The most amazing reality in my own life is that God, for whatever reason, chose to not only change my life, but to use me in the church planting world. And imperfect I was and am! So much so that I question God’s judgment. Not really, but I do wonder so many times…why me? Why would God use someone like me who has made such a mess of things, at times in my life, to accomplish His work? It’s not like He can’t find people out there who have lived a more obediant life. It’s not like He can’t find people out there that are more committed. It’s not like God can’t find people out there who even have a better grasp of the Scriptures than I do. So why? The only reason I can come up with is because for whatever reason, God chooses to equip those whom He calls (the imperfect) , not call those whom are equiped (The perfect). God certainly has a way of changing people’s lives. So anyway, getting back to the book. Lanelle bought the book for me for Christmas. I am just into the first chapter, but already I like what I read. I’m looking forward to hearing how Burke answers “how imperfect people become all God intended.” I will keep you updated!

~ Pastor D.

The birth of Jesus reveals to us God’s desire to dwell with humanity. It is a story of the incarnation of God. God to flesh! John wrote in his gospel, “and the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as the only Son…” (John 1:14) Without Christ in Christmas, we have nothing more than just a fairy tale. Without Christ in Christmas it is just a story. Without Christ in Christmas we have nothing more than a yellow brick road to darkness. This holiday season we have more to celebrate than just time off or time with family and friends. During this time of every year we have the amazing opportunity to celebrate the birth of the glorious One!

Being uniquely centered in the Arab world, Egypt is quickly becoming a staging point for those willing to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the muslim world. For the Egyptian believer, there is a burning desire to bring about change in the hearts of many and they are willing to do whatever it takes. Many times that means persecution and oppression. One group of Egyptian Christians (names withheld) are answering the call God has placed upon their lives and are taking the responsibility for the future of the emerging church which is comprised of muslims who are turning to Christ as well as nominal “Christians” who are discovering authentic Christianity for the first time. I had the greatest priviledge of meeting several from this group. They were mostly young adults who will stop at nothing to carry out the vision God has placed on their hearts. They love Jesus Christ with everything they have to offer. They are willing to put their life on the line to see people come to know Him. One in paticular was a young lady who shared with me her vision which included living for Christ even if it meant surrendering the “normal life” of an Arab young lady. She was a missionary for Christ first. It means everything to her. Somehow I believe that one day she will be known by many as one who made a difference in advancing the kingdom of God. She is certainly on the right path.

As I think about all of this, I can’t help but wonder what I might could do to help. I wonder if there is anything I can do to help. I am not sure. The one thing I am certain of is the fact that what this world needs is Jesus. We can offer humanitarian gifts of food and clothes, but what good is that if we don’t give the people Jesus. I am also certain of this…that it begins with prayer. That is something we can all do. Please join me in praying for…
1. That the harvest will continue to come to the Arab world.
2. That God will raise up young people capable of discipling new believers.
3. Pray that these groups of Egyptian Christian will continue to grow with people on fire for God.
4. Pray that God would provide funding for these missional teams.
5. Pray for the “Christian by name” living in the Arab world that they too would be evangelized.
6. Pray that there would be those of us who are willing to partner up with the missional teams of the Arab world.
7. Ask God how you might could be involved in reaching those in the hardest of all areas to reach.

Egyptians Persecuted for Turning to Christ

By Gary Lane

CBN News

October 5, 2006

CBNNews.com – CAIRO, Egypt

 “For thousands of years, Egyptians have looked to the Nile River for their sustenance. It has provided them with fish to eat and water to irrigate their crops. Now, in the 21st century, a growing number of Egyptians are searching for living water and a different type of bread. Many non-believers are coming to Christ because of dreams and visions and Christian television broadcasts. As their numbers have increased, so has the persecution against them.”

 In Africa Alone Everyday 16,000 Muslims Leave Islam

By (I am withholding the name)

 “Despite the fact that Muslims by virtue of being poor and uneducated are much more reproductive than others, Islam as a religion is not growing but dying fast. Every day thousands of Muslim intellectuals are leaving Islam. They find Islam inconsistent with science, logics, human rights and ethics. Millions of Iranians already have left Islam. The enlightened Muslims of other nationalities are not far behind. This is the beginning of a mass exodus from Islam. Perhaps it is best to listen to the truth coming from the mouth of the horse. The Internet site aljazeera.net published an interview with Ahmad Al Qataaniأحمد القطعاني  an important Islamic cleric who said: “In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity. Everyday, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity. These are huge numbers. If this trend continues we can expect to see Islam become insignificant in Africa in just a few decades.” 

