First of all let me thank those of you who have sent in finances to help with the growing need in Kenya, due to the tribal conflicts that have resurged in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election. We were able to get some money in yesterday to ensure that the procedure would work. We’ll be sending more in today.

The crisis continues to worsen. This was in the New York Times today:

Over the past few days, tens of thousands of Kikuyus, the tribe of Kenya’s president, have packed into heavily guarded buses to flee the western part of the country because of ethnic violence. On Sunday, endless convoys of buses — some with their windshields smashed by rocks — crawled across a landscape of scorched homes and empty farms.

It is nothing short of a mass exodus. The tribe that has dominated business and politics in Kenya since independence in 1963 is now being chased off its land by machete-wielding mobs made up of members of other tribes furious about the Dec. 27 election, which Kenya’s president, Mwai Kibaki, won under dubious circumstances. In some places, Kikuyus have been hunted down with bows and arrows.

The hospital in Nakuru, a town in the Rift Valley, is full of Kikuyu men with deep ax wounds, fingers cut off and slash marks across their faces. “We hate these people.”
said Robert Tutuny a farmer and member of Kenya’s Kalenjin tribe, on the violence that is forcing the exodus of the Kikuyus…

Father, heal this broken planet and the devastation of sin that destroys human life in the name of greed and power. Reveal yourself in the midst of this horrible situation and demonstrate your love and compassion to those who live in fear and pain today!

We are still offering to be a conduit for those who would like to help in this crisis. I am so grateful God gave me a contact there before this all started. This man did not contact me for money. I instead wrote him and asked how things were for him and he honestly wrote back the things in my previous email.

Having never met the man, however, I could only hope he is who he presented himself to be. But that isn’t always enough when we’re sending him significant funds in hopes that he will be helping others. I love the way Father sorts these things out. I was raised on a farm with a strong Puritan Work Ethic as they say, and am always concerned about people abusing compassion to take advantage of genuine hearts. As God would have it, a few months ago I got an email from an Australian woman who frequently travels to Kenya to be part of what Father is doing there. A few months ago I gave her the contact information for my friend there and she had the opportunity to visit. I wrote her to see if the need were legitimate and if she thought he was a capable broker of getting funds to the right place. It turns out she’s there right now. Here was her response:

The situation here is desperate! Michael is a good man and I would not hesitate in recommending him to you as an honest man who would use money wisely and is a man who is at the heart of things there in Kitale. The information he has given you is correct. I am working alongside (another brother) here in Homa Bay who is also a man I can recommend to handle the finances for this region. The situation here is very unpredictable and will take quite a long time for things to be anywhere near normal. Please continue to pray for peace here in Kenya and that the man that God has chosen to be in leadership here.

If we have enough money we will also send some along to this brother as well. Friends and friends of friends is an incredible way for Father to work.

I also heard from Michael this morning after the first money transfer had arrived. I asked him to give me some feel for how much money the could use there, realizing that others need help as well. Here’s his response to me:

Dear Brother Wayne,

Greetings in holy name of our Lord and Savior. I say thank you and I say again thank you. Yesterday we were meditating in the fellowship with the entire team for your book, HE LOVES ME. Actually this book it is so encouraging and when we compare with other books including AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS, we came to realize that surely the Lord has called you to care for people, And not only for what you wrote but what we see by your actions.

The family has increased with other children actually , I got the money you sent through Western Union safely. And first thing , I need to work urgent needs as food, drugs and other necessary things for this first step. I have used almost what I have to make sure that I support these dear families. May be urgent need for now if you can send (US $1290.OO). I have tried to discuss with them at least if they can use for their personal needs. This is to mean if we can support every family for a while as we believe God for more provision.

Right now we are going to consult with other people from another center to encourage them and to tell them about the love of God especially those who have lost their loved ones. May the Lord bless you as we stay in touch.

I will be sending more today, thanks to those of you who wanted to partner with us in this. The need is great and we also would consider helping other groups in Kenya if we have enough funds to do so. If you’d like to join with us, please go to our Invoice Page and click on the ‘Pay Invoice’ button. You can then list “Donation for Kenya” and the amount you’d like to give. If you use the ‘Donation’ button you will need to also send me an email letting me know you wanted this to go for Kenya and not for Lifestream. All donations to this cause are tax deductible and every dime sent to us will go out for relief in this Kenyan crisis.

