JUNE 2006
REFLECTION
W e recently ended the celebration of
the Easter season with the Feast of
Pentecost. On that day the Holy Spirit
descended upon the followers of Jesus who
had assembled to pray in the Upper Room.
On that day, a transformed Peter preached
his first sermon, and thousands of Jews
accepted Jesus as Messiah. On that day, the
Church began. So, Pentecost is the birthday
of the Church, the Body of Christ on earth.
June 4, Pentecost Sunday,
was also the Global Day
of Prayer. More than
200 million Christians
assembled in more
than 200 nations
around the world on that
day to pray for the many needs of our planet
– and especially the need for people to find
salvation in and through Jesus Christ. So, I
have been reflecting on the Person and the
mission of the Holy Spirit, especially with
regard to the UP Team goal of God’s perfect
will being done in Stone and Taney Counties
through spiritual transformation. For, you
see, as I now see, the Holy Spirit is key and
critical to this goal, as He is critical to
spiritual transformation anywhere. There
was spiritual transformation going on in
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Jerusalem on that Pentecost; the Holy Spirit
was using the words of Peter, miraculously
understood by people from many different
regions, to touch hearts and minds and open
spirits to receive the Good News about Jesus
the Messiah – the Jesus who had risen from
the dead and was alive. The Holy Spirit is
the Third Person of the Most Blessed
Trinity, a Person distinct from the Father
and the Son, a Person therefore with whom
we are privileged to have an intimate
personal relationship. The Holy Spirit
proceeds from both the Father and the Son
and is the living Love between them, such a
powerful and divine Love that He is alive as
a Person. So, when God loves (and
Scripture tells us that God is Love), He is
giving us the Holy Spirit. Looking at this in
a different way, I believe that the Holy Spirit
is really what we know as the “Grace” of
God. The best definition of grace I ever
heard is this: Grace is the empowering
presence of God, enabling us to be what He
wants us to be and to do what He wants us to
do. When I accept Jesus, it is the Holy Spirit
who prompts me to do so and gives me the
ability and desire to do so. It is then the
Holy Spirit who washes away the sin from
my fallen nature and inhabits gloriously
within me, making me a living temple.
And where the Holy Spirit is, there are
the Father and the Son. It is the Holy
Spirit who opens the Scriptures for me
to understand what God is saying to
me (and He is the Author of the
Scriptures). It is the Holy Spirit who
teaches me about Jesus, who whispers into
my heart – when it is open to receive – truths
about the Father and about Jesus. It is the
Holy Spirit who guides me in prayer,
bringing to mind what I should pray for –
and, as the Bible says, who prays from
within me when I do not know how to or do
not have the strength to. So, what does the
Holy Spirit want to do in our region?
Sometimes we use the terms “revival”,
“spiritual awakening” and “transformation”
interchangeably. But I
do not think we should.
Here is what I mean: 1)
“Revival” comes from
Latin words meaning “to
bring to life again.”
Therefore, it would
inappropriately be
applied to non-believers,
for they are waiting to
come to spiritual life for the first time.
“Revival” is a term that should be used for
Christians, for the Body of Christ. The
Church must be revived, must come back to
vibrant life, before anything else of
substance can happen in a region. Why?
For the Body of Christ is God’s chosen
instrument for touching people in this Age of
the Church that began on that Pentecost
Sunday. So, my first task is to repent of my
own sins, and then repent for others in the
Body, seeking that by true repentance (and
it can only happen this way) the Holy Spirit
will revive us, anoint us anew, fill us with
fresh grace and passion and purpose. 2)
When “revival” truly happens, then
“spiritual awakening” can occur. I believe
that this term is highly applicable to non-
believers (though, to be sure, Scripture
admonishes Christians to “wake up” also).
To awaken in this sense is for people to see
with new spiritual eyes the purpose of life,
the reality of life after death, and to see
Jesus as the Son of God, the Redeemer, the
only hope for the world. So, the Holy Spirit
will work and move in and through a
“revived” Church and use the Body as the
instrument for people to see, often for the
first time, the truth of the Gospel. The Holy
Spirit worked through a “revived” Peter to
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awaken thousands of Jews to the truth that
the Messiah had come and was alive. 3)
And only then, when first “revival” of the
Church takes place and then “spiritual
awakening” of the people of a region, can
true “community transformation”,
“spiritual transformation,” take place. This
is the goal! And when that deep and lasting
transformation happens, when the Lordship
of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and lived
within every sector of our communities, then
the Holy Spirit will be able to use our region
to touch our entire nation, and we can be
instruments of the Grace of the Holy Spirit
to help spread revival and awakening and
transformation to the north and the south, to
the east and the west, and our beloved nation
will fall on its knees and acknowledge the
glory of God and our dependence upon Him.
