Sight is for the Blind

Welcome to Holland!

2010-11-22T06:12:00.000-08:00

This story has been a blessing to many people including myself. Just the other night I had a dream that my son and I were out at a park and I was passing a football to him and he was catching it and having a great time. Some things are difficult but this story is VERY encouraging!

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

Emily Perl Kingsley 1987

Matthew Chases Daddy

2010-05-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

Matthew is blind and usually doesn't run very many places because he is afraid he will run into things and be injured. However, when he chases Daddy he knows it's safe! What if God's children learned this lesson? We walk (run) by faith and not by sight :-)

check out the video

http://www.facebook.com/v/10150198219175705

10 Things I Have Learned From Raising Blind Kids

2010-01-22T13:47:00.000-08:00

10 Things (among many others) I have learned from raising blind kids!

1. If there is candy in the house they will find it just as fast as any sighted kid (or faster)!
2. The cat isn't the only one who gets into the Christmas tree.
3. Facial expressions are natural not learned in most cases. (including sticking out their tongue)
4. It doesn't take sight to have a fascination with flushing strange objects down the toilet.
5. Many things in life are impossible to describe.
6. It is NOT ok to touch some things because they are blind and they want to know what it is.
7. Fear is far more disabling than being blind.
8. Two year olds know alot more than anyone thinks (our kids started talking in full sentences at 15 months).
9. Dogs aren't the only ones who can recognize people by their smell.
10. They still want to drive :-0

Your Eyes Will Adjust

2009-07-11T10:15:00.001-07:00

Had a Seriously Ridiculous Awesome week at The Bogg Teen Camp. I heard a cool little story from David Vance about how he and his wife went to a very expensive restaurant for a Candle Light dinner. The music played and the food was great but as he looked across the table he wanted to see more clearly his wife's face. He motioned to the waiter and said "Could you please bring the lights up a little more" The waiter said "Don't worry sir your eyes will adjust".

As the World becomes more sinful we must be aware as Christians that it is natural for people to adjust to the darkness. I am not talking about adjusting as a missionary would to a foreign culture. I am talking about allowing sin into our lives and becoming Ok with it. It is easy to adjust to traditionalism and rituals in our religion rather than persuing a relationship with Christ the Light of the World. It is easy to adjust to the status quo of religion and an outward show. It is easy to adjust to duality. There is an outward show and we appear to be keeping sin out of the church but our lives are entrenched in the ungodly away from the assembly. Soon we are in a rut, soon we are pleasing ourselves, soon we are going through the motions soon we have forgotten that Christ desires mercy and not sacrifice. Soon we are not being a light to the World and we are Isaiah 58...read it when you have a chance. I would suggest that you use a version other than KJV so you can really understand what its saying!

P.S. Thanks for that scripture reading Josh King :-)

Give Me Your Eyes

2009-05-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

Lyrics for Dove Awards
Song of the Year 2009
Brandon Heath
"Give Me Your Eyes"

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere,
Why have I never cared?

Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
YeahYeahyeahyeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of workHe's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glanceS
o give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along

10 Reasons To Have A Victorious Outlook On Life!

2009-03-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

For the Believer in Jesus Christ here are 10 Reasons to have a victorious outlook on life!

#1
Jehovah God is still Lord of Heaven and Earth.....
Some will fret and worry becaue the devil is the "god" of this World. The "god" of this World means he is in control of this World System. The financial system, the educational systems, the religious systems, the media etc. During the millenium Jesus will control all these things. This does not mean that things are outside of Gods ultimate control. He is still Lord of Creation! He holds all things together. Acts 17:24-32

#2
Jesus Christ the Messiah is still Risen from the Dead.....
There is no other system of faith on the Earth that has a risen savior. Religion after religion can take you to their founders grave however Jesus is risen and has assured us that he is alive. I serve a risen savior

#3
One Day I will see the Miracle of the Ressurection and get my new body....
My eyes will see one of the greatest miracles of all time. I can't wait, I want my children to be close to me when it happens. As we are changed in the moment and in the twinkling of an eye they will receive their new bodies and they will be able to see my face for the first time. Then we will see Jesus together!

#4
Our Labor is not in Vain....
The things that we do for Jesus will one day be rewarded. I Corinthians 15:57,58 says "But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." I like what proverbs 14:23 says to the wise "In all Labor there is profit".

#5 All things work together for good.....
There are alot of things that seem bad to me but God tells me that they will all work out for good to those who are the called according to his purpose....well that's me and I am standing on this promise....how about you?

#6
He will never leave us nor forsake us.....
Ok, sometimes I hear sermon after sermon that somehow seems to say that if I don't follow God just right then he will abandon me or leave me hanging out to dry. I don't know where these thoughts come from. I don't think they are God.....He is a good father and even though he may discipline me it is in his amazing love and he will never leave me nor forsake me.....I can boldly say the Lord is my Helper......Since God is for us who can be against us? No One!

#7
Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World......
I get tired of defeatest mentalities. Things are getting worse and worse...well that may be true but that doesn't mean that Christians are going to be defeated. I read the back of the book and we win! The Holy Spirit lives in me and he is stronger and mightier than the devil! When Lucifer fell he took one third of the angels with him, that means there are two thirds left! So for every demon the devil throws my way there are 2 angels on my side ready to overcome them. We are in a spiritual battle and our heavenly father is good and he has given us everything we need to Win!

#8
The Gospel of Jesus Christ can not be stopped.....
Before Jesus comes back the Bible says that the gospel will be published in all nations. In Matt 13:31-33 the bible also tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven that will spread and fill the whole. Finally in Revelation 7:9 there are the saved that are from every nation, tribe, and kindred. The Gospel will not be stopped and people from every it goes will accept it! Jesus said all power is given unto me....go ye therefore!

#9
The churches of Jesus Christ will never go out of existance and hell can not stop her......
Jesus said I am with you "even unto the end of the world".....Jesus told Peter that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church.....even if their are few accepting the truths of the Word and even though men won't like to hear sound doctrine.....there will be faith (the system) of faith that was once delivered to the saints when Jesus comes back!

#10
We will reign with Christ and live forever in the New Heaven and Earth!
Revelation 20....Read It!

