This is my friend Ritah. I am the one next to her glowing like an angel (sorry for the bad picture!). Last evening my family and friends participated in a Multicultural Community Dinner at Normandale Community College. It was an evening of International dishes, dance, poetry, guitar playing, and singing. Ritah, one of InterVarsity presidents, had the honor of singing and representing her homeland of Uganda. But last night she represented more than Uganda when she sang. She represented her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As she stood on that little stage in front of 100 or so people from their various countries and faiths, Ritah proudly stated she was going to sing to her Lord. She told the listeners she was singing a song in her native Ugandan language entitled, “Let me sing“. She said her performance was dedicated to the one who has blessed her life…Jesus. She hoped her singing would bless all who listened. I believe it did!

As Ritah sang “Let me sing” I looked around that room and saw faces from Mexico, Vietnam, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Russia, Canada, and the United States (to name a few) watching Ritah worship undignified before God. It made me think of the day when every tongue, tribe, and nation will bow before Jesus and “sing” to the King of the Earth. It convinced me even more that I was right where I needed to be…using my life to “sing” the wondrous news of LIFE to the nations in my backyard. Thanks Ritah for last night. You touched my heart along with so many others. Let’s keep singing and watch the world meet Jesus.

“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.”

– Paul to the church of Corinth in his first letter to them.

I wonder how much of my life consists of meaningless words? I hope and pray this is not the case. I pray my life is a living evidence of the power of God. I pray when I say to God, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” I really mean it. I pray I am not relying on the the gimmicks or programs of man to transform lives but rather the transforming work of Jesus on the cross and His blessed Counselor given to us. I pray these things because if they are not true, my life isn’t really about what God is about. I pray these things because I desire to hear my Father say “Well done”. I pray these things because I want people to experience God through me not simply my version of what God may or may not be like. I pray these things because I don’t want the following quote from Mark Scandrette’s book Soul Graffiti to be true of me…

“It can feel naked and agonizing when you realize that your sense of identity is not matched by action.”

From Rob Stearns

I wrote this the other day. I was really looking forward to being in church. I didn’t go. For reasons I do not want to discuss at the moment I didn’t make it to church. I felt like I missed out. Something from my day, or week, was gone…and I wanted it back. Then I talked to a friend of mine who kept going on about how great the music was that day. How the worship service really spoke to her heart. I was jealous…but had no one to blame but me. Then she said the sermon was really short (always a plus) but right to the point…and perfect for our congregation…then it was followed by more singing. God was there in the midst of everybody…but I wasn’t there.

Missing You

I missed you today
you were there–as always
but i didn’t make it
I heard you looked–
you looked beautiful
As always.
but I wasn’t there to see
they told me you sang
as only you can
I wish I had been–
been there
with you. with them.
but I ddin’t make it
I missed your voice today
I love to hear you sing
I–
I wasn’t there.
they said you spoke
they said you touched their hearts
like you would have mine
if I had been there
but I wasn’t.
I didn’t make it.
I wish I was there.
I wish I had made it.

An interesting article from today’s Star Tribune was recommended to me. The caption says “a survey finds that many youths draw a line between being spiritual and participating in an organized religion“. If you want to read more you can find the article HERE.

Due to the website problems these pictures are a little late. But I guess the old saying “better late than never” applies here. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak at Winona State University at their InterVarsity Large Group Meeting. Jordan & Jessa Anderson met me there and played some of their original music. If you are thinking of doing a concert I highly suggest you contact them. My talk from that night is available at our itunes podcasts.