Pentecost 2006 AD

 

SHALOM and joyous greetings in the most high name of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD!

 

'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ .. .'
(Ephesians 1,4)

 

And indeed so it is! We are blessed with every spiritual blessing - in HIM! Where ever we go we are a 'temple on two legs'. HIS manifestation, HIS sweet aroma. What glory! What privilege, what joy to be HIS Ambassador, proclaiming the good news, CHRIST alive, risen from the dead! The heart cannot take it in and it boggles ones mind. In awe we experience how HE is at work and will ...

In this GEM I want to share with you a 'typical' Saturday here in our quaint, historical, over 1000 year old town. It is early morning, very peaceful, the temperatur at a cool 12° Celsius. The sun sends her first first golden rays creating millions of sparks on the dew on the lush grass. Summer is almost here. It is in awe that I listen to the jubilation of a new day. Truly the whole creation reflects HIS glory. How very wonderful!
I prepare to leave for my weekly trip to the market place. It is quiet this morning with hardly any cars. That however that will not last for long. Germany is caught in the World Soccer Championship euphorie. During the next weeks 'God Baal' will reign! Flags of all participating nations are all over town. Stores displays tiny chocolade soccer balls and other sporting yummies as the three local Mexican restaraunts are packing them in. Goettingen was chosen as the HQ for the Mexican national soccer team and conservative Germans are discovering the taste for tacos, buritos, salza and margeritas. WOW!

Karin and I think Mexican food makes great eating! It reminds us of our years in Houston. No, we won´t get homesick!
My walk to town only takes me mere ten minutes. People like to do their shopping early in the morning. And so do I. Actually I enjoy it! On the market I make my way through the various stands and are overwhelmed by the beautiful flowers everywhere. Over the years I have met quiet a few people and know many by name. Most of them greet me with a big smile or even a grin. It encourages me since I´m not always quite sure how they would act after I have given them a trac the previous week. It always amazes me how FATHER is at work! What a blessing! In my feebleness and cautiousness ('not to bruise the fruit', you understand) it is HE who is at work in spite of me. HE is the treasure within, I am HIS vessel. I stop to purchase six 'bio' eggs from.'Yasmine' (her English name), a young woman from China. I try to envolve her in conversation about the literature and the JESUS video in Chinese I once had given her but too shy she only offers me a big smile in return. May be what I´ve trying to tell her is quiet different from what she has been taught under Mao.
Next station. Leroy is from California, is married to Marion and they run a big farm nearby. We met several years ago and have become true friends. I worked on their farm on and off to make some extra income. Several years ago Leroy was in deep trouble shakled by a demon of alcohol. But after a long time in rehabilitation he recovered. I had the distinct privilege to lead him to the Lord. GOD is so good! We often meet for breakfast at Mc.Donalds before the market gets busy. His wife Marion and their three children have a tough job since they supply most vegetables for the local University Cafeteria with almost 20 000 students in Goettingen. A giant undertaking!
On my way to the 'World Coffee Shop' I pass Theresa. She is part of the market scene. Theresa is from Romania. People avoid her as she looks right out of the pit of hell. She won´t admit it but she really looks like the bride of satan. I feel so very sorry for her! Her leather spike neckless, tide black leather outfit, with black finger nails, rings and a weird facial make up are almost frightening. No wonder people avoid her. She thinks it is cool though. Amazingly she always smiles when she sees me coming. True compassion overcomes me. We talk. Amazingly she reads Russian literature like Tolstoi. I gave her the JESUS video in the Rumanian language and she told me that she and her mom had actually watched it! The tracs I leave with her are always well received. I just wonder when she will make that discovery that there is new life in CHRIST. Please join me in praying for her salvation! I buy her a Capuccino and a sandwich in return for a big but pitifully smile showing decay and missing teeths. It hurts me how deep a human being can fall! 
At the coffee shop I am met by a genuine hello by Sonja. Sonja has one more semester to go and studies jura. This morning I surprised her and her collegues with a small spring flower bouquet. I think I embarrassed them. Anyhow, Sonja has accepted an invitation to come for dinner to our home - hopefully soon. And seems to be open to the gospel. We shall see.
As I make my way to some others stores I pass a few beggars from Eastern Europe. During the summer months you find them in every city. They come by the bus load organized by some Rumanian mafioso. In Berlin they recently have been banned. I try to talk to them. Amazingly they light up when I talk about JESUS. Surely HIS name must mean something and it least rings a bell. Why am I doing this? I guess it must be the love of CHRIST which compells me.
Picking up the local Boulevard paper over my Cappuccino I am shocked as I read about a survey that states that almost 48 % of those interviewed did not know what Pentecost is all about! How very sad and sobering! But I´m not not even surprised. A few weeks ago they put the final touch to the first Mosque - here in Goettingen! A once Christian community! Legal? Of course, absolute! Its OK because it is politically correct. And goes along with the NWO tolerance. Makes sense, doesn´t it, or not?! Germany has truly become a post Christian nation. A neglected mission field. May be that is why we are here! But hold it! One must be careful! People jump to the conclusion you must be a fanatic belonging to a sect. Everyone I talk to is of course 'Christian' belonging to one or the other church! So, my friend, beware of those fundamentalists!

I keep on shopping and pass by the ever present of Jehovas witnesses - fiercly clinging on to their 'Watch towers'  while spacing their oppointed territory. They all know me and look the other way when they see me coming. A few times I´d tried to talk to them but the vicious spirit of error made me loose my enthusism. So I pray for them and keep going. And such is the current spiritual condition of post Christian Germay. After all the battle is in and for the mind. What does it take to turn the tide I ponder.
My shopping done I join my dear wife Karin for a salad or a snack. In the afternoon I will prepare for the evening teaching at EBS, our student ministry Bible study in English. How many will follow the call of the Holy Spirit tonight, I wonder? I have no idea but pray for the LORD to surprise us - and HE always does! May HIS will be done and HIS Kingdom come. What started with Pentecost 2000 years ago must continue. Our prayer especially today is for a fresh outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT. Amen, so be it!

 

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Baruch haba baShem Adonai
Have a most joyous week!
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