JUNE, 2008
REFLECTION
There are many interpretations about the
Book of Revelation, the last Book in the
Bible. Many see the writings as highly
apocalyptic, giving us a
window both into heaven
and the end of days. But
there is something that I
believe all Christians agree
on: The Book of Revelation is a message to
the early Christian Church, probably in
code because of the terrible persecutions of
Christians by the Roman Empire. The
“seven churches” are real Christian
communities; but the very term “seven
churches” also Scripturally refers to the
Church as a whole, given that “seven” is the
perfect and all inclusive number (Jesus told
His disciples to forgive people seventy times
seven times – meaning without any
exceptions and every time). Also, we know
as Christians that what is written in
Scripture has meaning not just for the time
of the writing but for all people in all ages.
This is one of the most important reasons
why the Bible is an incredibly awesome
Book. So, what the author of the Book of
Revelation wrote under the inspiration of
the Holy Spirit – be it John the Apostle or
another esteemed John of the Early
Christian Church – is a very clear, critical
and immediately applicable
message from God to every Christian of this,
the 21st century. Chapters 2 and 3 of
Revelation give us the message to the “seven
churches,” and the Holy Spirit gives both
compliments and criticism. Among the
criticisms there is a thread (the compliments,
too); the primary thrust of this Reflection is
to apply the thread of criticisms to us, the
Christian Church of today. You see, I
believe that the greatest threat to the
vibrancy of the Church in the world, to the
accomplishment of God’s perfect will, and to
the positive impact of the Uninterrupted
Prayer Team, is found in Chapter 2-3 of the
Book of Revelation. Listen to some excerpts,
and I will then draw some conclusions: (To
the Church in Ephesus): “I have this
complaint against you. You don’t love me as
you did at first! Look how far you have fallen
from your first love! Turn back to me again
and work as you did at first.”…(To the
Church in Sardis): “I know all the things
you do, and that you have a reputation for
being alive – but you are dead. Now wake up!
Strengthen what little remains, for even what
is left is at the point of death. Your deeds are
far from right in the sight of God. Go back to
what you heard and believed at first; hold to it
firmly and turn to me again. Unless you do, I
will come upon you suddenly, as unexpected
as a thief.”…(To the Church in Laodicea):
“I know all the things you do, that you are
neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or
the other! But since you are like lukewarm
water, I will spit you out of my mouth! You
say, ‘I am rich, I have
everything I want. I don’t
need a thing! And you
don’t realize that you are
wretched and miserable and
poor and blind and naked. I
advise you to buy gold from me – gold that
has been purified by fire. Then you will be
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rich. And also buy white garments so you will
not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy
ointment for your eyes so you will be able to
see. I am the one who corrects and
disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and
turn from your indifference.” Brothers and
sisters, I believe the Holy Spirit is telling us
very directly, clearly and personally that the
greatest weakness in Christianity – in both
churches and individually – is
lukewarmness. It is also known as
“religion.” It is also known as a lack of true
passion for the things of God. How is it
possible (it isn’t!) for the Church that Christ
founded to show Jesus the Light of the
World, the Way and the Truth and the Life,
to unbelievers when the Church is infected
with lukewarmness? How can Christians
who are lukewarm realize their sinful state
(yes, conscious lukewarmness is a sin!) when
they are surrounded by fellow “believers”
who are themselves religious and
indifferent? Lukewarmness in the Church
and in individual believers results in very
predictable
behaviors. Some
include: Just going
through the motions
– going to Church
because of a sense of
“obligation” or because it is “the thing to
do” rather than out of a driving passion to
be in the presence of God and worship Him
with other believers; spending prayer time
(if there is any extended prayer time at all)
in a lackadaisical fashion, just filling the
time and hoping for the time to be over
quickly – and that can include the hourly
commitment as members of the UP Team, a
trap we can all fall into; spending more time
in church looking at and judging others than
worshiping God; not spending time in the
Word daily, or, again, just reading words
without focusing on meanings or letting the
Holy Spirit speak to us – in fact, not being
daily passionate about wanting and letting
God to speak to us – because He wants to,
every minute of every day; spending more
time on applying Scripture to our obtaining
wealth and health than on receiving strength
and inspiration to move away from the
things of this world rather than move more
closely into them, and to serve others more
than serve ourselves. Christians who have
this pattern of thinking and behavior also
tend to be very judgmental of others –
individuals, other churches, non-believers.
