Gravel for Coffee Beans

Why do we need to change in the first place?  What is wrong with us that needs to be fixed?  My favorite illustration of this for a long time has been caring for a car.  Now if you were in an age before the age of transportation as we know it, and were only used to horses, which need oats and water and clean hooves to be ready to go, it would be strange to you to have a 4 wheeled piece of metal with plastic seats and handles pull up – and someone inside say, “Here is your car, sir.  Enjoy this modern mode of transportation.  If you have any questions about cars, read the owner’s manual – it will sort out most of the issues.  Then if there is a problem, call one of the experts at our car manufacturer’s company.” Do you suppose the first drivers read the instruction manuals for cars?  How much air goes in tires?  Where do you put the gas to make it run?  Any water in there?  What about oil?  When and where does the oil go in?  That guy looked up the answers in the owner’s manual.

Today – people trust their parents, the friend next door or the driver’s ed teacher.  Why?  Because everybody knows how to drive a car.  It’s basic – put the key in, turn it, put it in drive and go.  What if someone really didn’t know though – and was too embarrassed to ask?  The car runs out of gas . . . so they put water in the tank.  Will the car go anywhere?  Of course not… silly illustration.  Could you trade the engine oil for Wesson oil from the pantry?  Or would ice cream substitute for antifreeze?   Ridiculous, right?  Change venues for a minute.  What if you put ham in the cd tray of your computer and closed the door?   Then when you type out “SANDWICH” on your keyboard, would you expect one to pop out?  Or if you plugged your Ipod into your belly button, would you hear any new tunes?  Could you recharge?  resynch?

The point is simple – the products around us were intended to run a certain way – and irrefutable laws of science preclude them from running any other way.  So it is with us. God created us for life – abundant life – and gave us instructions as to how to live that life to the fullest.  Unlike a car, or computer, however we have a few adversaries who continue to try and deceive us into believing that there is a “better way” than God’s way, and turn us away from His ways.  We know those adversaries: the world system, that doesn’t understand God’s ways, our sinful flesh and the Devil, who has deceived man since the beginning as the “father of lies.” Remember the other half of John 10:10 – “The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy.”  His goal is to remove every ounce of pleasure he can from life in God, since he knows he cannot be God.

Since the fall of  Adam, when he and Eve chose to do life outside of the parameters of Gods pleasure, we have been walking further and further from His truth, living apart from God’s fellowship, His grace and His love.  The result?  Larry Crabb calls us a thirsty and foolish people.  Thirsty because we long for what was lost in the Fall from God.  Foolish because we have declared our intention to find life apart from God, and therefore devise foolish, ineffective and immoral strategies to provide for our own satisfaction.

The narratives of the Bible share the stories of people who tried to live life apart from God, and suffered the consequences.  Why?  Because we were made for God’s pleasure.  We were made to live in joy – but our engine can’t run on water – otherwise it will die.  We can’t make our chocolate cakes out of kudzu, use gravel for coffee beans or replace flour with beach sand – and we can’t live life apart from God and the way He designed us to be at our best.  As much as we’d like to, it just won’t work.

- taken from the message "Community - Where Change Happens" - preached at Northwest Community Church on September 11, 2011.  Click on the link below to listen to the entire message.

http://teach412.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post

The Church Has Left the Building . . .

This weekend I had the privilege of participating in a one day compassion event, in which the church we currently attend - a three year old church plant - gave a call to make an "Impact" on the city it is involved in.  The goal is not as much to make a dent, but to get moving - get out.  The small congregation of approximately 300 people was challenged to make time on Saturday to join with other believers and pioneers in eight different projects.  They ranged from giving care to young unwed mothers to cleaning the grounds outside their home.  One group dug a 400 foot sewage ditch for a needy church member.  Yet another group donated time to a local public high school to spruce up their grounds (money which had been cut from the school budget).

In all, 160 people came out - many with children and teens tagging along - to work anywhere between six to ten hours.  With children included and the time they added, there were well over 1000 volunteer hours for the Lord given to the kingdom on Saturday.  One young man I worked with had just come to faith in the past few weeks before that time.  Another pre-teen worked alongside her mom, and progressively came out of her shell and relaxed to have a wonderful day.  A father of three boys brought them along - I watched as the boys learned to work together, through conflict and mini-crisis ("my brother won't give me a turn with the broom" - "It's my turn to use the wheel barrow").  The dad used the opportunities to gently teach the guys to work out their differences and stay focused on the goal - which was the blessing of service.

