I apologize for their being no Musings this past week, so I will try to compensate by getting this week's out earlier.  Marlys and I had the privilege last week of being in Washington DC to attend the 55th Annual National Presidential Prayer Breakfast.  And what a blessing it was.  I am not sure what we anticipated when we accepted the invitation, but it certainly was a mountaintop experience for both of us.  We met some wonderful Christians from across the country who are doing some exciting ministries for Christ and His Kingdom.  One man was the Chief Operational Office of the Navigators.  Another had helped to start the CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing) ministry that helps churches to copy music on overheads.  Another gentleman is using his retirement years to help drill water wells around the world.  He has traveled much in Africa helping to train Africans on how to purify their water systems.  And, during the breakfast itself, we were joined by a representative from the South Carolina State Legislature.  These were delightful people.  And I enjoyed sharing with them about Village Schools of the Bible and the ministry here in Minneapolis.

 

In addition to meeting some outstanding believers, we were blessed with some dynamic teachings.  Ward Brehm, himself a Village School graduate, shared with the group of delegates from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota on Wednesday evening.  God has been using Ward greatly in Africa, and he shared the story of how God brought Africa into his heart.  It is a stirring testimony.  He really challenged each of us to ask how God might use us to impact the world for the Kingdom.  And, of course we heard the President on Thursday morning.  He was good, but was overshadowed by the testimony by Dr. Francis Collins, director of the Human Genome Project.  Although he had grown up in a religious home, he had rejected God in pursuit of scientific career.  But, one day while we was at the bedside of an elderly lady, she challenged him with these words, "Dr. Collins, what do you believe?"  That began him searching for truth and he found Jesus.  His speech was filled with the majesty of God.  Let me just give you one example.  In mapping the human DNA strand, Dr. Collins said that there were 3 billion combinations in a single strand of human DNA.  He further said that if we were to begin identifying each one by name, going around the room, it would take 31 years just to name those combinations.  Conclusion: what a great God we serve.  Those are just a couple of examples of the messages we heard.

 

But, most encouraging of all, was just hearing how many of our leaders in Washington meet on a regular basis for prayer.  They cast off their political differences and just pray for each other, for their families, and for leaders around the world.  This is the news you won't hear on NBC or CBS or ABC or CNN.  These are men and women who come from many different denominations, yet they have a common bonding in their love for Jesus Christ.  And they believe that it is only through Jesus that the world can be changed.  On that point, they are so correct.  It was also encouraging to know that these men and women have helped to start national prayer gatherings in dozens of countries around the world.  As I sat and listened I thought to myself, what is every country in the world had a national prayer cell where leaders gathered to pray.  How exciting would that be.  Any way, both Marlys and I came home excited to know that God was still represented in Washington DC.  We might not hear much about it from the national media, but in a quiet way, God is at work.  So, I need to be more committed to praying for our leaders. 

 

Finally, during those days in Washington, we were privileged to see the film, to be released on February 23, titled, Amazing Grace.  It is the story of William Wilberforce and his struggle for the abolition of slavery in Great Britain during the closing days of the 17th century and the opening days of the 18th century.  The film includes Wilberforce's relationship with an aging John Newton who himself had been a slave ship captain for 20 years before coming to Christ.  And, you might remember that it was John Newton who wrote the song, "Amazing Grace."  I strongly encourage you to see this film when it comes to your local theatre.  The film was introduced by Ken Wales, the producer.  He shared with us that there are more slaves in the world now than during the time of Wilberforce.  It was hard to believe, but then he shared about the millions of young women who are enslaved in the sex trade around the world, of the young children forced into servitude in factories, etc.  He said he produced the film hoping that through it God would raise up another Wilberforce to cry out against slavery.  Friends, the final scene in the film is worth the price of admission.  Don't forget to take a Kleenex with you, however. 

 

Thanks for your prayers for us.  God blessed us in wonderful ways.  I came home with my batteries recharged and a new excitement for ministry in my soul.  There certainly is a lot of work that is yet to be done before Jesus returns.  And I know that you join me in not wanting to waste one moment of it.

 

Well, next week, the Lord willing, we will get back into Revelation 16 and look at the incredible judgment that God will pour out upon a people who have forsaken Him.  It is not a pleasant chapter, but it is one that we need to study nonetheless.   So, until then, God bless each of you in very special ways.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: We would worry less about what others think of us if we realized how seldom they do. (Ethel Barrett)