May 29, 2026

 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. C.T. Studd

I met with one of my Theological Think Tanks this week. They are men and women who live in Finland, Sweden, Prague, and Azerbaijan. We meet each month to discuss advanced theological issues and discuss strategic ministry strategies. These 15 ministry leaders live in difficult circumstances since their countries are not particularly friendly to the evangelical faith. But their faith radiates in the darkness as they proclaim Jesus is Lord. When I get off the Zoom call with them, I always feel a sense of joy and gratitude that I get to impact these ministry leaders. But I also have a nagging question that asks, "Is my fire still burning hot enough, or am I cooling off?”  I sense this question again when I get off the Zoom call with my Philippine Theological Think Tank. These men are fanatical about their faith and their mission for the Lord. I count it a privilege to serve these men and feel a part of the ministry they are involved in, changing the church and culture in the Philippines. But again, I ask myself - Am I sliding? I know that I am 35 years older than these people, but I do not want that to be a convenient excuse. I want to remember the words of C.T. Studd:  When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord, with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

May 22, 2026

Strategic Plans for the Ministry Should Always be Written in Pencil- And always Give God the Eraser.

As Peter Drucker reminds us, “Leaders do the right things, Managers do things right.” I try to do both. And so, I am a planner. In fact, I am a strategic planner. In fact, my list-making and prioritization philosophy borders on obsessive-compulsive behavior. That's because I want to make sure I have a strategic and tactical plan by which I invest my life. But I have discovered that oftentimes God has bigger and certainly better plans than I could ever imagine. The Lord has given me maximized freedom with minimal restriction. As such, I have a sense of responsibility and accountability. For as Jesus said; “To whom much is given, much is required.” As I reflect on the investment of my life of ministry, a haunting question reverberates in my mind: What would you have tried if you were not afraid? Fear comes in all shapes and sizes. I’m not smart enough, I am not eloquent enough, there are so many others with so much more, what am I doing in the same room? And then the Lord reminds me of the Moses syndrome, “Fred, it is not about you, it is about Me.” What happens when half the story becomes the whole story? The real story is that God, in His grace and mercy, decides to use each of us in a way to magnify His Glory through us. The Apostle Paul calls this the “Cracked Pot strategy” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7.  “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves…” The greatness and glory of God shine forth best in ordinary earthenware -- old, cracked pots. It is not about me, it is about Him. Paul introduced this concept to the Corinthians in his first letter. "For consider your calling brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.”  1 Corinthians 1:26 -29 When it is about me, I fear. When it is about Him, I am Free. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

May 15, 2026

Who Needs Theology?

There are times when the world goes a little fast and gets a little crazy. It also seems like it is out of control. It could make you wonder if our God really knows what is going on. Let me quote myself. God is a consciously knowing being, and this knowledge is perfect and absolute in kind and inclusiveness. God knows everything and everyone, actual and possible, from all eternity (1 Chron. 28:9; Isa. 40:13-14, 27-28; Heb. 4:13; 1 John 3:20). He knows the acts which free moral agents will perform and might have performed. He knows us completely – our needs, what we are, and what we can be. Thus, God cannot learn anything new. His knowledge will not fail. It has no limitations. As the Psalmist acknowledges: 'Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord thou dost know it all.' (Psalm 139:4) Who is like our God? There is none. He alone is wise, eternal, and all in all. In light of the picture that the scriptures paint for us of who and what our God is, how should we then live? Peter answers this -- In holy conduct with a heavenly outlook. Truly, our God is an awesome God who reigns from heaven above. If God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us.  Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

May 8, 2026

Those things we never say …. Enough

Thank you… Good job… I really appreciate you...Forgive me… I am sorry... You look great… I really like you… I sure love you. I’m sure we all say some of these sometimes. But I imagine it is not enough. I find it is easier to say these things to some people. They are nice people, easy people to be with, and they reciprocate. That feels good and makes it easy to be with them. But there are other people who are uneasy, anxious, and edgy, and hard to be with.  What makes this so hard? Perhaps we are too fixated on ourselves to focus on others. For some of us, we might be too critical of people and assume the worst- (Oops; did I just make a confession? I like to call it a heightened sense of reality.) I have always been a reflective person, but age seems to provide a degree of sensitivity in my reflection that is new. Maybe it is because the sense of the chase has diminished, and the competition aspect has faded. Maybe it is simply perspective and wisdom that comes with age. I also hope it is a sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the Scripture in my life. For whatever reason, I hope to make Philippians 4:8 a reality in my life. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”  Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred