"... there will be a time of great persecution. 
You will be dragged into synagogues 
and prisons, and you will stand trial before 
kings and governors because you are my followers"  
Luke 21; 12

I was just reminded today of how small our world is and what a great and fierce battle is being waged. Most of you who will read this post will say.... 'oh yes, that's true for so many 'over there', but like me, we have no way to relate it to what is 'over there'. 

Today I received an email from a person in a nation that I frequent often, telling me of events that could lead to the imprisonment and even death of a friend who just three weeks ago challenged me to Sound the Alarm, to Persevere, to stay Focused, to be stirred, and to allow God to do the extraordinary through me. 

I will not go into detail, but only to say to you, please be in earnest prayer for this person, as they are on the front lines of the 'war'. 

Thank you Lord for reminding me that we are in the last days,that the Spirit is moving, and that the battle is raging. I cannot simply close my eyes and ears to this reality. It may not have reached my neighborhood or personal space yet, but it is all about me. It is all over the world, and it is real. Be with my friend today - as I know you are. Be with his family - as I know you are. And may your will be done even this day. 

The battle is raging and  I must:

I recently read a short article by Dr. Scott Rodin, who was paraphrasing an article by Charles Spurgeon. So, in the true spirit of 'being a river', I am passing this along.  This is especially pertinent to the day in which we live - where we are bombarded by BAD NEWS!  As Dr. Rodin and Charles Spurgeon suggest, I pray that my life will be marked by this: 

“Then take courage, and relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

GOOD NEWS | BAD NEWS

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings. ~Psalms 112:7

 As steward leaders, we must not fear bad news. If we do, if bad news shakes us up and disturbs us, then how are we different from leaders who have no faith in Christ?  Leaders who don’t know Christ lack the certainty of his presence, the solace of prayer or a history of seeing God’s faithfulness worked out in their lives and work. No wonder they are burdened and anxious when bad news comes.

But, as a follower of Christ, you profess to live through the power of the Holy Spirit. You have been given new birth into a living hope and your heart is focused on things above not things below. If, after all this, you respond to bad news with the same attitudes as those who have no faith, what value does God’s grace and promises really have for you? “Where is the dignity of that new nature which you claim to possess?”

Let me say it another way. If bad news and the prospect of challenging days fills you with alarm, you will face the temptation of responding to it just as a leader would who had no faith in Christ. When people outside the faith face troubling times, they grumble against God and wonder why these difficulties have fallen on them. They accuse God of dealing harshly with them. Will you do the same? Will your actions and attitudes in the face of bad news provoke God as though you had no faith in him at all?

Leaders who don’t follow Christ often respond to tough times by seizing control themselves, trying to escape by means of their own skills or cleverness or experience. They put their trust in everything but God, believing they can overcome the problems without him. If your attitudes in difficult times are no different from the unbelieving leader, what will keep you from adopting the same actions to solve them? Instead, “Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. Your wisest course is to do as Moses did at the Red Sea, Stand still and see the salvation of God.”

If you respond to troubling times with fear, anxiety and dread, you won’t be able to lead with steady nerves and a calm composure that will sustain you and bear witness to your certainty in God’s faithfulness. “How can you glorify God if you play the coward?”

Throughout the centuries faithful leaders have remained steadfast through the greatest of struggles, some even singing God’s praises from a burning stake. How will your doubting and despairing in this present difficulty bring glory and honor to God?

RIVERS NOT RESERVOIRS
7982 Hillcrest Trail
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
404.784.4618

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With all the concerns that we have here in the US about West Africa -  Boko Haram - Ebola etc. - I must admit, that even though this was my sixteenth trip to Nigeria, I did have some anxiety in going. However, as has been the case fifteen times before, God was with us - and we had a very fruitful, safe and productive trip. 

As some of you know, WATS has been working on a project to bring enhanced technology and Library services to the campus for over 3 years. Working closely with Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky - we are very close to the completion of this project. This trip was to ready the facilities at WATS in advance of carrying over the equipment, installing and training to take place sometime in November. 

I will have more details on the progress of this project, as well as more stories of "His Rivers" in the days to come. For now, I am including a few pictures below. 

RIVERS NOT RESERVOIRS
7982 Hillcrest Trail
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
404.784.4618

WEB, BLOG 
CLICK HERE