Missionaries to Sudan 9.9.08

Greetings from Khartoum,

 

We have recently entered the start of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, in Sudan.  Muslims fast during this holy month from dawn until sunset.

 

It seems during this month there are challenges to the emotional and physical health of many people in this area.  Unfortunately, we have not been exempt from these hard times.

 

The day before Ramadan began Shellie and I started feeling sick and before nightfall, we were both dealing with a violent stomach bug.  We took turns visiting the bathroom all night hoping for relief the next morning.  High fevers, cold chills, sore muscles, and intestinal problems characterized the challenges we faced for a couple of days.

 

The morning after our rough night the power went out all day.  So we spent the day in our bed trying to “sweat” the sickness out in 100 degree heat.

It seemed like we were in the bad scene of a Hollywood movie.  Our power was finally restored by 8pm and we were able to rest more comfortably until midnight when a sand storm came through and knocked the power out again.

 

Thankfully we were able to pick-up some medicine and have now recovered very well.  I’ve started running again and Shellie is feeling strong as well.  We are very thankful that God kept Nathaniel healthy while we were sick.  He may have been hard to keep up with during our sickness but at least he wasn’t throwing up and going through 20 diapers a day at the same time.

Admittedly I was jealous of his diaper wearing ability with my frequent trips to the bathroom.  I thought it might have been a lot easier to put on a pamper and stayed where I was .

 

We are all aware that physical sickness can ultimately lead to physical death if the illness is not treated or the body is not allowed to recover.

In much the same way, spiritual sickness can eventually lead to spiritual death if the cause of the problem is not dealt with.

 

The word “Ramadan” comes from “ramida” which denotes an intense scorching heat and dryness.  As I meet with our neighbors and talk to Sudanese nationals I continually get a feeling that there is a spiritual dryness in their lives.  They fast and pray out of religious obedience but in their lives remains spiritual sickness and death because they have not dealt with the root of their problems: a denial of a living God.

 

We would like to ask for you to pray this month for our Muslim neighbors that they would see in us the light and truth they are searching for.

Please pray that God would grant us the ability to share the “medicine” they need for their dry and weakened spirits.

 

From the sands of Sudan,

Zach

The Reality of God

THE WORDS OF JESUS

The Reality of God

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Pastor Mark Johnson

 

 

Matthew 5:6

Matthew 5:28

 

Jesus teaches that what is in our heart matters!

 

James 1:14 (KJV)

 

How do I change my heart when it is wicked?

 

Proverbs 1:7

 

We have a “lack of fear” problem.  We don’t fear enough to change.

 

It is awe and respect that brings healing to the wicked of heart.

 

Proverbs 14:27

 

 

When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you will be filled.

Who Are You Going To Be?

Who Are You Going To Be?

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Pastor Mark Johnson

 

I Timothy 4:16

How you watch and judge your life.

Who you admire and follow.

 

Matthew 4:19

Who are my friends?

 

1 Corinthians 15:33

Where are you going?

 

John 3:3

There is a deception in our world today –

 

WE ARE ALL GOING THE SAME PLACE JUST TAKING DIFFERENT ROADS.

The person who says that is either purposefully deceitful or just ignorant.

Ask of Me

Ask of Me. That is the condition- God desires a praying people, willing and obedient.

E.M. Bounds.[ Purpose in Prayer. Chapter 1. pg. 11]

 We are dependant on God for everything. The strength I have today is a gift from God. The breath I breathe, I breathe because God allows it. My heart beats at  His command and gravity works because  He tells it to work. As I walk through life there are times I am tempted to act as if I have some power.  Actually, I am a steward of his power. When I was a boy I wanted to be a great singer, it never happened, now I realize that if I had been a great singer or a great musician I would have never become what I was called to be, a pastor. All I have is a gift. Whenever I hear someone say, ‘I can’t do this without God’ I always want to say, ‘What can you do without God?’  Thankfulness for what I can do should be part of my life.

We need to be aware that God’s natural gifting has limits.   We also have callings and the results of those callings surpass the limits on those gifts.  For example, there are certain abilities God has given me to be a dad but the real work of fatherhood, turning out fully devoted believers that know and use their gifts, is beyond my ability. If that is going to happen,   I not only need the gifts God has already given me but I need Him to move on their lives. This teaches me to reach out to God and recognize my need for His help.

The point is we are dependant on God for everything. What I can do and what I am called to do all require the help of God. The good news is that the help is there, God is available.  When what I am given falls short of what I am called to do, I learn to cry out to God. This is how He develops our faith. This is in His will for the relationship He desires with us.

In these areas, asking is a condition of receiving. So, it is always time to pray and without prayer we will fall short of God’s Goal for our lives.

The Inheritence

 

Part of The Words of Jesus Series

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Pastor Mark Johnson

 

I.      Examples of Meekness

 

• Today, real meekness is revealed by the worship life.
• Today, real meekness is revealed by the prayer life.
• Today, real meekness is revealed by the obedient life.

 

II.     The Inheritance

Philippians 2:8-9

 

Journey Progress as of May 30

Monthly Giving

 

Monthly Giving

 

Pledged and Given

 

Pledged and Given

 

 

Target and Given

 

Monthly Target and Given

Message notes for 6/29 – Meekness Really?

Part of The Words of Jesus Series

Pastor Mark Johnson

Sunday, June 29, 2008

I.  Jesus the Meek - Matthew 5:3

II. Jesus the Example - Philippians 2:1-12

• Jesus the Servant
• Jesus the Obedient

III. Meekness is Required

Message notes for 6/22 – Counter Nature

Counter Nature

Pastor Mark Johnson

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Matthew 5:1-10

 

I.    COUNTER NATURE

II.   MOURNING IS KEY

III. WHAT KEEPS US FROM MOURNING?

1. The Pleasure of Sin 
2. Comfort with Sin
3. Pride of Heart

A LACK OF SORROW OVER SIN IS CALLED SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS. 

IV.   HEALING FOR BLINDNESS

• See Sins Destructive Power
• Give Thought to Life’s Purpose
• Confess and Appeal

Message notes for 6/15 – Intentional Celebration

 

INTENTIONAL CELEBRATION

Pastor Mark Johnson

June 15, 2008

 

2 Samuel 6:12

I.  What is your approach to worship?

II. A third reason to worship:  faith in His promises

III. How should we approach worship:  

Intentional Celebration

Psalm 9:1, Psalm 63:1, Psalm 100:1, Psalm 101:1, Psalm 103:1, Psalm 104:1, Psalm 134:1, & Psalm 135, 136, 138, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150

The Battleground

THE WORDS OF JESUS

The Battleground

Pastor Mark Johnson

June 8, 2008

Matthew 5:1-10

 

I.  What is your Church view?

II. We Need to See God’s View of the Church. 

John 10:10

Matthew 16:18-19

James 4:7

Ephesians 6:10-13

1 Peter 5:8-9

 

III. The Battleground 

Ephesians 6:12

Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 18:18-19

Acts 16:25-26

I John 1:6-7