Trading My Sorrow - Amish Style

As a result of my wife's cousin Marlene living near and spending much time with many of the Amish in an area not far from Fort Wayne, Indiana, I have recently developed a particular interest in learning about these seemingly odd people.
My previous knowledge of the Amish was much like yours probably is. My first real memory of the Amish came from a Weird Al video, "Amish Paradise." I've heard comedians make fun of their life choices such as not using automobiles, phones or modern appliances. I always assumed that these folks were just idiotic. .....I now fully believe that I am idiotic. We all are.
The Amish got it right. They are not idiotic. They are living life at a pace that is much more conducive to having real relationships with our Maker, our spouses, our families and our friends and community. What kind of relationship do you have with your community? Chances are, the answer is "What relationship?"
Prior to singing "Trading My Sorrow" last week, I shared a story that was told by Richard Blackaby in which the pastor of a church in South Africa was shot by one of his own members in the church. The gunman then killed himself. The wife of the pastor demonstrated her love for her Lord and Savior by insisting that the church family embrace, comfort and financially assist the family of the killer as they were doing to her. She traded her sorrow and pain for the joy of the Lord.
I am sure that few do not recall the shooting that took place Oct 2nd, 2006 in a one room school house in Amish Country in Lancaster, PA. The killer, Charles Roberts IV, killed 5 and injured 5 young girls 13 years of age or younger. He then killed himself.
Once again, in this modern world where we are so smart, and the Amish are so backwards (sarcasm is intended), the Amish got it right. Here is a link to how the families of the victims responded. Amish Response
And, here is a link to how the family of the killer responded in kind. Roberts Family Response
Honestly, I have no idea how I would respond if faced with the tragedy that these folks experienced. But, I do know that I fully believe that the way they responded served God, the Roberts family, the victims, the survivors and themselves in the most positive way. That is a true living breathing example of living by faith. The actions of those fine people spoke volumes more regarding God's love, God's mercy, God's strength and Christ's ability to heal than any book or sermon ever could present.

Fear of Change

Henry Blackaby's daily devotional for 4/11/07 shares insight into the fear of change. Sometimes the fear is more deeply rooted than just the typical, "We can't do it different.....We've always done it this way." Sometimes the fear is a demonstration of resistance due to a heart that wants what it wants when it wants it.
Ask yourself the question, "Am I only being obedient when it fits my needs or is in my comfort zone?" What blessings are we missing out on because we are holding on to something else. Jamie Martin shared an old prayer request last night that sums it up pretty well.
"Lord, keep me in Your Will so that I'll stay out of Your way." Amen.

Great Commission Prayer Conference

The Great Commission Prayer Conference March 30-31 in Louisville, KY was sensational. From start to finish, I have nothing but praise for the job that Eric Allen and his associates did in preparing this year's conference. The speakers and musicians did amazing jobs, and the choice of Richard Blackaby, as the guest speaker was excellent.
Each year I have come away from the conference with one main thought to chew on and to share with my brothers and sisters at my home church.

Last year's thought was:
Listen - God still speaks
This year the primary message I brought home with me was:
Pray for the Kingdom and let God use you for the Kingdom.

This was exactly the message I needed to hear. God wants us to rely on His sufficiency and on his plan for us. Pray for His Will to be done and then expect your life to be used in His Way; even if it means not sleeping for multiple nights for multiple months.
God is able to use all things to make good come from
it..............however, the "good" may not be evident to you at the time. Trust that He will use your life in a meaningful way. Chances are that He already is.

At lunch on Saturday, many of the prayer coordinators/directors/ leaders in attendance at the conference had the pleasure of meeting for dialogue. [It was called a Dialogue Lunch - someone asked me what that meant, and I said, "I think it means that we may be eating our words."]
This lunch was helpful to many of us for multiple different reasons: new ideas, networking, re-energizing, refocusing and getting oriented. For me it was reassuring to see so many like-minded people with similar stories, similar concerns, similar failings, similar victories, similar frustrations, similar goals and definitely similar love for a Savior who loved us first.

I look forward to growing in Christ with you all, and I pray that God will let His Kingdom to come into your lives in a real way, that He will provide you with your needs so that you continue to seek Him first in all things, and that his continuous presence will be sensed by you through every waking hour of your lives.

God Bless you and keep you near to Him,