Put it in perspective. This church just had a work day with over 50% congregational participation.  Try that in a church of 2,000 or 5,000 - we'd do well to get the same 160 for the day.  And why is that?  Not because there isn't a love for the Lord or a desire to serve Him.  It ends up being about purpose.  The slogan chosen by the church for the day is the title of our post - "the church has left the building."  This was splattered across the heather gray tee-shirts chosen for each volunteer.  And it represents well the desire of young churches today.  Our purpose is not the gathering; our purpose is the scattering.  We exist not to meet, but rather to live on mission.  We gather to be encouraged, so we can scatter to fulfill our marching orders.  So we can accomplish His purpose for His church and in our lives.

Another key factor was leadership involvement.  I believe all 5 elders in the church served hands on with one or more of the work projects for the day.  Most of the deacons were serving somewhere.  All the Life  Group leaders ended up onsite as well.  It is not too difficult to find the troops who will follow their commanders into battle.  This involved model of leadership exemplifies what Jesus did as well as what he taught.   

What was accomplished at the end of the day?  A few ditches dug, a few nails painted and hair cut for young mothers; a few walls painted - a neighborhood school spruced up.    Net result for the kingdom - unknown at present - but currently there are 160 more people ready to serve again this fall for the King.  And so much more.  They learned to enjoy the fellowship of ministry.  They shared the benefits of accomplishment. They left the building. 

What is the next level for these dear ones?  They will be coached to look for those similar type needs in their neighborhoods, in their Life Groups and in life itself.  Then they will do it again - simply serve people with a love that comes from Christ.  The ultimate goal?  Hopefully, they will end up like Anna & Simeon - (see Luke 2) - who  were serving constantly, joyfully and faithfully, and in the right place when Jesus showed up.  These two faithful senior saints had lived on mission for their entire lives, and at the very end were given a great opportunity.  Right in their normal place of service they saw the Lord.  Both of them then had the privilege of speaking praise and glory over the 'Light of Salvation' who came. God mentioned them in the account of our Savior - in part because of their faithfulness to that point - but mostly because their lives pointed to Jesus.  When we are at our best, we'll leave the building too - and point people to that same Jesus. 

Preaching by the river . . .

As I was reading John 1 again today, I was struck by a simple thought.  John knew his role in the ministry of Jesus.  He came to point to the light.  "He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light." (John 1:8)  He knew his role well - knew of the prophecy of Isaiah describing it (40:3) - to 'make straight the way of the LORD.'  

What struck me about this man was that he expected repentance.  How do I know this?  He was calling men to repent and be baptized - an outward sign of an inward change.  And where was he preaching?  He was beside the river. Why do you think John chose to preach repentance beside the river?  Do you think he actually believed that some people would believe him and want to repent? That they would be baptized?  He not only believed it, he actively pursued his belief by preparing their way as well.  He preached by the river, because He expected people to repent, and was at the place where they could testify to their repentance.  

So many times I read these passages and see John crying out, "Behold the Lamb of God!"  Other times I, along with many get wrapped up in the theology of baptism - John's or Jesus' - and miss the simple beauty of this servant.  Actively obeying his commission.  Go and prepare the way of the LORD, call people to repent, and guide them through their response in the waters of baptism.   John was so committed to what he believed that he acted in faith on what God would do in the lives of those listening. He believed that Jesus would change them, so he prepared them to meet Jesus.  Jesus was absolutely John's focus.

Was it any surprise that Jesus knew where to find John?  He came right to him - because He knew John would be at his post.  He was posted up by the water, where he expected people to be changed by God. Where would Jesus find us if He came today?  At a board room table?  In a conference?  Attending yet another gathering of the saints?  Or will He find us at our post?  Would He find us where the people are who need to be changed - who need to prepare to meet Jesus?  

We are so complicated when it comes to ministry in our generation.  Hours of planning, mounds of paperwork, thousands of dollars in programs and personnel and plywood.  Meeting after strategic meeting to determine what to do, and how to do it.  Is it really so difficult?  Or can it be boiled down to the simple?  Tell people, "Get ready to meet Jesus.  He is the Son of God.  He takes away the sin of the world."  And when you tell them, make sure you are by the river.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Arrival - Plus 8 Years. Reminiscing . . .

