LivingSent Blog Archives

We sent a team from Indian Creek (Ben Stears, Steve Southards, Belinda and Gary Kendall) to the Leadership Network Innovation Lab last Tuesday and Wednesday. This learning exercise was for churches who’ve started their first campus site within the last year and have plans for multiple sites in the future. There was a lot of competition to get in…

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During this trip to China, we visited many churches. I lost count of exactly how many. One was 134 years old and had been founded by Swiss missionaries. Alongside the original stone structure was a brand new building with clean white walls and large airy spaces. Some were partially built and the people were trusting God for the funds to complete. I saw a field of grass that a congregation dreamed of building a church on one day. Over a shared snack of mangos and bananas we looked at blueprints. We walked up to a church dedication to the sound of drums and cymbals. In another church, I sat at the back of an older building, sweating while lazy fans turned above me. The hard, straight-backed wood pews were packed. China is ready to grow…

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Take 3 today to allow awe to produce wonder and worship at just how BIG our God is. And to think that He also cares about our smallest need–incredible! “The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1. Praise God!

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Lately I’m struck by a simple but powerful truth. I’ve often heard prayers that call for God to “show up”, “come”, “be here now”, etc. In fact I’m sure I’ve offered more than my share of them. Recently I’ve been praying a better prayer and that is–for God to reveal Himself. He is here He doesn’t need to “come”. What we need is to see, feel, perceive, and believe that He is. I think that is what I’m truly requesting…

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Belinda and I are studying Beth Moore’s Bible study, Breaking Free. I’m in week 4 now and I’m grateful for a study that pushes me spiritually. I’m digging into the scriptures and praying as if my life depended on it—because it does. We are exploring the “ancient ruins” of our lives and determining whether we are preserving them or rebuilding. We’ve determined to face the truth at all cost and give God complete authority to call us on anything. It is a painful study in some ways and very healing and freeing in other ways…

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Over the next week or so I will give a thumbnail sketch of things God is teaching me especially through my last mission trip.

There are too many idols and not enough crosses. That’s the thought that went through my mind as I toured Lantau Island outside of Hong Kong. There is a huge Buddha on the island and the shops around there are full of his image. In addition there are shrines to ancestors in abundance. But I didn’t see one cross or church on the whole island…

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I’m privileged to be a child of God and so are you. Some know it and some don’t. Have you noticed that the love of God, our Father, is relentless? It is deeper than you and I can imagine.

Have you ever lost a child? I’ve had a child die. My daughter Megan died when she was 21 months old. That loss affected my wife, Belinda, and me in ways I can’t describe. I’ll put it this way. We will never forget what it was like to love her and we will never love her less. We are forever marked by that loss. There is an ache in our souls. But we aren’t crippled because we are loved by a Father who willingly gave up His only Son so His children could live eternally with Him. He understands and we understand what drives Him…

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We had a day where we could do some sightseeing and shopping yesterday. It was a welcome break. We loved the gondolas on Lantau Island however the large Buddha statue was a different story. The place felt oppressive. The Holy Spirit reminded me that we are at war in the spirit. There is no neutral. Either a person is in rebellion against Jesus or serving him. It isn’t that there is nothing to the Buddha worship. The power is in the demonic that surrounds it…

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If you’ve had a big prayer burden for this trip then I know why. I can’t tell you online the reasons but I want you to know you aren’t crazy. God is up to BIG things even miraculous things! I can’t wait to share personally!

Here’s one thing I can share…

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I know many have been praying for our friend I spoke of in “Only God.” Your prayers were answered! We have a new brother in Christ! Thank you for your partnership in mission!

Here’s the rest of the story.  After I wrote you I felt led one morning to write some thoughts and scriptures for him to study on the van. I started with God’s love and then went through why we need forgiveness, what Jesus did for us on the cross, how to receive his offer of grace and what happens when we receive His Holy Spirit. I wrote it in outline form and put the supporting scriptures then gave it to him in an Indian Creek Journal. I said I would be glad to talk about any of that but that would be his choice.

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