September 1997

Dear Friends and loved ones,

Blessed be the Lord our God Who loves us beyond the abilities of our minds to comprehend and Who communicates with us intimately, constantly, faithfully, and lovingly.

Sorry for the extra long delay in this "semi-regular" newsletter. I have absolutely no excuses.

WEB PAGE

Finally, crushedgrapes.org, is officially registered with the Internet, and soon the web page will be up and running. The page will feature materials on House Churches according to the Crushed Grapes Model, my books, articles, newsletters, and other stuff, all available for immediate downloading without any cost. Please pray that this would be a successful (obedient) undertaking.

MORE SERVANTS

On May 17, we had a wonderful time with great quantities of oil flowing over a blessed group of Elders and Deacons. The laborers in the Vineyard are still few, but more [eighteen] were added and encouraged on that day. Several have had severe testings since the ordination as could well be expected.

Just as all messages we preach or teach are quickly tested in us, so when a brother or sister is acknowledged in their calling, they are made a public spectacle in the dealings of God. Issues that were overlooked in the past are brought into the light - sometimes bright and harsh. Weaknesses or hidden sins that were previously hidden are thrust into the open. Some have said, "If I’d known this would have happened, I’m not sure I would have gone through with it." You can file that one in the round file under, "Tough."

I encourage us all, press in to God and His plans for us, and rejoice in all of His dealings that clean us up, remove hindrances, and make us more effective in His service.

VISTA ELDERS

On July 29, we gathered Elders and some guests of the Church of Vista at Green Oak Ranch for a presentation to the Church of Vista. Thirty five heard the challenge to come together in Jesus and begin functioning as the gates of the city. After some follow-up sessions, we are meeting every Tuesday from 10 to noon at a local restaurant. If you are interested in attending, please call. If you would like a tape of my message, please request it. As with all Crushed Grapes materials, it is free.

PRINCESS DIANA

We’ve been caught up in the sudden and tragic death of Princess Diana, and the huge implications of the world’s reaction. She unified Britain, according to Tony Blair, more than anything since World War II. The world mourned her passing on a scale that surpassed even the assassination of John F. Kennedy. What is this phenomenon?

The world wants icons and idols. People feel a tremendous need for heroes and heroines. Princess Diana filled that need for many without the taboo of high moral standards or scruples. [this is ultra important for the world’s heroic leaders. They must not be tainted with "old fashioned morality."] She did wonderful deeds for many of the world’s sufferers, but had no conscience problems about an adulterous affair with a Muslim play-boy. I sense that she still belonged to God, and He took her before she left His family by venturing any further down the dark road that leads to eternal death.

I yearned to hear the trumpet call of God expressed in all the "religious" activities. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." I heard none of that. Of course many would have been offended. I also wanted to hear the entreaty to seek the Lord while He may be found, because our lives are but a mist or vapor that can be snuffed out in a moment. Seek the Lord, while He may be found, lest you enter into the eternal fires of Hell.

Diana was a very lovable icon of our day. I in no way wish to minimize her accomplishments or greatness. We live in a very wicked and corrupt day, and are commanded to redeem the time because the days are evil.

MOTHER TERESA

And now we are sifting and digesting the graduation, "Summa Cum Laude", of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Though she was part of the biggest "religious system" in the world, she loved and served Jesus. Everything she did testified to Him. He was her object of serving the poor and outcast. Her faith centered squarely on Him, and He was her hope and the love of her life. So she spoke, and so she lived.

At an age seven years beyond "the strong" it was a long expected event. The timing, however, was not coincidental, and I sense several others will soon be going home. The wise will take it to heart according to Isaiah 57:1,2. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Let him who is brave also read the rest of Isaiah 57’s account of today.

THE OFFICE OR THE PERSON

Who will replace Mother Teresa?. No one will. No one can. Her "office" in God was hers alone, and that is true of every "office."

In our circles the "office" in question is usually that of the Elder. I’m sorry, but there is no office apart from the person who holds the office. When someone is "ordained" or set in the office of an elder, it is an acknowledgment that God has already placed that person in that office. If God graduates them, like Mother Teresa, there is no vacant office to fill. The office went with the person.