I am including an excerpt from a letter recently delivered to the choir and orchestra at Colonial Baptist Church, where I have just concluded 8 years of ministry.  So many wonderful memories - so much to be grateful for that my LORD has done for me.  I adapted the first line, since today is the arrival date here in our new home.

Well, you know me and numbers.  Today – June 17^th – is the day we arrived in North Carolina to begin our ministry 8 years ago.  I have had a flood of memories coming over me through this month as we have pondered the work of God in our lives.  Central in most of those reminiscings have been you.  From the first gathering we had (I believe it was the first Kick-Off Cook Out – about two weeks after we got here, yes?)  What a wonderful gathering of friends and families to welcome us.  You filled our hearts with stories and ideas and dreams and prayers as you said “yes” to your new leader.  And you always did that – sharing your love in spiritual ways. You filled our arms with hugs – for people you didn’t even know.  And you always did – giving your love in touchable ways. You filled our pantry with food, reminding us that you would love us in tangible ways.  And you always did – we never lacked a single resource during our time here.  

So now eight years later, what has God done?  I think of rolling with you Sunday after Sunday through the remainder of Romans (I came in ch. 5, I think . . . ), then journeying through Job and riding royally through Revelation.  We took each Sunday seriously – with an opportunity to ask the question, how can we engage the people of God most effectively in praise and His perspective throughout this service?  Then there were the bridge outreach events.  Christmas Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet.  The Together Musicale in ’05, our first recording together: I think it was the Christmas Sweet recording.  Then there was “Watch the Lamb” at Easter in ’06, “The Passover Experience” in ’09, “Passion for the Messiah” – ’10 Easter outreach – wonderful chances to share the truth of the gospel clearly and compellingly.  We also had some great concerts together, from the two Gettys Hymn sings, the Sing A New Song live recording, Larnelle Harris & Steve Green, and special hallowed moments like singing for Paul Jackson’s and Kay Yow’s funerals. 

Many of you were the nuts and bolts that held those ministry times together.  Faithful leaders who met, ministered and served quietly.  Or loudly, depending on how you were wired.  I’ll never forget the joy of working with such talented volunteers.  From the capable and constantly stretched accompanists to our team of dynamic and disciplined conductors  I was surrounded by quality people who constantly said it – “I’m just here to serve.” 

I also was blessed with an amazing support staff, both hired and volunteer (as they say, the staff gets paid to be good; the volunteer is good for nothing!) who put in tirelessly long hours pulling music, printing music, sorting books, labeling new works.  The army of the unnamed who have helped us through the years is amazing, and again requires more paper than time. 

I want to recognize the staff that God used to bless me through the years.  Each and every one made a mark on my life and yours as well. These were the day to day soldiers I had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with who kept the ministry ideas – brainstorms – flowing and moving in the right direction.  Add to that summer and fall interns, our precious Tech Ministry staff, and a host of very supportive families – and you have a very large church family, ministering to a much larger body of believers. 

You do realize don’t you – we were the church?  We never went to church – we were the church, going together to be a blessing to those around us.  Never lose focus on who you are – the church of Jesus Christ, called to serve Him, love one another and tell the world of His salvation.  And never forget the joy we had of doing that together. I won’t.  One of the great privileges of my life has been to serve as your leader, sing to you and with you and serve the people of God with you. 

Now, may the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you and give you peace.  

Belief vs Behavior? Or is there a precedent before both?

My friend Rich Davis sent me this missionary's blog - and while scooting around on his blog site, I found this article.  This is a very similar concept to one that I preached on Ash Wednesday last month here at Haven Hill.  The question I asked was if we are to earn, pray and go,"  are those consecutive commands or concurrent?  In other words, we take new believers when they come in the kingdom, sit them on the sidelines while we teach, train and feed them until they are "ready for ministry" - at which point they have been taught to sit and absorb, and we can't move them off the fence.  Jesus' model seemed to be different - he plugged them in to serve way before finishing the teaching. He had no resume checks for his team members.  He sent them out two by two long before they disappointed Him, denied Him and deserted Him.  His training was concurrent with his ministry partnership.  Some call it "OJT" - I think this goes way beyond that.  And I think that's what Floyd has figured out . . . see below.

http://www.floydandsally.com/posts/415-belonging-happens-before-believing-happens-before-behaving-

Looking back from the deck of a mountain cruise . . . or "How did we get here?"

Do you ever get frustrated when you get an email from someone that assumes you're caught up with their lives, but in reality you left them three cities and four job changes back? The purpose of this monologue is to get you on board with our current situation, so you know why the "Mountain is me" (the raging mega-metaphor of my current life - see the you tube song below if you haven't heard it . . . ).  I shared much of this with our congregation at Colonial back in February - and with a few of you personally since then.  Here it is in print.

In our seventh year of ministry at Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, North Carolina we ended 2009 alive and serving, after surviving a potentially career ending vocal surgery in June, a life threatening illness for JD in July and a series of significant life changes for all of us.  I decided to use the beginning of this new year (2010) to evaluate and reset our lives, using some time honored tools. The evaluation ended up putting me on a 65 pound weight loss program, an attempt to refinance our home, (which eventually went on the market for sale) and a reevaluation of our current ministry energy.  Not that I wanted to leave Colonial - but rather I wanted to make sure the energy of our lives were focused well given the nature of the great commission and God's desire for us.  

As I went through Spring programs, missions preparations and Summer ministry plans, I continued to be bombarded by the great need in our world - 1.8 billions who don't have access to the Gospel and another 4.3 who have never responded to what they do know.  Couple that with 6000 people groups who have never had the Gospel put in their language and we have a great deal of work to do.  Especially since  all of those people groups will inevitably be represented at the Throne someday giving praise to the Lamb (see Revelation 7:9-10 - "every" means every).  My questions continued to rattle in my head - what can we do more effectively to be senders to these tribes and peoples and nations, and how do we reach our Jerusalem in the meantime?  

I struggled with these concepts with some of my partners in ministry at Colonial, and we decided to begin dialoguing about this in a monthly forum starting in September of 2010.    It all pulled up short and stopped when a series of personal events in our family came to a head, and I chose to take a leave of absence from the church to deal with them.  Someday I'll blog the details of the family crisis that began it all - suffice to say it did not involve either Carol or myself - we are more happily married and connected than ever before - and these days and events have pushed us closer together than ever.  However it did put us into a time of personal introspection, counseling and intense prayer.  It had been 28 years since I had  stopped completely and gotten off the "every weekend ministry" wheel and had been forced to evaluate in an entirely different way what my ministry was all about.  

As God worked in our situation (which He did and still is doing, to His praise and glory), He also began to work in our hearts.   During that time I read and studied Matthew 17:14-21, where Jesus healed the boy that the disciples couldn't.  In that particular miracle, the disciples came to Jesus and asked why they could not do what He did.  He taught them a lesson about prayer, and used the metaphor of the mountain moving into the sea based simply on faith - a faith backed by intense prayer and fasting.  So I began to pray that God would remove the obstacles that were preventing me from continuing my ministry and getting back into the fray of the Great Commission.  About a week into this time, a conversation with a friend seemed to be used by God to speak into my soul.  What I heard from the Lord that day was, "David you want the mountains and obstacles in this situation to be moved - what if the mountain is you?  What if you are who I need to move to get this done?"  

At that point I was stunned.  Not me.  I love my job - my ministry - my team - my partners.  I'm a sender, not a goer - I am meant to mentor young men for ministry here.  In Cary.   Me - go?  Whoa.  Over the next few days, I was not released from this burden - and as I prayed with Carol about it, and shared it with my pastor, I was also released by him to pursue what God was doing in my heart.  During this time a friend had me reading several books related to the revolution in church planting movements in our past decade, that is still rolling today.  I was excited about what I had been reading.  The Lord used a short term trip to Portugal & Scotland (see earlier blog) to direct our hearts toward how mentoring in this area was sorely needed both internationally and locally. I began discussing with Carol what this could look like for us - large city multi-ethnic church plants, where I would coach the planting teams and participate at various levels myself.  Training sessions where I would be involved in preparing and leading teams who would be used in these church plants to accomplish God's purposes.  

By January we were convinced that God was indeed moving in our lives - we presented the new direction to our elder teams, who confirmed the potential direction with us and told us they would be willing to support our launch over the next few months.  We would spend time studying the models and movements, forming alliances for our next move and then trusting the Lord for His specific direction.  We prayed together with the leadership of our church and agreed together that this was indeed the right next move for us as a couple, and on January 31, 2011 I resigned as Pastor of Music Ministries at Colonial. This was a huge step of faith for us.

