A parenthesis is an explanatory word or clause inserted in a sentence for clarity, focus, direction, limitation. However, parentheses are not limited to grammar. Sometimes life gives you a parenthesis. Don’t resist the parentheses of life. If Moses had rebelled at a forty-year dessert parenthesis, we might not have the Ten Commandments. If Paul had resisted a prison parenthesis, we might not have the prison letters – Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon. If John had balked at a Patmos island parenthesis, we might not have The Revelation. When life gives you a parenthesis, God offers a lesson. It is a lesson that provides clarity, focus, direction, limitation. Accept it with gratitude. Pass it on with passion.

Join me this week in praying for the following global concerns:
• Continue to pray for mission teams that are traveling and serving all over the world this summer.
• Pray for Martha as she transitions from Spain to Germany in August.
• Pray for Sports Camps being held in and around Prague this week.
• Pray for Jerry and The Bridge staff as they minister to the people who share their office building in Vancouver.

I was at my seat in time for the National Anthem and a baseball game featuring a fireworks display following. National Anthem singers do have to audition but some slip through the cracks, or in this case, the music staff. It most definitely was the situation on that night. I’m sure the singer’s resume was filled with amateur contests entered but probably no mention of any 1st place finishes or even 2nd or 3rd place finishes. With a country twang and nasal voice that could have come from any rural area, this American Idol want-a-be started off key and never found it. The notes wobbled as the singer performed a personal rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” I wanted to yell, “Just sing it like it’s written!” but I kept my mouth shut. My ears were not so fortunate. In retrospect, the only thing that was on key that night was the fireworks that went off during “bombs bursting in air.” We’ve all had nights like that. Peter messed-up three times and then was haunted by an on-key rooster (Matt. 26:69-75). So, put past failures behind you and try until you get it right. Then strive for excellence.

Now join me in remembering the following global prayer requests:
• Pray for Karl and Julie as they settle back into Serbia after time in the U.S.
• Pray for Mary and her ministry among Russian Jews.
• Pray for Elise and Trey as they move into a new location in Zagreb, Croatia.
• Continue to pray for summer missionaries and summer mission teams.

My golf ball looks exactly like the one the pros use. It’s round and white and has dimples. It is even a Titleist ProV1. However, while the ball is similar, the similarities between my golf game and that of the professional ends there. There is a major difference. It is called “lie” but does not relate to untruth (at least it is not supposed to relate). A “lie” in golf is where the ball stops rolling. A common golf term is “play it where it lies” meaning you can’t improve the location of the ball (unless of course it is in a hazard). Most of the time, the pros hit the ball in the fairway and on the green. Much of the time, my ball “lies” in the trees or sand or water. From that unfavorable location, I must play my next shot. The origin of the game of golf is uncertain. A few golf historians actually trace the game back to the Roman game of paganica, in which participants used a bent stick to hit a stuffed leather ball. So perhaps the Apostle Paul played golf. Whether he did on not, he did understand a principle of golf and life. Paul wrote, I have learned in whatever state (“lie”) I am, to be content.” (Phil. 4:11). The truth is I can’t always control my circumstances (“lie”) but I can control how I respond to them. How will you respond to your “lie” this week?

Join me in remembering the following global prayer concerns:
• Pray for the International World Changers this week as they go to Chernobyl to give out humanitarian aid, fix some fences and minister to kids.
• Pray for Henry and Judie as they prepare to leave for East Asia and language school later this month.
• Continue to pray for collegiate summer missionaries and church mission teams as they serve around the world.
• Pray for those who serve in famine-wracked West Africa.

What fuels your day-to-day Christian life? Theological understanding? Trendy spirituality?
Hyper-active servanthood? One of the most interesting Bible studies is to pose this question to what is written about the day-to-day Jesus. Especially during the early days of His public ministry, the record is punctuated with multiple references to Jesus leaving His disciples and finding a quiet place for the purpose of prayer (Mark 1:35). Furthermore, the Gospel record implies that Jesus needed this private time with the Father, not only for His own spiritual sustenance, but to strengthen and equip Him for the mission to which he had been assigned. Those who work with people quickly learn that to survive, it is necessary to get away from people occasionally. And not just get away for the purpose of relaxation, but also for the purpose of re-fueling, communicating with the Father. What does your calendar look like this week? More important question: With what will you fuel yourself for this week’s journey?

Join me in praying this week for the following global concerns:
• Pray for the many church mission trips that are underway this summer – to the ends of the earth.
• Pray for the camp for children from Kosovo, being held this week in Serbia.
• Pray for more volunteer workers to assist with construction in Mapanza, Zambia.
• Pray that God would call someone to start a church among the 100,000 people in the Fraser River Delta area of metro Vancouver, Canada.

My web site, which includes this Blog, was compromised again this past week. This has become all too frequent. In the words of the one hosting my web site, “I have never had any of my ‘money making’ sites compromised. But yours and another Christian site have been the target of numerous attacks!” I am not surprised that the Christian web sites are attacked more frequently than other web sites. The truth is Christians are attacked more than non-Christians. And the greater truth is that faithful, serving Christians are attacked more than unfaithful, non-serving Christians. The Bible has much to say about this and how Christians are to respond to it:
• In His sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you . . . rejoice and be exceedingly glad” (Matt. 5:11-12).
• Jesus told His followers, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
• Speaking of Jesus, John wrote, “You are of God . . . and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4)
Have you been under attack lately by the forces of evil? I have this suggestion for you: rejoice, cheer up, overcome. “Easier said than done” you reply? I know. I know. But we have a choice in how we respond to attacks, the Biblical way or the world’s way. It’s your choice. I’ve made mine.

Pray with me this week for the following global concerns:
• Americans around the world gather for various forms of July 4th celebrations. Pray for missionaries who use this as a time for relationship building and witness.
• Pray for Amy as she seeks a job in Vancouver to provide financial support for her and Nathan as they attempt to start a church.
• Pray for those who are attempting to minister and witness during the Soccer World Cup Games.
• Pray for relief needs in the aftermath of ethnic violence in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan.