A Father's Day to Remember

So this past Sunday morning, on Father’s Day (and my birthday), my day began with a fun adventure. Why do these things always seem to happen on Sunday mornings?

True to my usual routine, I got up around 6:00 a.m. to head to the church. As I was drying off from the shower, I felt this intense shock of pain in my left thumb. I literally thought I had been electrocuted – the pain in my thumb was unbelievable. I was trying to figure out what happened and held up my towel, only to see a three-inch scorpion crawling down my towel. I got stung…BY A SCORPION.

Adina’s parents happen to be in town, and her stepmother (Kerry) is a nurse. So we woke her to ask what we should do. We did not know if scorpions are poisonous or what treatment we should pursue…Kerry got up, as well as Adina’s dad (Gary), and they suggested (from years of experience on the mission field in Nepal) that one of the best treatments was to shock (from a DC source) the area in which I was stung in order to change the diffusion of the sting in my thumb. I was a bit unsure about it all but complied. So Adina’s dad rigged a spark plug cable in our car and shocked (with considerable jolt) my thumb. Picture in your mind an entire group of adults standing outside at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday shocking a scorpion bit thumb. Yes…it was quite comical, indeed!

My thumb is feeling better, but the entire episode was bizarre, to say the least. A Father’s Day and birthday to remember!

Super Connor

Connor has convinced himself that if he puts on a nasty purple, pink, and yellow fanny pack (from the dress-up bag) he transforms into Superman - he will extend his arms out, and with a hardy "Superman" he dashes from the room at full velocity. I cannot help but to laugh...and I am still trying to figure out how he knows about Superman to begin with. We have never watched anything Superman, either the real movies or the cartoons with him around.

Processing Phil Elston & The Demonstrative Gifts

Last Wednesday I participated in a service that featured a gentleman by the name of Phil Elston, who is known internationally (within more charismatic circles) for his gift of prophecy. He was a laid-back and down-to-earth individual who was genuinely humble about his gifting. He gave a simple yet profound teaching on the nature of prophecy which seemed biblical and balanced, and then we transitioned into a “ministry time” in which he would gently approach various people and couples in the sanctuary and pray prophetically over them. The prayers and words of prophecy were encouraging and uplifting.

He prayed prophetically over a friend that has been working the past four months for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) in Abilene. Without any previous knowledge, Phil prayed concerning this friend’s influence with coaches and athletes – it was amazing. I truly believe Phil is a modern day prophet, and the way he administered his gift seemed legitimate and powerful.

I personally tried to gauge my own expectations of the evening. He was very selective in terms of whom he prayed prophetically over, and only a small percentage of those there were prayed over. I internally wanted to be prayed over, but tried to convince myself not to be disappointed if he did not call me out. And of course, he did not pray over me. I thought at one point he might – he was walking in my direction and made eye contact for more than a few seconds. But then he averted his eyes and walked past me.

The entire evening was interesting and challenging for me. I affirm that the demonstrative gifts are still alive today, and I think I genuinely desire for them to be exercised. But I have seen so many abuses, or coercive tones taken, in relation to these gifts, that I have progressively lost my enthusiasm for them. And more times than not, I long for simple discipleship and Christ-likeness in character more than I long for a demonstration of mystical power. Is it possible to find some middle ground that affirms good theology and discipleship as well as a move of God’s Spirit? Or better yet, could it be that discipleship and character formation IS a powerful move of the Spirit? Hmm…food for thought and prayer.

Neglecting the Blog

Where has the last month gone? My blog has been completely neglected, along with all my faithful readers. I will admit that I have had several blog ideas floating in my mind but rarely the time to make them leap from the brain to a post.

BUT...there is good news. During the week of July 4, we (Adina and I with the boys) will be making our way to the Denver area to reconnect with our Colorado friends. If you are around during that week, we would love and enjoy seeing you. Let us know what might work for you during those few days...