A couple of days in Branson

Jana and I just got back from a few days in Branson. For those not familiar with the geography of the southwest Missouri, Branson is about 45 minutes south of us in the beautiful Ozark mountains. Although I ended up working quite a bit, it was really nice to get some time with my beautiful wife. My brother made it possible for us to spend some time in a timeshare condo, and it was great. We spent some time by at the condo's pool, spent a few hours at Silver Dollar City, played some golf, and went to what has become one of our favorite musical shows in town. SIX is a group of six real brothers who sing without any instruments. Just using their voices, they sound like they have a full band, including percussion. They have great blend (as most family groups do) and their arrangement of Amazing Grace may be the best I have ever heard! Anyway, we got back this morning, and have had a pretty relaxing day. The next two weeks are going to be pretty busy for us, then Jana's school year begins.

The Lord has been so good to us. Jana and I enjoy our time together more now than ever. Even driving from point A to point B we just enjoy talking. This time one of our topics was just what the Lord has done in our lives. This verse about sums it up for us:

Psalm 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

God did something big!

This past weekend, Jana and I drove to Winfield, Kansas, where I was asked to speak for a youth rally. We have been praying about this event since the first of June. It was good to reconnect with Brandon and Sarah Jellings of Millington Street Baptist Church (Pastor K.B. Murray), and their young people on Saturday night. They had rented out the town's recreation center (a very nice venue), had inflatables and shaved ice and nachos and pizza....all the makings of a good teen event. There was a great group of young people who came from Friendship Baptist Church in Owasso, OK to provide music and media - and they did a great job! When it was over, the Millington Street youth group had 67 first time visitors, and 15 of them responded to the invitation to accept Christ as Savior! The good people of Millington Street Baptist did a good job of counseling with all the young people who came. God really did something big!

On a funny note, while some of the kids were still being dealt with, I was walking around, talking to some of those who had already made decisions. A couple of boys walked by me from the direction of where some of them had gone to be dealt with, and so I asked on of them, "Did you make a decision tonight?" He replied, "The only decision I made was to go to the bathroom!"

We also enjoyed the church service Sunday morning. This church is feeding BBC with some fine young people, some of them future missionaries! Mind you this is not a megachurch, but a good church in a small town, and yet God is doing something BIG there!

I love being in the ministry! Especially when you get to have a part in something big!

Busy Time!

This week we have been totally immersed in our Missionary Candidate School. We have 46 new missionaries in Springfield preparing for or already on deputation - which is the process they go through to raise their personal and ministry support for their work in a different people group, culture, or country. We finish tomorrow, and then on Saturday, Jana and I will be heading to Winfield, Kansas where I will be preaching a youth event on Saturday evening and then on Sunday morning for the Millington Street Baptist Church and Pastor K.B. Murray. I am really looking forward to being with the young people - they were a part of a youth camp I preached in June. Brandon and Sarah , who work with the youth at Millington, have been really working hard. We are asking the Lord to do something special at this event. If you think about it, how about praying that we would see some kids saved this weekend.

Sometimes I don't know what to pray

Once in a while something happens - in my life, in the life of a friend - that leaves me feeling like I should say something, but I honestly don't know how to respond. Jana will tell you that I am a "fixer" by nature. When we were first married, she would come home from work and share some difficulty, and the first words out of my mouth were, "You know what you ought to do? I think you should...." It took me a little while to learn that she didn't want me to fix it, she wanted me to care about her, encourage her, love her at that moment. I had to learn that the right response to her in that situation is something like, "Darlin,' I'm sorry that you are going through this. What do you think you should do about it?"

I've been reminded again lately that I am not in control of my life, or the lives of those I care about. In my last blog, I mentioned my young friend, Matt, whose dad is battling cancer. I heard from Matt that his dad went to the hospital, and was not doing well. We have a family member that is having some real problems in their home. Ben and Megan are trying to buy a house, and want the Lord's will in the process. Different circumstances, obviously some of more gravity than others. But all needing prayer, and I'm not sure how to pray. Or maybe I do.

When situations in life come along when we don't know how we ought to pray, there is great comfort in praying, "Thy will be done." When Jesus taught the disciples to pray that's how He expressed it. And that's it isn't it? Our God, who knows the end from the beginning, who loves us and has the power to change any circumstances. When I pray, "God have your will in this situation," I am expressing my faith that He will do what is best.

The following poem was written by an anonymous Confederate soldier, a godly young man who fought in the American Civil War. He illustrates in verse what I have been saying:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among men, most richly blessed.*

*"Prayer of an Unknown Soldier," quoted in Austin Pryor, "Trusting God to Answer Our Prayers," Crosswalk.com. http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/1386973.html (accessed April 24, 2006).

Pray for a friend...

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of preaching a youth camp for a great bunch of teens from churches here in the mid-west. One of the young men I met there was a guy named Matt. He really loves the Lord, and I saw his heart during the week of camp. We had some great conversations that week, and Matt shared with me that his father has cancer, and is not doing well at all. But check out what he emailed me tonight:

"But one thing we as a family have learned that death does not get the final word."

Isn't that a tremendous statement of faith? This family can sure use our prayers. If you think of Matt tonight, how about praying for Matt, his dad, and his entire family.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We are praying, Matt!

Shad's Back

Just before we went to GROW (our church's visitation program) tonight, we pick up Shadrach from the airport. He flew to Florida to help Ben and Megan with their youth group at their camp. As usual, Shad came home with stories of eating at Sonny's Barbecue (a Jennings family favorite). He loves to rub that in...as do I when I can get it. We usually call each other if one of us gets to a Sonny's, and the conversation usually starts, "Guess where I am eating right now?" It's brutal to be on the receiving end of that call.

It is really a blessing to me to see the men that my boys have grown into. Ben and Megan are doing a great job in full time ministry in Port Charlotte. Ben is so full of passion and is really learning to practice the nuts and bolts of the ministry. Megan is a real partner in the ministry, and they are making a difference in a lot of lives.

It was pretty awesome to hear Shad recount the week at camp, telling stories and laughing out loud about funny stuff that happened, sharing spiritual results. While he is not in vocational ministry, his heart is revealed in the way he serves, doing whatever needs to be done to help the Lord's work progress.

I couldn't be more proud of them all!

Of course, when we got home from GROW, Shad just had to beat me in a game of Wii baseball. But I don't mind. I got to play it with him. That won't always be an option. And less and less as life goes on. Just ask Ben.

Good day at church

My friend, Ray Adams has been on staff at both Baptist Bible College and Cherry Street Baptist Church for as long as I have known him. Today Ray preached twice for our church, who is currently without a pastor. His messages were timely and appropriate for our church during this time of transition.

After church tonight we spent time with a small group of folks praying for our pulpit committee and for God's will for our church. It was a refreshing day all around. After speaking six times in less than two weeks in missions churches, it was encouraging to hear another preacher. It really was good to be in the house of the Lord today!