That is how the Holy Spirit wants to work!
POEM
T he Holy Spirit wants to be with each of
us intimately also, as we journey
through life. Listen to the following poem,
written by a man in 2005:
“Do you sometimes feel so all alone, and
wish someone would call you on the phone?
Are there days when you wonder why you
are here, and why your heart’s so full of
fear? Do you think no one else has felt that
way, and that all the others are having a
great day? What you’re thinking may be
true, but chances are that others are feeling
just like you. Ask God to undertake for you,
to show you what He’d have you do. There
may be someone you should touch, someone
who needs you very much. God has a reason
for you being here, and He can overcome
your fear. Go to Him boldly in Christ’s
name; He’ll take away your guilt and shame.
He’ll lead you into the bright sunshine, and
show to you His will divine. Just follow Him
with what you know; He’ll teach you more
and more and with you go. You can know
He’s with you every day, leading and
guiding you along life’s way – giving you
peace and joy within, forgiving and
cleansing you from your sin. So don’t give
up and don’t despair; God will go with you
everywhere. Christ understands the way
you feel; His fellowship and love are real.”
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
A
s I have said before, I relate to blonde
jokes, because I am a dishwater blonde
(or once was) and can really relate to some
dumb things people do, because I am an
absolute master at doing dumb and klutzy
things (as people who know me can attest
to). “THE BLONDE YEAR IN REVIEW:
January: Took her
new scarf back to the
store because it was
too tight. February:
Couldn’t work in a
pharmacy because the bottles
wouldn’t fit into the typewriter. March:
Got excited when she finished a jigsaw
puzzle in 6 months, because the box said ‘2-4
years.’ April: Was trapped on an escalator
for hours when the power went out. May:
Couldn’t make Kool-Aid because 8 cups of
water won’t fit into those little packets.
June: Couldn’t learn to water ski because
she couldn’t find a lake with a slope. July:
after losing in a breast stroke competition
complained to the judges that the other
competitors were using their arms. August:
Told her blonde friend to hurry when trying
to get into their locked car using a coat
hanger, because it was starting to rain and
the top was down. September: When asked
what the capital of California was, answered
‘C.’ October: Gave up eating M&M’s
because they were so hard to peel.
November: Baked a turkey for 4 days
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because the instructions said 1 hour
per pound and she weighted 120.
December: Couldn’t call
911 because there was no
‘11’ on any phone button.
MORE ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“O n the first day God
created the dog. God
said, ‘Sit all day by the door of your house
and bark at anyone who comes in or walks
past. I will give you a life span of 20 years.’
The dog said, ‘That’s too long to be barking.
Give me 10 years and I’ll give you back the
other 10.’ God agreed. On the second day,
God created the monkey. God said,
‘Entertain people, do monkey tricks, make
them laugh. I’ll give you a 20 year life span.’
The monkey said, ‘How boring –monkey
tricks for 20 years. I don’t think so. Dog
gave you back 10, so that’s what I’ll do, too,
OK?’ And God agreed. On the third day
God created the cow. God said, ‘You must
go to the field with the farmer all day long
and suffer under the sun, have calves and
give milk to support the farmer. I will give
you a life span of 60 years.’ The cow said,
‘That’s kind of a tough life you want me to
live for 60 years. Let me have 20 and I’ll
give back the other 40.’ And God agreed
again. On the fourth day God created man.
God said, ‘Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy
your life, I’ll give you 20 years.’ Man said,
‘What? Only 20 years! Tell you what, I’ll
take my 20, and the 40 the cow gave back,
and the 10 the monkey gave back, and the 10
the dog gave back; that makes 80, OK?’
‘OK,’ God said, ‘You have a deal.’ So that is
why the first 20 years we eat, sleep, play and
enjoy ourselves; for the next 40 years we
slave in the sun to support our family; for
the next 10 years we do monkey tricks to
entertain the grandchildren; and for the last
10 years we sit on the front porch and bark
at everyone. Life has now been explained to
you.”

PROCLAMATION OF FAITH
“H e is! He is the First and Last, the
Beginning and the End! He is the
keeper of creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the
Manager of all times. He always was, He
always is, and He always will be: Unmoved,
unchanged, undefeated, and never undone!
He was bruised and brought healing! He
was pierced and eased pain! He was
persecuted and brought freedom! He was
dead and brought life! He is risen and
brings power! He reigns and brings peace!
