We just returned from a 1 week trip to the nation of Haiti a few days ago.  processing my thoughts and feelings about the trip has been more difficult than I expected.  We went with a group of 16 people, all hoping to make a change and show God's love and encouragement to a nation ravaged by earthquake, disease, hunger and long term poverty.  The needs were so great.  Clean water, dry shelter, food, peace and order, leadership from government.  I've been a few places in my life where basic human need were lacking.  Places like Tijuana, Mexico and Nairobi, Kenya.  I was not prepared for the total poverty of this island nation.  Simple things that we enjoy like trash, sanitation, water and roads void of potholes are just a dream for much of Haiti.  And in the midst of this tragic situation, God was working.  Out of the rubble, lives are being rebuilt.  I had heard that the Haitians were a strong and resilient group of people.  Seeing them and meeting many for myself brings me to the conclusion that Haitians are the strongest and most resilient people I have ever known.  The spiritual strongholds of voodoo and withcraft are well known in Haiti.  There is a spirit of fear that affects many people.  But since the earthquake, several Haitians I talked to said that the power of voodoo is diminishing and that more people are turning towards a loving, benevolent God.  I went to Haiti because God's love compelled me to go.  I thought I might be a part of rebuilding what was destroyed.  I'm walking away from this trip with the feeling that no amount of money or man's effort can rebuild Haiti.  It's too far gone.  Only God himself can bring about this kind of change.  The good news is that is exactly what He wants to do.  It is God's plan to bring beauty out of ashes and exchange mourning for joy.  There is hope for Haiti, but it will take more than the NATO forces can provide.  Even if the USA sends the 1.1 billion it has promised to aid this country, it will still take a gracious work of a redeeming God to transform lives and breathe hope into this people.  Let's pray for Haiti.  Let's send teams to encourage what God is doing among His people.  Let's sponsor projects that work to rebuild and restore our neighbors in the Carribean.  hen it's all said and done, lets give God the glory for what He did!

This last week I attended a conference of Foursquare ministers from southern california.  We met in Arroyo Grande for 3 days of ministry, encouragement and fellowship.  There were approx 300 people who came for the same purpose - to get refilled for our roles as spiritual leaders.  The main speaker the first night was Rev. Leslie Keegel from Sri Lanka.  We were encouraged by this brother in the Lord do something radical, dump all our programs and man made ministry tools and return to a dependancy on the power and direction of the Holy Spirit.  He told us that we needed to stop our toiling in the flesh and get back to spiritual dynamics like prayer and fasting.  We were chastised for over an hour by this apostolic figure who started a church in his home 30 years ago which turned into 1200 churches today.  The most wonderful part of the whole thing was not that we got a spiritual spanking, but in the way in which it was delivered.  This mighty man of God was anything but imposing, standing maybe 5 foot 5 inches and weighing in at about 125 lbs.  He was a picture of humility, in his manner, his speech, and personality.  But this man really stood 7 feet tall and weighed about 350 lbs in a spiritual sense.  He was a heavyweight!  He came in such a loving and humble spirit, that after having been chastised for the better part of an evening, we all humbled ourselves in prayer afterward and gave him an extended applause.  It never felt so good to get beat up.  It reminds me of how the Holy Spirit works on us.  He is such a gentleman when it comes to conviction, guidance, direction and correction.  God doesn't want to hurt us, He wants to love us, even when correcting us!  Isn't God good?

The headlines this past week of Bishop Eddie Long's alleged sexual encounters with 4 young men have rocked the church once more.  I've been grieved by this scandal.  It's the church that suffers when it's followers and especially it's leaders violate the morals that they profess.  A few things that I've been chewing on:
1.  Matthew 7:1,2    'Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
2.  1 Corinthians 10:12  "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
3.  Ephesians 5:1-7  "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.  But fornication and all uncleaness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, not foolish talking, nor course jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  For this you know, that not fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the ingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them." 
4.  Galatians 6:1,2  "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, an so fulfill the law of Christ."

When I think about this situation with Bishop Long, on one hand it makes me angry knowing that there is damage to the body of Christ but on the other hand I am compelled by Christ to respond with 1.  Personal humilty  2.  Graciousness  3.  Christ likeness
I hope for the Bishop's sake that he comes clean about any inpropriety so that he could be healed.  1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.