Back to the goals in evaluation.  Remember the house on the market?  We had it on the market for nine months - showed it 75 times and had 5 "phantom" offers - all of which ended in futility.  When we finally made this decision to follow God's new agenda for us and settled with the church board ( this was on a Monday night) the next day we received an offer on our home.  The next day - a Wednesday (Ground Hog day, as I recall) one of the former offers came back to the table and made a higher offer than Tuesday's offer.  They proceeded to get in a bidding war for my home!  By 10:00 that night (while Carol and I were watching "Groundhog Day" - one of our all time favorite time killers - and eating Chinese food), we accepted a cash offer for our home.  Cash.  The next day the family - from Taiwan - did the inspection on our home, and we found less than $1000 of repairs to be done before a March 31 closing.  God knew His agenda - worked His plan in His time - and had us on hold until He could get total glory for it.   Just like Him, isn't it? 

So as I sit here in Starbucks catching you up, we have been ousted from our job, our home and our former lives and are in the midst of a brand new adventure. This tour guide for this adventure is a God who knows precisely what it takes to speak to His children, move them, purify them for His purposes and then orchestrate the details of their lives.  That's how we got here - now where are we?  Guess you'll have to read the next blog to find out.  Just believe this - "I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus...and my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel." (see Phil. 1:3-12)  God will do whatever it takes to get this grand word of faith out to those who need it.  And whatever it takes in this context includes moving mountains like me.  Could He move you too?

Portugal & Scotland November 2010

       The latest international ministry endeavor taken on by the entire Loftis family was a trip into Europe, where we served with three churches and approximately100 missionaries with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) over a ten day period.  Our "family" was the five of us Loftis'es, plus my niece, Bethanie Collins.  This super six-some formed our worship team/concert group for fourteen services and concerts, over 18 hours of singing, and just around 20 hours of rehearsal.  The band was as follows:

       David Loftis - Lead vocals & acoustic guitar

       Carol Loftis - Soprano vocals

       Jessie Loftis - Alto vocals

       JD Loftis - Lead/Tenor vocals, violin, & bass guitar

       Bethanie Collins - Piano & background vocals

       Josiah Loftis - acoustic guitar for teen sessions (& drums for 5 concerts in Scotland)

THE FIRST WEEKEND

     We arrived on Friday morning, after flying all night from New York - everyone was bombed.  So we rented a car and drove to Edinburgh to see the sights and stay awake, so our bodies would adjust.  It is always powerful to me to observe history up close.  So many powerful images - Edinburgh University, with John Knox' statue, the Scottish Castle, where kings and queens served and defended their country, and the beautiful St. Giles Cathedral.  We also had a taste of the city on the streets, before heading to our host home in the Ayrshire.

    

     Stephenston was a welcome site when we arrived - and what a joy it was to spend time with our dear friends, the Camerons.Our friends, the Dorries were there, as well as Iain, Scott's older brother and the Tuthills.  The fellowship was highlighted by the adorable Cameron children - who at 7, 5 & 3 gave us a taste of family in Scotland we'll never forget.  Delightfully behaved but buoyantly playful, they joined in romping with the boys and teasing with the adults until bedtime took them away.  A long overdue time fellowship followed as we caught up with all God had done since our last visit two summers before. 

      Saturday after a good sleep we prepared for the evening ministry, setting our game plan, and thinking through the set list for playing.  Then our hosts took the girls shopping while we men went off to a Scottish League Football (soccer for you untrained . . . ) match. We saw the Kilmarnock Squirrels play the Mighty Rangers from nearby Glasgow.  One of my dreams from childhood - to hear a British football stadium filled and singing their chants - I was not disappointed by this crowd of 10,000 plus who were lusty and full-throated in their support of "the boys."  A great time, no doubt. Many thanks to our hosts for the day, Iain Cameron and Ian Dorrie.  Then off to set up in the hall, rehearse through the set and share in a quick dinner and prayer before singing to a precious group from three combined churches who came to this night of praise.  We sang a mix of familiar songs and some new tunes as well.  JD gave his testimony, sharing all God did for him coming out of his illness.  A blessed evening for all.  After the worship experience, we had a time of tea and biscuits (Scottish cookies).  I had a time with a young man named David - full of doubt and frustration over an abusive background.  We prayed together, and I directed his heart to encouragement from Scripture.  

