WORTH DYING FOR!

AUGUST 30

WORTH DYING FOR

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter One, “Bring on the Giants” p. 7

WORTH DYING FOR

Today’s youth, Millennials, are searching for something worth living for and when they find it, they are willing to die for it.  The problem is that in our secular society today, they are finding nothing worth living for.

The great Greek philosophers and thinkers of old had a similar issue.  Speaking to them, the Apostle Paul said to them in Acts 17:24-28, “The God who made the world and everything in it, is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands, as if He needed anything. Because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  From one man, He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.  For in Him, we live and move and have our being.  As some of your own poets have said, ‘we are His offspring.’”

David found that his goal was just that, to live with Him at all times. He said in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”  Knowing that the Lord had “assigned him his portion and his cup” (Psalm 16:5) He tells us the secret of his strength in Psalm 16:7. He says, “I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

If you are looking to give your life for something worthwhile that has forever implications and an eternal future, give it to Jesus.  He was serious when He told His disciples the kind of dedication He expected.  He says in Matthew 16:21-25 and 27, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it…

For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then, He will reward each person according to what he has done.”

Do you want to REALLY LIVE and have your life count for something?  Then…

LIVE FOR CHRIST!

HE IS WORTH DYING FOR!

WISE GUY - Aug 22 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit At God’s Round Table” pp. 9-11

BE WISE                           

I couldn’t find “wisdom” in any of the great lists of virtues.  It’s because you just can’t decide one minute to be wise and the next not. It’s something you cultivate as you get to know things, experience life, grow up. When you finally make all of David’s virtues yours, you have most likely arrived at wisdom.

David said in Psalm 19:7, “…the statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”  That means, as we absorb the principles God has laid down for us, we become wise.

Solomon, the second born son of David and Bathsheba, was considered the wisest man who ever lived.  He said, “He who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

Jesus was concerned about that very thing.  As He was sending out His disciples to win souls, He said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore, be as wise (shrewd) as serpents (snakes) and as innocent as doves.”  Matt 10:16

Peter, one of those being sent into the wolves’ den, wrote, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” I Peter 3:15. It sounds like he is suggesting we should be wise in our responses.

The world we know is crumbling faster and faster, and the principles we grew up with are being eroded in a direction opposite of God’s statutes. The game of Chess comes to mind.  We need to anticipate the negative moves being made against contemporary Christianity and take the admonishing of James 1:5. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

The bottom line is this. No matter what decisions our leaders, or our supreme court, entangle us with, remember that God is still in control and it is His plan that is being played out.  Think about that and…

BE WISE

TRUE WORSHIP - Aug 19 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Seven “Cry Out and Shout”

                     MOUNTAINS OF WORSHIP       

                             

 When I see a mountain, or stand on the summit of one, and look out at the other peaks in the distance and at the beauty of the land below, it just makes me want to praise God in worship.

David said, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the great deep.” Ps. 36:5-6

If you have ever struggled with wanting to experience a true worship experience, I suggest you take a little time, as soon as possible, and have a “quiet, nature experience by yourself”.  It could be on a mountain if you live near one, or in the quiet woods, or deep forest.  Water calms our spirits, too. David wrote about that in Psalm 23 verse 2 “… by quiet streams…”  Lakes, rivers, and oceans work, too.

Be sure to experience a quiet worship time like this by yourself.  Go alone.  Listen to the quiet in the woods or the running water in the stream or the bigness of the waves crashing on a shore somewhere.  Think about all the great things the Lord has done for you in your life.  Worship Him… Praise Him…

Mountains were where the ancients worshiped. Jesus declared to a Samaritan woman a couple thousand years ago, “Believe me, Woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. A time is coming when the TRUE WORSHIPERS, will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is a Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” John 4:21 and 23-24.

