Method vs Proclamation

I was reading a book today about a modern method of "reaching Muslims for Jesus." The method is based on using the Koran, Islamic tradition and custom, but somehow sneaking Jesus into the mix. The tactic is to Islamify the "gospel" and take away the offense. Change the name of Jesus or Yeshua to "Isa". Change God to Allah. Exchange the title "Jesus, Son of God" for "Isa, Spirit of God". The hopeful end result is "Isa Muslim" (someone who looks, speaks and acts like a Muslim; but has been "saved" by Isa). If you have read much of this blog I am sure you know how I feel about this so I will not belabor the point.

The interesting thing is the story for how this particular method was started. Years ago a young Muslim boy was evicted from his school and family for asking, "How do we know the Koran is true?" He was literally labeled as a "sinner". Some time later the boy was befriended by a foreign missionary who gave the young sinner a Bible. The boy read the Bible, repented and received faith in Jesus. He was baptized and began sharing the Bible with others. Eventually hundreds were saved by hearing the Gospel as revealed in Scripture. After some time one of the leaders in the movement was killed for his faith. Then a method was developed in an effort to "bridge the gap", and hopefully "remove the offense".

I found it ironic that the gift of a Bible was the catalyst for this move of God, however the method now is to use the Koran. The impetus for the young sinner to receive the gift was his expulsion from Islamic society. The young boy exited Islamic culture and found Jesus. The product of using the Bible was a true convert to Christ who was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Why try to develop a scheme for evangelism when God has given us His Word?

Slowly by Slowly should go to press this week!

I'm excited! The book has finally gone to press and I should have a final copy within a month. Hopefully by August it will be available on Amazon and others.
So much work for 108 pages!

Thank God for seizures

I can honestly say that God has made me thankful for most everything, even cerebral palsy. If Lauren had not been born with CP I would not be living in Jackson, TN and I most likely would not be doing what I do now with Indigenous Outreach (www.ioiusa.org). But, I haven't ever really been thankful for the seizures. They have stolen what few abilities she had.

A few years ago my oldest daughter and I were by Lauren's side as she had a series of seizures. "Please God make them stop at 50."

"Oh LORD, stop them at 60."

"70!"

"Please Jesus - 80? No more, please!"

"90???"

"One hundred. Please God stop them at 100."

She had 101 seizures and then fell deep asleep. My oldest daughter looked at me with tears in her eyes and asked, "Daddy, why is God mad at us?"

"He isn't honey. And I know this does not make sense, but He is doing good to us."

"Well, it does not feel good."

It didn't feel good. It felt horrible. I felt like a fool that night, but what else could I do? So helpless. So incapable of conjuring religious zeal. Yet my faith compelled me to make statements that I cannot prove.

A few months ago I complained to my wife that I hated the seizures and the helpless feeling that we have as Lauren suffers through them. "God has made me thankful for everything, except seizures."

We got a card from one of Lauren's therapist. She and her husband have been attending our small church for a few months now. They were looking for a church home one providential day as Lauren had a series of seizures at therapy. "...I thank God for the seizures Lauren had that day, because it gave us the opportunity to talk about your church." This dear family has found a home with our quirky little congregation of believers.

God was so kind to us. He did not have to make me thankful for seizures, He could have allowed me to stay mad - to stay in unbelief. But God is so loving and kind that He gave us a glimpse of His goodness even in the seizures.

I still don't like them, but thank God for the seizures.

A little hope for Lauren

I took Lauren to see her neurologist yesterday and he has introduced a new medicine that he said "could help her to be seizure free"(she has been averaging 20+ seizures per day). It seems too good to be true, but we know that God can use medicine to answer our prayers. So , as you pray for Lauren please pray that the medicine will work, and that she will not suffer any bad side effects.

Walking the line

It is so hard to walk a line that leads down the middle of the road. Walton Padelford says, "The only thing you find in the middle of the road is a dead skunk with yellow paint across its back."

IOI was recently refused an audience with a missions committee because we are "too inclusive" and therefore not "orthodox". The funny thing is that in this democratic church I was never allowed to speak to the committee, nor was I ever asked one question. The conclusion was based solely on the fact that we work with so many denominations in Ethiopia, and our support comes from so many different churches in the USA.

