Whose fault is it?

John 9

 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

When something bad happens to somebody there are those who ask questions about where one went wrong. What law or laws did one break? Why is one suffering? Why has this tradedy happened?  They want to tell why one is in this situation. They are quick to tell what one did wrong or what might have done wrong. They are quick to point out one's sin and tell what one did wrong. 

Then there are others who are not so interested in why one is hurting, but on how to help take away some of the hurt and pain. 

John 9:1-5 

The disciples asked Jesus who had sinned, this man or his parents. He had been born blind and they wanted to know who'se fault it was. 

Was this some kind of punishment from God on the parents for thier sin, or is he suffering for the sins of his father?

The disciples wanted to know who was to blame. 

Jesus's answer was neither this man or his parents. His blindness was not a punishment for some sin.

When things go wrong we are quick to blame God. we look at it as some punishment from God. Too often we think that God is punishing or judging us. 

The women caught in adultry that was brought to Jesus. The Pharisees were quick to blame her and stone her. What was Jesus' response? He told her to go and sin no more. Jesus did not cast judgement. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved. 

Why do we look at human punishment as punishment from God? 

There are certain things we do that carry natural consequences. God warns us about doing certain things because He loves us and knows the pain that they can bring.

A child is playing around the soba and the parent warns him not to touch the soba. If he decides to touch the soba and gets burned you did not burn the child. You only warned him. It is  a cause and effect. Certain actions bring certain effects.

God does not always warn us what the consequences will be for certain actions. He just warns us not to. 

In the garden of eden, God did warn Adam and Eve and what the consequences would be and yet they did not heed the warning. 

So why was this man born blind?

God had a purpose. God is always working out his purpose in our lvies. Many times what seems like a tradedy is intended by God to be an opportunity for Him to work and be glorified.  Jesus said,: I must work the works of him who sent me."

What was the work of God who sent HIm? 

To heal the man from blindness, and to bring him to a knowledge of who Jesus is.  

The work of God is: to heal, to make wrongs right, to remove the pain and suffering of the world cursed by sin.

God gives us a different picture than what man traditionally gives us.

Jesus had told the Jews, you dont know me or my Faither. If you would have known me, you would have known the Father.

They did not know God or the loving heart of God. They were ready to stone the adulterous woman, Jesus was eager to forgive her.

So how do we react to the tragic consequesnces of human nature?

Do we point and say, what did they do to deserve this or do we rush to help them heal from the pain?

We are not to try to find out the cause of the suffering, but God has called us to minister to those who are suffering and hurting. 

The work of our Father is to heal the hurts of this broken world.

Jesus said Ï am the light of the world". 

The suffering in this world is a natural consequence of living without Jesus. Wanting to live in darkness, wanting to live without Jesus. Wanting to live without the rules that God has put on us. They are not rules that God has put on us but warnings.

God warns us for our own good. 

Jesus is the light of the world, bu man loved darness, because they did evil. 

Now Jesus is no longer here in the world, but his disciples are and Jesus said that they are the light of the world. We are reflecting His light to the world. We must also do the works of the Father.

Works of the Faither are to heal the effects of men who live in darkness and open the eyes of men who are blind to the truth so that they may see the light- that they may see Jesus and begin to follow Him. As Christians we are to share the light of Jesus so that others may see and follow Him. 

Hope

Now may The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13

Christmas is a time of joy, a time to celebrate the birth of our saviour, a time for family to come together to fellowship and worship the King of Kings. For many of us this Christmas will be bitter-sweet.

 Bitter, as we can only remember our loved ones who now kneel in the presence of our Lord and Saviour, praising and glorifying Him with lifted hands. 

Sweet, as we know we too will one day soon kneel alongside with lifted hands saying, Holy, Holy, Holy!

Bitter, as we celebrate without thier laughter ringing in our ears, thier song echoing only in our memories, and the strum that now only throbs from within. 

Sweet, as they once walked in Christ, but now they walk with Him in glory.

Bitter, as we must wait for the day we too may kneel side by side with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

As followers of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, we look forward with hope to the joyous anticipation of being with Christ in glory forever. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for. The things of the future are grasped through faith.  This we know, this we believe. Hope is certain! It is our anchor, it is steadfast and sure! Christ is our hope, and my God is called the God of hope! 

We are only strangers in this land on our way to a glorious and majestic home. 

Our hope is to be more like Jesus every day, our hope is to be ready to leave this fallen world at any moment. 

Hope calls us to be patient, gives us strength and confidence to endure the struggles that our fallen nature, this world, and the Deciever casts upon us. 

Though our lives as followers of Christ may be marked by suffering and loss; our hope is sure, steadfast and certain. 

As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour this Christmas, remembering those who no longer hope but now walk with Christ, may our Christmas be more sweet than bitter- for our loved ones are with the One whom we now celebrate!

To those whose hope is certain,

                     MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

In loving memory to each one who has finished thier journey, entered His gates, and have arrived Home! 

A day at the park

Sometimes you just need to drop everything you are doing and take a walk in the park. The big park in town just recently finished renovations. It is now a wonderful, beautiful place for a walk, stroll, or just a great place to sit on a bench and watch your kids play. Here a few pictures to enjoy from our "drop everything and go to the park" time.