If there are any entitlements or perq’s that go with this office of elder, they are the first to get to clean toilets, wash feet, be misunderstood, bless when cursed, and take the lowest seat. To say, "I am an elder, and should be treated as one," is akin to putting a sign on your back saying, "Please Kick Me."

WHY NOT ME, LORD?

Why Me? Indeed...

I am sure that we have all shared the feeling. Why do I have to endure this: financial reverse; serious illness; loss of a loved one; rejection; pain; humiliation; whatever? Why me, Lord? Why ME?

It seems to me that this question contains at least two separate ingredients. The first one is the most obvious and probably the most serious. It is a question of God's character. Whether we consciously intend it or not our question goes to God's character and his intent toward us. It says, "God, if you really love me and have my best interests at heart, you will not allow this bad thing that has come upon me." It says, "God, you really do not know what is best in every case, not in this case." It says that God sometimes (maybe often?) allows or promotes things that are not totally good and loving, therefor we must conclude that He is not totally good and loving. Whether we think we say these things or not, they are implied when we say, "Why me, God?"

The second portion of this spiritual soup regards our own character and our pride. By saying to God, "Why me, Lord?" we are really saying, "I deserve better than this, I am qualified for treatment more agreeable to my tastes." We are implying that God has not carefully inspected us to see that we deserve better treatment than we are getting. We look God in the eye and say, "I qualify for what I want and you do not seem to understand that."

Now, it seems to me that, if we are serious about our Christianity, we don't really want to say either of the things that I have outlined above. As a matter of fact, it seems clear to me that what we need to say in times of trouble is this: "Why not me, Lord? Just what have I done, what am I able to do that exempts me from the common human experience with sin and suffering?" How have I qualified so as to place myself above others like me? Others who may be much better than I? If, as the scripture tells us, we are privileged to share in the sufferings of Christ, how am I empowered to place myself above or outside that experience?

I know that I am an unworthy servant. I know that I have not done all that I have been commanded. I know that whatever God is doing goes toward the fulfillment of His purposes and the coming of His kingdom. I suspect that I deserve many more stripes than I will ever get because of grace and mercy, not justice. So, when I see a man mistreated by his own family or government, a child deprived of love and nourishment by his own mother or father, whole peoples persecuted and killed because of their ethnicity and many other grievous crimes, I must say, "Why not me as well as them, Lord. Why do you spare me these major disasters and give me instead only light and momentary troubles? Why not me instead of them, Lord? Why not me?"

May we all take it to heart, and have courageous faith to ask, "Why not me?"

LIFELINE

Crushed Grapes Ministry is now an accepted ministry with AmeriVision Communications, the long distance LifeLine telephone calling service that contributes 10% of the users long distance phone bill to specified Christian ministries. The rates are under ATT, MCI, or SPRINT, and even more important, you are not supporting the questionable causes they endorse through advertising or sponsorship.

If you would like to sign up and support us in this effort, call 1-800-493-2002, and tell them you’d like to switch. Specify Crushed Grapes Ministry, #66514, as the beneficiary. They have free calling cards, no set up fees, 800 numbers, and six second billing increments. I’ve been on it for a couple of months and am very happy with them.

If you switch, expect your present provider to try hard to keep you. The large check I received irritated me greatly. Why don’t they charge less rather than try to bribe you?

May you be so secure in the love and presence of God, that none of the terrors of the world affect you or shake you off the course.

May you be a shelter for many whose hearts are buffeted and torn by the confusion heaped about them.

May the lure of the world not seduce you to serve the cruel gods of mammon.

May the still small voice of the Lord speak loud and clear in your quieted soul where His peace and presence reign.

May the water of life that flows from under the altar and under the throne wash over you continually with refreshing life-giving balm and comfort.

May the scales of worldly vision fall from your eyes that you see with clarity the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.

May your retirement savings grow huge in heaven where neither moth, nor rust, nor thieves, can destroy your eternal "nest egg."

May the trials and troubles of life all be in the proper "light and momentary" category in your thinking.

May you do wonderful exploits in the name of your God, and be an entrance for many into the wedding banquet.