I've been meaning to write

I'm at the very end of doing my part for an interactive prayer room event at my church (http://www.lakepointe.org/). This is a labor of love and a joyful privilege to be a part of an amazing team of people who desire to see our church become a 'house of prayer for all nations'. One of the greatest blessings of the prayer ministry is the opportunity God has afforded Jodi and me to share in ministry. It is grace that allows you to actually see and appreciate God working through his people- even more fantastic when you see him working in your wife or husband. I find myself in an accelerated and high pitched time of life. It seems that 2007 has been coming at me like water from a fire hose: rushing, constant and sometimes painful. As I sit down tonight trying to update you, my friend, as to what has happened, is happening and is to come, I feel like I am living Shakespeare's 27th Sonnet:

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,

The dear repose for limbs with travel tired,

But then begins a journey in my head

To work my mind, when body's work's expired.

For then my thoughts, from far where I abide,

Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,

And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,

Looking on darkness which the blind do see.

Save that my soul's imaginary sight

Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,

Which like a jewel hung in ghastly night,

Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.

Lo thus by day my limbs, by night my mind,

For thee, and for myself, no quiet find.

Are you 'weary with toil'? Are your limbs with travel tired? I love the picture William paints. A person who is mentally and physically exhausted, desiring nothing but rest and finally attains the chance for that 'dear repose'. As he lies down to sleep he can't. His mind begins to turn and to work, his thoughts leading towards the one he loves. He is lying on his back eyes wide open staring upon the blackness of night. But, then in his mind's eye he sees 'that' which he cherishes and the black night becomes alive, fresh, and new. Whether day or night, exhausted or full of vigor, until he has 'that' which he loves he will not rest.

I love that Sonnet and I frequently used that piece for classical theatre auditions (back in the old days). This is how I have felt lately: exhausted. I keep looking for God in the tired black of night, holding fast to that Jewel, that beauteous image of the Savior. He beckons me on and forgives me for how my physical and mental state has many times caused me to lash out or be very much unlike Him with others- even some of you.

Forgive me...I know that God is ultimately more interested in how I treat others rather than successful prayer rooms or mission strategies. God's not impressed with what we do. He is, however, very much interested in how his kids are acting: especially around non-family members.

This communication is simply meant to bring you up to speed on some developments, plans, and trips so that you might pray for me and my family. You never show a greater concern for your fellow man than when you take upon yourself the joyful labor of intercession. How much we are like Christ when we pray for others. How we begin to see Him when we focus on the world around us, sometimes at a cost- but not the ultimate cost. No. Only one bore that burden and through one death many live.

Seminary

God finagled the admissions process at Dallas Theological Seminary (http://www.dts.edu/) and I was accepted into the Cross Cultural Missions & Theology Masters program [without a college degree]. Hard to not walk through the seminary door when God opens it. So our plan is for me to begin classes this summer and continue until I complete. I estimate 5 to 6 years, God willing.

Church
I finished a 3 month pastoral internship with our church and have continued as a paid staff intern. My plan is to continue this paid internship through 2007 or until they ask me to 'be successful somewhere else'.

I am in charge of a Middle East mission strategy reaching Muslims in some really cool places.

I am moving into a new area as well: teaching. I am an apprentice teacher with my Adult Bible Fellowship (Sunday school) and will be teaching a 4 part series on Catholics & Protestants in the fall.

Non Profit/Organizations

Two years ago my friends and I formed a non profit organization called Fountain of Life America. God continues to do incredible things through this organization on behalf of African churches caring for orphans and addressing HIV/AIDS issues. I have been very humbled by what God has done with such humble beginnings. As of March of this year I will no longer be the acting president. My hope is that Brian Becker or Rob Melvin step into the leadership role bringing their unique talents and passions to the organization. I believe that God will continue to use FOLA for his purposes and that Rob and Brian will bring a wealth of talent to the organization.

I have recently accepted an Executive Vice President position with World Orphans (http://www.worldorphans.org/) which is run by my dear friend with the funny hat Paul Myhill. Many of you know Paul or know of him through the various projects and experiences we have shared over the past few years. I will assist Paul as he begins to take this organization to a new level of ministry and global impact. We have an agreement for 2007 and will revisit it at the end of the year.

Work

I'm sure you're asking the question, "what about Mike's job?" Well I am still Vice President of Business Development with Criterion Imaging (http://www.criterionimaging.com/). God continues to provide so much through this company. He has given me a great business partner who continues to support my gradual but accelerating transition into full time ministry. He is a non-believer and upon our last conversation about reducing my role with the compnay (and my salary) he told me that he was happy to see me moving towards something that I was certainly passionate about. He said that he 'didn't want to get in the way of God'. I thought that was interesting and it made me think of Abimelech telling Abraham upon realizing the power of Abraham's God: "My land is before you; live wherever you like." And here's a side note: the text then tells us that the Lord God healed Abimelech. That continues to be my prayer for my partner, that he would fear God and be 'healed'.

Upcoming Travel

I'm leaving for East Africa on Tuesday, February 13th returning on the 21st. I will be with a World Orphans team traveling through Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. While in Kenya, we will be meeting with the staff at the Fountain of Life Children's Home in Nairobi, visiting the boys, and getting a better sense of the situation and how we can best support them. I hope to write from the field as I travel so if you are interested, just occasionaly check this blog.

In April I will be going with a very limited team from my home church to the Middle East to begin Theological and Discipleship training with new Christians and house churches.

Jodi and I are praying about leading a World Orphans team to the slums of Calcutta and Mumbai Indai, to visit our friend Thomas Samuel and sit under his intercessory prayer teaching. We will also be finalizing an exciting orphan project with an indigenous church/seminary/orphan home in Kerala state.

Prayer for you and my family

Pray that God's grace flows abundantly in your life and ours;

Pray for continued affirmation and leading in your ministry and ours;

Pray for your children if God has blessed you with them;

Pray for your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend;

Pray that we all pray more- earnestly and honestly.

May Christ and the reality of his Gospel permeate the very core of your being and may the love of the invisible God be visible to everyone you see. Amen.

Mike