Warning

Warning:
Terrorist Groups in ChurchLatest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been
operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as:
Bin Sleepin,
Bin Arguin,
Bin Fightin,
Bin Complainin,
and Bin Missin.
Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the
body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and
to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy. However, there
have been reports of a sixth group.
A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only
effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike the other terrorist
cells the Bib Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes
along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of
Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different
characteristics from the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Fastin, and Bin
Longin for their Master Jesus Christ to return. No church is exempt. However you
can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin.

Contrasts

Conveniences or Inconveniences

In January we helped cook for a 60-person mission group in Mexico. There we felt like we were very blessed to have hot water and a second refrigerator.

By contrast, last week I helped wash dishes for a Bible Quiz group of 200 in Lancaster County where the smaller kitchen was fully equipped with walk-in coolers, commercial dish washer, large grill and lots more. The conveniences were amazing! They also fed about 300 quizzers and coaches in the main kitchen. Much of the food was convenient: pre-scrambled eggs, frozen french fries, pre-breaded chicken breast pieces and such like. What a contrast! Apostle Paul once said, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, there with to be content....both to abound and to suffer need." What lessons does He want me to learn? Can I learn contentment in whatever state/country I am called to serve and simply enjoy the people around me regardless if there is little or much?

Takers and Givers

Jesus said, "Freely ye have received, freely give."

Does He want me to learn humility and gratitude by receiving graciously sometimes

and

at other times to experience the joy and blessings of giving?

The same person can be a taker AND a giver!

Lead or Follow

Apostle Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ."

recently I read a line something like this:

"A good leader needs, first of all, be a good follower."

We all have someone in authority over us-

the employee has an employer,

the employer has a banker or inspector,

the banker or inspector has a supervisor

and so on-

no person is in charge in every situation-

and we all answer to God- regardless what our calling or position.

Can I humbly lead or follow depending on the level of my responsibility?

Old friends and New friends

Last week there was a mixture of both new and old friends whose paths crossed with mine.

At the Quiz retreat I met some old friends that we rarely see anymore. One friend said, "I thought we might be in heaven before we get a chance to catch up with each other again." I love meeting old friends! You an always pick up where you left off, and connect again.

But then, by contrast, we received two bulky packages in the mail last week. The first one came from an interesting young woman we met last fall at the Anabaptist conference near Lititz, PA. She lives in the Czech Republic and is writing a thesis on Anabaptism for her TH.d. We had exchanged addresses and emails last fall. She wrote asking more questions about the Anabaptist faith from our perspective. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with Klara.

Another day we received a letter and calendar from a middle-aged couple, Jonas and Greta, who live in Iceland. We met them at a church service near Mifflinburg where they had stopped in for a break in their travels through PA. We made their acquaintance and also exchanged addresses. Isn't it amazing how an envelope in the mail can make your day when it brings a connection to a new friend?

There are lots more contrasts in life. How can we be bored? We never know if the next bend will bring sunshine or shadow, but if God is with us, we can be content.

2012 Bible Quiz

This is my sister Carol's Terre Hill Corners Sr. Quiz team

Our son-in-law Jason's Maranatha Jr. Quiz team includes our grandson, Cody (front left)

A great team!

2012 Shade Valley Messengers Sr. Quiz team includes our grandson, Ben on right.

They received a second place trophy in the B division! Their last quiz was fun to watch- they missed 1st place by one question! This is Ben's last year. He also received the all-star award.

Our grandson, Konrad (right) was part of the Shade Valley Stedfast Sr.Quiz team.

They won a 1st place trophy in A division.

Lots of hard work went into preparation!

Betsy & Kara, our granddaughters (on right- front & back) were part of

the Shade Valley Sisters Jr. Quiz team. They did very well this year- but did not get a trophy. But anyone who did not get a trophy is still a winner to have that much of the Word in their head- and hopefully in the heart too!

My brother-in-law, Peter coached a Sr. team from Shalom Christian School. I did not get a good photo of their team though. They made it into the semi-finals on Friday-

so they also did very well!

Last evening I read that revival has come to cultures when people (literate or illiterate) memorized large portions of Scripture. May the contribution these young people make to our churches and the world be a blessing and bring revival to the true evangelical faith!

Time-out

We watched a grandson play soccer and basketball in CA in January. Then more recently we watched five of our grandchildren participating in the Bible Quizzing at Lancaster, PA. In every instance, there was "time-out" for the teams part way through the activity. And I'm thinking...

We attended the morning service at our church today. And I was comparing it to a "time-out" in the competition of life. We are also confronted with the strategy of an opposing team- one that wants to beat us into the dirt with no mercy. But on a regular basis I need that "time-out" to confer with the Coach and my teammates. I am not smart enough to do life on my own. I need the wisdom and encouragement of the Coach and my team mates to help me be prepared for the next round. I may not be the most gifted player on the team. But I know if I stay on His team, our team wins in the end!