The world can’t understand Him, the armies
can’t defeat Him, the schools can’t explain
Him, and the leaders can’t ignore Him!
Herod couldn’t kill Him, the Pharisees
couldn’t confuse Him, and the people
couldn’t hold Him! Nero couldn’t crush
Him, Hitler couldn’t silence Him, the New
Age can’t replace Him, and non-believers
can’t explain Him away! He is Light, Love,
Longevity and Lord. He is Goodness,
Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, Mighty, Powerful,
and Pure. His ways are right, His Word is
eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind
is on me! He is my Redeemer, He is my
Savior, He is my Guide, and He is my Peace!
He is my Joy, He is my Comfort, He is my
Lord, and He rules my life! I serve Him
because His bond is love, His burden is light,
and His goal for me is abundant life. I
follow Him because He is the Wisdom of the
wise, the Power of the powerful, the Ancient
of Days, the Ruler of rulers, the Leader of
leaders, the Overseer of the overcomers, and
the Sovereign Lord of all that was, and is,
and is to come. And it that seems impressive
to you, try this on for size: His goal is a
relationship with me! He will NEVER leave
me, NEVER forsake me, NEVER mislead
me, NEVER forget me, NEVER overlook
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me, and NEVER cancel my appointment in
His appointment book! When I fail, He lifts
me up! When I fall, He forgives! When I
am weak, He is strong! When I am lost, He
is the way! When I am afraid, He is my
courage! When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me! When I am
broken, He mends me! When I am blind, He
leads me! When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me! When I
face persecution, He shields me! When I
face loss, He provides for me! When I face
death, He carries me Home! He is
Everything for everybody, everywhere,
every time, and every way. He is God! He is
Faithful! I am His, and He is mine! My
Father in Heaven can whip the father of this
world. So, if you’re wondering why I feel so
secure, understand this: He said it and that
settles it. God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing, for GOD is!”
Amen!
STORY
I n honor of Mothers’ Day last month and
Fathers’ Day this month: “Six-year-old
Brandon decided one Saturday morning to
fix his parents pancakes. He found a big
bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the
counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out
the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the
floor. He scooped some of the flour into the
bowl with his hands, mixed in
most of a cup of
milk, and added
some sugar, leaving
a floury trail on the
floor which by now had
a few tracks left by his
kitten. Brandon was
covered with flour and getting frustrated.
He wanted this to be something very good
for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very
bad. He didn’t know what to do next,
whether to put it all into the oven or on the
stove and he didn’t know how the stove
worked! Suddenly he saw his kitten licking
from the bowl of mix and he reached to push
her away, knocking the egg carton to the
floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this
monumental mess, but he slipped on the
eggs, getting his pajamas both powdery and
sticky. And just then he saw Dad standing
at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in
Brandon’s eyes. All he’d wanted to do was
something good, but he’d made a terrible
mess. He was sure that a scolding was
coming, maybe even a spanking. Walking
through the mess, Dad picked up his crying
son, hugged him and told him he loved him,
while getting his own pajamas sticky in the
process! That’s how God deals with us. We
try to do something good in life, but it turns
into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or
we insult a friend, or we can’t stand our job,
or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just
stand there in tears because we can’t think
of anything else to do. That’s when God
picks us up and loves us and forgives us,
even though some of our
mess gets all over Him. But
just because we might
mess up, we can’t stop
trying to ‘make
pancakes’ for God or
for others. Sooner or
later we’ll get it right, and then they’ll be
glad we tried. If we think about it, we all
have wounds that need to be healed; perhaps
we have friendships that need rekindling;
probably there are three words that need to
be said to others – ‘I love you’, words that
can heal and bless. Let’s never stop ‘making
pancakes’!”
STORY #2
“H er hair was up in a pony tail, her
favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was ‘Daddy Day’ at school, and she
couldn’t wait to go. But her Mommy tried
to tell her that she probably should stay
home, why the kids might not understand, if
she went to school
alone. But she was not
afraid, she knew just
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what to say, what to tell her classmates of
why he wasn’t there today. But still her
Mother worried, for her to face this day
alone; and that was why, once again, she
tried to keep her daughter home. But the
little girl went on to school, eager to tell
them all, about a Dad she never sees, a Dad
who never calls. There were Dads along the
wall in back, for everyone to meet, Children
squirmed impatiently, anxious in their seats.
