In II Timothy 3:11-13, Paul writes the following: Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
During the first and second centuries, Christians were persecuted, tortured, burned at the stake, thrown to the lions, used for target practice in the “games” and a whole lot more because they wouldn’t give up their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and they wouldn’t bow down to other gods.
Thinking about centuries of tradition within the church world, you understand that the terms, “apostle” or “prophet,” were neglected and even frowned upon when referring to certain leaders who were particularly anointed by the Lord to accomplish things and lay foundations in areas where there were none.
Talking last week about the expressions you get from folks when they ask you how you are doing, I neglected to mention one other funny that I use on folks.
Invariably some store clerk or business person will ask me how I'm doing when I walk into their place of business. When I answer them that "I'm Supercalifragilistic," I get this double-take.
Last week’s Coffee Break was perhaps a bit of a “rabbit trail,” but I felt that it was really important for folks to understand that there is often a great price that is paid and deep foundations laid when God sends you into relatively untouched areas to bring the demonstrable message of His Kingdom.
I need to shift gears today to share the tale of a man whose role in the outpouring of Holy Spirit in the arctic was so integral. Last week I talked about Paul Patkotak, his son Steven, who saw the pillar of light/fire that drew him from some 20 miles away to respond to the Lord, as well as his other two sons, Simeon and Billy.
Every so often I talk about one of our granddaughters, Jessica. Periodically, she will come to spend a few days with us, and there have been times when we get to enjoy her rather remarkable and unusual humor.