The fact is IOI is an orthodox Christian missionary organization. As far as our Statement of Faith we site the Apostle’s and Nicene Creed, and believe the Bible to be inspired of God without error in the original manuscripts. Furthermore the ministers supported through IOI should preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ clearly as explained in scriptures such as I Corinthians 15:1-6 and be expecting the physical bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is about as orthodox a statement as one could possibly make.

The real issue it seems is not theology rather it is methodology. We are not charismatic enough for the Charismatic, we are too inclusive for the Cessationists. It is not the issue of revelation that is a problem (IOI holds to the classical Protestant view that there is no "new" revelation about God - Sola Scriptura, while at the same time giving honor to tradition when it complies with Scripture), rather it is speaking in tongues that plagues us as the unity breaker.

To be honest, most of what I see that is called a "work of God" seems to be nothing more than flesh on parade. Yet, I cannot deny that God still does miracles and there are many gifts that God gives. Scripture is clear that we are not to forbid speaking in tongues, furthermore Scripture is clear in how tongues are (or not) to be used publicly. We teach Biblical exercise of all the gifts to the glory of God and the edification of the Church. If the Church is not edified then cease.

Rather than promotion of a denominational flavor IOI is committed to the teaching of sound doctrine and sound methodology according to Scripture. It may not be possible to walk this line, but our law is the Law of Love. We see our brothers and sisters in need and we are striving to have compassion them. We seek to aid them financially and practically, as well as theologically and methodologically.

May God grant us His grace as we seek to fulfill this labor of love in unity of the Holy Spirit.

Christian Beggars

A lady selling vegetables on the streets of Addis Abeba.

I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor God's seed begging for bread.

My office is at the church and we often have beggars come by seeking cash or a hotel room. Most of the time they tell me that they are Christian, just had some "bad luck".

When I probe deeper I find that these "Christians" don't actually belong to a church, and don't actually know other Christians that they could give me as a reference. So, what makes someone think they are Christian if they have NO fellowship. I am not saying you have to be listed on the roles of some organization, but I do believe you should have some contact with another Christian if you are in the Body of Christ.

For those who have a somewhat credible profession I have found that the "beggar" leaves my office as one who already had the answer in his hand, he just needed someone to help him see it. That is the beauty of life together. We have all things pertaining to life and godliness, we just forget, or can't see it.

Rebellion against God and pride are the main causes of begging that I have witnessed in America. Now, don't think I am saying this means we have no obligation to help, but it does make a difference in what type help we give.

When a man asks for bread we simply give him bread in the name of Jesus. No obligations, no expectation. We simply obey Jesus. However, when we are approached by a professed Christian that is begging we certainly owe this confessed brother a bit more than a simple meal -- we are after all our brother's keeper. For a Christian to be reduced to begging is a shame on the Church. For a Christian to be reduced to begging it is a shame for him. For a Christian to beg it is a reproach on Christ, and an accusation against God for not providing what He promised His children in food and clothing.

In the Old Testament we find a believer by the name of Job. He lost everything, but not through rebellion or disobedience. He was reduced to ashes. Yet, the only begging Job did was to beg of God for an answer. Apparently the believers who surrounded Job, although they judged him wrongly and gave horrible advice, apparently care for him physically. We see clearly that Job's friends sat with him and tried to aid him as best they could.

So, here we have it. The most "down on his luck" man in history, yet he continues to believe and God continues to care for him through his weak believing friends.

While the world is full of poor Christians there should be NO Christian beggars.

As I have traveled through out Ethiopia I have met many desperately poor Christians, but I have yet to see them utterly forsaken or reduced to begging. The churches are full of people who are poor, but they care for each other in ways that shame us in America. I have witnessed poverty stricken Christians in Ethiopia share their dirt floor with even poorer Christians.

The next time someone begs of you on the basis of being a Christian brother I encourage you to question this brother. Don't simply tell him to be "warm and filled", but take a moment to find out why he does not attend worship or have fellowship with anyone who can share in his sufferings. You may find a lair and a thief, but you may find a brother that needs a prophetic word to go home and be reconciled.