Don't be defeated in your mind and actions....Don't let the World get you down! Go forward with Victorious Outlook! Be Like Caleb and Joshua not like the other 10 that no one remembers!

What Does God Smell Like?

2009-02-24T13:20:00.001-08:00

Well, this is a continuation of "Mature Christians Use All Their Senses". After talking about touch, I decided that I would go on to the sense of smell. After hours and hours of looking at scripture and doing searches on every bible software I have come to the conclusion that God does not have a smell!

Now in my studies it became clear that human beings do have many smells. Many times God smells us as opposed to false gods who can not. Deu 4:28 "And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." Whether it be good smelling things or bad smelling things. Our evil actions are seen as bad smells. Amos 5:21 "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies."

Our good actions are seen as good smells in the nostrils of God. Phi 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Have you ever noticed that there isn't a single smell that the human body makes naturally that is really very pleasant.....that could be a result of our sin nature.....makes sense to me.

Nowhere in scripture does it say that God has a smell. I guess that's pretty consistant with purity and holiness. See smell happens when tiny particles are added to the air. God is 100% pure and the bible seems consistant with that in that God does not have a smell!

If anyone ever comes across a verse that would share something different please let me know! Thanks

Life Without.....

2008-11-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

It's Thanksgiving and I just want to give Thanks to Jesus Christ who died for my sins! Thank You! Two weeks ago I learned about a young man from Australia named Nick Vujicic. This guy is absolutely amazing! Nick was born without arms or legs....but what's amazing is that he is an incredibly happy and joyful person. Sometimes I think that I have been given a pretty tough challenge by having two children born blind but then I come across a story like Nick's. This young man is having an incredible impact for Christ. He is reaching millions with his story! If you don't know about Nick go to his website www.nickvujicic.com and be inspired by his greater purpose. The purpose that he found in Jesus Christ! Life without_______ . Could you be happy in Christ no matter what you put in that blank. I pray that I will continue to find my joy in Christ and I pray that my children will find their joy and happiness in Christ even though they live Life without sight! Happy Thanksgiving :-)

Color Blind...Praise the Lord!

2008-11-14T19:26:00.000-08:00

I just have to be blatantly and boldly honest. I am sick and tired of racism, racial prejudice, and racial preference in my country and in the churches of this country! I sometimes envy my children because they are color blind. I hear so many comments here and there...on tv...on radio...in music...in movies.....at social gatherings and sometimes at churches...that it is hard not to live where I live and not be influenced by some sort of race issue!

Even though I didn't vote for Barack Obama there is a part of me that is glad that he won. I can see the little minority children who had an extra twinkle in their eye and extra length in their smile the day after the election and it makes me happy for them. I can tell that some of my neighbors are a little more happy and that they are looking to see if I am happy for them too! If you can't see that then you are not looking or else you live in Utah.

Yes....my children do have very limited light perception but they see absolutely no color....Praise the Lord. My daughter goes to a school where she is the minority. She goes to a school where there are only 5 grades and yet their are over 50 languages represented. I am glad that when she comes home and talks to me about her friends at school that she doesn't have a clue what color they are. I wish we could all be color blind.

I am right on with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr a Baptist Preacher who was a Republican, he said

"I have a dream
that my four little children
will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged
by the color of their skin
but by the content
of their character.”

That's one of the dreams I have for my children too!

Why is it that Sunday Morning is still the most segregated time of the whole week in America? Lord help the Christians and the Churches in this nation to repent and be a shining light to the rest of the World.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

God's design for the Local Church was for it to be an example to the World of how people of all races and tongues and cultures could love each other in unity in Christ.....And look what America is on Sunday mornings! Can the local churches bring glory to Christ when they aren't keeping his commands? Let's pray that revival will come to the churches of America in this issue and many others.....ie Abortion

Additional Comments to "Touch the Unclean"

2008-10-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

I had an individual that challenged what I was saying in "Touch the Unclean" with this scripture:
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

The argument sounds good until you analyze it logically without preconceived ideas and bias! At that point you realize in the previous verses the "touch not" in this verse has to do with the admonishment to not be "unequally yoked together". The point is that we should not enter into binding contracts with unbelievers" (ie. marriage, business partnerships etc.)

The last time I checked, sharing the gospel and loving people in real tangible ways and not just preaching at them is not a contract that we have made with the lost but with our Savior!
As Paul stated "The love of Christ constraineth me"......I am bound by the contract of love!

If you contrast 2Cor6:17 with Paul's admonishment to stay away from rudiments (rules) of the worldly religious systems which tell us to "touch not, taste not or handle not". These are commandments and doctrines of men. Paul says we are dead to these rules with Christ!

Col 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Col 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Col 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

In Contrast with the new law of Christ(the law of Grace) and the Holy Mount Zion which is "touched" by Faith through Grace the writer of Hebrews says that not even a beast could "touch" the mountain which Moses(the lawgiver) was on:

Heb 12:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

Like Jesus said.....its not what goes into a man that makes him unclean its what comes out! Are laws and commands and new rules and fear mongering pouring out of your life and mouth or is grace and healing coming forth! Touch the Unclean!

Senses Part II Touch the Unclean

2008-10-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

In the book of Leviticus the word "Touch" is used many times. There were many things that the Jews were not to touch. If they were to touch these things then they would become unclean and could not go into the temple to worship.

It seems that under the law it was sinful to touch certain things however in the NT Jesus seems to turn this on its head. Lepers would cry out "unclean, unclean" when they were coming and people would run from them however Jesus went to them and touched them and healed them!

Another time in the NT we see where Jesus was approached by Pharisees about the fact that his disciples did not wash their hands before they ate and said "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread." Later in the scripture Jesus said " Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."

Obviously the laws that God gave the Israelites about not touching certain things (mostly dead things) were for their own good and health however in the NT we see that it is more important to the Lord that we touch people to show love than it is not to get a germ and lose our health.
Jesus said that the law and the prophets could be summed up in this "Love God and love your neighbor as yourself". Ceremonially the Jews could not touch dead things if they wanted to worship God in the temple but today we must touch the lives of those who are sick and dying or dead(spiritually) if we wish to Worship in the temple of our hearts!

Several years ago when I was in Albania I had the chance to minister to a group of young people who were in a muslim run orphanage. The local church would help buy food and vitamins for these young people who were not well taken care of. One Sunday morning not long after I first went to Albania a group of kids from the orphanage were allowed to come to the church services. That morning as I was welcoming people to the services a pretty young girl who was about 12 years old came up to me and smiled and began to shake my hand. I did not think much about it until I noticed that she was not letting go and began rubbing her hands all over mine. I still don't know why I did not pull away and I don't know how that I did not show disgust but as I looked down I noticed that her hands were totally covered in warts. By the grace of God I looked back at her with a smile and let her continue rubbing her hands on mine. I will never forget that experience but many times I remember thinking back and realizing that God wanted me to let her thoroughly rub her hands on mine. God was using me to minister to that young girl and showing her that no matter how unclean, sinful, sick or dying we are that God loves us! I pray that she saw the love of God shining through me! To this day I pray for this young girl and love her even though I don't know her name or who she is!

Today the message is "Touch the unclean thing" as opposed to "Touch not"! Aren't you glad Jesus touched your heart when you were yet unclean!

Long Time No Blog

2008-08-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

Wow....has it been that long since I blogged on this site? It has been one crazy and wild summer!
We started out going to Ohio in May for my wife's grandmother's funeral. I flew back to Texas and then took a van load of kids on our CityReach mission trip. Then a week and a half later I was back in Texas and the air conditioner on our house had broke. As soon as we got that fixed we took 70 people to camp at Pine Springs then the week after that we took a load to Bogg Springs. The week after that we were in full preparation mode for VBS then we had VBS (we had a record average attendance of 240 for that). Then a week later I went to China for the Olympic Bible Project. I got back from that last week and have been catching up with honey do's that piled up over the last 3 months.....by the way did I mention that we moved into a new house in April and are still unpacking? We have seen many people saved through these ministries and I wouldn't trade the time for nothing! But now I am going to spend some time with my family! I might get to "Senses Part II" and a report about the China trip when the rest of the group gets back from over there!

God Bless!

Senses Part I "Feeling After God"

2008-04-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

The Bible teaches very clearly that man does not seek God. Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

However there are other verses like:

Act 15:17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

and then this verse:

Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

On the fact that mature Christians use all their senses in Worship this verse clearly communicates that not only mature Christians but those who are not yet saved should "Seek" him and "Feel" after him. The word that is translated "they might feel after" is

G5584
ψηλαφάω
psēlaphaō
psay-laf-ah'-o
From the base of G5567 (compare G5586); to manipulate, that is, verify by contact; figuratively to search for: - feel after, handle, touch.

Now no one here is saying that someone can actually touch God, however it is interesting to note that the Holy Spirit inspired this verse and chose to make our action of seeking after God as one who is trying to verify by contact or by touch that he is real. The emphasis being that God is real and that we should feel after him as a blind person might reach out to touch the one whom they are talking to in order to be certain of there actual presence.

Now, one thing I get sick and tired of is people totally putting down "seeker sensitive" worship services. You hear the same old rhetoric......you know the incessant quoting of Romans 3:11. Well some of these people just totally insult my intelligence and I'm not even that smart! Do they really believe that people that are having "seeker sensitive" services are trying to reach people that are specifically seeking and feeling after God on their own volition and desires. Did they ever just think that maybe people like myself know the verse that says John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:"? Could it possibly be that those who are having "seeker sensitive" services know that a man will only seek God if God is drawing them but that these services are focused on being sensitive to those people specifically?

If you saw hundreds of blind men groping(that sounds bad) and feeling their way around a metro area trying to find a hospital because they were dying would you say "Well I am not going to be sensitive to their needs and help them because they probably think they can see anyway.....they really don't realize they are blind.....When they find the hospital then I'll know that they really understand their need and then I'll help them"? How absurd!

Are you going to bring someone into contact with Jesus who is blind and feeling after him? Are you going to be satisfied with your first contact with Jesus or do you still feel after him today. Stretch your arms to heaven and declare to God that you desire to have contact with him.

Mature Christians Use All Their Senses

2008-02-23T21:40:00.000-08:00

I am going to start blogging about the 5 senses and what the Word of God says about them. Having 2 blind children has made me much more aware of the senses that we tend not to use as much. Scientists say that the average sighted person collects almost 70% of all information that comes into the brain through the eyes. When the eyes can't be used it seems that the other senses work at a heightened level. I have witnessed this first hand.

The Word of God speaks about the mature Christian using their senses and having them exercised so as to live a life that God wants. The senses in this verse literal mean "the physical senses"

Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I am planning on starting on the sense of touch and feeling first. Seeing as this is one of the senses that is downplayed in modern and western Christianity if should be refreshing to hear what Gods Word says about it. I believe that as we study what God says about the senses in relation to knowing Him that we will encounter things that we have never thought of before.

Is Our Doctrine Really Beautiful? If Not Put Some Make-Up On It!

2008-02-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

I go to an awesome church!! Our youth ministry has had "True Love Waits" Youth Revivals for several years now and they have always been a huge success. This year Sublett Road Baptist Church led by our Pastor Bill Morrow decided that purity wasn't just for youth and that we were going to have a Purity Revival for the whole church. So far it is going great.....Our evangelist did a great job today and I am looking forward to the rest of the week!

Chase is preaching to us out of Titus chapter 2 and today he shared something about Titus 2:10 where it says that we should live pure lives and do good works ".....that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." I studied it some more tonight and the word adorn is "Kosmeo" in the greek which is the same word that we get "cosmetics" from in English. Does the purity of our lives and our good works make our doctrine more beautiful? We are always hearing people say that we shouldn't try to appeal to the World but these verses clearly say that we can and are commanded to make our doctrine more appealing to the World! Get a load of that!

This made me think of verses like 2Ti 4:3 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine" and I began to wonder if this is the fault of those of us who profess Christ in the end times....After all the Bible does say "For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?" I Peter 4:17 Is it possible that we who profess Christ and are in the Lord's Churches are actually turning the lost and new believers away from sound doctrine because we are not living pure lives and not doing good works like we should. Could it be that our doctrine is not beautiful because people actually see the lives we are living. It's time that we started adorning God's doctrine with our pure lives and good works so that it will be Beautiful to the World and to new believers! Is Our Doctrine Really Beautiful? Is Your Doctrine Beautiful? If not put some make-up on it!

