Movements Everywhere

Merry Christmas from the Douglass Family!

Thursday, December 24th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Always Learning

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

After the U.S. Staff Conference, our whole family vacationed together in the mountains of Colorado. It was a wonderful experience. We did so many things together. I’m sure there will be memories for years to come.

What else will be in my memories are some of the things I observed along the way:

God’s Majesty

When we took the gondola ride from the Vail Valley to the top of one of the ski runs, we were overwhelmed with the view. We got off at the top and walked to the scenic view platform, only to be even more impressed with the majesty of the mountain range before us.

The next day we drove more than 10 miles by dirt road to see Piney Lake. It was gorgeous, with pine trees covering the mountainside right down to the lake. We hiked a little way up onto an expansive meadow, green from the recent rains. I thought, these are just small pieces of earth which is a tiny part of God’s universe. Even so, these scenes give ample evidence of the majesty of the God who created them. In Romans 1:20, Paul states, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…”

The Response of God’s Creation

In Psalm 98 we read, “Sing to the Lord a new song for He has done marvelous things…Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth; burst into jubilant song with music… Let the rivers clap their hands….” One morning we went whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. I don’t think it was very dangerous, although when a wave of water in the rapids drenched us, we weren’t totally sure. At the beginning of the article, you saw a picture of us in the thick of that. Later I thought of the connection between Psalm 98 and our experience. The river was “clapping its hands”. God’s creation was seemingly responding to the splendor of his creation. He had indeed “done marvelous things” and deserved a thunderous applause.

People’s Need for Christ

One day we went to a farmer’s market, walked around and sat for awhile to eat lunch. By us went a wide variety of people. Some were speaking languages besides English. Some wore jewelry and T-shirts suggesting eastern or humanistic worldviews. Many couples wheeling their babies in strollers were apparently unmarried.

The next day we went to Glenwood Springs and in the afternoon stopped by the “largest spring-fed pool in the world.” I had the opportunity to talk to a gentleman and his wife who were there. He was a “self-made success story.” He talked about his business enthusiastically.

As we conversed, he discovered that my educational background would have prepared me for a business career. Yet I obviously passed that by to pursue a career in ministry. He was very adverse to religion but seemed interested in my story. He said he didn’t like it when people tried to “convert” people. I responded that my purpose was simply to share with others something so good that I have spent the last 40 years talking about it.

We ran out of time as the kids were through swimming, but he and his wife gladly accepted a copy of the book Enjoying your Walk with God to fill in the details on what I had experienced with God. The satisfaction of his business career couldn’t touch the satisfaction of knowing God personally.

The Willingness of People to Take Risks

One night we sat in the stands of the Eagle County Rodeo. The announcer told us that the reward for winning an event was $100. Then I watched what people were willing to do for that $100. Some rode bucking broncos bareback. Several were thrown from the horses. Others rode bulls that seemed very angry. Most of them were thrown off, and a few were almost gored or trampled.

It occurred to me that if these people were willing to risk serious injury for a small reward, how much more should we, as Christians, be willing to risk for an infinitely more important reward. Is the dedication of our time and the risk of rejection too much of a price to pay to minister to others?

As you can see, while enjoying a fun-filled time with family, I was being schooled by the Lord. He is so majestic that even His creation responds. People desperately need the Lord, even if they think they don’t. People take risks for lesser causes; why shouldn’t we for the ultimate cause!

Reaching Unengaged People Groups Diagrams

Monday, July 27th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

A number of you attending the U.S. Staff Conference have asked for copies of two diagrams I showed during my message Saturday night. They relate to a plan to “finish the task with the 600 million Unengaged Unreached people groups.”

The first diagram contains a group of overlapping circles which illustrate the focus of the plan. That focus is on the “currently very strategic” activities out of all “missions” activities toward helping fulfill the Great Commission. In other words, what are the few activities that can make the most difference.

The second diagram details those “currently very strategic” activities. For example, Scripture translation is crucial in order to have the foundation needed for evangelism and discipleship. Actually “engaging” the people group “by sending people there” is a second key priority.

As I mentioned Saturday night, these are excerpts from a 50+ page document. That document has not been released yet. However, I am very happy for you to have these diagrams for you encouragement. Know that as additional organizations join this massive cooperative effort, some of the details of the plan will change in response to their added input.

(As this is a work in progress, we do not yet have it in other languages.)

Friday, July 24th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

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U.S. Staff Conference

Sunday, July 19th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Judy and I are here with our daughters Debbie and Michelle, their husbands, Nick and Brad, and our three grandsons. The U.S. Staff Conference starts this week, and we are anticipating that God will do great things. We have loved meeting with students here and staff already. Mrs. Bright is also out here and has been leading a Bible study and enjoying being with our staff family. Please pray for the approximately 4,000 staff who are here or on their way.

Ministry and Marriage

Thursday, June 11th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

Judy and I are celebrating our 34th anniversary this week. I am so glad I married my best friend.

We are also hosting our leaders from around the world. We are spending the week with spiritual refreshment and prayer.  Chip Ingram has been with us and teaching from the Word on spiritual warfare.

Please pray for us as we continue to seek the Lord for the best strategies and ministry organization for the future. And do let us know how we can be praying for you.

Call2ALL

Monday, June 1st, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

Hello from Hong Kong where I am participating in global conference initiated by Bill Bright in 2004, calling us to partner in the finishing the task of the Great Commission. You can follow the conference live here. Or do a search of all of Bill’s great teaching. Also, Paul Eshleman gave a great presentation about finishing the task. Click here to see for yourself the great vision before us. And do pray for me as I give a keynote address tonight. Here is a similar message to my keynote.

Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

As a result of some family struggles we were enduring 12 years ago, we recognized we needed lots of help. We invited friends we knew around the world to pray with us, people we knew as prayer warriors or as struggling through some of the same issues as we were. On June 2 each year, more joined us. Now for four years we have opened up this day as a Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals. Now we have gathered many resources and ideas for praying for those who love who are far away from or struggling with the Lord.

 Last year, we prayed for hundreds of beloved friends and family members. If you’d like to join this community and Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals on June 2, please email prayerforprodigals@gmail.com to be invited into the community. Since it is a sensitive matter with specifics and names, we do ask that you first be invited. Thank you so much.