Worship in spirit and truth. Worship from deep within your own heart.  When that can happen for you, whether in nature, your home, your church, or somewhere else, you experience…

TRUE WORSHIP

WORSHIP - Aug 18 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

 Chapter Seven, “Cry Out and Shout” p.94-95

REAL WORSHIP                                                  

When it happens, you will know it and there is no better place to be than right there in it.  I happened into a Millennial worship service last Sunday!  Loved it!  Great band, great choice of songs, right chords and melodies, wonderful singers (not too much repetition… I’m old) and the crowd of college age and young adults really got into it.  It was what it is supposed to be for Sunday morning worship time.

However, I am reminded again, that there are many types of real worship experiences.  Yesterday, I heard another story about a different worship service with no band, no group, just one little girl and her heart of worship.  She was attending “Family Camp”, in a wheelchair, born with Cerebral Palsy.  She had appointed herself as the head greeter, making sure that she had kind words, and a smile for everyone that entered the hall.  In her difficult to understand English, she would say things like, “Nice hat, Bill”, or “Good morning, it’s beautiful today”.  By the end of the week, she knew everyone’s name and, of course, everyone knew her.

The last night of camp, there was a talent show, and as it would be, the young girl had asked to lead worship as her talent.  Everyone was a bit concerned and somewhat embarrassed for her, as they felt it would be a difficult task given her physical challenges.  But, the pastor stood up, and introduced her as the last performance for the evening.

She wheeled herself into position, and with the one good hand she had, she raised it straight up in the air, threw her head back and with all her heart began singing, “God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me”.  With that, the entire hall was standing, tears streaming from their eyes, as they were led in the most beautiful of all worship services.                     

  

Here is what David wrote from his “heart of worship” in Psalm 86:12, “I will praise You, O Lord, my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your Name forever.” Real worship originates in our hearts.

HAVE A HEART OF WORSHIP

DIVINE APPOINTMENTS - Aug 17 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Three, “Live in the Moment” p. 53

             IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE  

                                  

When you know you simply have to do something good, do it right now before procrastination, and then forgetfulness, make it disappear.  “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:17

If the Lord is in charge of you, then He takes care of the appointment calendar.  So, it‘s a good idea to get to know what is on the schedule, and then, keep it!

David was anointed to be the next King. 

However, on the way to the appointment, he was conscripted to play and sing for a deranged King Saul who ended up throwing spears at him.  After a dozen or so years of fleeing for his life, he finally made it, and became the King of Judah.  Then, he faced seven years of civil war with Israel to the north.

In the end, the divine appointment did work out. He became King of all Israel for the next 33 years.  He died at 70, successful, loved, a legend in his own time, and the greatest King in Israel’s history whose line would reach to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

You have a divine appointment, too.  You were chosen by Jesus just like his disciples were and in John 15:26 He said, “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit”.  The thing is, can you handle the interruptions, detours, and uphill struggles that most certainly will come your way to complete your appointment?  These appointments require immediate obedience, too, and they are life changing! The best!

Embrace them.  Watch God work beyond your biggest dreams. “Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord has assigned him and to which God has called him.” I Cor. 7:17. “For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” Eph. 1:4. These are awesome, big statements.  It is great to know we have been appointed, and for a very long time….so

JUST GO FOR IT

HOPE - Aug 16 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Three “Live in the Moment” p.53

HOPE LIVES                    

Were your hopes ever crushed?  Sometimes our hopes are stopped cold.  Sometimes they are just diverted into some kind of detour that seems to go nowhere that we wanted to go at all.  But, if your life is centered on the Lord and doing what He wants you to do, then chances are, He is behind the crush!  What you hoped for and lost could get even better just ahead.

Wishing on a star is romantic, but putting your hopes and trust in the Lord makes wishes and hopes come true.  HOPE lives in us.  It is in our nature. We HOPE things will get better.  We HOPE for good health, and wealth, and happiness, and all kinds of things.  But, what if your hopes get lost and instead of HOPE you face some kind of heartache or suffering? 