      The next day we served the sweet people of the High Kirk of Stephenston - the family led in song, and then I spoke the Word .  We talked that day about the prayer life of Paul, and how God calls us as believers to pray more specifically for the individuals under our influence.  Of course that prayer included comments about the worthy walk - which is only possible through the work of Christ.  HE makes us worthy - He provides strength to love - so know Him and the worthy walk begins.  Precious time.

      We immediately hopped in cars and headed for the Edinburgh airport, where we flew Ryanair for the first time from there into Faro for the conference.  A unique experience, no doubt!  I read the book, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan on that flight.  Excellent musings by my brother - a strong one-two punch challenge that goes along well with the concepts in "Radical."  I had heard that the younger generation was not at all into our materialism - and that is a good thing.  However, these two are bent on having us all give it away, for the sake of the kingdom.  That is a dangerous, but really good thing!  The commitment level called for by the young men in our generation is extremely convicting - and frankly is pressing me in new ways toward Christ and His deeper calling upon me.

   

      Arrived in the evening, to have supper with dear friends from Portugal.  Jon & Marilyn Rust have been friends of our family since our early ministry days in Milwaukee.  They came on as missionaries there just over 26 years ago - so we have grown up in ministry with them and their family.  God has blessed them as well - and they are just now entering a new phase of ministry as empty-nesters.  I watched Jon throughout the week, serve our team tirelessly - what an example to us all.

THE WEEK IN FARO, PORTUGAL

       Each day in Faro began with a time with the Lord, prayer together, and breakfast at the large buffet.  We always had wonderful cappuccino and fresh bread for each meal - not the best direction for the diet, but delightful for a change of pace.  Then we'd go and rehearse for the opening session, have prayer as a team and greet people until the session began.  Our portion of the morning was about 30 minutes of focus upon God, to set the hearts of the group for their upcoming training.  As a part of that time, each day the field leader honored a missionary couple who had been serving the Lord faithfully.  Many had been 25 years, 30 years, and one couple had been serving for 37 years.  Very humbling and motivating to see all God had done for them.

      Our young people fit in well with the 22 young people - all MK's - who were in attendance as well.  Josiah and JD led worship for them, while Jess & Beth sang.  Carol and I used this time to meet with various mission leaders for consultation and connection.  Then we would complete our planning for the evening services, pulling music together and any other elements necessary to make it just the right touches.  Onto lunch from there, followed by a short time of rest or recreation for about two hours.  Then we would gather the team, have an afternoon rehearsal of the evening's music, as well as the morning songs, if any were new. We would then have supper, participate in the activity before service, then lead an extended time of praise before the evening speaker.  When finished, the night broke out into fellowship for the adults and games & fellowship for the younger ones.

       The worship leading team was very well received- can't find a better environment for praising the Lord than a group of servants of the Lord.  However there was a wonderful dynamic in the room - with many of the national Portuguese and Irish ministry partners in attendance for the sessions as well.  Many of them (the Portuguese in particular) sang along in Portuguese, since their English was not that strong.  It was wonderful!  We sang a mix of familiar songs and new ministry songs for them - and left a set of music with the missionaries as well, so they could use them with their church plants.  Bethanie was the "rock" on keyboard - kept us all in place for rehearsals.  Jess ended up being the "vocal coach" to keep us on parts and in the right "groove" for our songs.  Carol and JD are so steady - just get them in the right place and away we go.  My task was not to cry through each session - even now reflecting back upon it, I tear up with the joy it brings me to sing with my international partners, considering the truths we share when

     Our speaker for the night was Jacob Reynolds, from the Irish Bible Institute.  I thoroughly enjoyed partnering with Jacob - he did so well in bringing very culturally challenging messages to the team based on the stories of John in John 1, 3, 4 & 15.  Strong connection to the missionaries, being a European himself, and also a partner in seeking to draw men and women to Christ.  We developed a friendship as we worked through the week together. 