What Is Really Going On?

2008-02-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

I associate with a group of Churches known as The American Baptist Association.....recently my dad wrote a blog on his website http://www.goxstream.org/ about our missionary efforts and I thought I would share what he wrote.

"It was recently reported that over 13,000 souls have been saved in the collective work of our missionaries. This is worth shouting about!However, without dampening the spirit of this wonderful report, we must ask the question, "why have there only been 14 new works started in six months on the foreign field and only 6 new works on the home front so far?" There is something very ominous about this.

Now, I do understand that you can't get everybody baptized that gets saved, and everybody that gets baptized doesn't necessarily end up in church or part of a new church. But if only half of these people ended up in church or a new church there would have been significant church increase and new works being started and it would have been widely reported. But there hasn't been that I can tell.

What's going on? Can someone answer my question? Maybe I'm missing something.With 13,000 plus having been saved we should have heard of dozens if not hundreds of new churches being started. Someone enlighten me?"

I had never thought about it before but the statistics are taken from the 120 or so missionaries recommended by the churches of the association. If you divide 13,000 by the 120 missionaries you get approximately 110 professions per missionary. I agree with my dad ......why aren't we seeing more missions and churches started? What is even more stunning is that many of the new 20 missions and churches started globally in our work are done by the unrecommended missionary force......that larger group of forgotten missionaries that are sponsored by ABA churches that do not go through the recommending process and are never recognized at the "Meetin' ".

I am in full support of the ABA but sometimes we have to take a hard look at what is being done and ask ourselves.....What is really going on?

Asleep in the Light

2008-01-28T11:53:00.000-08:00

I had a great time at this years North Texas Weekend 4 Jesus. The theme of the weekend was "Now Is the Time" and the emphasis was on evangelism and outreach. Spencer Davis was our Worship Leader for the Weekend and he did an absolutely great job for the honor and glory of God. I hadn't heard it in years and had forgotten about a great song by Keith Green called "Asleep in the Light" when Spencer sang and played it for us on the Keyboard. I wanted to share it with you all......and if you go to my other blog www.myspace.com/cityreachdude you can hear the original song for yourself! It reminds me of when Jesus said "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest". Then later he told the church at Laodicea who was rich, increased with goods, and had need of nothing that they were blind.

-----------------------------------

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Asleep In The Light

Do you see, do you see,

all the people sinking down,
Don't you care, don't you care,

are you gonna let them drown,
How can you be so numb,

not to care if they come,
You close your eyes

and pretend the job's done.
Oh Bless me Lord, bless me Lord,

you know it's all I ever hear,
No one aches, no one hurts,

no one even sheds one tear,
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds,

and He cares for your needs,
And you just lay back and keep soaking it in,

oh, can't you see it's such sin?
Cause He brings people to your door,
And you turn them away,

as you smile and say,
God bless you, be at peace,

and all Heaven just weeps,
Cause Jesus came to your door,

you've left Him out on the streets.

Open up, open up, and give yourself away,
You've seen the need, you hear the cry,

so how can you delay,
God's calling and you're the one,

but like Jonah you run,
He's told you to speak,

but you keep holding it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such sin?
The world is sleeping in the dark,
That the church can't fight,

cause it's asleep in the light,
How can you be so dead,

when you've been so well fed,
Jesus rose from the grave, and you,

you can't even get out of bed,
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead,

come on, get out of your bed.

How can you be so numb,

not to care if they come,
You close your eyes

and pretend the job's done,
You close your eyes

and pretend the job's done,
Don't close your eyes,

don't pretend the job's done.
Come away, come away,

come away with Me, My love,
Come away, from this mess,

come away with Me, My love.

Mission, Vision and Morphing

2008-01-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

A year or so ago our church had a "vision casting" service on New Years Eve. For those that actually stayed awake and were able to concentrate there were alot of really interesting things that were said. In the whole process of thinking and praying about what "vision" God had given me for the ministries that I lead at our church I came to really understand the difference between "mission" and "vision" for the first time in my life.

If someone were to ask 10 carpenters to each make a dining room table and gave them a certain amount of money and a certain amount of time each of those carpenters would create a table that was different from the others. The task of making a table would be "mission". What those tables actually looked like would be "vision".

The "Mission" of the Lord's Churches is obvious Matthew 28:19-20 etc. The "Vision" is not always so obvious. In my experience almost all of the church splits that I have ever known have not been about "Mission" but in the area of "Vision". Different people have different ideas of what the end product should look like. Most of the time the differing opinions are neither doctrinal issues nor moral issues but usually "vision" issues. In a desperate effort to justify their divisions to "the brethren" I have literally seen people jump through incredible hoops trying make it look like it was about doctrinal issues when in fact it was nothing of the sort.

Even in denominations most splits and divisions are over "vision" issues and not "mission" issues. In the association of churches that I fellowship with there is a growing differences of opinion concerning what starting new churches should look like. There really isn't a doctrinal or moral issue at stake its mostly just a preference of which terms should be used, which methodology should be followed and a lack of trust from those that have never done it that way before.

It is interesting to note that the word "division" with the prefix "di" actually means "Two Visions". In this group of churches neither of the "visions" for how to start churches is necessarily unscriptural they are just different. When such a situation exists the key to avoiding a division is to have "morphing" take place. "Morphing" is when two visions are turned into one. When "morphing" two pictures you lose parts of both pictures but a new and interesting picture develops. The problem is that it takes humility on both sides in order for morphing to take place, both sides have to give up something. Most of the time its really just pride that has to be given up....to actually admit that there is more than one way of doing something.