Paul says in Romans 5:3-5, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE.  And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

When you feel that all HOPE is lost, take heart in the fact that the Bible holds the secret to bringing back your HOPE.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have HOPE.” Rom. 15:4

David teaches us that while we may feel lost in our many troubles, like he always was, that we should take his advice and chill.  He says in Psalm 62:5, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my HOPE comes from Him.”  So…

TAKE HEART, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!

THINK RIGHT - Aug 15 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Three “Live in the Moment” pp. 45, 50

SPEAK RIGHT

David was not politically correct.  He was concerned that what he said was correct in God’s eyes.  He said, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19:4

Our thoughts and actions are to be centered on what is right, not necessarily on what our secular society sees as right or might want to judge or penalize us for, but what the Lord ordained as right.  He said, “I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind to reward man according to his conduct.” Jer. 17:10

To bring it to reality, Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Matt. 12:34. 

So, once again, it is time to look within our hearts and examine our beliefs. It is there, in the depths of who we really are, that we prove our honesty and loyalty or fall prey to what others want us to believe or how they want us to act or speak. Again, David said, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.  Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil….” Ps. 141:3-4

Jesus gave us a strong warning in Matthew 7:13-14 about correct living and the position we should take.  He said, “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.”

I am afraid we are being herded off the narrow path and into the broad way.  Just pray that the Lord will give us the courage to…

THINK RIGHT AND SPEAK RIGHT

INTEGRITY - Aug 12 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

 Chapter Two "Sit at God's Round Table" PP 9-37

THE VIRTUES - INTEGRITY

There is more than one way to do anything; many ways to be creative, choices of how to treat people we know, work with, love, or have just met, avenues in which to build a business, and principles by which to live.

Nothing beats integrity

It builds trust when people know you are fair, honest, generous, open, loyal, humble, and when you generally live out, as best as you can, the gifts of the spirit; "...Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control..." Gal 5:22.  Give it a go at this kind of living and people will respond to you in a way you have never expected and had always hoped.

I remember a mother coming to me in the early days of The Continentals.  We had spent most of a stressful day loading a bus and a truck (I mean cramming) for a long summer tour.  She stopped me late in the afternoon with a bright face and said, "I know why these kids will do anything for you." 

“Talk to me," I said. 

She replied, "Because you love them and they know it."

These things were exemplified in David's life as well.   It was said of him in 2 Samuel 8:15 that "David reigned over all Israel doing what was just and right for all his people."

It is easy to be demanding and harsh when you are the leader or the parent, but if you want to motivate people, whether friends, family, co-workers or employees...

BE FAIR, BE HUMBLE, BE LOVING

VICTORY - Aug 10 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

 Chapter Two, "Sit at God's Round Table" p. 17

WINNERS AND LOSERS   

There will be lots of winners at this year's Olympic Games. Some who lost will feel like winners just because they had a chance to compete.

ATTITUDE ALWAYS WINS

Peter Grasmeijer is a winner. He was the very first European Continental director and he set the pattern for all those that would come after him.  Between them they led 14 Continental tours

He could have been a loser by giving up or quitting but facing cancer he won, facing beginning new companies and disaster at times he plowed through and won.

Me with Peter and Rolina

When his wife Rolina had cancer they didn't give up, they persevered and defeated it. Today they're both cancer free and he's the head of his own publishing company here in Holland, directs a large Gospel choir "Forever Worship", he works for the largest Christian radio and TV company and is well respected throughout this nation for his musical leadership. Watch this video message from Peter and Rolina:

Peter and Rolina

I've never read of a battle that David lost.  If there was one, I couldn't find it.  He always won.  Yet, there were times he could have won the kingdom sooner and killed Saul who was his mortal enemy. but backed off because he felt God had made Saul king and God would choose the time of Saul's demise.  Hiding in a cave, he said, "I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Psalm 57:2. (this whole psalm was written while he was in the cave). Then, in verse 4 he says, "I am in the midst of lions..." and in verse 6 he exalted, "...they dug a pit in my path, but have fallen into it themselves!"  Then, once the enemy had passed and he was rescued, he just praises and praises in verse 9, "I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples."

