Block Party - Loving Harlingen

Imagine with me . . . a city block covered in people from the community, drawn to this block by the Holy Spirit.  The body of Christ finding ways to love the people who come by serving them in various ways, encouraging them, praying over them, and sharing the good news of Christ with them.  This was the dream the Lord laid on my heart a few months ago and this past Sunday we saw the dream come true.

The Body of Christ went door to door Sunday morning in the downtown area of Harlingen, passing out fliers and personally inviting our neighbors to come to a block party.  Several Christian friends from another church had gone around the neighborhood the evening before inviting all who were home to the block party as well - the body of Christ drawn together in unity as we love Harlingen together.  

The set up went rather quickly as so many volunteers came to help.  What a joy to watch so many servants from FBC Harlingen come together for a common purpose.  They worked tirelessly, loved so passionately, stayed to clean up and spoke often of their desire to see this event happen again.  

The large tent for eating (the 856 hot dogs, 800 bags of chips, and 1000 drinks were all consumed), the Edge (35 feet tall double slide) and the other inflatables were all visible draws for the crowd.  The antique cars, motorcycles, and fire truck were all great conversation starters, allowing many witnessing opportunities.  The dunking booth, fall festival games, and basketball hoops allowed the children to test their skills and have some athletic fun.  The pony rides and hay ride were something out of the ordinary that the kids and parents all loved.   The snow cone tent, the balloon animal tent, and the health fair tent were all widely attended and appreciated by all who participated.  The fishing boat casting-center sponsored by the IronMen ministry developed the potential anglers in the crowd.  Everything was a complete success!!!

We were blessed to prayer walk the block, to pray with many who shared their troubles with us, and to love on many.  I remember the couple whose house is being condemned by the end of this month and who were looking for a new place to rent.  I remember the autistic boy who did not speak, but who smiled big to have a cherry flavored snow cone to eat.  I remember the families who came to thank us for a hot dog meal - that cost us a dollar (how humbling it was).  I remember the smiles on the children's faces that seemed to never stop; that is until they had to leave for home.

The weather was suppose to be hot and humid, but God blessed us with cloud cover and a great breeze that made the day cool enjoyable.  God kept the rain away all afternoon, but brought the temperature down for a day that would draw the crowds out of their homes.

The entire day was seen by all as a miraculous day where the Lord expressed his sovereignty, and revealed his love to the world through the church.  Like many others, I am just thankful that the Lord used me in such a great endeavor.

Loving Harlingen every day,

Bro. Wade

Passion for Prayer

T.W. Hunt has been such a blessing in my life over the years, but spending a weekend with him during our prayer conference was a wonderful highlight that I will cherish for many years.  T.W.  has a unique passion for the Lord that translates into his prayer life.  While around him throughout a day, his passion and his prayer life are a contagious experience.  I found myself wanting to stop and pray even more than usual.  I was quicker to name the blessings of God, as they were like neon signs in front of me.  I was also overwhelmed with the people the Lord put in our path, it was if evangelism was the obvious result of a life that was so focused on Christ.   I must confess that I would only hope that one day I could be a person of influence like the man I was blessed to pray, worship, and witness alongside of this weekend.

The prayer conference was indeed life-changing for many and I rejoice with each one.  I hope that the fellowship of First Baptist Church Harlingen will not lose the impact of this past weekend for many generations to come.  We rejoice with the many who filled the altar during both services on Sunday morning following the challenge that God brought through T.W. Hunt.  We believe that each person will continue their commitment to step forward in the battle and assume the role of intercessor and pray for the powerful moving of God in our nation and world.  

God bless each one as we stay true to the commitment to pray daily in the power of the Holy Spirit; and may we all become people of great influence as we grow more passionately in love with God.

Praying passionately,

Bro. Wade

Not about politics

One of the saddest comments I have read in a while was published in today's media.  When the restriction on embryonic stem-cell research was lifted by the President, the scientific community responded by saying they are glad that "ideology" is no longer leading our decisions as a nation.

I was swept to my knees to pray for a nation that has clearly lost its way in the world and has taken the word of God and respect for God's creation out of our decisions.  It is so alarming to know that those who reject God are celebrating the decisions of a president who professes Christ as Savior because he is not allowing Christian convictions to lead his decision making.

This is not a political statement, I am not a Republican or Democrat, my trust is not in men.  I am just worried for our nation.  Yes, I said worried.  God has made it clear what will happen to a nation that ignores the word of God - and since I am part of that nation, the truth is clear, we will face the punishment.

Please join me in praying for a spiritual renewal to sweep our nation, for the church to rise up; not just in political circles, but to take the gospel to our nation.  God's plan for the church in our nation has been for us to reach our nation with the gospel, not to simply take political stands.  When we focus on politics, we appear to be against people.  When we share the gospel we appear to be for people.

Rise Up, Oh Church of God!!!

fearful of the wrath of our living God,

Bro. Wade

Merida Missions

The Merida, Mexico Mission Team experienced a great amount of love on our trip.  We were blessed to be in Merida during Valentines Day and were asked to speak at the Valentine's banquets for two different churches.  Sunday morning was a special opportunity to preach in the service and to teach about men's ministry during Sunday School.  The evenings were spent leading a church leadership conference, one of the main reasons for the trip.  Bro. Craig Blakeslee spoke each night to the leaders of children's ministry in the churches and then I spoke to the whole group about issues concerning vision, unity, values, discipleship, conflict resolution, and small groups.  We appreciate the Lord's work in bringing us together with ministers from across Merida and allowing us a brief time to disciple them.

