It was the early 1500’s when an ordained minister was executed after imprisonment, being strangled and finally burned at the stake as a heretic. This “heretic” was a Protestant theologian and was the first to translate the Bible from the original languages into English. However, King Henry III and the English church authorities were hostile toward the project. William Tyndale finished only the New Testament and this Bible was printed in 1525.
Tyndale had to smuggle Bibles into England and his version became extremely popular. So much so, that when the church officials got ahold of them they would burn them. Church leaders burned the Bible…interesting. Tyndale had to work on translating the Old Testament in his jail cell and it is believed that he made it to the book of II Chronicles.
Today whole denominations and church leaders are turning away from the truths of the scriptures and we think it’s something new. It’s not new; it is simply a repeat of some very dark times in history. Christians suffered for their beliefs. If you believe that God’s sacred act of marriage was given to us for one man and one woman, you will meet up with criticism and scows for your belief. If you believe there is a literal, eternal hell, you will get pushback. If you believe that a sexual relationship is for married persons only, you will be made fun of. And someday it will go beyond words, looks and laughter until we see a revival and more God-fearing leadership in the nations of the world.
The National day of Prayer was originally designated on July 4, 1953 as a day of prayer and penance. However the man who instituted this day spent July 4, 1953 fishing, golfing and playing bridge. During the 1950’s, church attendance was at an all-time high in America and most best-selling books were religious ones. Crime rates were low and divorce was rare. Unemployment was low and the nation was prospering. Prior to the turmoil of the decade to come, the nation had a confidence in God.
Who was this all-important and influential man who designated such an important annual day of reflection for America? It was Dwight D.Eisenhower. Dwight was named after the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Dwight Eisenhower’s parents were devout members of a German Mennonite group called the River Brethren. The River Brethren were known for their pacifism and certainly did not condone drinking alcohol, smoking or playing cards, of which Dwight eventually did all three. General Eisenhower grew up in a home that was dedicated to teaching him the Bible and he could quote many passages at length. Today he is hailed as one of the greatest US military generals.
Was this two-term President a hypocrite or did he believe that America had a duty to acknowledge God? Was he fallen away from his personal relationship with Christ or was he being used by and obeying Christ for such an important season of America’s history? “…Listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life…” (Proverbs 4:20-22)
We all have needs. Recently I asked the following question to a group of persons outside of the US, “What is your biggest need in life?” The answers were varied, but a few included: education, money, food and medical attention. I then posed a second question, “What if I could bring a very wealthy man or woman to you and they would meet all of your need?” The group erupted with applause and responded with a brief conversation to the one seated beside them. I could tell they were looking at me wondering if I would bring just such a person. I followed up with this question, “After your need is met, will you ever have another need and then desire to meet with this person once again?” Some could see where the line of questioning was headed.
The 100%, all natural, purely organic alarm sounds off at 4:14 AM, sometimes earlier. Many other “alarms” follow the lead of this rooster from house to house and Haiti begins to stir. Soon the smell of charcoal smoke wafts into the room where I would still much rather be sleeping. I can hear the old yellow school buses, reconstituted from the USA as an oversized, overloaded taxi, carrying far too many passengers. They are traveling through the main street at a very high rate of speed, constantly blowing their horns while NOT slowing down. A quick prayer asking God that no one is run over, hit or killed. Dogs are barking as they begin their daily routine of scavenging food. Goats bleating and children are stirring. I crawl off my deflating air mattress and out from under my mosquito net. It was a better night of sleep due to the rain vs. the night before when it was 89 degrees in my room with no breeze and no fan. There is no electric here in Montrouis and after many years of traveling to this town, it makes life just a bit more challenging when it comes to…well, everything really.
We are here to conduct a DOVE International Regional Gathering with 27 Haitian churches. There will be many hungry leaders in attendance and we can’t wait to share God’s word with them through teaching, through a skit, through our love and acceptance of them, through handshakes and hugs and through one of their favorite things: a plate full of chicken, rice, fried green plantain, beans and pic kle’ (a local spicy, fermented cold cabbage slaw). It will be a good day and we pray that our Father speaks exactly what they are in need of as primary leaders of the many churches found within three different cities here in Haiti. And, my very favorite Haitian drink will be served almost cold – Coke in a bottle.
The training begins with an accordion and exuberant worship. They pray for our day like it’s the last day on earth. How do we follow such faith and such expectation? It’s a joy to love these men and women who live in dire need, but who love Jesus. I take time to share that Jesus knows our needs and how the DOVE family prays for their church family in Haiti. Their face speaks a nonverbal, “Really, us?” They smile and are warmed that someone(s) is praying for them.
Yesterday a little boy told me he was hungry and I gave him a pack of crackers. He smiled and ate them in front of me waiting for something else. He could not speak English and I could not speak Creole, but a hand to the belly means one thing and it was good to be able to share. A similar thing happened last night and we shared bread and banana with two men. I can’t imagine being hungry without any capacity to relieve that hunger. However, a far greater need exist here in Haiti and it’s what causes that poverty and loss: government corruption, crime, the lack of police reinforcement of any laws, generations of poverty thinking, the lack of an infrastructure for travel and utilities, blaming life needs and issues on others and not taking responsibility, a poor and fractured school system and so much more.
Speaking of an orphanage, we were able to visit with Dada, a friend of ours who is a nurse by profession, but who chooses to take in orphans. She has ten 18 year-old girls because those girls must leave orphanages at 18 and often find themselves on the street. She takes them in. She also has taken in 10 babies with various issues of illness and need. Some she has birth certificates for and others she does not, but one thing is for sure, they are receiving Dada’s love and care. Please pray for her as she attempts to feed and care for 21 orphans.
What follows are many excuses as to why some believers and non-Christians have either stopped or rarely read the Bible. I hope that you do not find yourself in any of these categories.
Holding fast, persistence or holding firmly defines the word tenacity. It’s a good word when used in combination with faith, believing and a reluctance to let go of a promise. It’s a negative word when connected to anger, selfishness or an aversion to backing off. How tenacious are you and how do you use your tenacity? My wife has often told me that I am one of the most tenacious persons she knows. I admit, I am tenacious, she’s right and I receive those words as a compliment.
My son and I were on a fishing outing, enjoying the day of catching trout and cooperative warm spring weather. That is, all except for, one disturbing situation close by us. That situation was a dad with two small (elementary age) children, a boy and a girl. It was just great that he was taking his youngsters fishing and we applaud him for that. But that was the only positive thing we can say about him. What we continually observed was disheartening and troubling and we can only imagine that those two small children would rather not have been by the stream at all. It was painful to watch and difficult to not comment. Never once did those kids laugh or excitedly yell, “I got one,” even though they did catch fish. Here’s why.
I forgive you – three very powerful, but very difficult words to speak. Perhaps even more difficult are the words, “Please forgive me.” Why does it take so long to work up the courage, humble ourselves and put away our pride? Jesus offered this medicine while on the earth when He shared that if we forgive, we will be forgiven. Paul the apostle stated it so succinctly when he wrote it this way, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Nicky Gumbel, the Alpha course 
teacher, once said that the first one to apologize is the bravest one.
My wife, Mary, and I were on a plane traveling to the Midwest and it was the dead of winter. We were conducting our first weekend marriage seminar in this frozen, sub-zero temperature state. We jumped off the plane and onto the small airport tarmac to be greeted by the coldest, howling wind we’ve ever felt. Our eyes began to water and our noses started to run. It was cold.
Steve Prokopchak 