they are wearing a Cincinnati Bengals hat, or a Louisville Cardinals shirt, or a UK beanie, doesn’t necessarily mean they like or even follow the team. It might have just been a convenient or free item that fits their needs, but not their loyalties. But I digress.

After my comment, she looked me straight in the eye, broke into a smile, and said that we shared the same Savior. It was at that moment that she began to light up and we relocated further down the end of the line so we could chat. It was down near my son with the donuts so he heard the discussion.

She began with an introduction. Her name was Freeda. She said she attended Lampton Baptist Church. I shared my name and place of worship and then she started into some Scripture riddles. This caught me off guard but I was up for some interesting conversation so I went along.

Freeda: “Knock, knock”
Me: “Who’s there?”
Freeda: “Jesus”
Me: “Jesus who”
Freeda: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. — Revelation 3:20”

Freeda: “How many ways can you go on a one way street?”
Me: “One”
Freeda: “No. You can go two ways, but only one is the right way. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. — Matthew 7:13-14”

At that point with our eyes shining and sharing in the Spirit, I asked her what her story was. She said she had seizures and they detracted her from a normal way of life. My heart went out to her and I asked her if she needed anything. She said she was blessed and provided for. I told her that I was down there most Friday mornings and if she needed something I would be honored to be able to be used. She came around the end of the line by my son and gave me a hug. I responded by telling her that she made my day…..and it wasn’t even 8am yet. At that, she found a table and chair and proceeded to enjoy her breakfast.

I hope to see Freeda some Friday morning in the near future. If not, I just might have to make my way over to her place of worship to make sure she is doing well. What a bright and shining light she is for God…..and even more so when you consider her circumstances.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

As I laid in bed last night, headed towards slumber and praying my nightly prayers, I was reminded of a change of perspective I had a long time ago. You see, as a child, I would lie in bed and say my nightly prayers of thanks and concerns and soon enough it was morning and time to start a new day. It seems I would fall asleep mid-prayer. This happened routinely.

Now, for a time, this worked me all up because you shouldn’t fall asleep while you’re talking with God. It would be rude to fall asleep while talking to a friend or a co-worker, wouldn’t it? So falling asleep while talking to God seemed like not a good thing to do. However, it would happen night after night. And, for a time, I carried guilt about it.

However, one time when I confessed this to a confidante, they offered up a beautiful alternative to my view. They thought it was very touching and intimate that I would fall asleep in God’s arms each night. Just like I would fall asleep in my father’s or mother’s arms when I was younger.

And isn’t God our Father? Not just a friend or co-worker.

And I still fall asleep every night during prayers. With God holding me in His arms.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net