We also led in a few evangelistic services where we saw the Lord strengthen small churches and reach several who accepted the Lord as their Savior.  Praise the Lord for each one and for the many who heard the word.

We were blessed with great weather, safe travel, and wonderful food.  Thank you to all who prayed for us and for the Lord to work through us.

On Mission Daily,

Bro. Wade

FOCUS'09 - Reviving God's People

God's abundant grace and power have been manifested in the people of First Baptist Church Harlingen.  

During our week of meetings, God changed many lives.  Many rededicated their lives to the Lord, several prayed to accept Christ in their lives and be saved from their sin and its consequences, others were freed from the bondage of doubt concerning their relationship with the Father, and many filled the aisles and alter area bowing before the Lord.  It was an overwhelming experience each and every service.

Bro. Jon Randalls was such a blessing as he proclaimed the word of the Lord to us with passion and purpose.  Jon was quick in his speech, bold in his tone, and caring in his agenda.  He was the chosen vessel of the Lord for the season of revival meetings the Lord had planned for longer than a year.

Bro. David Whittington stood before us and the Lord at the same time, and as he worshipped the Lord with all his heart, he led us into the very presence of God so we too could worship God passionately.  We appreciate how clearly his heart was turned toward God and how he was concerned about our engagement in praise and worship of the God who deserves the best in our hearts.

However, what we experienced during the week of FOCUS'09 was not the result of these men coming, nor was it the result of our efforts done this week.  God moved as a clear result of His desire to do so (PERIOD) - so He receives all the praise and glory and honor.  He was freed to move (or worded according to the Scripture, the Holy Spirit was not quenched) in our hearts, as a result of earnest prayer, brokenness in our attitudes, and the crucifixion of pride.  We allowed God to do what he wanted to do (although I believe he has not even shown us all he wants to do, for not all of us have given Him the freedom He needs in our hearts).  We gave Him the opportunity to change us and those around us, and He fulfilled His promises to us.

The revival, renewal, and refreshing we long for began many weeks, months, and years ago as the people of God fell to their knees to pray and seek God together.  The results we have seen this week are the result of God's choice, and the prayers of God's people,  a partnership that leads to blessing, healing, and an abundant power that changes lives.

So, don't stop praying just because the meetings stopped.  Don't stop spending extra time with God, just because the meetings stopped.  Don't stop passionately seeking and following God just because the meetings stopped.  Don't stop now - too much is at stake, too much is needed.

Don't stop the revival in your heart - the four quarters ended on Wednesday - but overtime is up to you.

Amazed, Awed, and Anticipating,

Bro. Wade

The Future

This morning I drove to church through a thick fog.  The first Sunday of the new year, reflecting on the Sermon, and I could not see 50 yards in front of me.  It was not a fun drive (only about 8 minutes), I had to stay focused, I had to be ready for whatever was in the road in front of me.  

As I neared my destination, the thought of the spiritual comparison came clearly to my mind.  I realized that as we start a new year there are many things in front of us, some familiar landmarks that will not change, and some things that will dart across our path without warning.  I may not be able to see what is going to happen tomorrow, or next month, but I have not been called to deal with those days right now; just the day that I am in.  The days will pass like the yellow stripes in the middle of the road this morning; quickly and with only a few in view.  

For us to stay on the path of righteousness as we move into the future, we must remain focused - every day.  We have an enemy who seeks to destroy us, who wants to harm us, so he distracts us in every way possible.  But, our God loves us and seeks ways to keep us focused on Him and His chosen path for our lives.  We are not told to seek the path, for we are to walk by faith and not by sight.  We are not told to seek the removal of the fog, for the uncertainty of life creates the deep need for faith.  We are not told to seek the removal of the obstacles, for they teach us the value of our relationship with the Father.  We are simply told to seek His face, and in the fog, He is always right beside us holding our hands, guiding us through the future.

The road behind me was not important as I drove through the fog, likewise, my past may be relevant, but it is not near as important as how I will handle the next day.  

Let us release the past to the Lord, praise Him for what He has carried us through, and let us take Him by the hand to lead us through the thick fog of the future.  We will arrive safe, in spite of the obstacles that come our way, as long as we hold the hand of the one who can see clearly through the fog.

Walking by faith,

Bro. Wade

Life Changes in 2009

The end of the year can bring a sense of regret and possibly failure as we look back at the events of 2008.  Often there are things left undone from our lists formed 12 months earlier, and if we allow their completion or lack thereof to dictate how we evaluate the year, or ourselves for that matter, we can experience guilt.  Guilt arises when we have made the plans for life change and have selected the goals ourselves.  When this is the case, we then operate in our own strength, which always leads to failure.  

Please be freed from the guilt that burdens us when we judge ourselves according to human expectations (which most resolutions are), and know that God evaluates you by His expectations, not your own.  When God calls you to do something, He has committed to provide all you will need to see it through to completion.  

Do not allow any unmet goals to make you feel less victorious than you are in Christ.  Do not allow your expectations to suppress God's potential in your life.  Do not allow your discouragement to keep you from following God passionately in every thing He calls you to do.

Remember Life Change is only possible through the power of God in your life.  He alone can change us, He alone who saved us.

Move beyond '08, and know that we who are in Christ have been forgiven completely of every sin.

forgiven and freed,

Bro. Wade