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The early church had the idea that there were three kinds of martyrs, and that in one way or another every Christ-follower can live out one kind:

1) Martyrs in will and deed - like Stephen in Acts 7, a lover of Christ who gave his life for Christ

2) Martyrs in deed, not in will - like the baby boys in Bethlehem in Matthew 2 who died for Christ without even knowing it

3) Martyrs in will, not in deed - like John the apostle, who was the only one of the twelve disciples not to die a violent death . . . yet he loved Christ passionately and would have laid down his life for him

While most Christ followers will not face 1 and 2 above, we all can be martyrs in will. We can be so in love with Christ and so full of his Spirit that everything we are and have is his. Then if in his loving sovereignty greater glory would come to him by our becoming martyrs in will and deed, we're ready. Rather than detracting from the impact and witness of our lives, dying for Christ as martyrs in will and deed adds a powerful exclamation point to our witness.

"Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." (Luke 9:24)

A car jack enables leveraging. When I need to change a tire, the jack enables me to multiply or leverage my strength to lift up the car. The jack enables me to do more quickly and with greater ease and effectiveness what would otherwise take four or five really strong men much more effort to do.

When thinking about leveraging, I realize there are opportunities to put this idea into practice in kingdom work. But I must be constantly on the lookout, asking God to show me leveraging opportunities, that which will give tactical advantage, that will multiply my efforts and effectiveness.

Jesus used this principle in his interaction with the Pharisees in Matthew 22. As they tried to trap him in his own words regarding matters in the law, he asked them, "Show me the coin used for paying the tax" (Matthew 22:19). When they brought a coin to him, he pointed to the picture and inscription of Caesar stamped on it. He went on, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (verse 21). He immediately overcame their arguments. He could have chosen to just state this principle. But he wisely saw a leveraging opportunity to convey it in a powerful form that everyone listening would quickly understand. By leveraging, the impact was much greater.

A local church wanted its senior high students to get engaged in giving to God's work. A missionary came wanting the church to be a part of her support team. A wise leader saw a leveraging opportunity. "We'll match up to $500 over the next twelve months any money you can raise from our senior high youth." As a result, the missionary was moved to focus her efforts on the senior high students, impacting them and getting them engaged in supporting missions. And for every dollar she raised from them, the church added another dollar for her support.

As you look at your investment in the work of the kingdom, ask God to give you eyes to discern leveraging opportunities. They're there . . . we just have to see them and use them wisely for that advance of the cause of Christ.

The news again today was not encouraging. The price of crude oil is up, the stock market is down. The US Congress is wrestling with a massive bailout plan for the US financial industry, which is in deep trouble. Housing foreclosures are at unprecedented highs. It looks very distressing and feels downright overwhelming.

While I'm not wishing or wanting this, what if we lost everything? What if our investments and retirement accounts became worthless numbers on paper? What if the US financial system collapsed? What if our personal net worths were reduced down to zero?

This horrendous scenario would create chaos and conflict. But there would be one positive benefit that may not be easy for our greedy hearts to discern. Losing everything would take us back to what's most important in life. It would force us to either despair, or transition our trust from money to God. We'd sense pointedly our temporal, finite, vulnerable position in relation to a God who is eternal, without limits, and invincible. In spite of the pain and hardship all of this would entail, could it be a good experience for us? My answer is yes.

In the midst of rising prices, declining property values, and a overall sobering economic picture, what's most important? Where should I be investing? Even in these challenging days, I can invest my time, talent, and treasure in what will last forever. I can give sacrificially and boldly of my resources for the building of a Kingdom that will not fail, that will never pass away. This is the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ!

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" -Jesus Christ, Matthew 16:26

We all know the Verizon commercials: one person talking on a cell phone . . . followed by a whole host of people who provide the network, who make it happen.

This is 21st century missions. It isn't one person out there alone. It's all about the network . . . it's about international workers doing missions WITH the sending churches, not FOR the sending churches. It's about that international worker bringing others on board, using their gifts, training, and connections to make a strategic difference in kingdom ministry. It's about network synergy.