If you prefer, you can also send a check to Lifestream • 7228 University Dr., • Moorpark, CA 93021.

To date we have received almost $1,000.00 from individual contributions and have added $1,000.00 to that from Lifestream itself. We pray God will multiply this many times over to help brothers and sisters in a time of great need!

For the past year I’ve been in touch with someone in Kenya who helps coordinate a number of fellowships throughout Kenya and neighboring countries. I wrote him this past week in view of the increasing instability and violence in Kenya due to a disputed Presidential election held on December 27. The unrest that has resulted has reignited old tribal animosities and many fear a fresh wave of tribal genocide might result. To date, a quarter of a million people have been displaced and are starving. Over 300 people have been killed in tribal clashes.

I heard back from my friend yesterday. I’m going to leave it in his broken English:

I would like to appreciate for your prayers which has helped us up to now. People here are living terrible life especially the saints. I know you have heart what has happened here during the election, until now things are not well. Many of our brethren has lost their lives, their houses are burned many are wounded and their properties has been destroyed. As you know am the co-coordinator of IAN so we are more responsible to see the situation of our brethren who have been affected, especially on my side. I am hosting about 25 families as well as taking care some who are in the hospital. My home has become the home of refuge where more pastors and church leaders who are affected has runned for help. Also we have been trusting God to see the next day. Since we are in rural areas where security is not secure, the government is only taking care and provide for those who are camped at the market and police station. So there’s too much congestion at the market centers. Since we cannot hold up we are praying that God may melt the hearts of the brethren in U.S. that they may strengthen their hands to our affected brethren in Kenya. The importance agents for help: blankets, shelter, food, drugs and other basic needs.

There is more about this on yesterday’s podcast at The God Journey. We have since discovered a way to transfer funds to this organization directly and our board has decided to start a special fund for people who want to help give to aid the brothers and sisters in Kenya. In addition to this organization I’m aware of others we can give to depending on the amount of money people want to contribute. Sara and I as individuals and Lifestream as an entity will be sharing substantially to aid these brothers and sisters.

If you’d like to join with us, please go to our Invoice Page and click on the ‘Pay Invoice’ button. You can then list “Donation for Kenya” and the amount you’d like to give. If you use the ‘Donation’ button you will need to also send me an email letting me know you wanted this to go for Kenya and not for Lifestream. All donations to this cause are tax deductible and every dime sent to us will go out for relief in this Kenyan crisis.

If you prefer, you can also send a check to Lifestream • 7228 University Dr., • Moorpark, CA 93021.

And whether or not you can give financially, also please consider keeping up on the news about Kenya daily and using it as a reminder to pray for God’s revelation of himself to Kenya in the midst of this crisis. Thank you so much!

I got this question today. It was sent to me by someone who used the title ‘Apostle and Pastor’ in front of his name. He needed both—in caps! Interesting…

How do you reconcile these scriptures in light of your view of fellowship.

Matt 28:18-20
Acts 2:42-47
Hebrews 10:25

If it is true that you can walk in Christ without fellowship, that means it’s time for you to start a fellowship so you can help those who are not so strong.

While I appreciated the brevity, I find the context absurd. I can’t imagine anyone reading my website thinking that I encourage people to walk with Jesus without fellowship. That’s nuts! I encourage fellowship all the time, but in real relationships with people, not by sitting in your pew once a week watching others around you.

And I can’t imagine anyone reading those three texts and understanding their historical context who would think they obligate people to ‘start fellowships’ or be in a required meeting. People who hunger for the living God don’t need to be obligated to anything. Their hunger for him will lead them to all the people he wants them to connect with.

Here’s how I answered him:

Who said anything about walking with Christ without fellowship? I can gather with other Christians and help new ones grow in the faith by just having fellowship with those God asks me to walk beside in any given season. I don’t have to ‘start a fellowship’ for that. If you read carefully I’m not advocating a lack of fellowship, but I am indicating that walking with people is far more important than starting or maintaining a group. We’d like to think they are the same but they are not. History proves that.

So the Scriptures you cite are all lived out in greater reality, depth and power when we’re not caught up in the mechanics of a group and simple walk in deep friendship and love with whomever God puts in our life. Sometimes that puts me in a room with hundreds of people, sometimes just tow or three.

Jesus, nor the early apostles did not view the life of the church as a series of meetings on Sunday morning or Wednesday night that are led from the front, but vibrant relationships that wrestle with the deep issues of life and magnify God in doing so!

