Early Easter Greetings! Rejoice during this time of loss and victory; sadness and joy; death and life. Ultimately it’s Victory, Joy & Life!
Pastor-of-all-of-YWAM – Jim Dawson – left us for a Better Place on February 24th at the good old age of 90. We dedicate this edition to Jim, who for several years in the 90s, wrote a column called The Shepherd’s Heart for inTouch, our old printed magazine. Joy and her children John & Jill, along with their families and friends grieve, as does all of YWAM. As for Jim, we can rejoice with him.
“With the amount of love you have for others, to that extent you will have authority.” This personified Jim Dawson throughout his humble, loving and authoritative life.
(More about Jim in The Boutique)
A Puzzlement
I’m really puzzled. As a follower of Jesus, I understand that all sin – all kinds of sin – actions and thoughts and motives that are clearly sin and vetoed in God’s Word . . . all of those things displease God, and even hurt Him. I know all this, yet I continue to fall short of God’s standards for life. We all do. And perhaps that’s why it’s an unpopular subject.
All sin is rooted in pride which says, “I don’t need you God, I can run my own life.
So, gossip and stealing and judging and murder and drunkenness and immorality and the love of money – and a whole bunch of other things that hurt other people (and ourselves) – all of them are considered to be sin; they’re not pleasing to God, and we should stay away from them, right? You mean, even just a tiny little itsy-bitsy morsel of gossip? (aka murder-by-mouth.) Yes. For you and me, it’s Sin.
That’s the time we need to feel like Paul when he wrote that, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (1Tim 1:15)
Still with me?
Now we all know that people who do not follow Jesus are free – at their own peril – to do all those kinds of unpleasing-to-God things, even ignoring their consciences (if they still have that ‘inner voice’). We also know that for sin, there are consequences: if you take something that does not belong to you, civil law will judge you. If you murder someone with a gun or a knife or poison, same thing. Public drunkenness and immorality are still generally banned by the laws of most lands. But the law softens, and nowadays turns a blind eye to a lot of behavior that God, through his Word, does not want men and women to be involved with – for our own good.
We are in days where God, despite desiring the best for man, is becoming irrelevant. His Word has become just a trivial history book. We now make laws to suit the cravings and hankerings of the majority. (Are we praying for our God-appointed authorities who make these laws?) The law bends and pronounces rubbish like, “If it feels good, do it. If it’s inconvenient, kill it.” Everyone, it seems, can now do what is right in their own eyes.
I’ve noticed that with most sin, people don’t talk openly about it, though they may share juicy tidbits with like-minded friends. Immorality, by its very nature, is usually a secret sin. But now immorality of all kinds even flaunts itself in seeking acceptance and credibility. What’s next? How long before marriage becomes a three-way thing? Or the man/boy and women/girl movements gain public approval? Post-birth abortions? This is the world’s way, it was true back in the Old Testament and it’s true today: ” . . . another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done . . . they did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served other gods . . . ” (Judges 2:10)
Sad to say, but it seems like many of us who bear Christ’s name, are at the very least guilty of silence and/or non-involvement, as this tsunami of iniquity engulfs us; we just look the other way, hoping it will drift away like a bad smell.
And so often, those of us who are blabbing Believers pronounce judgment and rejection – loud and clear – upon those who do not meet biblical standards of conduct; we point our bony and accusing fingers at these ‘wretched sinners,’ in smug self-righteousness, just like the Pharisee who publicly prayed, “God I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers . . .” (Luke 18:11) God help us! The trouble with self-righteousness is that it’s all self and little or no righteousness, as expressed through loving eyes, words and actions . . . that whole public package of unlovingness stinks.
(Perhaps the stink of self-righteousness is more overpowering than the unpleasant odor it’s trying to neutralize.)
Jesus preferred to hang out with church misfits – prostitutes and thieves and adulterers – the ones we so often shun. He accepted them and didn’t judge them. His very life oozed love, acceptance and friendship, yet without compromise to his righteousness. He asks us to be salt, light and yeast. It doesn’t take much salt to flavor a meal, light to banish darkness, or yeast to raise a loaf of bread. You and I, each with our one life, can make a difference as we move around in ‘the world.’ All that’s needed is a ‘critical mass,’ (10 righteous in Sodom, 12 disorganized disciples, one Barnabas).
How do people perceive us? Like Jesus . . . or like the Judge?
So what can we do about it?
- Live up to The Truth we have
- Be a Voice for good in today’s wilderness that we must walk in
- Do Good
- Love God and others (and always speak well of them).
- Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
Two precious friends of ours recently took up residence in Heaven, and at their Memorials it was obvious to everyone that both were extraordinary people. Characteristics that were used to describe both were, ‘Others-Centered’ and ‘Servant-Hearted’ and ‘Loved-People.’
Those are some qualities that win the lost. So let’s ooze so much love that it even comes out of our pores.
Blessings,
John Wesley wrote . . .
Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
At all the times you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can
Here’s a searching question asked by an eight year old girl . . .
Do you have a greater fear of the enemy deceiving you than you do of the Holy Spirit leading you?
And from another angle . . .