What types of skills/gifts could we bring to bear, even on a short term basis, to expand God’s kingdom? Who do we know that brings a unique gift set/life experience to the table? And how could they work with others on the front lines of Alliance missions to make a difference?

When I begin to imagine the possibilities, I say "Wow, God. What an incredible network You've created in Your people. May we use the network well, connecting the dots and the people so that Your kingdom advances . . . far beyond what we could ask or imagine!"

Incrediblly inspiring. Amazingly creative. Absolutely fantasic! No question about it, the Chinese presented a breath-taking opening ceremony to an estimated 4 billion viewers from around the world!

As I watched nearly 11,000 athletes enter the stadium in a parade of nations, tears came to my eyes more than once. Here was a kaleidoscope of skin color, culture, and language! Sensing the beauty of a humanity united by the olympics, the commentators were making statements like:

- "Isn't this wonderful seeing the peoples of the world, with all their diversity, celebrating together!"

- "No conflicts, no wars here this evening. Isn't it great the most bitter of enemies can put aside their differences for this very moving celebration!"

- "This is the way it is supposed to be!"

The human spirit longs for a day when peace will reign on the earth, when people from every ethnicity and nationality will be united and celebrating together, when envy, strife, and hatred will be no more.

This longing can be rightfully understood from the perspective of a biblical worldview. Its ultimate fulfillment is a major part of the final chapter of the human story. There is coming a day when our Lord God Almighty will reign! He will wipe every tear from the eyes of the redeemed. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. The old order of things will have passed and the new order under God's righteous reign will have come! To learn more read the last four chapters of the book of Revelation.

What a privilege to help others be ready for this grand celebration! None of us can gain entry on our own merit. By turning from our self-centeredness and sin, confessing our need of a Savior, and putting our faith in Jesus Christ, we become the recipients of God's grace. As forgiven people, our relationship with God is restored through Christ. And we can rest assured that we'll be a part of this greatest of celebrations for which the human spirit longs!

An amazing leadership secret is tucked away in 1 Samuel 30. After being pursued for many months by Saul, David and his men were among the Philistines. Even though David had done nothing wrong, the Philistine rulers asked him and his entourage to leave. They departed, marching three days to Ziklag where they anticipated being reunited with their wives and children after a long separation.

To their horror, they arrived at Ziklag to find the city in ashes, and their wives and children gone. The men "wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep" (30:4). Adding insult to injury, David's very loyal men were so upset that they "were talking of stoning him" (30:6). Physically spent and emotionally distraught, these men were in the midst of a horrible situation.

Now here's the secret: "But David found strength in the Lord his God" (30:6b). While the text doesn't tell us how David did this, it's clear David's inner strength was renewed in a moment of desperate need.

How can we do this? I imagine David retreating to a quiet place away from the pressure of leadership . . . for prayer, for renewing his identity as a God-follower and experiencing an intense sense of God's loving presence. I think of David engaging in that which recharged his batteries and refreshed his spirit. He took time and was intentional about finding strength from a source beyond himself . . . God!

What follows is incredible. After inquiring of the Lord, David and his men pursued the Amalekite raiders who had plundered Ziklag. David led his men in recovering everything. All their wives and children were safely returned to them, with no indication of even one casualty on the Hebrew side.

Psalm 78:72 gives us the epitaph of David's leadership: "And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them." One of the secrets resulting in this assessment is David knowing the secret of finding strength in the Lord his God. May we know and practice this same secret!

Esther and I were in Ottawa, Canada on July 1 for the General Assembly of the C&MA in Canada and while there enjoyed the Canada Day festivities. It was a wonderful celebration topped off with a $100,000 fireworks spectacular! We sang or heard sung the Canadian national anthem "O Canada" at least five times while there. It includes, "God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."

We spent the first half of July 4 in airplanes heading back to Colorado. The second half of that day, we celebrated America's birthday. During the beautiful, clear evening, we sat on a hillside overlooking Colorado Springs as four different fireworks displays lit up the night sky.