I grew up in Canada a country where interacial marriages are almost the norm. Something that I came to realize in most cases is that the more diverse the parents race often times the more beautiful the children were. Do you think that this is a coincidence.....No! God is trying to teach us something. The more diverse the differences between two people, two visions, two groups etc.....when they are willing to "morph" the more beautiful they can be. When a couple comes together and a child is created each parent gives DNA to the process. Some is used from one parent and some is used from the other. It is Gods way of making something beautiful out of two seperate entities. I believe that if there is a willingness to morph among our churches that God can take the city churches and the country churches and make something beautiful, the older generation and the younger generation and make something beautiful, the small churches and the large churches and make something beautiful, the mission methodology and the church planting methodology and make something beautiful. The bible says "submit one to another". If we do this then we can be morphed into something very very very beautiful. I pray that this would happen in our churches!

Green Eyes

2007-12-31T08:34:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken on Christmas day at Grandma's house. I love Christmas espescially for the children. One of the best parts of Christmas is the anticipation, the imaginations (sugar plums dancing in their heads) all that goes in to looking forward to that moment when the gifts will be opened. The best part is often the days leading to Christmas. Then Christmas comes the gifts are opened and many times the kids play more with the boxes the gifts were in than the actual gift! What happens? You know the Christmas day blahs, after all the presents are opened and that deep down in the gut feeling comes over you that says "Is that all there is". It's called disillusionment. We have a vision of what we think should happen and that the things we wanted will bring us happiness and reality falls short. Why is there so much disillusionment in this world. Why so many disenchanted people?
The answer is that many of our dreams and visions for our lives are not from God but from our own fleshly desires. If we would expect in life what God wants us to expect then we would be disillusioned (freed from illusions) to begin with!

Disillusion
1.
to free from or deprive of illusion, belief, idealism, etc.; disenchant. –noun
2.
a freeing or a being freed from illusion or conviction; disenchantment.

Some think that to keep from being disillusioned in life you should just lower your expectations and not think big at all......therefore some are against the whole "Vision" concept. This is not biblical. The problem is that when this is taught the person is assuming that another persons "vision" is not from God! What a presumption! What a judgement! What a sin! Who called you to be an inspector and destroyer of dreams. Did it actually cross your mind that you may be the one causing the the "disillusionment".....but its actually a false disillusionment because the person never needed freed from an illusion to begin with.

God did not call us to tear down peoples dreams or visions. Are you going to be like Joseph's brothers who mocked him, sold him into slavery and abandoned him because of the vision God gave him?.....Who are you to judge someone elses dream?......What if God put that in a person to dream that?......What if you are fighting Gods purpose in that persons life? You might say.....then it will happen anyway......Not necessarily......not every dream is predestined! Just like we may have the blood of the lost on our hands we can end up with the tears of a lost dream on our hands too when we stand before God!

When a person has a vision of what God wants them to do......It usually is pretty big and its usually not accepted by most people. There are those that will try to find something unscriptural about it. Matter of fact in church work some go so far as to come up with the ridiculous notion that "church growth" isn't scriptural and that if your church is growing you're compromising on truth. These same people nitpick and find a handful of random churches across the country and find something unscriptural with them and superimpose that image on all growing churches or at least the ones they don't like. Its interesting to note that most of the time it comes down to opinions and or perceptions not anything substantial or factual.

A God vision is much bigger than what man can come up with and in the end it doesn't bring disillusionment it brings about the workings of God in the lives of men! We accuse those with vision many times of trying to do the work themselves and not letting God do it. We use scripture like "God gives the increase" and terms like "We need the power of the Spirit" to make our case against those who are laboring hard in the Lords work because of a vision. Did it ever occur to you that in reality you are guilty of the judgement you are giving and doing the same thing by trying to work at tearing that persons vision down instead of letting God do that work(if its even necessary)? What hypocrisy! Maybe someone destroyed a vision you had long ago, that doesn't make it ok to do the same thing. Maybe the real truth is that you have Green eyes, full of envy.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" Ephesians 3:20

Distracted

2007-12-11T07:04:00.000-08:00

Distracted by the things around us we are! Not to sound like "Yoda" but it's so true. In what age or what generation have men been more distracted? It is amazing to me how many things there are that keep distracting me from my mission in life. I'm not going to make a list of everything because you know what I'm talking about. I want to show you some quotes from an "eyes on the prize" sort of Christian lady. Listen to the focus and feel the mission Fanny Crosby was on. Her eyes were literally on Christ.

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

"If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour."

I am so blind at times that I get distracted even by the things that God is trying to use to get me focussed! I find that the most happy, joyous, fulfilled times in my life are when I am totally focussed on the mission that God has for me. When I get distracted my whole life seems out of whack. Listen to what she wrote when she was only 8 years old.

Oh, what a happy child I am,
although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this
world contented I will be!
How many blessings I enjoy
that other people don't!
So weep or sigh because
I'm blind, I cannot - nor I won't

Its incredible how one that was so blind was so focussed. I want to stay focussed, I don't want to be distracted. I want to teach my kids to think like this amazing woman. God help me not to be distracted, not to turn to the left or to the right........ Help me stay on mission!

Daddy, I Don't Want To See

2007-11-20T14:51:00.000-08:00

Wow.....I never thought that I would hear that from anyone. Life sure has a way of teaching us things that are beyond our imagination. My little girl is 5 and a half now and she is asking so many questions and learning so many things. Just today she broke her all time record and brailled her name and the alphabet in 49 seconds. I think she's awesome!

A few weeks ago we were talking and she was wondering if there would ever be a way that her eyes could be fixed. She has asked this question before and we had actually talked about it in our home because of all the wonderful advances that science and technology have made. We told her that there may be a day when the doctors could fix her eyes so she could see. Her response was "Daddy, I don't want to see." We were kind of shocked because we know how much better it would be to see. Having never seen she doesn't know.

Some of her response was due to having to go through surgery, some of it was that it would be so different and change is scary. The largest part of it however was that being blind has become a large part of her identity. She is the blind girl, she gets lots of attention because of this, she gets to do things that other kids don't get to do. She knows braille and they don't. She has 3 teachers and the other kids only have 1. She has never known anything but blindness. It's who she is!

I wonder if many times we too don't want to see......I mean.....if our eyes are opened and we see certain truths more clearly, things may not be the way that we thought they were. What if our identity is based on what we have always thought to be reality. What if the world really isn't the way that we thought it to be.