     Several of the mornings after the sessions Carol and I had a time of connection with mission leaders Tuesday morning we had a delightful time with my brother and his wife.  Michael & Jo Beth Loftis are dear servants of the Lord, who God has blessed with an uncanny sense of mission and strategic initiative for this generation.  They poured into our lives for a couple of hours on Tuesday in a precious way, before leaving for their next mission field.  Wednesday we met with Jack & Cheryl Shifflett - long time missionaries in Spain, now the director of Europe and the Middle East.  Jack has proven to be a good friend through the years, and is a great encouragement to me as well.  Thursday Carol met with Leina Zairgirdar.  Leina and her husband are East Indians who serve in England.  She blessed her with stories and prayer and her sweet spirit that God is using to bring Muslims to Him throughout England.  During that time I had the joy of a lunch time with Dale Marshfield, veteran church planter and missionary trainer with CEIM (ABWE's Center for Excellence in International Missions).  Dale was very encouraging to me and shared some eye opening information about international church planter training.

Friday it was Jacob Reynolds - who shared of the work he is doing in Ireland, and encouraged us on our journey as well.  I have always been impressed to be involved in the lives of people with whom I minister, but found myself particularly blessed by those who poured over our lives through this week.

       We also saw our young people dive into the lives of those God called them to serve through the week as well.  The boys immersed themselves into the youth program, simply "hanging out"with the younger and incredibly gifted MK's who made up the group there.  Josiah hooked up with Dino - Leina's son - who had returned for thanksgiving with his parents from a new ministry he has just started in Chicago for the downtown youth there.  He and JD were also a blessing to a few of the younger MK's - 9th & 10th graders - who looked up to them.  The girls spent quite a bit of their time with six single gals who were on ministry teams in Ireland and Portugal.  They had some amazing fellowship - sharing life together and encouraging one another. 

A SPECIAL THANKSGIVING

      Thursday the team left the daily format and spent the entire morning in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.  The format was simple - we would lead in 10-15 minutes of praise through song and Scripture, then a different field of ministry would come up and give a praise report of all God has done on their field.  It was truly a moving time.  By the end of that morning we were all drenched with tears and thoroughly blessed - a wonderful reminder of why Paul says to "give thanks in everything."  The rest of Thursday was dedicated to family and team fellowship and refreshment.  Our team had a long lunch and rest, then went over to the small island park by ferry across from Faro.  There we found a beach on the Mediterranean, volleyball and soccer fields and a wonderful time of play.  I participated in two soccer matches - one with the younger MK's and the other with the older MK's against the missionaries.  Of course I dressed Jamaican, dreads and all - and had such a blast!  Fun times of fellowship and refreshment are important - we all need reminders that God created us to serve Him and enjoy Him forever.  Tastes of heaven, no doubt.

      That night Carol and I walked through the streets of Faro, and once again were blessed by another aspect of God's creation as ordered by the people of Portugal through the years.  Very simple people and friendly - open to share a kind word with the foreigners.  Faro is an interesting town - known for thousands of years as a sea salt manufacturer.  They "harvest" salt in large fields, where they allow the high tides in, then block the water from going back out - when it dries thoroughly, they harvest the salt that remains.  This apparently was going on at the time of Christ as well - and during the ministry of the apostles.  Wonderful to share in such history. Faro is on a river with multiple stone bridges that cross over, so we were able to traverse cobble stoned pathways back and forth across the waterway.  At times as we crossed over minstrels had set up to play - some classical music, others popular songs.  Beautiful settings for reflection on the work God is doing in our lives right now.

      Our team studied through a book while on the trip - called "True Faced," written by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol and John Lynch (NavPress).  The thesis of the book is that there are two paths that people can take in their pursuit of God - whether seekers or believers. The first path is trying to please God - through performance based living.  The second path is trusting God, by living in the "room of grace" where we come with all our baggage and lay it before the Lord.  We learn that this type of living pleases God without us trying - and then we learn to love Him fully by serving out of love, not obligation.  Many other excellent thoughts were shared as we tried to take a chapter a day and dissect its truth as well as the accompanying Scriptures.  Excellent team building came from that set of exercises.  We completed the week by sharing a time of encouragement for each team member - for where God had them right now, and the gifts He had invested in them from our perspective.  It was very nourishing.

THE FINAL DAYS

       Saturday morning was our last day in Portugal.  We led the closing worship time,  then were blessed with momentos of our time from the grateful missionaries.  They prayed over us and blessed us with their gratitude for the sacrifice made to come, including those who gave to make the trip a possibility.  We join them in giving thanks to you for the opportunity to bless these dear ones as God allowed us to do through this week.

      The flight back brought us into a surprisingly snowy Scotland. It rarely snows in the Ayrshire where we were ministering, because of the gulf stream alongside the inner channel between Scotland and Ireland.  However, this ended up being a foretaste of one of the coldest snaps in recent history.  We loved flying over snow covered mountain caps and fields dusted lightly with the beauty of God's ivory glaze.  Another lovely evening awaited us with fish & chips, haggis pies (you really don't want to know what is in them - but they tasted lovely, nontheless . . . ) and Dr. Pepper.  Pastor Cameron played Wii with JD, Josiah & his children - and delighted in thrashing them all!  Then he pulled out his accordian, and we had a song time together as families.  Sweet treasured fellowship we'll not soon forget.

      The last Sunday took us to Troon - a coastal city right on the sea.  Known best for its links golf, and host to the British Open, it is also home to the Seagate Evangelical Church, where we ministered for the morning.  This former Brethren fellowship began with a 10:00 communion service - a precious time of confession, praise and celebration of the sacrifice of our Savior.  Then a time of fellowship with tea and biscuits (we could learn from that over here, ya know . . . ) followed by the worship hour.  We ministered in music for about 30 minutes, then JD spoke to us.  This was his first message before a church congregation - and in such a lovely, historical setting!  He did well - speaking on the model prayer of Jesus to His disciples.  He handled the text well, and spoke particularly to the younger audience.  There must have been at least thirty in high school or university in attendance, among the 200 plus congregants.  No greater joy - a huge blessing for me, really - to see my children all serving Christ together and in significant ways before the Lord. 

       Back to Stephenston for lunch and a quick rest before leaving for West Kilbride for our closing service at the parish church there.  Because of the growingly bitter cold, there was a smaller turnout for that service - about 35 gathered for our time of fellowship and singing.  It was sweet, however - and a special time.  By the time we had packed up and prepared for the early morning flight, it was 1 am - we fell into bed exhausted but blessed by the joy of service to our new friends and dear partners throughout Western Europe.  An uneventful flight home on Monday brought us weary but delighted to be on "home turf."  We don't take for granted being able to get out of Europe either - our flights were some of the last for about a week, after the deep freeze hit Great Britain.  When we got home, Pops Ankrom had a delightful supper ready for us at home, where stories were told and loved ones greeted. 

THANK YOU IS NOT ENOUGH

      Many times in life our words fall short of expressing the gratitude we feel.  Being enabled to serve the Lord by ministering to these dear saints by so many of you who gave faithfully and prayed us through flights, meetings, potential illnesses and delays, broken strings and forgotten instruments.  None of it happened - it was a flawless trip.  And you helped so greatly with your sincere and loving contributions.  The words of Paul in II Corinthians 9:6-14 echo in my mind as a backdrop to our gratitude - for many of you gave in this way - cheerfully and openly for the sake of the proclamation of the Gospel, and the encouragement of the saints.  We will never forget what you have done for us.

David, Carol, Jessie, JD & Josiah Loftis & Bethanie Collins

Gotta start somewhere . . .

      I have read relatively few blogs, and even less than that which I have liked.  However, the deeper we get into the information age, I have succumbed to mass communications devices which spread the word quickly.  If I can achieve my goal, which is to get the people who care, are involved in my life and ministry and most importantly who are praying with me to read these occasional updates, it will be worth the effort put into it.
      To journal comes easy for me - better in the quiet of mornings after long times with God in His Word and Spirit to spirit.  Best when private; probably dangerous when shared.  As a result I will do my best not to have this become a replacement for my personal journal.  I'd rather these become informational by nature, and then open forums for discussion of God-moments and God-sightings in life.  I am certain this will be far safer ground for all concerned.

      I will also do my best not to ramble through brainstorms that do occur on a regular basis.  However, ideas already formed or voiced through good songs, books, movies, or other blogs (I do read some . . . ) may come forth for discussion and analysis. 

      A great joy for me has been studying and then following Paul and the other men in Scripture - and as I read again through the New Testament this winter, I have found that uncomfortably confirming truth arise again - to be an authentic servant of the Lord, I need to be a good communicator to and with those who God has entrusted to my friendship and care.  Paul probably would have had a blog had he the technology.  He did his best to keep the air clear on difficult issues, communications of love, prayer for these dear ones, faith in our Lord and constant admonitions to follow Him faithfully.  So perhaps this will allow a similar mission to be fulfilled, as I find ways to keep up with you, and keep you up with all that is happening in and through our lives.      

Hope you enjoy the journey!