When we view the Christian beggar as our brother then we see that God has given us an opportunity to share in the love of God in the care of His children. We can "get in on what God is doing" by giving to the poor and having mercy on those who least "deserve it".

Going Home Today!

Thank you again to everyone who has been praying for Lauren. She will be allowed to go home today from the hospital. She slept through the night last night and seems to be almost back to normal.

Rough night, but better morning

Lauren had a fairly rough night last night, but this morning she has perked up and even eaten most of her breakfast.

She has smiled a couple of times this morning and even laughed once, so we are definately seeing improvement.

Lauren has been moved to a regular hospital room.

Thank you again to everyone who has been praying!

We arrived at the hospital at 8am on Monday morning for Lauren's double hip replacement surgery. Twelve hours after our arrival, after six hours of surgery, she was moved to ICU for observation. Today, after eighteen long hours in ICU, we were moved to a normal hospital room.

Lauren has begun eating some, and has longer periods of being awake. Lana and I think she is having quite a bit of pain, but she still has an epidural (also known as a "spinal block") to help manage it.

We have received cards, calls and email from around the world. We are very grateful for the family of God that has joined with us in praying for Lauren.

If all goes well Lauren should be going home by Friday. Still she will have six weeks in a body cast and months of therapy. However, the surgery should keep her hip in socket and we are hopeful she will be riding horses again within six months or so. Who knows -- she might even walk with her walker again one day (a skill among many that she had lost because of her chronic hip problems).

God bless you for caring!

Surgery Went Well

Thank you to everyone who has sent word, greetings and prayers!

Lauren was in surgery for 6 hours today and she is now in intensive care. The doctors expect to move her to a regular room if all goes well through the night.

She is exhausted as you can imagine. Lana and I too are exhausted. But, we give thanks that all went well up until the very end of the surgery.

Lauren's vital signs continued to look great throughout the day and the doctor felt good about going ahead and performing the surgery on both hips. Toward the end of the surgery there was some concern about her blood ph levels, and a UT issue. They did end up having to give Lauren a blood transfusion.

We have visited with Lauren and she seems more than a little disoriented and weepy. But, so far she seems like she is doing as well as can be expected after such an intense day of surgery.

"We are not out of the woods yet," said her doctor. "But, it looks very promising."

Thank you for your continued prayers. Six weeks in a body cast holds the possibility of more problems, but we have a great peace tonight. Praise God.

Are you washed in the Blood?

"I saw the filthiness of sin and I also saw the efficacy of the Lord’s precious blood cleansing me and making me white as snow." --Wacthman Nee

There are over 250 references to "blood" in the Bible. Blood plays a significant role in the Christian faith. Animal blood provided a symbol and a true "covering" for sins. But, it is not animal blood that cleanses us or takes away our sins. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4)

According to Scripture the Blood of Christ accomplishes many things -- redemption, cleansing, covering, sanctification and more.

In Revelation 7:14 we see that our "robes" are washed in the Blood of the Lamb and made "white as snow." How strange it is to think that blood can make robes white. Yet, it is a spiritual message.

Our works are our "robes," and even the very best of man is all together vanity. Our works are tainted by the flesh and sin. Our righteousness is filthy. But, the Blood of Christ washes us as we participate in His sacrifice. Our hands have His blood on them.

He washes our works and makes them white as snow. He has redeemed not only our souls, but our very existence. He did not simply wash our hearts, He has given us new hearts. He has given us His Spirit to live within us. He has taken a dead thing and given it life. He has made those who only knew darkness and decay to be the light and salt.

By the scheduling of His precious Blood Christ accomplished our salvation. The blood of Christ is an offense to some, and a stumbling block to many. The Blood of Christ is central to the Gospel. For those who believe it is the display and action of the power of God unto salvation. Praise God for the Blood of Christ!

"Woman's hand washed in blood" (Art.com)

Quote of the Weak - Proselytize

"Every attempt to impose the gospel by force, to run after people and proselytize them, to use our own resources to arrange the salvation of other people, is both futile and dangerous."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Taken out of context one might accuse Bonhoeffer of being "unevangelical." This would be a huge mistake.