I liken my daughter to believers because she can see the light but she doesn't see detail. Just like my daughter doesn't want to see maybe many of Gods people are happy just being saved or happy just doing things the way they've always been done. Maybe we too actually prefer being blind. Maybe alot of the changes that are so resisted in so many churches and associations are actually resisted for no other reason than if we did it that way we would lose our identity? I tell my daughter..... "We would love you the same!" We tell her "Don't you want to see your daddy and your mommy?" She doesn't say anything. Maybe we are just like she is, maybe we too prefer our identity more than seeing God work in our lives, our families, our churches, our jobs? My prayer is that I will find my identity in Jesus Christ and nothing else.

Maybe you are without Christ and you are totally blind to spiritual things, maybe you have your identity wrapped up in the things of this world. You can be more than that, you can identify with more than the temporary things of this world......Turn to Christ and find a much better identity in Him. May God Bless.

Once I Was Blind But Now I Can See

2007-10-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever really thought about what it would be like to be blind? I have two children that are blind and unless I describe things with great detail and clarity they have no idea really what is around them! I think that the main way that the adversary keeps people spiritually blind is simply not allowing them to hear a clear, effective presentation of the Gospel. The vast majority of Christianity is obliging the devil when we continue to use rhetoric and language that the unchurched can not understand. Why do we continue to use it? Maybe its something called "Rhetorical Tradition". There are two types of tradition Ritualistic and Rhetorical. We will gladly blast those that use Ritualistic tradition but what about the Rhetoric!

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" II Corinthians 4:3,4

Over 85% of Americans say that they believe in God. For some it is easy to believe in God especially when they look at the Heavens and the Earth. The Bible says The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament (sky) shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Even though many people believe in God it doesnt mean that they will be going to heaven when they die! The Bible says You believe that there is one God; youre doing well: the devils also believe and tremble.
James 2:19

People say that they believe in God but what god are they talking about? The Bible says Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22 Which God you are talking about is very important!

Many people say that they believe in God, but there has never been a change in their life and the way they live. Yes, we are all sinners but the Bible says Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. If you are going to heaven when you die it is because you are a changed person not because you say that you believe in God.

So How Do I Become a Changed Person, How do I Receive Spiritual Sight?

First it is good to know that we can't change ourselves. God must change us! To become a changed person you will be shown by God that you are guilty of sin and that there is no way you are good enough to get to Heaven. Even if you've only committed one sin you're not good enough. All men deserve punishment by God for their sin. We've all broken Gods laws. The Bible says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 It also says "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God".

Second you will be shown by God that His Son Jesus Christ was sinless and He loved you and me and the whole world so much that He was willing (not forced) to take our punishment for us by dying on the cross. John 3:17 in the Bible says "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved". This means we need to be saved from the punishment of our sins(eternity in Hell) through Jesus Christ!

Third you will be shown by God that you must be willing to turn from your own ways and sins and trust only in what Jesus Christ did for you on the Cross. You must accept what he did for you as a free gift!
When God shows you your need and you trust only in Jesus Christ for salvation with all your heart and really mean it you will become a changed person on the inside. People will begin to see a difference on the outside as well!

When you turn from your own ways and sins (repent) and accept what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross as a free gift you can know for sure that you will go Heaven when you die! God wouldn't be a very fair God if we lived our life wondering if we were going to Heaven or Hell. God wants us to know for sure! The bible says "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life" I John 5:13

If your eyes have been opened and you have become a changed person on the inside because you have Repented and Trusted in Christ alone for salvation please share the good news! Please go to a church that teaches the same things that this blog has said and tell some people there that youve trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior! Once youve become a saved person the Devil will try to confuse you and keep you out of churches that teach the truth. Read the Holy Bible to find the truth. If you would like help in finding a church that really teaches Gods Word please contact me at www.s-r-b-c.org or www.myspace.com/cityreachdude

Daddy's Here?

2007-10-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

None of us have ever seen God but we know that he is working in our lives and the lives of those around us. None of us have ever seen the wind but we can see its work as it moves through the trees and over the fields. We can not see it but we can feel it.

When Allison was only 1 year old she started trying to talk. Because she could not see us she doubted our presence even when were sometimes right next to her. She learned very quickly to say Mommy's Here? Daddy's Here? Many times it would break my heart to know that she would become frightened that we had left even when we were inches away. Over and over I replied to her in love and said "Daddy's Here".

To the child of God who is doubting the presence of your Heavenly Father remember these words....."I will never leave you nor forsake you". When your heart cries out for the presence of the Father know that his heart is yearning for you to know his unyielding presence. When like Peter you feel the wind blowing hard against your face, when you can only see the waves, when you no longer see Him......remember, "Daddy's Here"!

Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Claritatem

2007-08-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

Claritatem- Clarity in the midst of a changing world and uncertain times.

Clarity, "to make clear". Clarity has become a hot topic, a popular word in leadership vernacular. Everyone seems to want clarity in their personal lives and even demand clarity from their leaders. A clear view, or visionary leadership is important but what happens when the sure minded individual or the leader extraordinaire doesn’t know which way to go next. Let’s be honest.....in a perfect world everyone has 20/20 vision but this is not a world without imperfection. What if God chooses to make the way unclear? What if you must start walking by faith and not by sight? What if his plan for you turns from one of clarity to one where you must walk step by step every day? In an age where change is becoming more rapid and the storms of life seem more severe how can we still find our way? When the winds howl and the lightning strikes, when the rain is as blinding as an East Texas gully washer what do you do?
In 2002, Jill and I had our first child. We had a beautiful baby girl. What a blessing. When she was 2 to 3 months of age we realized that something was wrong with her eyes. We took her to an ophthalmologist and found that our little girl was blind. It took 6 months and numerous tests before we found her blindness was due to a genetic problem. She has what is known as Lebers Congenital Amaurosis or LCA. We were told that we had a one in four chance with each pregnancy and that there is no treatment. In November 2006 we were blessed with a little boy. Within a few weeks it became clear to us that he also had LCA.

Even though the first year or two was difficult to deal with, my wife and I have come to know that we are blessed. Both of our children are healthy and have no other problems related to their blindness. They are both bright children and delightful. God has given us two living, breathing, illustrations of walking by faith and not by sight.

An absence of clarity is exactly what my children have. Metaphorically they are like many children of God...."they see the light", but there is absolutely no clarity. I have asked my little girl many times, "What does Daddy look like to you"? Her answer from the very beginning has been "You look like a blob daddy". My children have absolutely no clarity but they do see light, shadows and areas of extreme contrast. They are able to see the line where a white tile floor becomes a dark colored carpet. To survive in a very unclear and changing world they have developed four modifications in their behavior. They do not despise the changes or the uncertainty but instead have made adjustments. These modifications have helped them go forward. I believe that these modifications can help anyone who is unclear of Gods direction during the uncertainty of storms and changing times.

Turn to the Light

My little girl uses what she has! We must all learn to use what we have. A wise man once said “It’s not what you have that makes you great, but what you do with what you have". Since she can see light she uses light to get a bearing and use as a standard for movement. She can come back to that light and know where she is in relation to everything else around her. It is the same in our lives. We must use what we have. You have seen the light, so use the light, and use what you know to be true. Truth is always truth. You may see it from a different angle, but it is still the same truth. What are your "Lifetruths"? Don't abandon them in a crisis of vision, but stick with them. These are principles that God has laid down for your life in his Word. The world may look different than it did 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago, but the gospel is still true and it’s still saving souls. If you know something to be absolutely true it will always be absolutely true. My daughter has two categories for light. They are "God light" and "Man light". She learned early on that the light that comes from God’s creation is more trustworthy, but light that man has made can be easily turned off or moved. Unfortunately, many have built their lives and ministries on what they assumed to be true light but it was manmade light or a mirrors reflection. My little girl often goes by mirrors and says "Daddy, what is that light coming from that room"? She sees the light but doesn't know it is a reflection. If she were to walk toward that light she would crash. Follow the true light; use it to get your bearings and don't settle for manmade light or mere reflections. Jesus is the Light of the World and the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

Take Your Time

My little girl takes forever to do a number of daily things. Many of you parents can sympathize with what I am saying but this is even more than that. Allison has learned that if she goes fast and collides with something it hurts more than if she was going slowly. So, one of her modifications is that she has learned to walk in a way that gives her the most speed with the least amount of pain. Just like an apex is the fastest speed at which a car can go through a curve without hitting anything, Allison has developed an apex for travelling without a clear view. This speed is sloooooww. If you don't have clarity in life you could go ahead and put the pedal to the metal and travel a hundred miles an hour if you wanted. Frequently you will hurt yourself and others in the process. How many times have we felt "pressure" to make a quick decision because everyone was waiting or because "That's what good leadership does"? Did you ever think that God wanted them to wait, and he was expecting you to wait on him to show you the way before you made a decision? Did it ever cross your mind that God was trying to use you to teach people who are immersed in a "Drive-thru" culture to learn the forgotten Christian virtue called patience? Maybe a lack of vision in life, family, ministry, company, job, etc. is God reminding us that patience means to "wait on the Lord". Don’t come to hasty judgments about things you don’t understand or when you don’t know what’s going on around you. Let the Lord show you how things really are. When you can't see its best to go slow!

Trust His Voice

God had to slow Elijah down. Elijah was emotionally spent and thought he was the only one still serving. God got him alone in a cave, showed him some grand things and then "a still small voice". So many times I am blinded by my ambitions, my visions, my accomplishments, my victories, my disappointments, my defeats, my voice, and the voice of others. I fail to see that I am exhausted and in a bad state of mental being. Sometimes I become so wrapped up in a God given vision or message that I forget that there may be more to come. My first vision seems to be running out of gas. Like Elijah, despite my past victories, suddenly it seems my enemies are overtaking me and I wonder if God really knows what he is doing. God takes away my certainty. He does not need me to understand what he is specifically doing. He strips me of everything that might say "I'm in control, I know what’s going on, and I’m in charge". This is almost debilitating, however, it is only when I come to that place that I am qualified to lead. It is then that I am ready to listen to His voice, it is then that I am reminded I need him and there is nothing I can do without him.

When walking in a crowded room or a place where furniture has been rearranged, Allison has learned to listen more intently to my voice. She trusts that my eye is on her. She knows my voice in a special way. She has learned to depend on and trust my voice. She knows I love her and want no harm to come to her. If I call out to her through the noise in a gentle voice, "Allison, stop". She hears my voice in spite of the crowd, and she stops. She knows she cannot see and that I can. Many children would keep walking or running until their parents chase them, but not Allison. She knows her daddy's eyes are on her, and she listens to my voice. Maybe, it is time again to remember that we are blind and that it is God who sees. Maybe you have started to think it is you who does the seeing. Maybe things shouldn’t get crowded or people shouldn’t move furniture, but that is unrealistic. It’s time again to trust his grace and not our ability. In the midst uncertainty and changing times rather than trust my ability or memories of how things were its best to trust His Voice.

Take His Hand

There is something special about holding hands. I can still remember the first time that I held my wife's hand. I can only imagine how special it is for someone who is blind to hold the hand of a sighted loved one. There is incredible safety, an easing of the mind and heart. A voice brings comfort, gives direction but is gone. Was it real or was it my imagination? Was God really speaking to me or was it my own thoughts ringing in my mind? Holding hands is a constant contact.

Allison was not very old when we realized that she was doing something unusual. To our amazement her fourth modification was to interpret what we were doing subconsciously with our hands. When we were stepping up on a curb we would raise our hands slightly before we got to them. She was alert to our movements and began stepping up before we could tell her there was a step. She knew by the movement of our hands when we wanted her to walk in front of us, to walk behind us, to go right, to go left, to stop, to back up, to duck, and to step down. To this day we can guide her through a very crowded or small area and she will not run into anything at all. She is so good at it that while holding our hands most people never notice that she is blind. When your way is unclear and your path is uncertain....take your Father's hand. Keep constant contact with him and know him so well that you can discern the very intimations of his will. This isn’t something you learn by going to church once, twice, three times a week. This knowledge comes only from an experience gained by walking with the Lord daily. When my child wants to hold my hand without saying anything and without knowing where I am she stretches out her little arm and hand. Sometimes it’s in the wrong direction, but like a good Father that doesn’t stop me.