And it doesn’t bother me of people want to get together at a regular place in a regular way. That’s an expression of this family too! It just isn’t the only expression and not necessarily the best. Scripture never points to believers gathered in rows to witness a meeting led by a few. It pictures people meeting together to share insights and ask questions, to share Jesus’ gifts, to build each other up and to share the burdens of life together.

We just completed our third archive disc for listeners (or would-be listeners) of The God Journey. This weekly podcast, which Wayne co-hosts with his friend Brad Cummings, continues to reach an expanding audience from which we get the most amazing feedback. This disc includes the broadband mp3 files for the podcasts we did from from February 2007 through November 2007. What a year, too! We talked about sin, shame, reading the Scriptures without our religious glasses, reconciliation and free-range believers. We also hosted a variety of guests, including Paul Young, author of The Shack, Stan Firth, author of Custom and Command, Bob Stamps on The Lord’s Supper, Kevin Smith on living in Father’s care, and many others. If you haven’t heard them before, or just want to add them to your collection, you can order it from our Audio Collections.

If you haven’t heard the current episode, this is your chance to meet Sara. In a special podcast, Sara co-hosts with me as we talk about being what to do when your wife isn’t on the same page. For those who have wanted to meet Sara, this will give you a good taste of her and our life together.

And as we begin a New Year, I pray yours will be blessed beyond measure, and filled with his presence through the ups and downs of this turbulent life in a fallen world! And thanks to all of you who have supported us in prayer, encouragement and giving over the last year. Even though we don’t ask for money here, a few year-end gifts have really helped us finish another year of helping people sort out this incredible adventure of living as Father’s children in the earth!

I received an email yesterday from a new reader of the Jake Colsen story, So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore. She read the German edition called The Cry of the Wild Geese.

Here are excerpts from her note:

I gave my life to Jesus when I was a Child. I can remember it was the fear of hell, that made me staying a believer. Even though heaven did not seem to be something exciting, it was better than going to hell. In my teenage-years I had a time, where I was very disappointed about church and Christians. I almost gave up on God, but because my fear of hell I never had the courage to do it. So I met some people who called themselves Jesus Freaks. Through this group I got to know the church, that I was a member now for almost 12 years. I went through a lot of changes and received inner healing and deliverance during that time. But now as I look back, I must say, I did not really get into this deep relationship with Christ.

My best friend who works in a Christian book-store gave me your book with the Jake-Story (I am glad that in German it has another title, because I never considered to leave “church” and would probably not have read it…). As I read the book, I realised how religionised I am and it shocked me. I realised that my belief was still about not going to hell. Now I want this relationship, that I always wanted. And I realise, that God somehow has to do that in me. But I am also afraid of what happens, if nothing happens. Then I don’t really know, what is my part, if any and what is not. When I stop doing religious motivated things, another question comes up that troubles me: Do I really want to have a relationship with God or is that also a religious motivated desire, because it is the only way that I know of not going to hell? How do I know? And how should I respond to that question?

I’ve met many people on this journey with similar questions and concerns, so I thought I’d share my answer to her:

I’m blessed my story has opened up such marvelous questions and discoveries for you. That’s what I hoped it would do for people. And I love the hunger it has triggered in you to now him more closely.

This is something you and God get to sort out. As you get to know him you’ll discover that it is far better to know him than to just use him to makes sure you don’t go to hell. That’s how religion has ruined this incredible Father. We’d rather be saved from hell than know him. But that will change for you, I’m sure.

And as to what is your part and what is his? It is mostly his. You just bring an open heart, asking him to reveal himself to you as he really is and to show you how you can follow him.

And what to do if nothing happens? That’s hardly likely. But we never know how he will work in us. Our relationship with him is something he controls not us, and even opening up that door abandons a bit of our independence and need to control. That’s good thing. He does love you so much and wants you to walk with him more than you will ever want to yourself.

I’d just recommend you go on a journey with him. Just ask him to show you. Follow what he puts on your heart, and see what he will do to invite you further into his glory. You won’t regret it.

On a related note, I am blessed by the growing distribution of this story. Last year over 6,000 people downloaded it for free last year off the website and we are quickly running out of our second printing of the book version. And now, since it appears alongside The Shack, in the Windblown Media catalog, it is gaining fresh traction with a whole new audience.