Bonhoeffer saw clearly that modern methods of evangelism were dangerous because they cheapen the gospel, and present a god that is incapable of accomplishing His will. The begging, powerless and effeminate Jesus wants to save you, if you will only ask him to...
Bonhoeffer knew the all powerful, sovereign Creator of the Universe that commands all men everywhere to believe and repent. He boldly proclaimed the Gospel and knew that God was the only faith giver. He knew that men cannot believe unless God performs a miracle at the hearing of the Word. He knew too that there must be a preacher to proclaim the Gospel. With his very life Bonhoeffer paid the cost of his discipleship (he died in a Nazi concentration camp). At the end of his life it was said of him by a fellow non-Christian prisoner, "I never knew a man who's God was so real to him."

A kinder gentler blog...

For the regular readers of the Bishop's Beard you may have noticed that the blog disappeared for a couple of days and was replaced by a "Bible Study/Viagra Sells" site. This was not my doing.

Blogger has graciously fixed the problem and the Bishop is back!

It was providence that brought this my way. Already I have begun to think that I simply state my opinion too often and come across very harshly in my judgements, especially against larger denominational missions agencies and pop-Christian personalities.

I think God has given me the opportunity to delete some of my past (often scathing) comments and start a fresh with a kinder, gentler blog. It isn't that God has done a work in me to remove my strong opinions, but at least I don't have to publish them all.

Quote of the Weak -- Material Needs

"If we grant the baptized brother the right to the gifts of salvation, but refuse him the gifts necessary to earthly life or knowingly leave him in material need and distress, we are holding up the gifts of salvation to ridicule and behaving as liars."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship


"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:21)

Now Showing -- Amazing Grace

The Bishop's Rating: aaaaa (Five out of five marks)

Very much worth the $5.50 price!

The recommendations came from a wide range of people. In fact, so many people recommended this movie to me that I was intrigued. I was afraid that it would be another heavy handed "Christian movie" that basically only Christians would want to see.

I enjoyed this movie on so many levels that it is hard to know where to start. Basically it is the story of William Wilberforce, the British Member of Parliament that sponsored the bill to abolish the slave trade in all English colonies. This may not sound like much of a story to you, but you could not be more wrong. This movie is a story of love, penance, redemption and grace.
The title Amazing Grace comes from the song of the same title which was written by a former Slave Ship captain. Wilberforce was a student of this captain who had become a "protestant monk" after his conversion.
The movie shows the important role that Wilberforce's wife played in her encouragement to continue to fight the fight, although he had lost the effort 39 times over 18 years (a fact that is not in the movie).
I also appreciated the depiction of Colitis, which afflicted Wilberforce and now affects my wife. The physical and emotional suffering that he endured served to make him even more aware of a life lived well.
Far from Christian Cheese this movie should appeal to a wide audience, and encourage many to be who they have been created to be.

The sad fact is that I believe that most people will not see this movie. One point in the movie was that "great men" most often become great through actions that haunt them, yet Wilberforce proved to be a great man through actions that blessed others. It is a beautiful story; sadly a story that most likely will not sell.

The Sacrament of Penance

I had a discussion today with a pastor friend who had a question about forgiveness.

He had spoken to a Christian counselor about the topic of forgiveness. My friend is having to deal with former church members who have voiced a desire to reconcile.

"Saying, 'I'm sorry' is unBiblical," he said. I didn't know where he was going with this so I just listened. He went on to explain that saying that you are "sorry" is simply stating how you feel. "There is no forgiveness in simply stating facts," He said. " Something else is needed."

The evangelical Christian counselor went on to explain that confession of the wrong, asking for forgiveness and offering some sign of sincerity is the Biblical way to forgiveness.

Now, I must admit that I have had very little use for Christian counselors, but this guy is on to something that we as protestants have lost. Penance - the sign of sincerity. (Penance - a sacrament that includes contrition, confession, acceptance of punishment and absolution)

The protestant world sees "repentance" as necessary for forgiveness, and generally it is viewed among fundamentalists as an event that proceeds salvation. Some of the better protestant teachers make clear that repentance is a lifestyle of turning from sin and toward God (ie. changing your mind about sin and agreeing with God that it is bad). But, there is little to no mention of penance in the protestant circles.