Psalm 139:10 "Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

Isa 42:6 "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee."

If you would like to learn more about LCA or think you may know someone that has LCA and it hasn’t been diagnosed please go to http://1sttouch.org/project3000.html.

Seek His Face

2007-07-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

One morning, soon after we learned that our little girl was blind I was overwhelmed with emotions and struggled with something that was deep within me. At first I thought that I was being silly and over-emotional but then I realized that this was deeper than worry or selfishness. I was very moved and began expressing to God that I did not think it was fair for a little girl not to be able to see her own daddy's face. I cried from my heart and felt sorry for my 4 month old baby girl.

As I walked over to her room that same morning I remember leaning over the rail of her crib and saying "Good morning sunshine". She responded almost immediately by reaching up her little hands and feeling my face. That was the first time that she had ever done anything like that. Suddenly I realized that she could see me. It wasn't the way I preferred but I realized that in her own way she could still see my face. I began to cry even more and held my little girl like the precious gift that she is!

While I was holding her God spoke to my heart. "Jonathon, I too deeply desire for my children to see my face". I then realized that the emotions and struggle I had were not sinful or selfish but the desire of a loving father, a desire that our heavenly father also has for us. Sin has blinded the human race. We cannot see God with our eyes but we can still know what he looks like if we will SEEK HIS FACE.

1Ch 16:11 "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."

2Ch 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Psa 105:4 "Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. "

InSIGHT Into Our Lives

2007-07-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Jill and I would so much like to thank everyone that has been so kind to pray for us and Matthew over the last months. It is such a blessing to have so many people that care for you in so many ways. We are so blessed with a church that truly loves and cares for us.

As many of you know we took Matthew to have his vision checked by an ophthalmologist. We made the appointment not because we thought Matthew had normal vision but because we already believed something to be abnormal. The doctor confirmed our concern and told us that Matthew has the same genetic problem as Allison.

Allison and Matthew have what is known as Leibers Congenital Amaurosis. Approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. have this genetic problem. Some can barely see light while others are just very farsighted. Allison has light perception and can see shapes and shadows. Jill and I believe that God may have given Matthew more than that but we will not know how much until he is able to communicate with us. If he is like Allison that means he will be speaking in 15 word sentences when he turns two.

When we first learned about Allison 4.5 years ago we were shocked and very grieved but so many of you comforted us by things that you would say or do for us. God is good and we learned in a very special way that God is "the God of all comfort". II Corinthians 1:4 says "God comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God"

Jill and I have made no formal announcements before this. However as we have shared the news with many of our family and friends we have come to realize that many are taking this very hard. This is quite understandable in every way. We would like to comfort you now by the comfort that God used you to comfort us

1. Many of you told us that we must be very special parents for God to give us a child like Allison. We would like to let you all know that our family and friends and our church must be very special also for God to allow this to happen in your midst.

2. Many of you told us that God must have a very special plan for Allison's life. We would like to let you know that in this circumstance that God must have a very special plan for you our family our friends and our Church also. "We know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are the called according to his purpose"

3. Many of you comforted us not because you could understand what we were going through but because in tears you tried to understand. We know that this is difficult for you also and in tears we too want to understand your hurts even in this matter.

4. Many of you comforted us because you loved Allison and now will love Matthew. Know for a surety that you will be comforted also in being loved by Allison and Matthew.

Jill and I deeply care for and love all of you and we have been aware that many are and have struggled with the news of Matthew in a great way. It does not offend us that you may struggle with it especially when so many of you were praying so hard for this situation. Some of you may have wondered why we have not seemed to struggle with it as much this time around. There are several reasons why this is true.

1. After living four and a half years with a young girl as delightful as Allison it is very difficult to be overly sad about having another child with the same thing.

2. We both knew that we had a 1 in 4 chance at having another blind child and we had decided about 3 years ago that it didn't matter to us.

3. There was a point at which the doctors told us that we may not be able to get pregnant again and so we are just delighted that God did give us another child.

4. There are 5 types of Leibers Congenital Amaurosis of which 3 include mental retardation. We are blessed that the kind our Kids have is not those. There are so many other things that cause blindness, which include brain abnormalities, tumors, diseases that lead to organ failures and even childhood death. We have been blessed.

5. We have learned to appreciate things that we see so many other people taking for granted. One example is the use of the other senses. Not only is it amazing to see how Allison uses her sense of smell, hearing and taste but Jill and I have both noticed that our senses have become more sensitive because we are more aware of them. Allison's memory is absolutely amazing and we have actually come to rely on her memory in our own work at times. We are learning Braille and have been absolutely amazed at the careers and accomplishments of the blind. In some ways God has opened a door to world that we never even knew existed!

6. Unlike many of you Jill and I deal with this on a day to day basis. We have had several years to adjust to what it means to have a blind child. Having another blind child in many ways is actually an easier adjustment even though that is hard to imagine…..in other words this is our reality and what God has given us and we are at peace with that! As the great song "It is Well With My Soul" says " Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say it is well with my soul".

7. In some ways were hoping to tell Allison that she had a sighted brother and we were even preparing her for that possibility. One night before Matthew was born we were talking about it and Allison started crying and said "Daddy that wouldn't be fair if Matthew was sighted and not me". In some ways it was a blessing not to have to tell Allison that her brother was sighted.

I could go on and on but I think that many of you get the point.

In John chapter 9 the disciples of Jesus asked Jesus "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered and said "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the workS of God should be made manifest in him." The works that were shown in him were many. The obvious one is that he was given sight. As we read the entire chapter the main and central work that was being shown through this man however was the work of Redemption that Jesus Christ was going to do! Many may have privately wondered if God was punishing Jill or myself for some sin in our life and I would like to help you but there is nothing that can help someone with that kind of thinking. Just be assured that Jill and I live with Allison and Matthew everyday and we have asked ourselves that question probably a few hundred times more than you may have thought it about us!

The bottom line is that God is good all the time!

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me
I can not choose the colors
He worketh steadily
Oft times he weaveth sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget he sees the upper
And I the underside
Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern he has planned

In Christ,
Jonathon and Jill Smith