influence

A little over three years ago our sending pastor, Russell Johnson, gave me some materials from a ministry called ABIDING LIFE.
I immediately identified with the content of the material and sent for a set of CDs by Mike Wells. Little did I realize how those CDs would be used by God to open my eyes to the power of God's presence in our lives. Mike's unique ability to communicate the truth of the abiding life of Jesus blessed me in profound and permanent ways.

Later I discovered that Mike's ministry is already deeply rooted here in Brazil. His books and seminar lectures are in Portuguese and have opened many doors for the message of Jesus' satisfying presence in our daily lives.

After several attempts Mike and I have met personally and have ministered together here in our city. The harmony of what God has done in each of our lives is truly a testimony to God's grace and the teaching of the Holy Spirit.

The theme of Mike's ministry is "There is nothing the presence of Jesus cannot cure." Mike works with people across the world who have been ignored or forgotten. That includes the poorest of the poor and burned out Christian leaders.

It was a privilege to have Mike here with us accompanied by Oswaldo Paiao and Dr. Jim Herrin from Lake Conroe, Tx.

The pictures show the seminar we held here in the city.

small world

The world is shrinking! Recently we had firsthand proof that the world is smaller. A visit from Rev. Del Hooge to our city in Brazil gave us unmistakable evidence--the world is really getting smaller. Del is a 40 year missionary to the Phillipine islands. He was in Brazil connecting Brazilian churches to a worldwide literacy and educational movement that is leading thousands to Jesus.

Pam and I have known the Hooge family for many, many years. To think we would meet here is awesome. I like the smaller world!

Moving On

Leading a ministry that is called "Abide" has proven to be a wonderful way to test the depth of my conviction about the place of Abiding in the Christian life. The test is whether or not I will "stay on message" or "move on to something else."

It seems that many people eagerly embrace the message of enjoying a barrier-free relationship with Jesus as the only way to bear fruit and glorify God. They literally become joyful at the news that Jesus is with us 24x7 and is perfectly enough for our lives to be fruitful and glorify God. It is awesome to see the "light go on" in someone's eyes when the message of abidig takes root.

It also seems that many people who get excited at the start of the abiding journey seem to grow weary when I don't want to 'move on' to something else. It is almost as if they think I don't know anything else.

I am beginning to realize that abiding is in a different class from all other types of Christian learning. Abiding is foundational.
Here is how I am expressing abiding here in Brazil to those who seem to want me to "move on". I am telling to think of abiding in this way....
Abiding is to discipleship what reading is to learning. You never "move on" from reading.

Abiding is to discipleship what breathing is to singing. You never "move on" from breathing.

Abiding is to discipleship what drinking and eating are to strength. You never "move on" from eating and drinking.

For me, the greatest fault in today's churches is we have "moved on" from abiding and we are becoming spiritually illiterate,
short of breath and without spiritual strength. We dare not move on. That is why our ministry is called Abide.

The pictures in this blog are of our Abide team members here in Brazil helping Christians not "move on" from Abiding. The word "PERMANECER" seen in the first photo is the word for Abide in Portuguese. The young lady in the picture runs our Abide office in the city of Sao Jose. Her name is Ana Rute. Keep her and all of our volunteers in your prayers.