I’d rather obey God – and discover I was wrong . . .
than disobey Him and miss his will for me
This was the chair that Papa would sit in every morning to meet with God. There he would have worship, intercession and study the Word. If he was ever interrupted, he would quietly say, “I don’t want to short-change my Savior.” He wanted to finish those precious times with Jesus. That chair remains where it has for many years, as a reminder of a Godly man who loved his Savior. From son-in-law John Bills
Jim Dawson’s Memorial Service on YouTube
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErHsrUq3SH8&feature=youtu.be
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edraBU8YbKY&feature=youtu.be
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Thanks for staying inTouch with us as a YWAM family. I say ‘YWAM family’ because in another YWAMer, I see or perceive a family likeness that makes us all like a brother, sister, mother or father in the faith to me and for me. I attribute this likeness to Jesus, the first true YWAMer with mission, who answered His Mum and Dad with the words, “I was about my Father’s business.” True YWAMers are about our father’s business, and He loves to stay in touch with us. Bryan Pollard, NZ
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From a daughter: Loved yours Dad – hahahaha . . . I thought it (Pride Comes . . .) was quite funny. Reminded me of when I was on DTS outreach on the bus traveling through the Nullarbor Desert on the way to Perth – sitting up at the very front of the bus. As dusk fell, a huge red kangaroo jumped in front of the bus and hit the front window (right where I was sitting). The whole bus was silent except for Peter Jordan’s daughter, who loudly yelled the ‘S’ word! I blamed it on the days I spent at High School – that’s all I ever heard, day in and day out!
Donna’s Corner
The Spirit Of Truth
Dear Friends,
I was speaking at a Korean Church Business Discipleship Training School a few weeks ago, and as I was praying for people, I got such a clear revelation: the Holy Spirit IS the Spirit of TRUTH. If we’re listening to Him, we’ll know the truth and that truth will set us free. I knew that in my mind, I speak about it and live it. As I started to pray for them, “God, open their spiritual ears so they will know TRUTH,” many started to weep. They were hearing God speaking truth to them.
So many of us don’t believe truth. The enemy lies. He brings fear and condemnation, makes us ‘busy’ and feel driven. The enemy will sneer, “Did God really say that?” just like he did in the Garden of Eden. A young girl said to me one day, “Mrs Jordan, God just told me, that what you are teaching is exactly what the enemy hates most; he doesn’t want us to believe we can hear God speak to us.” The enemy knows that if we listen to God, we’ll have close relationship with Him.
Often people speak out of their minds and their emotions. This can can bring doubts and confusion; but when we listen to God, we’re free, because He sees our hearts are set to please Him.
God’s people are in turmoil, hurting and anxious because they’re not listening to the Spirit of God within them. Pride and unbelief are two of the biggest hindrances to listening to God. The enemy says, “Did God really say?” and right away unbelief and doubt come in. Pride whispers, “God gave you a good mind, use it. You have a degree in theology (or education, or medicine etc), you don’t need to listen to him.” No matter how much we think we know, we must remember God is ALL knowing, ALL loving, ALL powerful. He sees the bigger picture. LISTEN to HIM!
Just before He went home to be with the Father, Jesus said He’d send another advocate to help us and be with us forever – the Spirit of Truth. “The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be IN you. (John 14:15-17; read also John 15:26)
We must believe truth, and that the Spirit living within us wants to reveal His truth to us; but we need to be still, quieten ourselves, stop listening to the voice of others, to our own rationalizing, and to the lies of the enemy, so that we can hear His voice. We absolutely must learn to be still in this busy world. Here’s a suggestion . . .
Turn off all your electronic communications devices for 30 minutes a day, or for 15 minutes, three times a day (like three spiritual meals with ‘fresh bread’). It’s a challenge. Jesus said the Spirit of truth will come and will guide us into all the truth. He won’t speak on His own; He will only speak what He hears, and he will tell us what is yet to come. He will glorify Jesus by taking from what is His and revealing it to us. He will receive it from the Father, and make it known to us. (Read John16:12-15)
Jesus is the way the TRUTH and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Throughout the gospels He keeps saying, “I tell you the TRUTH.” You who have ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying. He will reveal truth and the truth will set you free.
Please be led by the Spirit, (Rom 8:14-18) and live by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26), keeping in step with Him.
Practice quieting yourselves, even in your busy lifestyle, and listen to the Spirit of truth and love, the Holy Spirit. He will give you peace beyond your understanding.
Love and blessings,
Renewal Camps & Gatherings 2013
Europe starts with a Dean Sherman Tripleheader next summer!
June 16 – 22 Piemont, Italy: Speaker – Dean, click here for details
June 30 – July 6: Restenäs, Sweden: Dean, again! click here
July 7 – 13: Sighisoara, Romania: Dean, Once more! Yes! click here
July 22 – 27: Skjærgårdsheimen, Norway: Edwin Fillies, Lausanne Leader , click here
August 4 – 10: YWAM Champagne Le Gault, France have a look here
For more information about the European Camps click here
November 6 – 10: Singapore: Dean Fujishima, Peter & Donna Jordan & Team
click here to email for information
And Finally . . .
You’re only as loving as you are humble (Spoken at Jim Dawson’s Memorial)..
Till next time,
The Small Print
—and the whole ministry of YWAM Associates—is for the encouragement and building up of the saints.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a saint.
YWAM Associates exists by faith, daring to live on the edge, yet relying upon God and his people to supply everyday ministry needs. If God should lead you to support us, write check to “YWAM Associates,” and mail to address below.
US & Canadian tax receipts provided.
Feel free to use anything from , in whole or in part, in any way that will glorify God and advance His Kingdom.
We love to hear from you, and it would be great if you would send us email addresses (Name, City & Country) of your friends.
Editor, Peter Jordan; Regular Contributor, Donna Jordan; Copy Editor, Laurie Jordan-Worrall;
Mascot, Ruth Worrall