Everlasting Life

John 5:24

New King James Version (NKJV)

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

This last Sunday in the village Bible study we looked at everlasting life. i have heard many people say, "well, i hope to get into heaven when i die". Salvation is not an object or something we only hope for in the future. It is a present reality for us as Christians, for us as followers of Jesus Christ. In John 6:47 Jesus says,"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life". When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus about being born again He told Nicodemus that... Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus, talking to the Samaritan woman at the well tells her that "the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life". 

John 5:39-40 

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

I John 5:13

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life,[a] and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

When I accepted Jesus as my Savior, believing that He died for my sins, paid the price for my sins, and rose from the dead- I passed from death to life, being born again I received everlasting life. I no longer have to hope that i might make it into heaven. I am assured that I will be in heaven. I have a place prepared for me in Heaven. You to can have a place prepared for you. You to can have everlasting life. You too can know for sure.

John 6:40

New King James Version (NKJV)

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Praise:

Although our washing machine broke down, I was able to repair the motor and we once again have a washing machine. 

Adoption process is moving along smoothly.

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for adoption process

2. Pray for Bible study in the village. Pray that the Lord would change hearts, continue to mold the hearts of those that attend, and bring life to the lost.

3. Pray for the Girls Bible study as they began studying the Life of David.

4. Pray for the teenagers in our church as they step up and help out with worship. Pray for spiritual growth within our church.

5. Pray for the women's tea to be a time for the women to share and worship together and for those that attend who are not saved to receive Christ. 

6. Pray for our finances as we pray about visiting the States next summer.

7. Pray for the children to be an Christian example at school.

Romania's Fall is upon us once again!!

Fall is in full swing. School has started and we are adjusting to the change of schedule. Levi is in 5th grade, Chloe in 3rd grade, Mihai in what they call class Zero, and Azaniah started the Romanian kindergarten (preschool). Most of the New Beginning family center children are now in High school. Please pray for them through out the school year. To be diligent in their studies, and to be a light for Jesus amongst their teachers and classmates.
 Faith will begin to teach English again in the village of Pintic. We are thankful for the Lord opening the door their once again. Please pray for speaking of the Romanian language, and to be able to boldly share the gospel with both the students and the staff at the school. Praise for a director of the school who has allowed us to share openly, and to keep doing so. 
 The Bible study in Pintic is going well. A young family has agreed to allow us to use their house for the studies now that the weather is cold. Please continue to pray for the salvation of the Roma people in this village, that the Lord would start to change their village and put them on fire for Him. 
Praying about and planning a trip to the states It has been some time since we have seen and spoken with many of you. Over two years now. We long to be able to visit with our friends and family again, and to meet some of you in person for the very first time. We would like to pray about coming to the states this next coming summer. It is only 8 months away so we must begin raising and saving money for this now. The tickets are much cheaper if bought in advance. Please pray for the Lord’s provision so that we may come and share with you all in person not only the work the Lord has been doing in Romania, but what the Lord has been doing in our lives as well. 
We thank each of you, and pray for you often. We are blessed beyond measure to have you as a part of the ministry here in Romania. We love you all, and thank you for all of your prayers and support. 

Click to see our video: a glimpse of Romania!!

Serving together in Christ,
Chris, Faith, and kids

Passing

There are no words to express the constant tide of emotions that can well up in us as we grieve the loss of loved ones. The last couple days have been the hardest days as we mourn the tragic and violent passing of our friend, and assistant pastor, Adi, and his son, Timi.

Over the last six years his actions spoke louder than his words. Always there willing to give a helping hand. You will be greatly missed, but I know this for sure- we will see you again, Adi and Timi!

             

                                   

Please be in prayer for friends and family as we mourn. Pray for peace and guidance amidst the trials of this life.  thank you for all your prayers and support though this difficult time. 

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth— Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear and say, “ It is truth.” “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior. I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the Lord, “that I am God. Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives— The Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships. I am the Lord, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.” Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters, Who brings forth the chariot and horse, The army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick): “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise. (Isaiah 43:1-21 NKJV)

Summer is in full swing!

Much has happened since our last post.

Before leaving for the conference in Hungary, we went to Pintic for bible study where we shared about The LAMB OF GOD.

 That evening we started our ten hour drive to the conference in Vajta, Hungary.  We had a wonderful time connecting with friends and meeting new ones while being spiritually fed by some great speakers. Even though it was chilly the kids still went swimming and played at the park during free time. The kids were blessed with a childrens program led by a team from Florida and California. 

It was a wonderful time with family and friends. 

Faith put together a retreat for the girls from her bible study. For most of the girls this has been a first time ordeal and they loved every minute of it. Faith, Alyssa, and two other women taught on the fruits of the spirit. They had an incredible time of teaching, fun, and fellowship while on the retreat.

Faith and I were able to take a three night romantic getaway to Oradea, Romania. Thankyou so much Alyssa Green for your willingness to watch all the kids while we were away. 

What a blessing she has been to us these past few months. The time has passed all too quickly as in less than a week we must take the early morning road trip to the airport to see her off. We thank the Lord for the time she has been with us.

Prayer requests:

Pray for the adoption process as we have officially started the paperwork.

Pray for Alyssa as she prepares to head back the the states.

Pray for the girls bible study that the girls would grow and mature in their faith in what they learned at the retreat, and those that are not born again would give thier lives to Christ.

Pray for the bible study in Pintic that the Lord would use me to touch thier hearts and that Christ would change thier hearts, and those that are born again would grow and mature.

Pray that we would be spirit led in our work here.

Pray for the boys outdoor adventure trip we will be taking at the end of July.

Thankyou for all your prayers and support. May He bless each of you.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV)