Posts Tagged ‘Loren Cunningham’
Before I Leave This Earth
Two men I admire died recently and neither left this earth on their own terms. Floyd McClung, Jr. was a gentle giant who taught our mission to love the unlovely and personally helped me with a book on leadership. Dave Frederick was a long-time friend who set a marvelous example of caring for at-risk kids and the homeless.
Floyd contracted a disease in Africa that left him unable to communicate and care for himself the last five years of his life. Dave died of hereditary cancer that took the life of his dad at forty-eight, and him, after a lengthy battle, at sixty-six.
Neither ended his life on earth as desired. Few people do–and those who schedule it may have a problem in eternity. So, how should we live our final days if given the chance to chart it?
Here are my thoughts before I leave this earth.
Zooming Back to the Book of Acts?
I’ve been in some inspiring Zoom meetings recently–which appears to be the new norm. (If you haven’t experienced Zoom, it’s a software program that allows a few people or thousands to “meet on-line” in real time.)
Last week one gathering involved 300 mission leaders. Another four-hour session brought sixty youth ministry heads together. Then pastors and Christian leaders hooked up in my hometown.
Finally, we celebrated the National Day of Prayer on May 7 via Internet streaming which united millions of followers of Christ in virtual worship and prayer.
Is it time to re-set the Church by “zooming” back to the Book of Acts?
Satanic Bean ball and Divine Curve
Since the baseball season remains cancelled, let’s use a baseball analogy.
As I ponder what a friend calls the Coronapocalypse, I become increasingly aware of two teams in combat and two “pitches” being thrown.
On one side, demonic forces are motivating some leaders to create fear, suffering, and a willingness to follow authoritarian rule through the global pandemic. This could be “conditioning” for world governance described in Revelation–or a precursor. Call it a satanic “bean ball” (an intentional pitch to hit the opposing batter).
The difference is the demons don’t want to just hurt human beings. They want to kill them (separate them from God–John 10:10).
On the other side, I missed God’s “curve ball” until recently. He wants to use these events to save, not kill, billions.
Keep your eye on both “pitches” in the coming days.