A Seedy Hotel Lounge

It was just an overnight stop on our journey from one ministry site to another.

My friend was originally from this part of the world, though at this time he was living in California and would travel to equip churches and their leaders. We had worked together for a week, and now we were flying together to another part of southeast Asia, where the next morning we would part ways for further Gospel ministry.

An Unusual Dining Experience

We arrived at the hotel about 9:00 pm and needed to eat dinner.  So we decided to eat together in the hotel lounge. It was a nicer restaurant than expected.

After relaxing and ordering, we noticed a lot of activity between the tables. Prostitutes were working the tables, which were almost entirely businessmen from various Asian countries. For many like my friend and I this was a convenient city for transit, a little out of the way, but a sizable city nonetheless. I was only the non-Asian in the room and probably the hotel, except for two older European ladies on holiday.

Of course, it didn’t take long before we had a couple beautiful ladies sit at our table uninvited. My friend could speak a few of the languages the women spoke, and so could send them away more firmly than my polite American way. After a couple of annoying rounds of this the establishment understood our position.

We might have simply finished our meal and went to our rooms. But since we were left alone we decided to stay and talk. For the next three hours we talked about our past week of ministry together and about our upcoming training missions.

Our Human Condition

The restaurant continued to bustle with patrons and prostitution.  And so we also made many observations about people, our common fallen human condition, the situation we found ourselves in that night, and the unique cultural challenges for the Gospel in this part of the world.

There were a few different solicitation methods, and some worked better than others in closing the deal. The transactions were subtle but defined. Most startling was the lack of even pretending to relate as people, the sitting and waiting, ignoring and being ignored for a long time before leaving together, one following a few steps behind the other. It was business after all, and this business was done their way in their culture.  My friend would translate parts of the conversations and could supply inside cultural analysis.

We both learned a lot about people and the mission, being able to observe and process together. Yes, we still had to fend off women’s advances every now and then, and while doing so deal with our own internal reactions of simultaneous disgust and compassion.

This depressing dinner ended positively with my friend telling me stories of how churches can be effective in reaching people and making a difference in local communities with the good news of Jesus Christ, even in such societies that promote sexual immorality so openly.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 ESV “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, . . . nor adulterers, . . . will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

A Ministry Full of Promise

That was a most interesting night over 15 years ago. It was early on in my mission travels and the first time I had ever been that close to people with such obvious needs, people trapped in deep sin and others in a dangerous system of exploitation. I have learned much more over the years.

Needless to say, I didn’t sleep well that night. I kept seeing the faces of the businessmen and the women, the hotel staff and those standing around likely overseeing the whole situation.  So I prayed for them all for salvation, and for the churches in that city. Since then I have come to know that the churches in this city have been multiplying and reaching many people, and hopefully they are seeing some transformation in their city.

In the morning we each flew to our different destinations to continue our ministry to churches and ministry partners. We shared two additional reflections from the previous night—the world is so dangerous and yet ultimately so safe for Christians because we serve the all powerful true and living God who sends us on His Mission!

I have known and know many friends in different places around the world who faithfully minister the Gospel, often putting their lives and their families lives at risk, to reach very dark corners of the world with the very bright light of Christ’s forgiveness, transformation, hope, peace and love.

Pray for those you know who are doing the same kind of work, support them and find ways you might get involved.

My Worst Enemy Became My Best Friend

He probably wasn’t my worst enemy, but it sure felt like it at the time.  

He really didn’t become my best friend either, though after being so strongly against me, by comparison it felt like he had become my best friend.

The Worst Enemy

He was always the loudmouth contrarian at every business meeting, so it was only a matter of time before my ministry was his next project, and me.

Most of the trash talk was behind my back. He would put questions into people’s minds about my effectiveness. He would come up with ministry suggestions that he knew I wouldn’t support and were outside our mission as a church.  

He knew what he was doing and I knew what he was doing and he knew that I knew what he was doing. The worst part was that he would question my motives, slandering me before others in the church.  

It wasn’t long before I couldn’t do anything right. I suspect that he was even part of group, probably the leader or instigator, that anonymously tried to stop my ministerial credentialing and get me fired or get me to quit.

The Best Friend

I have no idea what I ever did to get on his bad side. At first it was frustrating and I tried in vain to answer all the questions people and my supervisor would ask. But after a number of months it turned into a church politics game that I learned to enjoy and became fairly good at myself!

Actually, I learned a lot during this time about how to pray for my enemies! I have attempted to put my thoughts together on this subject here: O Lord Smite My Enemies, But In A Loving Sort Of Way!

Nevertheless, humanly speakng, I have no idea what I ever did to get on his good side. One day he snapped. All of a sudden he supported me in everything I did.  He praised me and my work publicly. He would speak encouragingly to me and tell me how much he was praying for me. It was a weird relief.

We started connecting and enjoying one another. I suspect that the Lord used my prayers (and maybe his), that the senior leader got through to him, that his wife got through to him or that he finally saw that we were on the same side for the spiritual health and growth of the church. People are oh so interesting! And God is oh so powerful!

We started working on ministry plans together, and he started to love on my family and children.  My new “best friend” would move on to glory about 20 years after this. Someday I hope to get the full story of how God healed our relationship.

Here is both a prayer list and a to do list in these situations.

Romans 12:9–21 ESV “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Do not give up on those who oppose you, for you never know if God might turn your worst enemy into your best friend.

If Pastors Would Just Show Up

Today I filled the pulpit for a pastor friend of mine who is in Africa on his first cross-cultural mission trip to train national pastors.  I was so surprised to hear he was doing this and can hardly wait to talk to him when he returns!