As we get ready to reprint, we’ve had many people suggest that we give it a title that more befits a novel and doesn’t create so many prejudiced opinions about its content. Other than the fact that it takes too long to write out, I have loved the original title, So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore, and how that drew people to the website who really found encouragement and freedom in that little book. But it never has been a good title for a novel. So, we’re going to change it. We’re considering Surprised by John: An Unexpected Journey Into the Reality of Father’s Family. I love how it invokes one of my favorite books, Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis, and creates more mystery around the chief character.

If any of you have some feedback, or even a better title suggestion, please let me know.

Sara and I are so graced by all the people God has brought across our life in the last year. We are blessed at every touch with others who are sorting out the life of Jesus in their own journeys. Many of you have inspired and encouraged us this year. We are so grateful for you!

And here is our prayer and hope for all of you:

Yes, those are our granddaughters above and if you want to see how truly happy we are this season, try this!

Over the next two days I’ll be meeting with the original team that brought THE SHACK together, including the author. We will be meeting at my home in the Los Angeles area to hammer out the process of adapting this book to a screenplay and then produce it into a feature film. This was our desire from the beginning and the overwhelming success of this story in its first few months has opened that door. We’ve had a number of overtures from major studios and production companies that would like to buy the movie rights from us. But we want to take steps to ensure that the message of the book is not undermined in the process of making the movie more marketable. Ultimately that means we will need to raise the money rather than depend on studio financing. In Hollywood, control of the project follows the money put up to produce it. This should be interesting. Your prayers during this time will be greatly appreciated.

I get asked all the time what books helped me on my journey and which would I recommend to others. I’ve had a page on my site for a long time that was meant to answer that but it had gotten horribly outdated with the passage of time. I’ve just updated my Recommended Reading page with those books that have been most valuable to me. Don’t think that just because a book isn’t listed there that I didn’t like it or having some concern about it. It may just be that I haven’t read it. But of those I have read, here’s my list of the best books that help people explore this journey. Happy reading!

I’ll let Dan, a friend of mine from Kansas City do the heavy lifting today. Here’s what he sent me this morning and I loved his thoughts on freedom and Christmas letters!

This time of year we receive many of the Christmas letters from friends and family recounting the year’s busyness and major accomplishments. It seems everyone’s ordered lives are perfect – but hectic – very, very hectic. The letter I would really like to get from each of them would be a recount of this past year and the walk with Father, the things He is teaching them and how they are different because of them. I wondered if I was to write that kind of letter, what would I put in it about the past year’s journey? I think the key word throughout the letter would be “freedom”.

It would be two kinds of freedoms. Freedom from and freedom to. Freedom from the many structures, systems and understandings that limited Father in my life. After 35 years of following a system, believe me, I had a bunch. Layer on top of layer.

But the years real excitement and joy came from “Freedom To…”. Freedom to enjoy Him unobstructed. Freedom to enjoy Him in others without denominational lines. Freedom to love the people in front of me each day as Father gives them, with no agenda for them. Freedom to consider an alternative thought, thanks to you and Brad and Kent. Freedom to be his son.

I love that. Freedom is never freedom if it is just a reaction to something else. It really takes on depth when it allows us to live as God’s kids in the earth without expectation or agenda.

And here are two fun things!

Todd, a God Journey listener from the Phoenix area wrote song, inspired a bit by some of my writings along with Jim Palmer’s and Bill Dahl, called Mr. Nobody! It’s quite a catchy tune with a powerful message. You can listen to it here.

Finally, many of you ‘met’ my daughter Julie when she worked for us over the last two years handling book orders and other office items. She’s ‘retired’ now after the birth of her second child. If you’d like to share her joy (along with Sara and mine) she just uploaded a new view gallery of pictures of those lovely two girls. It’s the Kodak site, so if you don’t have an account they make you sign up. But it is free if you want to have a peak at our Christmas joy this year! These are some lovely photos.

I hesitate to post this because I know just about everyone on the planet knows of a sure cure for cancer from eating tree bark, to drinking some kind of reconstituted seed, to visiting clinics in foreign countries. Every time I mention that someone I know is dealing with cancer I get a pile of referrals, all guaranteed to work with anecdotal evidence to back it up. Cancer patients tell me it is one of the most frustrating aspects of dealing with well-intentioned people while you’re also trying to deal with the disease and treatment. People who are desperate are sitting ducks for every expensive procedure and false hope to cure the disease. So I am going to ask that no one fill the ‘comments’ section with more of those cures, and if they do then for those who are dealing with cancer, feel free to ignore them. Please. On both counts!