When he felt like a prisoner in Gath, and he gave himself up so he could hide from Saul, he wrote in Psalm 56: 12 and 13, "I am under vows to You, O God, I will present my thank offerings to You, for You have delivered me from death."

David's victories are well recorded and resound in praise and worship.  If we learn anything from his writings and his story, no matter what disaster or battle came his way, he always found a way to trust, praise, and thank the Lord. God always gave him success.  It is the learned lesson from his many victories.

We need to be like David, trust the Lord to win our battles, let Him pave the way out of our troubles, then praise Him for the outcome.  His will is always a win! Always remember....

VICTORY HAS TO END IN PRAISE

FAITH - Aug 9 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, "Sit at God's Round Table" pp. 28-30

FAITH AND WORKS

He's not a musician. Yet he was knighted by the Queen recently for his contribution to music and the arts in his country. He studied at the Academy for Education, received his degree, then a theological degree and studied music theatre. Later on he entered social-political studies.

Sir Leen LaRiviere heard The Continentals in the late sixties and decided they would be his future.  It started with booking concerts for American tours for a number of years. Then, in 1986, Jim Schmidt directed the very first European Continentals organized by the growing Dutch organization.

Since then, Leen developed and trained young musical directors from all over the Netherlands and Europe, and today, the stats are overwhelming. He sent out 146 Continental tours, 87 Young Continentals tours, 82 different Continental Kids groups.  These do not include the tours in Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, and Romania that he helped and supported.

 

                Ria, me and Leen                

Leen proved his faith by tons and tons of work.  I am certain he did what we all do in the midst of world changing efforts and plans.  We pray, we trust God to bring to reality his purposes in our lives.   David wrote in Psalm 57:2 what Leen did for sure, "I cry out to God, Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me."

James has the perfect verse in Chapter 2 Verse 18, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."  In I Timothy 6:12, the Apostle Paul charges the young Timothy to, "fight the good fight of the faith...."

It is a fight.  Nothing comes easy in an effective ministry.  It always feels like a battle, yet it's how we live.  "We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7

JOIN THE FIGHT

CARRY THE LIGHT... - Aug 8 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

 Chapter Five "ALL"  pp. 73-74

CARRY THE TORCH

The Olympics have begun in Rio.  The torch was lit on the 5th, the games are in full swing. The world is watching to see what great athlete can run or jump or swim or, in some way, become the best in the world in his or her event.

Jesus won the greatest event the world has ever known. He rose from the grave and became the Light that lives in our lives today.   He said, "I am the Light of the world .  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

David had this light in his life as well.  He wrote in Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my Light and my salvation...."

In Matthew 5:14 and16 Jesus calls His followers the light.  He said, "You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

During Olympic years in the past, The Continentals included songs in their programs and recorded songs like, "Carry the Torch" and "Carry the Light."  While I was with the Romanian Continentals they told me that our version of "Carry the Light" is sung in churches here on Sunday mornings.  It has become a loved hymn in this country.

Here is a short video of Iosif (Joseph) Catuna, the director of the Romanian Continentals, sharing about how the Romanians are carrying the light of Jesus:

Iosif Catuna

And here is a great video featuring the Romanian Continentals:

Romanian Continentals  

Seated in the row in front of me while flying here was a young Romanian girl named Karina.  She spent the two hour flight witnessing to an elderly gentleman  about the Lord.  I heard her praying with him near the end.  Strangely I happened to see her and her friend at a restaurant later when I was with Joseph and Lavinia.  Karina knew about The Continentals, had a big smile for them, and now they know about her as well.  Karina carries the light.

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE, TOO!

DESIRE - Aug 5 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

Chapter One "Bring on the Giants" p.7

YOUR HEARTS’ DESIRE

"I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart."

David, Ps. 40:8

What country in the world has the most touring Continental groups in 2016? 

ROMANIA!

