Even one of the late night show comedians has done a few sketches showing what his staff found in Dollar Stores. Many jokes have been made about them, but to others these stores are important. 

So, what can you buy with just $1.00? As it turns out one can purchase a lot of inexpensive items, but generally nothing of true or real value can be found there. Why? Because nothing costs more than $1.00. 

Then what can be bought with $1.00? I assure you $1.00 is very important. Recently I spoke at First Assembly of God in Versailles, MO for Pastor Gary Petty when they were conducting their annual Light for the Lost service. Those present were asked to give at least $1.00 per week to Light for the Lost. These funds will be used to reach lost souls around the world. 

So you see $1.00 is important. Let me ask, “what are you doing with your money one dollar at a time?” 

Some of you are thinking so what; guess what we put up with where I live? And I know that is true, but let me pose a question.

What is wrong with this picture? Not the local weather forecast, but the forecast that millions will be lost unless something is done. It is said that Nero “fiddled while Rome burned.” Are we guilty? Have we become so caught up in the weather or economic forecast, or other concerns, that we forget the weightier matters of lost souls?

Which forecast are you watching?

This is the year they spent Thanksgiving with Sherri and me, and will have Christmas at Kelli’s mom’s home with her family. So Christmas came early this year because we had Christmas at Thanksgiving! I guess you could say we will have two Christmases this year. We will be with Leo, LaDawna and the boys on or near Christmas day, as well as some of our extended family. To Sherri and me there is just nothing like being with our family, and even more importantly during the holidays.

Will everyone have Christmas this year? Unfortunately, no because nearly half of our world has never been properly introduced to Bethlehem’s Babe.

May we take time during this extremely busy season to pray that “The Lord will send laborers into His harvest!”

So, last Sunday I explained the faith promise concept to Bethel Assembly and challenged them to believe God for a miracle. At the end of the service, after speaking on missions, Pastor Israel Flores and I tabulated the faith promises.

I could sense the enthusiasm beginning to build. Then it was like a mighty wave of God as the faith promises continued to come. A church that had given just over $3,900.00 to faith promises in 2008 committed over $32,000.00!

Maybe you’ve “never done it that way before,” but let me challenge you, as I challenged Bethel Assembly in San Angelo, Texas, to step out in faith and give God a chance to perform miracles in your life and in the life of your church.

Our only limitations are those we place on ourselves!

I, along with others, was picked up at the airport by Pastor Gary Morton. He went beyond the call of duty in serving the delegates who were in Alaska to attend the meetings. He has a true servant’s heart.

Speaking of a servant’s heart, how do you and I measure up? Are we quick to serve our fellowman? Are we quick to serve, without hesitation, those who wait to be received into His great delegation?

Think about it!

One of Sherri’s nephews, Trent, who is now a pastor, conducted the ceremony. My mind went back to the years when Trent, Val, and the other cousins were growing up. They are near the age of our two children. Every Christmas there would be a family gathering and the cousins would be together. Watching them play and do “cousin-things” I never dreamed then what I was witnessing the afternoon of the wedding.

Here are two of the cousins who once played with all the other cousins…one is getting married and the other is performing the ceremony. Sherri and I were very proud of both of them.

How proud of His “kids” our Lord must be. He loves all of them with an everlasting love.

I conclude with a question. What about all the other “cousins” who haven’t come home yet? They are family too.

Who is this person? He is a young pastor deep in the bootheel of Missouri. He is a sponge seeking everything he can learn, and more importantly, hungry to do his part in building the Kingdom of God.

Recently, I was at First Assembly in Steele, MO. Saturday evening was spent training Pastor Harris, his wife Shontae and their missions team how to conduct a Missions Convention in their church. On Sunday morning we received faith promises for the next six months. The pastor announced to the church “our faith commitments this morning equals the entire missions giving for our church during the previous three years combined.” I think you would agree that is rather impressive.

That evening on his Facebook page Pastor Harris stated, “What a day! Today Steele First committed to change the world, and God changed our world!! We are set for a launch into the land of no more limitations.”

Oh, I did get another wonderful perk out of my visit in Steele…met Jentezen and Morgan.

Pastor Harris and First Assembly have made the decision to join the vigilant search for the lost!

General Council is a time when the Assemblies of God conducts its business. It is also a great time of connecting. I cherish those times of seeing friends whom I have not seen for many years. I am always hoping they don’t notice my “ugly” shoes.

But then I read where Paul writing to the Romans says in Romans 10:15 - “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (NKJV) Paul was not concerning himself with his wardrobe, but rather speaking of the importance of taking this gospel to those who wait.

As much as you and I enjoy connecting with friends, how much more important is it that we connect with those who are bound in spiritual darkness.

“Ugly” shoes cannot be our issue. The real issue is and must remain, sending those with “beautiful feet” to those waiting to hear.

Last week we were able to spend a few days with our two adorable granddaughters in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Malia is now 14 months old and Elaina is 3 ½ and of course they are the most beautiful little girls in the world. There is nothing like hearing my grandchildren say, “Papa, I love you!”

In the last couple of days I have meditated on those words. I have been thinking about how much I love these precious little ones. Here is a thought. If we as parents and grandparents love our children, and we do, how much more does our Heavenly Father love us? If I yearn to hear the voice of my grandchildren, how much more does our Heavenly Father long to hear our voice? How must He feel when we go too long without talking to him?

And think about this. What about those untold millions that he loves and yearns to hear their voice, but they don’t know to call on him? They don’t know him as their Heavenly Father.

Friends, this is WHY MISSIONS!

This year Sherri and I led one of the discussion groups for CaringConnection.  What an awesome group of husbands and wives who took their children to another country and dedicated their lives to serving the people there.

Several things stood out to us. Every couple wanted to continue their overseas work. However, health and other considerations were bringing them back home. These are people who gave themselves tirelessly for 30-40 plus years (per couple) to minister to people of a different culture. Their love for the people they labored among was quite obvious.

These dear friends still have a “fire in their belly.” They still have a lot to give and we must not let their giftings go to waste.  And, we certainly must not let them go unappreciated.

So, the next time you meet a retired, or soon to retire missionary, stop and say “thank you, soldier.” Give our real heroes a great big “SALUTE!”