Hi Dave,

Visiting grandchildren, our ministry, a tragedy and illness have kept me away from your blog for a few weeks until this morning.  It was good to catch up on your news, see a PJ party and enjoy Scripture God gave you.

Two weeks ago one of our brothers-in-law was murdered, actually executed, in a home burglary gone south.  The tiny town of Portis, Kansas will be reeling from this tragedy for a long time.  His funeral drew over 1200 people and had to be held in a high school gymnasium because no church could accommodate that size of a crowd.

Portis, a town of about 200, is just a blip on any map, if it appears at all.  The funeral message was basically one offering salvation.  Dave, people stood to receive Christ and hundreds of others stood when asked if they had renewed their faith or been drawn closer to God because of the tragedy.  There was no shouting, no histrionics, no sentimental “mish mosh,” no seeker sensitive terms from some approved list of emerging church leaders — just the quiet voice of reason sharing the gospel.  Sin, evil and death are not words one has to avoid when a closed casket and a grief-stricken family are staring you in the face as symbols of evil and the power of Satan.

Actually, my brother-in-law’s death attracted more people to Christ than did his life.  God was glorified.  I will never forget it.

Something that has continued to run through my brain in a constant stream for several days is that faith and predictability cannot co-exist.  It is true that our God can calm the storms in our lives, but it is also true that He can also put us “smack-dab” right in the middle of it.

Every time I can remember, the two words that angels first speak when they show up are “Fear not!”  I say that we should recapture some healthy fear for this God because that magnifies His majesty, power, awesomeness and might.  I don’t want a “wussy” God and I know guys like you don’t want one of those either.

So many of the churches we encounter anymore have made God their buddy, their pal and their cosmic bell-boy at their beck and call to take care of the baggage in their lives.  We have compartmentalized God and grown very comfortable around Him.  The preaching of Oprah and her new age mumbo jumbo from books, some of which can be bought in church bookstores like Crystal Cathedral are lulling us to sleep.  Too many pulpits are sharing a “feel-good” gospel that attracts thousands, but transforms no one.

Right wing evangelicals continue to hammer home that the purpose of the Christian life is to stop sinning when it really is all about knowing Christ and following Him.

If the prosperity and health gospel was true, Irene would be taking those runs to the beach with you.  The fact is that you guys have invited Jesus to join you in your boat just as the disciples did 2000 years ago.  The picture I get is that He is either standing or sitting in the front of the boat so we can focus on Him and He can see the direction we are headed.

I wish that you and Irene could get off this roller coaster with its whips and turns and sit in one of those boats that gently take you on a serene ride.  But, I affirm and thank you for your testimonies and …. because God’s Word never changes and never returns void …. lives are being transformed.  May God continue to grant you the wisdom from His Holy Spirit that allows you to boldly proclaim your faith in Christ Jesus.

Your friend,

Dave Neely