This is an unbelievable statistic because, not that long ago, this country was controlled by communists and the Gospel was suppressed.  The Continentals toured to Romania in the 80's anyway.  That group and the message left the desire in a young woman's heart who saw the group to do the same

in her own country.

I met Anca Cioria (now deceased) in the 90's at an International Continental Executive Director’s Meeting in DeBron, Holland.  Anca spent two days on the train getting there.  She was filled with excitement and anticipation.  The desire of her heart was to have a Romanian Continental group.

She did the three things David talked about in Psalm 37:3-5. She put her "trust in the Lord", her "delight was in the Lord", she had decided to "commit her way to The Lord", and He responded by giving her "the desire of her heart".

Today, the Romanian Continentals have the largest touring ministry of any Continental operation around the globe.  Eight groups hit the road this year.  They tour the world wherever there are Romanian churches.  I saw them last year in Southern California.  Their choral sound was exquisite and their vocal delivery flawless.  It was fantastic.  Take a look at the Continental website and you can see and hear them:

http://www.continentalsglobalfoundation.org/

https://www.facebook.com/continentalromania/home

Today the Romanian office is run by Iosif Catuna (Joseph).

 Iosif and Lavinia

He has plenty of belief and energy to see this ministry continue to grow.  It is a true picture that the hardest and most difficult situations become the most successful by reaching out, meeting needs, and never giving up.   It is the beautiful story of how the least became the greatest in the hands of the Lord.  Do the same!  Trust, Delight and Commit your way to The Lord" and what David wrote in verse 6 will come true for you....

HE WILL MAKE YOU SHINE

INTERRUPTIONS - Aug 4 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

 Chapter Two "Sit At God's Round Table" p.30

SUNDAY’S ON THE WAY

Some years back the artist, Carman, wrote a song called, "Sunday's on the Way”. It spoke of the fact that after Jesus was crucified, the disciples were in disarray. Disaster loomed just ahead for His followers.  But, with the crucifixion on Friday, and knowing that three days later, Jesus would rise from the dead, the song built in anticipation and excitement for the greatest positive event ever, just ahead!  Jesus rose from the grave!

In real life today, we often face our own times of disarray and seeming disaster in our personal lives. But, if we can focus on what God has for us and put our minds around that, and just keep moving forward, Sunday, is often, just ahead.  Many times, random stuff puts a halt to our plans. But, I have learned to relax with that because I realize, the Lord is in charge of all the interruptions and changes.  He knows what's up ahead, I don't, and I think we all prefer His plan to our own.

David faced such interruptions in his plans as well.  After he married the king’s daughter and everything was moving along well, he certainly didn't expect his father-in-law to send soldiers to his house to kill him! His wife had to let him out through the window and down over the wall to escape.  He wrote, "You are my God, my times are in Your hand..." Ps. 31:14-15.  He knew Sunday was coming and he put his hope in that.

What we really need to develop is the attitude Paul expressed in Philippians 1:12. After preaching all over that part of the world, starting many churches, and now finding himself in prison in Rome, he said, "Now, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel."  He was content in whatever situation he found himself because he knew the Lord was really in charge.

As they say, "roll with the punches..."  and understand that if your life is dedicated to the Lord,

YOUR TIMES ARE IN HIS HANDS

Enjoy the song "Sunday's on the Way" by Carman

CLASSIC CARMAN "Sunday's on the Way

TRUST - Aug. 3 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, "Sit at God's Round Table"  p. 31

IN GOD WE TRUST

Yesterday, I went to the place where the Titanic was built here in Ireland.  “Unsinkable”, is what they promoted, and of course, it was totally believable. Yet, it sank anyway.

Shipyard in Belfast

David said, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God” Ps. 20:7. Horses and chariots are not exactly a ship like the Titanic or a supersonic jet fighter, but if David were alive today, ships and jets would have found their way into that Psalm.

Given the world we live in today, there is nothing tangible we can really put our total trust in. This is a terrible reality.  But we have the same Lord that David did and He is just as safe to put our trust in as He was in David's time. David put it into practical words in Psalm 56:3-4, "When I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God, whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?"

We can't really put our trust in finances or even our political system, but it is a comfort to know we can trust our Lord Jesus Christ.  He really is our hope.  He tells us in John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in Me."

David learned trust through hard and difficult situations.  You and I have a simple choice right now while things are good.  We can develop trust as a daily pattern in our lives, so...

START TRUSTING IN THE LORD TODAY 

FOR EVERYTHING

For an additional story about trusting in God, click here to watch British Continental Edwin Brown tell about his experience in 1991 of being arrested in Russia while on tour! Edwin tells his story in 2 parts (sorry about the backgrond noise - we were in a restaurant)

Edwin's story pt 1
Edwin's story pt 2

KINDNESS - Aug. 2 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

Chapter two, "Sit at God's Round Table" p. 18

PRACTICE HOSPITALITY

Today I am in Belfast, Ireland with a now married tour couple, Stephen and Karen Orr, who met in Continentals - Stephen toured with the British Continentals under Colin Hearn and Karen toured under the direction of Kevin Navarro. Now they have a great choir here patterned after what they learned as Continentals.

They are not touring at the moment, but they arranged a special mini-concert for me.  They have a group called "One Accord." Here are some pictures of them -

One Accord

Karen and Stephen Orr

The group is spectacular.  It is so great to know that young people all over the world were trained and inspired to start their own music ministries to carry on with heart and style what they learned during their time with the Continentals. And by the way, they are certainly practicing hospitality and are taking care of me like family.

There is a beautiful story of David practicing hospitality in 2 Samuel chapter 9 that shows David was loyal to his friend Jonathan, King Saul's son,  and the covenant he made with him as a young man.  Once David was king and settled in his palace, he asked if there was anyone left in the house of Saul he could show kindness to.  He was told of Jonathan's surviving son, Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet. David had him brought to Jerusalem, gave him the land belonging to his grandfather, King Saul, and from that day forward, Mephibosheth ate at King David's table like one of his own sons.

Both Paul (Romans 12:13) and Peter (I Peter 4:9) urge Christians to practice hospitality.  It is mentioned in Hebrews 13:2 that by hosting a stranger it might result in hosting an angel without knowing it.  Unfortunately for the Orrs, this is not the case this time!

Remember, kindness is one of the great gifts of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22, so...

BE KIND AND PRACTICE HOSPITALITY

NEW COURAGE - Aug. 1 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID'S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two "Sit at God's Round Table" pp.12,31

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING

The other night, Colin Hearn (see July 29) and I went to see a new musical. It was the old story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brilliant effects and a charming story. Bottom line, Willie Wonka gave Charlie his chocolate factory because he was the only one of the children winners to be brave enough to dream new dreams. He entered new territory and showed creativity by being courageous enough to imagine new things. The final song, "Imagination", hit home to me. It talked of changing the world through the courage to make something from nothing.

Every step David took took was new territory for him. Was he afraid? Absolutely! Did he waver in forward motion? Never! How did he do this and not crumble? Trust! Trust in the Lord's involvement in his life and direction. He wrote, "The LORD is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in son"  Psalm 21:7.

New things bring joy and excitement! So it is with Mandy Watsham Dunstall, a former Continental who toured here in the states and is now starring in her own shows in London. She and her husband have a music ministry in Chesham with a hundred voice choir and developing children's groups. Their lives are all about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through music here in Britain.

Mandy and I 

Mandy and Colin Hearn

I saw Mandy in a rehearsal with the famous British-European artist, Cliff Richard, some years back. She has a great career in professional music. Yet, with courage and forward thinking, with her leadership, are doing something significant for the Lord in a place where there was nothing before she put her heart into it.

Whatever your situation, be courageous and imagine yourself doing something for the Lord that you have always wanted to do, whether it is absolutely the newest thing, or a new wrapping of a great idea from the past. Just trust the Lord and...

DO SOMETHING FROM NOTHING!