One by one the teacher called a student from
the class, to introduce their Daddy, as
minutes slowly passed. At last the teacher
called her name, every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching for a man who
wasn’t there. ‘Where’s her Daddy at?’ she
heard a boy call out. ‘She probably doesn’t
have one!’ another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back, she
heard a Daddy say, ‘Looks like another
deadbeat Dad, too busy to waste his day.’
The words did not offend her, as she smiled
up at Mom, and looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on. With hands behind
her back, slowly she began to speak; and out
from the mouth of a child came words
incredibly unique. ‘My Daddy couldn’t be
here, because he lives so far away; but I
know he wishes he could be, since this is
such a special day. And though you cannot
meet him, I wanted you to know all about
my Daddy, and how he loves me so. He
loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride
my bike. He surprised me with pink roses
and taught me to fly a kite. We used to
share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a
cone; and though you cannot see him, I’m
not standing here alone. ‘Cause my Daddy’s
always with me, even though we are apart; I
know, because he told me he’ll be forever in
my heart.’ With that, her little hand
reached up and lay across her chest, feeling
her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite
dress. And from somewhere in the crowd of
dads, her mother stood in tears, proudly
watching her daughter, who was wise
beyond her years. For she stood up for the
love of a man not in her life, doing what was
best for her, doing what was right. And
when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd, she finished
with a voice so soft, but its message clear and
loud. ‘I love my Daddy very much, he’s my
shining star; and if he could, he’d be here,
but heaven’s just too far.
You see, he was a
policeman just this past
year, when airplanes hit the
Towers and taught
Americans to fear. But
sometimes when I close my
eyes, it’s like he never went away.’ And then
she closed her eyes and saw him there that
day. And to her Mom’s amazement, she
witnessed with surprise, a room full of Dads
and children all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them, who
knows what they felt inside; perhaps just for
a second, they saw him at her side. ‘I know
you’re with me, Daddy!’ to the silence she
called out; and what happened next made
believers of those once filled with doubt. Not
one in that room could explain it, for each of
their eyes had been closed; but there on the
desk beside her was a fragrant long-
stemmed pink rose. And a child was blessed,
if only for a moment, by the love of her
shining star, and given the gift of believing
that heaven is never too far.”
PRAYER MOBILIZATION
D on’t forget to contact me with prayer
requests. I pray for all I receive, and
some, depending on timing, I pass along to
you. Pray for Pastor Howard Boyd who has
gone on a missions trip to Cameroon on
behalf of the Torchbearers’ organization;
and pray for Torchbearers, founded by Dr.
Martin Niboh of CofO, seeking
transformation for that African nation…
Pray for Angela Howard as she takes on the
role of leader for the Education sector of the
UP Team…Keep on praying in the spirit of
the Global Day of Prayer, seeking the
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salvation of the lost, the acceptance of Jesus
in every nation in the world and the
expanded needs of our seven sectors which
are in the entire world: Government,
Entertainment (and Agri Business as the
Polk and Cedar County UP Team prays on
Mondays), Social and Civic Services,
Businesses, Medical, Education and
Churches and Ministries…Thanksgiving for
John Baltes’ surgery; he is recuperating
well…for America to return to its strong
Christian roots…for the work of Allen
Kemper as he witnesses at MO State
University, that the seeds sown may bear
spiritual fruit…A request from a man
associated with the Sentinel Group; he seeks
intercession for the Jalpaiguri District of
West Bengal, India. There are 756 villages
and many ethnic/language groups: Bengali,
Kurukh-Oraon, Nepali, Hindi, Rajbanshi,
Sadri, Munda, Santali, Mech, Madeshi,
Urdu, Malparari and Toto. The majority of
the people are unreached with the Gospel…
Regina Shank of Missouri Prayer Mission
has asked prayer for Sandy Grady, the
coordinator for the Washington D.C. region
of the USGAPN National and State
Apostolic Team (focus is on prayer; and
pray for Regina, too); Sandy has health
issues, and Sandy herself has asked that we
pray specifically in the gasoline crisis for
God’s economic solution, for innovative and
applicable energy solutions, for a quick end
to any gas price manipulations, for less
dependency of foreign oil resources, for
Godly wisdom for our President and other
leaders, for millions of people to pray at the
fuel pumps for God’s energy plan to come
forth…for Don Gabriel and his wife
Dorothy, as they continue to battle health
issues…for all UP Team members with
health problems, financial issues, job
needs…for continued growth in unity in the
Body of Christ in our area.
God bless you! Peace to you and yours.
Bob Burton (331-1028, cell;
bburton@silverdollarcity.com)
“There is therefore no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8: 1)