In thinking about the freedom and resources God has entrusted to Canadians and Americans, I was reminded of an important truth. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48b).

Did God in his loving sovereignty provide freedom and resources to be used primarily for ourselves, or did he have in mind for these gifts to be used in expressing his love to the world? Could it be that he desires for all peoples on earth to be blessed through us? And if this is true, how should it impact how we live out our lives?

As we look at redemptive history as expressed in the pages of the Bible, a defining principle comes into focus. When God's people align themselves with his purposes, he blesses them so that they can be a blessing to others. When his people turn their hearts away from him worshipping other gods and living contrary to his purposes, he withdraws his blessing.

May Canada and America be in a blessable position, using our freedom and resources to bless the world! The greatest way to do this is by knowing Christ and making him known.

We use suitcases to take what we need when going on a trip. Last week my wife Esther and I challenged new appointees at Pre-Field Orientation to make sure they pack the right things in their suitcases. All of them are headed out for cross-cultural service this summer with their first assignment being the learning of language and culture. They have some huge challenges just ahead, and having the right things in their suitcase is essential.

There are some items that should not be taken with us regardless of where we're going. Fear, the goal of upward mobility, an inflated need for affirmation, a sense of being superior, and self-centeredness are just a few of the many things we urged new appointees to not pack in their suitcases.

Other items should definitely be packed. A heart for God and love for people should go in every person's suitcase. Security in who we are in Christ needs to be near the top of our packing lists. There should be room for humility, love for the imperfect, earthly expression of the Body of Christ, a grateful heart, and the Bible (to master it so the God through His word masters us). It never hurts to pack some comparison vaccine, so that instead of comparing self with others, we rejoice in the gifting and blessings they have. Small open spaces in our suitcases can be filled with words of encouragement to pass out after arriving at our new destination.

There are restrictions on the size, weight, and number of suitcases a person can take. That's why making sure we have the right things packed is so incredibly important. Our impact for Christ depends on intentionally leaving certain things home . . . and making sure we take other things with us.

Knowing those of us following Christ are pilgrims in this world, do you have the right things packed in the suitcase representing your life?

Financial support for US Alliance international workers comes primarily from our family of local churches. They provide this support through the Great Commission Fund. Instead of each one raising support individually, we all work together to raise our support corporately.

Some missionaries are great when it comes to fund-raising. At the same time, some Alliance workers who are very good in their cross-cultural ministry are not strong when it comes to raising money. Nonetheless, their support is graciously provided through the Great Commission Fund.

The important deliverable International Ministries provides is sending an appropriate amount of support to each missionary in a timely manner. The amount of support for Japan and Ecuador are very different . . . each is based on the actual cost of living in the respective country. Getting support from the US to over fifty nations around the world is no small task; it can be very challenging and complicated. Funds are sent monthly. Accounting, receipting, and reporting structures are in place to comply with all US and local government regulations. This support delivery infrastructure is a huge and much appreciated service!

If you'd like to help support Alliance missionaries, you can give through a local Alliance church or make your gift on-line at www.cmalliance.org. I urge you to invest, knowing an appropriate amount will be safely delivered in a timely manner to our missionaries around the globe.

A big challenge when a local church sends out its missionaries is supervising them. A Chinese proverb says, "Beijing is very far away, and the mountains between here and there are very high." In other words, it's difficult for leaders in Beijing to supervise what's going on out in the provinces. In a similar way, it's very difficult for a local church to supervise its missionary personnel half way around the world.

A key deliverable provided through the C&MA's sending structure is supervision. Through regional and field directors, and field leadership teams, personnel are held accountable to fulfill their assignment. If performance problems are discerned, those in leadership are responsible to work them out. The preferred result of good supervision is healthy resolution of the problems. When after significant effort it becomes clear this cannot be attained, transition from the field is arranged.

Holding workers accountable through good supervision is critically important. To do this well is good stewardship of very valuable personnel.