Churches Sharing Their Pastors

I commended that congregation today for their faith, selflessness and their broad vision for the advance of the Gospel in the world!  They are a future Kingdom oriented church!

Many churches are selfish and are unwilling to share their pastor with the world, even for a couple of weeks a year.  If their pastor wants to go on a mission trip he would have to use his vacation time and pay for it himself.  The truth is that mission work is no vacation, especially for pastors.  Pastors usually work harder on mission trips than they do in their regular ministry.

Instead, churches should consider setting aside ministry funds for their senior pastor to travel 2-4 weeks a year on cross-cultural mission work.  In today’s globalized world and globalized church the expectation of pastors becoming personally involved should be a given.  Some churches might need to give their pastor a little push (or shove) to get out the door because he might feel like there is too much to take care of at the church right now.

This investment will not only advance the Kingdom in various parts of the world, but will expand the world view of every pastor.  This in turn will expand the worldview of many churches.  And once this happens, who knows what awesome global church-mission partnerships will emerge!?

Pastors Doing What They Do Best

I am looking forward to my pastor friend’s return later this week and hearing his stories of how just two weeks in central Africa changed many people’s lives and ministries!  Also, I want to hear what he thinks God might have next for him and his church in His Mission!

There are countless way to be involved in world missions.  Yet perhaps one of the easiest, and at the same time most useful, way for pastors to be involved is as pastors.  The vast majority of pastors around the world would love to have quality practical training in preaching, shepherding and leading from those who have already done it or are currently doing it.

Pastors, think about how others have invested in you, your life and ministry.  You could do the same thing for fellow pastors in even more difficult and needier places in the world.  You are wanted and needed and will make a huge difference!

Can you set aside your excuses for couple weeks, and give it a try?  Pastors need encouragement from fellow pastors.  Just get on a plane and get over there and see how the Lord Jesus brings about the fullness of His blessing to them and to you!

And when you return, please tell me your stories.

Lampooning The Ludicrous Life Of The Lazy

Have you ever been frustrated by having to give counsel to lazy people? Lazy people give endless excuses for their irresponsible choices in life, as this poem from Proverbs illustrates.

Proverbs 26:13–16 ESV “The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.”

This is the third poem on the sluggard from Proverbs. The other two poems are just as amusing and are found in 6:6-11 and 24:30-34. In fact the book of Proverbs has even more references to this type of fool—he is the favorite fool to mock.

A Ridiculous Fear

This first line revisits 22:13, “The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”” He stays away from work, or finding a job, or life itself because of irrational fear of dangers out there.

What sarcasm—this is an absurd and extreme excuse to avoid work!  “Lions in the street,” really! What a fool! Sluggards are of full of such outrageous claims to avoid working and responsibility. Notice also that he is accusing the righteous of killing an innocent man by making him work!

Ever heard stories of lions in the streets?  Ever heard preposterous excuses for avoiding life’s responsibilities? Ever heard fantastic reasons why every idea just won’t work in their situation, how their situation is unique to mankind?

Ever heard upside down explanations why others really owe them, and their hard life is because of others? It is other people’s fault, other’s should take care of them and their lifestyle.

Don’t listen to the stories; there is no place for sympathy for a lazy person. And if you really want to help them, you won’t listen to them, even though they will keep on talking.

A Ridiculous Life

The two basics of sleeping and eating illustrate that he is enslaved to thoughts of comfort, “As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.”

The lazy man can’t get himself out of bed, or off the couch. He does as much work as a door on a hinge -- limited range and limited usefulness. He looks like one too, as turns over repeatedly to keep on resting and sleeping.

It is not that lazy people sleep all day necessarily, but that they are given to self-indulgence, ease, frivolity.  They don’t take up challenges; they live life aimlessly and like it that way.

He can’t get food into his mouth because its too painful to finish the task. In 19:24, “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.” You might have witnessed people falling asleep at the dinner table such as tired toddlers, which is often cute.

Our example here is not cute, because the sluggard is awake. He got his whole arm into the bowl of food or dipping sauce up to his elbow in fact, which is a good start. But, he can’t motivate himself to lift his hand to his mouth!  He doesn’t care!

This story is about being surrounded by God’s plentiful provisions, but not enjoying them, not caring about them, not using them as He intended for His glory and one’s good. Our society is one of plenty, and has plenty of ungrateful people, and often so many who are unmotivated.

A Ridiculous Pride

Lazy people really are like this, convinced of their own wisdom about life. They think they have life all figured out, and will often pontificate on the subject.

The poem concludes, “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.” Lazy people think they are wiser than seven wise men, meaning wiser than all the rest of the world!

There is little to no hope for the lazy person. They always have something to say about their situation, a different perspective to provide, and a rationale to meet any objection to be offered.

The lazy give endless excuses and will suck you into their irresponsible lifestyle. If you listen to them, they will work on you and you too will end up with a ridiculous life. Stay away from them.

Lampooning the lazy man is an enjoyable pastime of Proverbs, but also for wisdom instruction.  Most basically, we should learn to identify and handle those who would divert us from wisdom such as the lazy person.

Spending too much time trying to help the lazy person is a foolish waste of time itself.  This is especially the case when the lazy one claims to be a Christian, but won’t do what is right in God’s eyes to honor Christ.

Actually, mocking is probably the best medicine for the fool, though there isn’t much hope for such a person. I have adopted this technique and I think I might have helped a handful of people. Proverbs actually encourages this approach back in verse 5, “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”