Penance is often viewed by evangelicals as a means of "paying" for sin. This idea is rejected on good grounds as there simply is no way that we could "pay" for our sins. But, in the rejection of this extreme we have lost the Biblical role of confession in forgiveness. Just saying "I'm sorry" does not cut it, no matter how sincere you are.

A woman is caught in sin. She confesses her sins and asks for forgiveness. When Jesus offered forgiveness to the adulterous woman He gave her the penance of "...Go and sin no more." Always the call and command of Christ involves real and concrete actions. "Come, take up your cross and follow me."

As an example -- a young man goes to his elder and confesses his viewing of pornography on the internet. The elder brother prays for and comforts the young brother with the words of God. Then the elder brother prescribes the penance of putting a filter on the young brother's computer (or cutting off the internet altogether) in order to gage sincerity, but more importantly to help prevent the young man from repeating the same sin. Far from an "accountability partner" the young man has submitted to the authority of an elder and received an action to "prove" his repentance and aid the young man in sanctification. The young man now has the opportunity to walk in repentance and obey the command he has been given.

Listing my sins to God in some secret prayer and asking Him to forgive me is a cheap way of grace. Changing my mind about sin and telling God He is right is a nice idea that I suppose He appreciates. Paying for a candy bar I stole as a child makes me feel better.
However, actually confessing to someone who has authority over us, receiving God's word on the matter, performing in our bodies deeds of contrition and ceasing from the sins that plague us produce the grace of God in us in our quest for sanctification and the working out of our salvation. Confession, humility, action and obedience follow the disciples of Christ.

The Return of the prodigal Son by Rembrant van Rijn (Art.com)

He is Holy, He is Love

Thursday night I despaired of life. Lauren was suffering. She had injured her deformed legs in therapy. Her seizures were too many to count. She vomited her supper onto her pillow.

My eldest daughter was frustrated as she was helpless to stop the suffering. "I know life is not fair, but this isn't right." As my wife and daughter cried over Lauren she said clearly, "Anna. No." and wiped the tears from Anna's face.

I went to the bathroom and screamed my prayers of frustration into a rolled up towel.

Did God count those tears?

There are many things we can know about God. Two specific things that scripture reveals about God's nature are that He is holy, holy, holy and He is love.

Because He is holy, He cannot sin and does no evil. Because He is perfectly holy, there is none like Him. Because He is holy, He must also be just. Because He is holy, evil will not prevail forever. Because He is holy, He is glorified. Because He is holy, He is to be feared.

Because God is love, he must love. Because God is love, He is full of mercy. Because God so loved the world, He gave us His only begotten Son Jesus.

I am persuaded today that it is God's nature of love and holiness that motivate His actions toward us. While He may have every right to glorify Himself, He does it in such a way that it is both holy and full of love.

The world was made for Jesus. The world was made by Jesus. He was supreme in glory before the foundations of the universe, and His love was perfect before the world was formed. Yet, God created the universe so that His love would be manifest and His glory displayed. Christ's Bride was created by God for Him that He might have an object of His love. Such great love is amazing. I am not saying that He created the universe for man, nor am I saying that man is the center of the universe. But our God is so great that He created man to love, and the universe as the setting for this divine and glorious love affair.

It is because of His great love that we who believe have been chosen, and given faith, hope and love. It is because of His great love that we are destined to be conformed to His image and share in His glory. It is because of His great love that all things work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purposes. It is because of His great love that we are being conformed through sharing in His suffering to the image of His Son Jesus.

The world is not fair and it certainly is not right. Indeed, all of creation groans under sin. But I am convinced today that God is love and He is holy, holy, holy. I believe, although I die, I will see my daughter walk and proclaim with all of creation that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God the Father. I have faith that by His great love I will see my Redeemer and Lauren will stand with Him on that day. "We will dance on streets that are golden; the glorious Bride and the great Son of Man. Every tribe and every nation will join in the song of the Lamb!"

Because of His Holy Love, He counts every tear, and they will be redeemed for joy!

He gives and takes away...

Robin Mark sang a song Thursday night at the concert that has the words, "He gives and takes away, and still my heart will say 'Blessed be the name of the LORD.'" As he sang those words, I joined with him in singing even as our unborn child seemed to be in the process of being taken away.

