Author: Bill

My wife, Deb, and I minister to the mobile academic and immigrant communities of Boston Massachusetts. We live in Malden, which is part of urban Boston.
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Why I believe in the God of the Bible

I hope this story/explanation will be about belief in the unique God presented in the Bible. Believing in the God of the Christian Bible is distinctively different than believing in the god of Islam or the god of Judaism. It is also quite different than believing in the multiplicity of the gods of Hinduism or in the philosophy of Buddha. While most religions have some truth, Christianity is the Truth and its message is both distinctive and also exclusive. In other words, according to orthodox Christian teaching, it is incorrect to say that all religions lead to God. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the only way to God. My purpose is to explain why this exclusive view of Christianity is both reasonable and also correct. 

Please do not misunderstand me, I have no desire to alienate my many friends who are not Christians. I am not writing to condemn, but to offer hope, and the hope I offer is much more than a teaching. This hope is the hope of a perfectly fulfilling relationship with the Triune God, Creator of the universe. His desire is you, and He is ever reaching out to you. My desire is to show you how you can know Him personally. 

At the same time, the hope I am describing, while more than a teaching, certainly is a teaching. The life that Christianity offers is not a shallow existence, using the vocabulary of religious platitudes, a kind of Christianity that is not able to offer satisfying answers to the difficult questions of life. Rather, authentic Christianity and the relationship available in the Christian God is based upon the solid, intricate, surprising and *orthodox teaching of Scripture. True Christianity is able to answer those deep questions of life. In fact, I believe Christianity is the only faith that is really able to explain life as we observe it. Satisfying our deepest questions is at least one way in which God draws some to Himself. In His love and mercy, He allows us to have eyes to see the logic of the life that is all around us. He makes sense of that which seems chaotic, pathetic, dangerous, and deadly, but also beautiful, meaningful, and lovely. He helps us understand why such a wonderful world, full of promise, is also so full of death and corruption. *I am not referring to the Orthodox Church . I mean orthodox as in correct theology. 

So, what is coming is both a story and a teaching. It is the story about why I am secure in the teaching of the Bible. It is a story in that belief in the God of the Bible came to me as I lived my life. It was because of life that I could understand God’s message to me. God showed me little by little who He is and why things are the way they are, in both the physical universe and the world of men, but also within me. God revealed to me who I am and why I need Him. Simultaneously, this presentation is also a teaching, actually the teaching found in the Bible. The story and the teaching intersect in that the teaching of the Bible helped me understand the experience of life. I hope you will see that these answers satisfactorily answer the deep questions of life and the questions of your soul.

I have been a Christian for around 46 of my 66 years of life. I grew up in a family of six, two younger brothers and an older sister. Our family spent many weekends and vacations camping. It was on one of these adventures that my story of belief began. I must have been 12 or 13 years old, and my family was camping in the Grand Teton National Park of Wyoming, USA. My sister and I were sleeping outside of the family tent, and that’s where an awareness of my relationship with God came to life. My sister had fallen asleep, the night was chilly and quiet. I remember two things: the howl of the coyotes and the beauty of the Wyoming starlit sky. Although it was many years before I became a Christian, my journey to Him began that night. While transfixed by the awesome but bewildering Wyoming sky, I began to wonder about the deep questions of life. It started innocently enough. I wondered how far away was the closet star and the furthest star, what was beyond all the stars, and then how big everything was and how small I was. From there, I wondered who was I, and what was life all about. Suddenly, I was alone in a vast universe. I was lonely.

These were the kinds of questions and feelings that entered my soul that evening, and they continued to trouble my heart, until answers finally came years later. Actually, to place the answers to my questions at a point in time is inaccurate. God was busy during the intervening years, showing me more of Himself and of myself and of life—all of which led me ultimately to Him. 

On that Wyoming night long ago, I was both confronted as well as blessed with God’s creation. Part of who He is entered my soul that night, and the Bible, Genesis, chapter 1, explains why.

Before the Wyoming trip, I don’t remember ever thinking about God or religious things. But beholding God’s handywork that night, I was forced to wonder who I am in the midst of the vast universe. As I mentioned before, I  felt pretty small staring up at that sky, and my smallness made me feel lonely. I remained lonely until I became a Christian, which was at least seven years later. 

There are two portions of Scripture which have helped me to understand my loneliness. The Bible explains how all things came to be, and all things begin with God creating all things. In Genesis one we read,

1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ge 1:1–2). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

It may seem simplistic, but that God created the universe satisfies my curiosity and my longing. I know the monolithic view of the West scoffs at what it views as a naïve, uninformed and ignorant view of origins. This doesn’t bother me. In fact, I think it’s foolish to think all things came into being from nothing, apart from intelligence, and that by chance the complexity of the universe arose. It seems much more rational to accept the explanation given in Genesis one—God created all things. It seems obvious to me that a study of our physical world demands an explanation which includes an intelligent creator. By studying the creative activity of that Creator, we can learn many things about Him; 1) He is all powerful (omnipotent). He created all things. 2) He is all-knowing (omniscient). He had the intelligence needed to make that material universe. 3) He is everywhere present (omnipresent). The Spirit of God was hovering over His creation. The Bible explains that it is ultimately by God’s power that all things hold together.

The thing is, when you stop and consider carefully God’s created universe, you intuitively know these things to be true. This is why I was so taken when looking up at the stars in Wyoming. Something deep down inside of me responded to what I saw. Someone had to put those stars there, and that someone was beyond me in every way. I was dwarfed by His hugeness, humbled by His awesomeness, and scared by His utter otherness. 

Yet God is more than the creator; He is also our Father, Savior, and Comforter, and understanding how He is all these things makes all the difference. Let’s look further into Genesis 1 to verses 26 and 27

Genesis 1   26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ge 1:26-27). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

After recording the creation of all things (Genesis 1:1-25), the author of Genesis comes to the crown jewel of God’s Creation, Adam and Eve, the progenitors of the human race. Verse 26 begins with the most fascinating detail concerning what it means to be made like God. We are created in the image of relationship, the relationship found in the triune God. Notice again “Let Us make man in Our image according to Our likeness…” The plural personal pronouns are used to describe God three times. This repetition surely has a purpose, which I believe is to help us understand that God created us as relational beings, just as He is a relational being. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three in one. All through eternity God has been in perfect relationship within the Trinity. Genesis 1 explains that God also created us to have perfect relationships both with Him and with one another. In fact, Genesis chapters 1, 2 and 3 put on display both the relationship between Adam and Eve (they are together without clothes or shame), and Adam and Eve with God, as He walks with Adam and Eve in the garden in the cool of the day. If you pause for a moment to ponder this, it is a beautiful picture of what should be, peace with one another and peace with God in a creation unmarred by death.

These are the first chapters of the Bible, and they record the story of our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God creating all things in the universe, including those stars that captured my soul and those coyotes who sounded so utterly, hauntingly lonely.  He also created my soul which responded in bewilderment to His creation call. 

Here is the main point for this post. My soul responded to God’s creation because my soul was made by Him, to respond to Him. But why, then, was I still lonely? This is a subject for the next post. But for now, let me ask you these questions: Have you ever wondered about your relationship with God or with others? Have you wondered why relationships even seem to be so important? Can you think of a better explanation then that God made us to live within relationships, that we are made by Him as relational beings? Do those other explanations really explain our personal need to be personable with others? I don’t think so. Anything less than a Trinity is not able to form a rational, logical foundation for the human need for fulfilling relationships. One more question: 

If this is not the explanation, where does love come from? 

In my next post I hope to answer the question of why I remained lonely even after beholding God’s creative wonder in the stars of Wyoming. I also hope to present the biblical explanation for the myriad of broken relationships which make up both the world of men, but also all the created universe. These explanations are the answers that satisfied my soul. These answers are why I trust the Bible, why I am a Christian.  

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Teaching an International Congregation

Teaching the Bible to an international audience is a wonderful opportunity. By effectively communicating the Word of God to multiple nations/cultural backgrounds simultaneously, one is able to spread the truth of God’s word internationally. Those globalized individuals, whom you have taught, will naturally share what they have learned with the nations from which they have come. However, it is difficult to communicate with more than one culture at the same time. Being effective, doing so, will involve following biblical principles of relationship and communication.

While I believe what follows to be consistent with God’s Word, it is important to emphasis that this is not the only way to minister in cross-cultural situations. Rather than critiquing other approaches, I hope to simply share my insights from many years of ministering to various cultures in the same teaching time.

Know the Participants: It is important to become thoroughly acquainted with each individual within the multi-cultural congregation. Reading background information may be helpful, but personal interaction is essential. Extending friendship with the goal of truly knowing and understanding your fellow-made-in-the-image-of-God sojourner is the foundation of edifying communication.