But I have to share this email exchange with you. Dave Coleman, a close friend of mine who was my partner on the SO YOU DON’T WANT TO GO TO CHURCH ANYMORE project, received a letter from a young couple who are facing a crisis. The sought out Dave for help and, as you will see, could not have approached a better person:

My wife of 23 years was diagnosed with colon cancer. She is recovering from surgery and we are waiting to start the chemo/radiation adventure (mid December). When my wife was in the hospital I had several panic attacks and became so worried about the situation that I almost ended up in the emergency room myself. It seem after years of being a Christian, I am totally unequipped to face the emotional trials and feelings that come with pain, suffering and mortality issues. I guess that I’m just afraid. Afraid for my wife, afraid for my children afraid for me. I am trying to pray and meditate on scripture and it works at times, but I do have an hunger for peace in Christ.

Here is Dave’s reply in its totality. In my estimation you will not read better counsel to deal with any devastating calamity in this age, whether it be cancer, loss of a job or something else. Dave not only acted as a hospice chaplain for over 10 years, but as you’ll see has engaged this same kind of cancer, albeit at a more advanced stage in his own life:

I don’t know if Wayne told you or not, but next month (Jan. ’08) I will officially become a Cancer Survivor. In 2003 they found a large Colorectal tumor which was advanced Stage IV. They wouldn’t even operate on me here, but fortunately there were two doctors in the country who would attempt it—one on the East Coast and one at USC. I went thru all the hoops with severe complications requiring an additional 5 surgeries, etc. Won’t bore you with the details and my only reason for mentioning it is to say that colon cancer is not the end of the world—though a battle, to be sure. I want to encourage your wife and yourself, and perhaps share a positive thought or two.

The main thing of course is prayer. Just accept the illness and offer yourself to God, for He alone is the One who does all things well. Go through all the chemo/radiation, etc. but relax with it. Get to know people, share with them. I had some great times in the chemo room, and met some fantastic folks along the way.

An illness such as this is a tremendous opportunity to grow in the Lord. Sometimes though, we panic, and believe the statistics, etc. which has a way causing a certain amount of futility. “What’s the use?” we think. In my ten years as a Hospice Chaplain, the one thing I noticed about all of the patients was that they had given up. The attitude of a cancer patient and family must simply be, “Let’s see what God has for us in all of this.” I am not talking about whistling in the dark. I am talking about spiritual reality. As Jesus said, “God knows all these things that you have need for.” He knows what is going on and He loves us so deeply. He wants us to know that and that is the key. He is not out to, get us.

Sometimes, though, we have a tendency to panic. Why? If we really understand ourselves deeply, the bottom line in all of our personalities is our deep-seated desire to be in control. This to me is the basic meaning of what the Bible calls sin. We want to have everything run smoothly in order to look good, and when it doesn’t, we feel threatened and when we are threatened we get scared (afraid) and that moves us into anger, which causes panic, anxiety and/or depression, etc. The opposite of love is control (fear). There is no fear in love, because perfect love cast out fear, writes the apostle. God is constantly at work conforming us to His image (the outward expression of an invisible reality). So that like Jesus told the disciples, “He who has seen me, has seen the Father.” So often rather then to accept what God is doing, we have been taught the ‘principles’ of how to get from God whatever you want. And we forget that if God is love. He doesn’t control us and we, in turn, cannot control Him. He is there to see us through, and bring us into a deeper awareness of who He really is, and not what we want Him to be, which of course is far better. Allow your wife’s illness to bring you closer together in your family and of course closer to Father. You have been and will continue to be in our prayers on your behalf. Again, there is no need for fear, for the many reasons all ready mentioned, and also because being uptight (stress) just knocks out our immune system and destroys the healing qualities of our body.

I remember about 6 days after my major surgery, the Dr. said that I was not healing as fast as he would like. Why? I asked, “Well, he said, the immune system is trying to deal with all of the pain medication that you are receiving, so that your healing is slowed down to a crawl.” Pull the needle out, I said, and in a few days, I was on my way home. Painful? You bet, but necessary for healing. There is an old Gaelic blessing that goes, “May you have the commitment to heal what has hurt you, to allow it to come close to you and in the end, to become one with you.” Don’t run away from this. It will be the biggest blessing in your lives.”

In His Peace, Dave and Donna