Our fears for the baby were confirmed last night as the heartbeat had stopped and signs of imminent miscarriage were confirmed by the doctor at the ER.

For all that I think I do know about God there is so much more I don't know. I really don't understand why so many things happen, but I have to trust that God is good and He does good to those that love Him and are called according to His purposes. I have been told that it is foolish to look for purpose or try to figure out the reason for every thing that happens in our lives. Personally, I think it is foolish not to look for the hand of God in even the smallest things of life and if there is no purpose to tragedy then there is no purpose for anything. It can be foolish to jump to conclusions, but it can never be foolish to seek God.

As we waited for the doctor a lab tech came in to draw Lana's blood. I mentioned that I would not watch the process as it makes me a bit weak in the knees. To salvage my manhood, I mentioned that I had assisted doctors in Honduras, but that it was just different when it came to my wife and kids. The tech agreed, and then we talked more about Honduras and missions. As the conversation progressed she shared her concern for her unbelieving relatives. Her deep concern was evident through the tears that welled in her eyes. There is so much pain in the world. We prayed together for her nephew and nieces to receive faith and be led to repentance. "God certainly knows what He is doing," she said. "I'm glad He brought you here tonight."

Later in the night Walt and Craig came to the hospital to share their concern and pray for us. In the middle of pain and sorrow God had brought spiritual family together to comfort each other. Some are in the process of giving; some are in the process of receiving. Some of us have known each other for years, others we just met in passing. Together one day we will be before our LORD and proclaim together, "Blessed be the name of the LORD!"

To thine own self be true...

...but, who are you?

My upbringing taught me to be hyperconscious of what other people thought about me. The main reason I did not drink alcohol as a teenager was not the fear of God, but for fear of what others would think. Fear of what others will think is ironically why most teens in America start drinking alcohol. I was more concerned with impressing my parents, church friends and older people that I respected, because I wanted to be respected -- obeying the rules earned me respect. Most teens want respect or recognition and some find it in their friends -- for some disobedience and rebellion earns them the respect or recognition they desire.

As I have gotten older I have grown to care less and less what others think of me. I wish that I could say that I don't care at all, but if that were true I would not publish a blog. I don't even try as hard to give a good impression to the people that I love dearly.

If we truly love others we must be willing to love them as they are. The good, the bad and the ugly are all a part of who we truly are.

We are all in the same boat really. We start life with great expectations and being told to dream big. We grow up and life happens. We get older and panic because we have not achieved our dreams. For some truly blessed, they come to realize that their dreams were all together vanity.

I suppose my favorite dialogue in my favorite movie comes from a scene in Glory. A young private has just participated in his first battle against pure evil. He has dreamed of the day that he could take vengeance on his enemy and bring justice to earth. He has killed for the first time and come to realize that he is now guilty of all that has been done against him and more. Col. Shaw says to the young black soldier, "Stinks I suppose?" The soldier replies, "Yeah it stinks. Stinks bad, and we all covered up in it. Ain't a one of us clean." The end of the conversation brings the conviction that we must simply, "ante up and kick in (do our duty)."

I am in the process of trying to build a house, LORD willing. There are as many opinions on the matter as I have friends and family. I know men in Ethiopia who live content lives in huts. I know men in Ethiopia who live very discontent lives in huts. There is no intrinsic virtue in poverty. I know men who live content lives in large American homes. I know men who live very discontent lives in large American homes. There is no intrinsic evil in wealth.

The common thread of the content men that I know is not their possessions or lack thereof. Their common ground is Christ alone and that they know who they are in Him. The common thread I see in the discontent is a lack of depth and a constant yearning to be or have more.

"In the last resort what matters is not what the man does, but only his faith in Jesus as the Son of God and Mediator. At all events poverty or riches, marriage or celibacy, a profession or the lack of it, have in the last resort nothing to do with it -- everything depends on faith alone." -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Everything outside of faith is sin. In the end we must fear God and know that we will give account to Him alone. We must know Christ and walk alone in the community of faith. By faith we can be who we are, and only by faith can we be who we will be.

Quote of the Weak - Guilt

"There's no problem so awful that you can't add some guilt to it and make it even worse!" -- Calvin (Bill Waterson)

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:21)