Make the Goal Communication: This may seem obvious, but, often times, we Bible teachers become so excited about what God is teaching us, that we forget to make sure we are communicating on the level of our congregants. Watching the clock, we tend to speed up our delivery, thereby losing contact with those whom we are trying to communicate. Our goal should be to communicate truth, rather than complete an outline.

Interact Continually: By paying close attention to the congregation and by asking life application questions, the lesson will come alive, and the congregation will grow together around the teaching of God’s Word. Life questions are different then academic questions, which tend to exalt those with Bible knowledge. Life questions help apply biblical principles to daily living.

Be Nimble not Rigid: Some times a congregant will ask questions which are more important than the prepared material. It is essential to have mastered the main truths of God’s Word well enough, and, likewise, have gained a comprehensive understand of the congregant/congregation, so that we can discern when it is wise to change the direction of our message.

Prepare the Field: In our context of ministry, many of the those who become congregants have also studied introductory Bible survey lessons with members of the church family. Inevitably, those lessons/stories are referenced in the Sunday lesson time. What helped an individual become a Christian is then expanded upon in the discipleship ministry of Sunday morning. Notice that the Sunday morning message is an extension and expansion of the evangelistic ministry of the church.

Reap the Harvest: Following up the morning message by clarifying certain aspects of the message or by answering questions raised by the Sunday teaching is a good way to solidify what has been taught. This may be done in a follow-up service (we have at times done this in a brief after Sunday lunch service), a separate small group get together or by means of social media.

Simplify the Service: Sometimes the complexity of a service detracts from the teaching of the Word of God. It may help to simplify the service schedule: Prelude, Prayer and share (30minutes), Singing understandable songs, and the teaching/preaching of God’s Word. This may be followed by sharing Sunday lunch together. I have found that praying together and eating together are very important elements in developing the life of the congregation.

Prepare the room for interaction Study/Worship:

As you arrange the room for study/worship, think in terms of communication both between the teacher and the student, but also between the student and the student. This allows for better communication on various levels, and makes a more friendly atmosphere–more of a relational atmosphere, which more closely reflects our Trinitarian understanding of fellowship.

I hope to follow this blog post with more information on the biblical principles upon which the above points are based. In addition, it would be helpful to illustrate how our practice has actually worked out on Sunday mornings.

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A Prayer Letter

Boston and Beyond

Lorraine, 

Thank you for your nudge, reminding me that it is time for a Boston and Beyond update. It would be helpful to do so, (nudge us), in the future as well. Many a time prayer letters are built upon personal correspondence–seems more natural that way, and easier to write. As you will see, I am using your nudge to write my prayer letter.  

I can characterize what is happening in Boston and Beyond, a globalized cities initiative, with the phrase, slowdown,in order to speed up. In some ways, it seems like things in our life and ministry have slowed down. Each step forward seems to take more time. It’s kind of like walking a mountain trail rather than a city street. (It’s a good thing; we love mountain trails.) Recruitment, internships and deputation takes lots of time, so while very good progress is being made, it seems to be one slow, methodical step at a time. Forming teams and making plans to travel as teams is also not done quickly. Because efforts are spread in several areas, evangelistic relationships and Bible studies also take longer to develop, which means results take longer. 

Yet, we are sure of the Lord’s leading, and confident that in the end, much more will be accomplished in the pursuit of the Great Commission, the building of the body of Christ globally:  

1) We have many great gospel-centered relationships. Some of these are related to our work with Urban Peaks, which is a non-profit secular organization which raises funds to help kids take a step up. (Rock climbing is leveraged to help underserved kids have an opportunity to learn living skills by climbing.) We view this as an authenticating ministry, demonstrating our desire to help people, in general. This work forms the environment for gospel ministry. It helps the climbing community (and others) know that we don’t just proselyte, but that we are concerned for the whole person–for people in general. We do this because we understand that the Bible teaches us that all are made in the image of God, and therefore, valuable. That God views every person as of inestimable worth is made clear by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Working with Urban Peaks and the climbing community takes time–seems slow, but it is producing opportunities.

New friends are coming to our home, even to church. And, by the way, the rock-climbing community is a tight- knit global community. Working for Urban Peaks may be an excellent way to travel to other major cities, even in countries that do not allow ministers to travel. In a culture that is post-Christian, Urban Peaks is a gift from God.  

We also are developing gospel relationships in our centrally located Boston neighborhood called the South End. We live in an owner-occupied apartment building, where I have become a trustee, which means I am partially responsible for overseeing the operations of the building. As in all things, Deb works closely with me in this, and by doing so, the Lord has helped us form many friendships, some of which have developed into more “sharing of life” relationships. These kinds of relationships produce gospel sharing opportunities. Again, none of this happens quickly, but the relationships, which are being formed will eventually accelerate the building of the body of Christ, globally. After all, Boston is a global community, and we live right in the middle of that community.  