So what does this mean to me? What is it about this that I find so life changing? How does this change my perspective on God’s kingdom? Well, for starters, as I think about what I have just read it reminds me of the greatness of God. It reminds me that Christ is still King! It reminds me that His Kingdom is much bigger than Valdosta and CrossPointe Church. It reminds me that we are all a part of something huge! It reminds me that Jesus is Lord and nothing is going to stop His advancement of His kingdom. It reminds me that there are other believers all over the world fighting in the battle of good verses evil. It reminds me of the fact that in the end….God wins! That’s all.

In GOD’s most amazing grip…Pastor D.

A good friend and mentor once told me, “David, you have to get away at least three to four times a year. For the health of your church and to recieve the vision God has for you guys, you MUST get away because GOD speaks louder when you are away.” I understand EXACTLY what he was talking about now. GOD has spoken so loudly to me this week. He has taken me to a place spiritually that I have never been to before. I have spent time with GOD and He has moved in my heart for the people of Egypt like no other nation before. Please pray with me! Pray for the Christians and the Muslims! Pray for their country! Pray for their children! Pray about giving! Pray about going to Egypt! Pray about helping! As our church continues to grow it is my prayer that we continue to embrace more and more the great commission to go into our city and around the world. Its what I feel GOD is calling us to do. So get ready CrossPointe! I will be challenging you to go! To go to Egypt and other parts of Africa!

In closing, I will tell you a story. On the day we arrived we ran into a young man (in his late 20′s) here from another country that has given his life to serve here. It was not planned. It was I believe a divine appointment. In talking to him someone said to him, “thank you for the sacrifice you have made” He responded, “Sacrifice? This is no sacrifice! This is the greatest gift GOD could have ever given me. There is no sacrifice in my life. I don’t want anything else for my life.” WOW!!! If only we could all live for GOD like that!  I want to live my life like that!! Do you? ~ Peace!

Christmas, or at least the issues surrounding it, has also become such a debate these days. It has become so political. We can’t dare say Christmas without offending someone. Nowadays people are resorting to Happy Holidays or Merry Xmas or some other boggus wordage. What’s weird is that all my life I have known others who believe differently than I do and have heard them refer to their holidays, and never once has any of that offended me. Sadly, those who don’t believe in anything, and even most Christians these days, have made it more about swapping gifts and Santa Clause than anything else. Why would ol’ Saint Nick offend anybody? I don’t get it. Anyway, from this perspective, it might not be such a bad idea if somebody did steal it. So when did Christmas become so much about everything in this world except Jesus Christ? Who knows. And let us also be reminded, Christmas was never really so much about His nativity as it was really more about His divinity! Jesus was not some little baby born in a manger. Jesus was instead was the Son of God born of a virgin birth, fully man and yet fully God, who came to live and die here on earth. He was God in the flesh!  Well, at least that’s the way I see it! Merry Christmas everyone!

Sometimes its easy to get a little carried away in this jeeping thing. Me and my friends sometimes forget we are supposed to be mature and responsible adults who….well forget that! Last Saturday I used my winch 12 times getting myself and others out of some sticky situations. My buddy John (seen hiding behind the tree) rolled his jeep over on a trip to the north Georgia  mountains. A little buffing and those scratches will come right out. Yea, that’s me posing for the camera looking as though I have a few words of encouragement for him. Not really. What do you tell a guy who just rolled his jeep on his first offroad trip out? If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch? ~ Later!

When I think about what GOD is doing in the life of our church, I am blown away! No seriously, I can’t get over it! One young lady recently described CrossPointe as a “miracle in her life”. She meant it too! And I can see that. It has had the same affect on me. Here’s the thing, I see what is happening at CrossPointe kind of like the Big Kahuna. A huge large movement… of GOD!It’s gigantic! And I’m not talking about numbers. I’m talking about the magnitude of how being apart of it has changed so many lives. And like the surfer riding the “big one”, we also have no control of it. GOD does! He is responsible for where this thing is headed! And that’s a good thing because we all know GOD is much bigger than us. Much, much bigger!! But here is the greatest part of it all. Just like the surfer who one day has the opportunity to ride the big kahuna, we too are just along for the ride! The ride of a life time! What a privilege it is for me that GOD would allow me the opportunity to “ride the wave”. Without a doubt it is the most exciting thing I have ever been a part of and I can’t wait to see where this movement of GOD is going to carry us!

~ Pastor D