A Thought for the 4th

 

I just returned from a week in Green Lake WI where I attended the Holy Spirit Conference sponsored by Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries. Before I go further, I must inform everyone that I have been involved in this movement almost from the very beginning. I am currently an "unofficial emeritus" member of the Executive Committee. Therefore, I am a party to our planning and execution of the conference -- and it was wonderful. But, as usual I experienced some stretching. In another post I will discuss the many blessings that were a part. Today, I want to discuss some of the stretching.

One of our main speakers was a young man by the name of Philip Mantofa. He appears to be in his thirties, yet he pastors a church of about 30,000 in Indonesia. He is also an evangelist throughout Asia. There was much about his ministry that caused me to stretch; he is dramatic, groups of people would fall under the Spirit and he was difficult to follow (to really see the point he was making.) Yet, he was humble and gentle. In spite of my suspicions he really seemed to be a part of a genuine move of God.

The first night he spoke, he gave me a few thoughts for the 4th. I think that this may be interesting to many because of the arguments between those who see America as exceptional and those who don't as well as those who want no criticism of America and those (the religious) who are appalled at the directions we seem to be taking. Philip made the following statement, "The two countries that God loves most are Israel and America." Well, I liked this -- even though theologically it seemed to be a stretch. He followed up with, "But, there are two countries that love God the most; Indonesia and China." Well, this is also a stretch. What was he getting at?

Philip was trying to say that even though America was a country blessed by God, that they have lost there way. The country is mired in materialism, immorality, and much of the country is antagonistic to God. The church in America is (at best) weak and (at worst) unaware and part of the problem. We have squandered our blessing. God loves us, but do we love God? On the other hand, Indonesia is a Muslim country. Christians are a small minority (even if there are huge churches). The church does come under periodic persecution. Yet, the church persists because it loves God and places all dependence on Him for protection and deliverance. The case for the church in China is similar, although the enemy is not Islam, but an Atheistic (post?) Communist culture and government.

I don't know about who is the most loved, or who loves the most. God so loved the entire world that he gave his only Son! Yet, Philips message struck a cord. I love this country. I have served this country. Yet, we do seem to have lost our way. Now indeed is the time for the church to be renewed. Come Holy Spirit, renew your church!

One last note about Philip; he may be dynamic and a major evangelist, but he is gentle and humble. After the message that I just described, I caught up with him just as we were entering Bauer lodge. I told him that I appreciated his message and then, my ill timed sense of humor caught me and I added, "I always love a good rebuke." (There were many in the audience that were offended at what they perceived as a rebuke -- however, I really wasn't -- I was just being funny.) Philip didn't understand my humor and took me seriously. Remember, he is ethnically Chinese. These people respect old men like me. He jumped back, bowed low and said, "Oh, I am so sorry to have offended you sir." I felt like a fool. I explained what I meant and we were "reconciled." He may have stretched me. He may or may not be right on about everything. But, he was and is a gentle genuine Christian Brother. I am glad I met him and glad that I heard what he had to say. A real blessing.