As you pray for us, also remember that we have a Friday night evangelistic Bible study. This study happens in our studio, and our desire is that it will include folks from all parts of the world. We also have a Bible study on the campus of Northeastern University on Wednesday nights. This study is inhabited by young Christians who desire to invite friends who are not yet Christians. Our desire, again, is that it will develop into a time when the nations gather to hear from God’s Word.   

2) We also are continually trudging up the mountain, slowly gaining new heights as we work at recruiting workers for Boston and Beyond. Next week, Deb and I will attend the Refresh Conference at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary. While there, we have at least two meetings with prospective workers. It seems so cold calling made-in-the-image-of-God people “prospective workers”. Actually, we consider each person who shows interest in working with Boston and Beyond, as an interesting human being who may join us, and be used of God to minister the gospel to a global community.  

Currently there are two individuals raising funds to work with us in Boston. Part of our stewardships is to encourage them as they move through the arduous journey of support raising. One way we do this is by staying in contact with each one and by hosting a regular online video conference where those interested in Boston and Beyond are able to share their burdens and praises. Our time of prayer and fellowships has become a great blessing to all of those involved. Not everyone who attends are planning on becoming a missionary with Boston and Beyond, or even living in Boston. But all these folks believe in the concept of ministering in the city as a conduit to ministering the gospel to the world. So, we meet together, encourage each other along life’s journey, and we pray for our world. 

3) As I write this, Deb is across the studio in the kitchen preparing food for our Chinese New Year celebration to be held in our church facility in East Cambridge. Later this afternoon, we will pack up Deb’s lamb dumpling filling, head across the street to the Back Bay, subway station and take the Orange Line across the Charles River from Boston into East Cambridge. The work of building our local manifestation of Boston and Beyond, the International Baptist Church, a Christian orthodox association, continues. Our ministry responsibilities in this regard are varied and complex. We seek to nurture, encourage, counsel, work, whatever it takes to help our fellowship become what it needs to become, as the foundation for globalized cities church planting. The work is slow, and we need to make progress more quickly. It is important that Deb and I do a good job of evangelizing and discipling through baptism. We also must be successful at recruiting laypeople and tentmakers to become part of our church family–this is essential. Most of our disciples end up leaving Boston, as we planned, but these do not make a good foundation for a self-supporting church. We need mature, flexible, qualified workers to come and live/work with us in Boston–again absolutely essential.  

4) Deb and I have the potential opportunity of traveling to at least three international urban centers/cities over the next year. Two of these are in places that are not open to Christianity. All three have great potential for Great Commission ministry. As the Lord leads and enables, we will be helping young believers be faithful in cities to which they have returned. In other places, we will be learning about new areas of opportunity and hopefully developing ministry relationships with the body of Christ in those cities. One step at a time, up the mountain path, slowly ascending, but in the end, the ministry will peak:-) 

5) There are other very important things going on that are both difficult to describe and unwise to share. All I can say is that God seems to be moving in fascinating ways, which may result in accelerated ministry. Confidentiality is mandatory here, but after having been co-laborers with some of you for over thirty years, or longer, I think you can trust us when we say, pray for these undefined, unfocused requests. We need wisdom, patience, and, above all, increased Godliness. Climbing the mountain includes looking into mysterious fog-shrouded canyons. 

6) We do have needs. Firstly, after we leave for Iowa next week, a construction crew will be installing a loft in our studio. Since we live in 310 sq. ft., every inch gained is helpful. The construction and related cost will be around $6,000.00. Secondly, our traveling for Boston and Beyond is expensive and gifts towards our traveling/passage fund would help us.  Thirdly, we always need to maintain our monthly support needs and are, therefore, on the lookout for new financial partners. We are not actively pursuing deputation meetings, but if a church shows interest, we would be excited to present Boston and Beyond to that church family.  

7) Finally, many of you gave special gifts to us at Christmas time. Thank you so much. The gift is helpful, the charitable heart is life-giving.  

Things seem to have slowed down so that we can speed up. We are ascending a rough upward mountain trail, but the view from the top will be…. In the case of Boston and Beyond, it will be ten thriving discipleship centers/churches in ten cities ministering to ten civilizations the gospel of Jesus Christ. These will be places where all sorts of people find shelter, the rich and the poor, the educated person and the simple man, the sophisticated and the addicted, folks from all places and of all ethnicities—a little bit of the kingdom in the church.   

We love you,                                                       , 

Bill and Deb                         

2020-01-24        

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The Lamb of God

John 135 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 1:35–42). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

When John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, he connected Jesus with the entire Old Testament, which explains in detail the need for a sacrifice to remove sin and to fix all things. John made it personal. Standing before them was the One who was the fulfillment of all their dreams and greatest needs.

The immediate response was to follow Jesus and learn of Him. This is also our choice–between each of us alone and our Creator, Savior God. Will we follow Him? Learn from Him? Notice in verse 42 how those who make a decision to follow Jesus are forever changed.

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Introductory Things

I am writing this series of blog posts primarily to help a special friend, Habibi, to understand why God and the Bible are so essential to everything in my life. It is my fervent and continual steadfast prayer that my Habibi will grow to love God and His Word as I do.

It could be that these writings about my understanding of God and His Word, may help others as they seek God. It may also help some prepare to explain who God is and why it is important to pursue Him. That would be wonderful.

Before we start studying the Bible, we need to understand a few things about the Bible. The Bible contains sixty-six individual books, which together form one book. With many different authors, written over centuries, this library of books tells one unified story of God’s desire for mankind, the history of man’s rejection of God, and God’s sovereign efforts to fix the relationship between God and man. Interestingly, the history contained in the Bible stretches from the beginning of time into the time when all things have been set right between God and all things, including man and the created universe.

The Bible presents the story, not a story. It is the authoritative account by which all other accounts will be judged.

The main theme of the Bible is the reconciliation between God and man. That reconciliation is the central theme of the Bible may be understood by studying Luke 24:25-27,

And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that athe prophets have spoken! 26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Lk 24:25–27). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

We will study Luke 24 a bit more in the next post, but notice how Jesus reproves the foolishness of His disciples for not understanding that all Scriptures point to Him.

Application: As the Bible states, all of history is explained in the Bible. The central theme of the Bible is Jesus, the Savior of all those who believe. Those who follow Jesus receive special blessings from Him, Who made us to know Him and enjoy Him forever. Believe in and follow Jesus.

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Our Creative God

Ge 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

Bill: I am reminded that God is at the root of all things. There is no explanation, no meaning, no anything without God. In the beginning there was only God and from God came all things. How foolish it would be, then, to try and live life while ignoring God. Stated positively, if we begin with God, all things will be put into proper perspective (order), which will allow us to live our lives within the blessings of God.

3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.

9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” 21 God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.

Bill: It must be understood that our creator God created all things in six literal days. We should learn from this that our God is all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (notice that the Spirit was hovering over the waters, which allowed God to organize the unorganized into a beautiful creation.) This also reveals our God to be the author of all things beautiful.

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Bill: Although all things are created by God, all things are not created equally. We (humankind) are created in the image of God. We are God’s special creation, created to enjoy God and serve Him forever. As His image bearers, we a have the privilege and responsibility to creatively and wisely manage the earth ethically, morally, firmly, and beautifully.

29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Bill: When God finished creating, He pronounced His finished product, “very good.” It is correct to say that at the completion of God’s creation, all things were perfect.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ge 1:1–31). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Application: All that we have is from God and belongs to God. He has given us the wonderful and awesome responsibility of managing His creation. What we have, we should manage for God. By doing so, we enjoy the blessing that is called life.

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Psalm 27

27:title A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.

4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. 5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.

6 And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, and be gracious to me and answer me. 8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.” 9 Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path because of my foes. 12 Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.

13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ps 27:title–Ps 28). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

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Boston and Beyond

Fellow-workers for the Truth,

One of the five responsibilities Deb and I have for the B&B globalized cities initiative is to recruit the workers. In order to accomplish our God-given goal of making disciple in all nations, by ministering in key cities, we need to recruit three kinds of workers.  Firstly,  we need tent makers, those who use a secular vocation to minister in the city.  Secondly, we need professional workers who pursue a career in strategic cities and become part of the B&B ministry team in that city.  Thirdly,  we need occupational Christian workers who will minister the gospel full time, moving from city to city as part of B&B church planting teams. 

There are two new couples in Boston, one who came as tent makers, the others as interns. The Lord has provided both couples with employment. They are slowly adapting to city life. One couple has joined the church and the other couple is contemplating joining. One couple will be here for a year, while the other will remain indefinitely.  Please pray for these two young couples, who have bravely, with resolute hearts, moved to Boston in obedience to the Great Commissioner. 
We also have two individuals who are raising support to come to Boston.  Jean Tsen has around 43 percent of her support and is praying for 50% by the end of August. Andrew Eddy has just finished candidate seminar with Baptist Mid Missions and is just beginning his deputation ministry.  Deputation is difficult and can be discouraging. Please pray for Jean and Andy as they move forward with the Lord. 

There are others who are considering serving the Lord with B&B. Please pray that God will make His way known to them. 

We need to recruit more workers, and the way we do so is multifaceted, including speaking in churches, using social media, and presenting B&B at Bible colleges, seminaries, and Christian colleges. Deb and I desire to speak and be present in churches and educational institutions who are interested in B&B. Please pray that connections with like-minded institutions will be made, and that individuals will be recruited for gospel ministry in the cities of our world. 

Answered Prayer

A church has supplied our need for an expandable table, which we will receive in the middle of September. In addition, another church is contemplating helping us with our very compact chairs, which we need for our expandable table. Our cocoon of a home, in the middle of the city, is being outfitted to impact the people of the world who live here—Praise the Lord! 

Prayer Calendar

Retreat, Refuel, Repeat: Deb and I are leaving for two weeks away.  We will celebrate Deb’s dad’s 90th birthday on Friday in Williamsburg, Iowa. From there, we will travel to be with family in South Carolina, and  hope to follow this with a time with more family in Jackson Hole. While in Jackson, Wyoming, I will work on my Life Organizational Accountability Plan (LOAP). This discipline, which I work through periodically, controls all our activity. Please pray as it is updated.   

There will be no prayer letter while we are away. 

September 13: Mid-Autumn Chinese Festival celebrated by the IBC. We meet many new friends at this activity

October 28-31: Missionary Conference at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary. 

Support Information

For more information concerning our monthly support needs, you can go to Bill and Deb’s Website for Supporters and click on the Financial Information tab.

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Feeling Alone?

In our imperfect efforts to serve our Savior, there are times when, I’m sure, we all feel alone. This solitude may be real or imagined, but the feelings of isolation, which accompany it, are very real. And while the Bible has much to say about the strength and vitality of Christian community, it is not at all silent about serving the Savior alone.

2 Samuel 23:9 And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew. 10 He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain. 

Eleazer, understanding God’s intention for Israel, stood alone when others ran away and who only returned after the battle was already won. Eleazer won the battle alone, but he wasn’t by himself. The God of Israel was with him.

2 Samuel 23:11 And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. 12 But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory. 

Shammah was much like Eleazer. He took his stand in the midst of Israel’s enemies and fought alone to a great and amazing victory. Undoubtedly, Shammah was a confident warrior, but his real confidence was in the Lord. Probably both Eleazer and Shammah realized the potential for death, but were, nevertheless, ready to stand upon the promises and dignity of God even unto death. They were willing to do so alone, but not really alone. The triune God was with them.

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016).

Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

Matthew 26:39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

Matthew 26:44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 “Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update

The Lord was alone. On the night when He was to be betrayed, when, more than ever, the fellowship of the disciples would be needed, they failed Him and left Him alone. But our Savior wasn’t alone, the Holy Father and the Holy Spirit was with Him, and that was all that was needed. Only Jesus could die for us, and He had to do it alone.

Maybe this is why, at times, we serve alone. Maybe it is the way it needs to be. Maybe it is the way of the cross. But we must remember this, when we are alone, or feel alone in our service to the Savior, we are not alone at all. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are right there with us, and that is more than enough.

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It’s Just the Way it Should Be

While doing my daily Bible reading, I continue to discover more portions of Scripture that confirm the principle of giving financially to those who minister to us spiritually.

Luke 10:1 Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. 2 And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 “Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. 5 “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ 6 “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

7 “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.

8 “Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; 9 and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 “But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 “I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update.

In the time before Israel became a nation, the principle of giving 10% to the Lord was established. Israel, being a theocracy, gave much more than 10% of their income. We found in the church age that, while 10% my be a reliable general standard, love should be our guide to even a larger percentages of our income being given. In the passage above from Luke, again we see that it is the plan of God for those who receive care from God’s minister to supply the need of God’s minister. In fact, this seems to be the bedrock principal found throughout Scripture. Those who minister should be financially reimbursed by those who receive the ministry.

Galatians 6: 6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

Paul clearly explains the responsibility of giving to the minister. Ministers can’t minister without being paid, and it is logically, naturally the responsibility of those who receive the ministry to pay the minister.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update.