They tend to think “they have it made”, and
are deeply deceived. In other words, the
words of the Holy Spirit in the Book of
Revelation to the Church are intended as a
wake-up call. I cannot speak for you; but I
know that I need such a wake-up call
regularly, because it is probably easier to fall
into lukewarmness than into just about any
other sin. Living in a state of lukewarmness
also leads to a lack of genuine compassion
for others, and this is very insidious and
deadly. It is quite possible to be outgoing, to
be liked by others, to even in our jobs or
community service reach out to others
without having any, or very little, genuine
compassion, genuine empathy, genuine and
passionate caring about people who cross
our path or people in general. Remember,
God always looks at the heart, and He
always, always, always knows our true
motivations – whether we are passionate for
others, or primarily for ourselves. Applying
this to the UP Team, I urge you and me to
renew our passion for prayer, to avoid just
“doing our hour” but to realize that the
power of prayer is immense, that when we
have a genuine passion for the spiritual
transformation of our regions and our
nation, true and perhaps and even
overpowering compassion for the lost – each
minute thousands die without knowing the
Lord or returning to Him if once they knew
Him – and for the hurting. Jesus says to us
all: “Wake up!”
At the same time, for
those who do have a
genuine passion to live
the Christian life and
to be servants and to be
instruments for salvation to come to the lost
and for the purification of the Church –
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Jesus has words of encouragement in those
same Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of
Revelation: “I know all of the things you do.
I have seen your hard work and your patient
endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil
people. You have examined the claims of
those who say they are apostles but are not.
You have discovered they are liars. You have
patiently suffered for me without quitting…I
know about your suffering and your poverty –
but you are rich! I know the slander of those
opposing you. Don’t be afraid of what you
are about to suffer. Remain faithful even
when facing death, and I will give you the
crown of life…I know all the things you do –
your love, your faith, your service, and your
patient endurance. And I can see your
constant improvement in all these things…
There are some who have not soiled their
garments with evil deeds. They will walk with
me in white, for they are worthy. All who are
victorious will be clothed in white. I will
never erase their names from
the Book of Life, but I will
announce before my Father
and his angels that they are
mine…I know all the things
you do, and I have opened a
door for you that no one can
shut. You have little strength, yet
you obeyed my word and did not deny me.
Look! I will force those who belong to
Satan…to come and bow down at your feet.
They will acknowledge that you are the ones I
love…Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to
what you have, so that no one will take away
your crown. All who are victorious will
become pillars in the Temple of my God, and
they will never have to leave it. And I will
write my God’s name on them, and they will
be citizens in the city of my God. And they
will have my new name inscribed upon them.”
So, which words of Jesus apply to us? The
Holy Spirit will tell us, if we, by His grace,
have totally open minds and hearts and
repentant spirits. And, again, I believe that
genuine passion is absolutely essential for
the UP Team – in order for God to hear us,
respond and bring about spiritual
transformation. Lukewarmness in life is a
terrible sin.
“10 LITTLE CHRISTIANS”
“10 little Christians standing in line; 1
disliked the preacher, then there were 9. 9
little Christians stayed up very late; 1
overslept Sunday, then there were 8. 8 little
Christians on their way to Heaven; 1 took
the low road, then there were 7. 7 little
Christians chirping like chicks; 1 disliked
music, then there were 6. 6 little Christians
seemed very much alive; but one lost his/her
interest, then there were 5. 5 little
Christians pulling for Heaven’s Shore; but
one stopped to rest, then there were 4. 4
little Christians, each busy as a bee; but one
got one’s feelings hurt, then there were 3. 3
little Christians knew not what to do; 1
joined the sporty crowd, then there were 2.
2 little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,
differed with each other, then there was 1. 1
little Christian can’t do much, ‘tis true; but
she/he brought a friend to Bible study, then
there were 2. 2 earnest Christians, each won
one more; that doubled the number, then
there were 4. 4 sincere Christians worked
early and late; each won another, then there
were 8. 8 splendid Christians, if they
doubled as before, in just eight more
Sundays, we’d have 1,024. In this little
jingle, there is a lesson true: You belong –
either to the building or to the wrecking-
crew!”
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
A car was traveling
along a highway, and
a State Police Officer
clocked it at 22
miles per hour.
Realizing that this was
dangerous, he followed
the car, turned on his
siren and pulled it over. He looked inside
the car and saw an elderly lady at the wheel.
There were four other elderly ladies in the
car as well – one on the passenger side and
three in the back seat. He noticed that all of
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the passengers were trembling, white as
sheets, and wide-eyed. But he returned his
attention to the driver and asked her if she
knew how fast she was going. She smiled
and said, “Of course, Officer. I always
follow the speed limit; I was going 22 miles
an hour.” “But, ma’am,” the Officer
replied, “Going that slow is dangerous for
other drivers. What made you think you
were going the speed limit?” “Why, sir, I
looked at the highway sign; there is one right
up there in front of us, as a matter of fact.”
He looked and could barely keep from
laughing. Composing himself, he said,
“Ma’am, that sign is the number of the
highway – Route 22 – not the speed limit.
The speed limit on this road is 55 miles per
hour.” She blushed and said, “Oh, I am so
sorry, Officer. I will make sure I don’t do
this again.” The Officer smiled and thanked
her for her cooperation. Then he noticed the
passengers again and said, “Ma’am, if you
don’t mind my asking, why are your
passengers looking so terrified?” She
thought for a moment and then replied, ‘Oh,
my! I know why. We just came off of
Highway 127!”
MORE ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Here are some ways to liven things up a bit:
1) At lunch time, sit with sunglasses on in
your parked car and point a hair dryer at
passing cars.
2) If there is an intercom where you work,
page yourself and be sure not to disguise
your voice. 3) Every time someone asks you
to do something, ask the person if he/she
wants fries with that. 4) In the memo field of
all your checks, write “for smuggling
diamonds.” 5) Finish all of your sentences
with, “in accordance with the prophecy.” 6)
When you go out to eat, with a serious face
offer a “diet water.” 7) Go to a poetry
recital and ask out loud why the poems don’t
rhyme. 8) Put mosquito netting around your
work space and play tropical sounds all day.
9) Five days in advance, tell your friends you
won’t be attending their party because you
aren’t in the mood. 10) At an ATM
machine, with people waiting behind you,
when the money comes out scream in a loud
voice, “I won! I won!”…Finally, this is how
one man dealt with his wife’s insistence that
he accompany her every time she shopped at
WalMart. One day she received a letter
from the Company, requesting that she not
bring her husband with her in the future.
The following incidents are what they
documented in the letter: “June 15: Took
24 boxes of baby diapers and randomly put
them in people’s carts when they weren’t
looking. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in
Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the
floor leading from the hunting knife section.
July 19: Walked up to an employee and told
her in an official voice, “Code 3 in Linens;
get on it right away.” August 4: Went to the
Service Desk and tried to put one bag of
M&Ms on layaway. September 15: Set up a
tent in the camping department and told
other shoppers he’d invite them in if they
would bring pillows and blankets from the
bedding department. September 23: When
a clerk asked if she could help him he began
crying and screamed, “Why can’t you people
just leave me alone?” November 10: While
handling guns in the hunting department, he
asked the clerk where the antidepressants
were. December 3: Darted around the store
suspiciously while loudly humming the
“Mission Impossible” theme. December 6:
Hid in a clothing rack and when people
browsed through, yelled “PICK ME! PICK
ME!” December 21:
When an
announcement
came over the
loud speaker, he
assumed a fetal
position and
screamed “Oh no!
It’s those voices again!” And the final straw
occurred on December 23: Went into a
fitting room, waited awhile, then yelled very
loudly, "Hey! There’s no toilet paper in
here!”
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STORY
A blind girl hated herself because she was
blind. She hated everyone else, too, except
for her loving boyfriend. He was always
there for her. She told him, “If I could only
see the world, I would marry you.” Well,
one day, someone donated a pair of eyes to
her. When the bandages came off, she was
able to see everything, including her
boyfriend. He asked her, “Now that you can
see the world, will you marry me?” The girl
looked at him and discovered that he was
blind! The sight of his closed eyelids
shocked her; she hadn’t expected that. The
thought of looking at them for the rest of her
life led her to refuse to marry him. He left
her in tears and a few days later wrote a
note to her, saying: “Take good care of your
eyes, my dear. Before they were yours, they
were mine.” To quote from the comments
after this story: “Life is a gift. Today before
you say an unkind word,
think of someone who
can’t speak. Before you
complain about the taste
of your food, think of
someone who has nothing
to eat. Before you
complain about your spouse, think of
someone who’s crying out for a companion.
Today before you complain about life, think
of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your children,
think of someone who wants children but
can’t have them. Before you complain about
your dirty house, think of the people who are
living on the streets. Before whining about
the distance you drive, think of someone who
walks the same distance. And when you are
tired and complain about your job, think of
the unemployed, the disabled, and those who
wish they had your job.
PRAYER MOBILIZATION
Please pray for: Ilona’s mother, health, and
Ilona’s father, badly broken leg…Don,
health…Pat, employment…Jan Urbec and
Jack Urbec’s family (Jack, UP Team
member, recently went home to the Lord
and is moving as an intercessor to the No
Sector list)…Tom Fish, cancer, and his wife
Merrilyn…Skylar Sanders, six years old,
brain tumor…Roy Gertson, health, and his
wife Vivian (UP)…Fred, total health…
Catherine Evers (UP), health and direction,
and the many prayer requests she passes
on…Debbie (UP), health and job…The Boyd
Family (UP members), as Lucas Boyd has
gone home to heaven…House of Friends and
John Gross – children’s homes in Africa…
Torchbearers and Cameroon…International
Renewal Ministries and Pastors’ Prayer
Summits…Mike Loewe (UP), for
employment (Mike was let go from Christian
Associates and has many skills to offer,
especially in sales but in other areas as well),
and for Diane, his wife, and their disabled
son…for the development of a low-cost
health clinic in the area (Sue Head is one of
the planners, an UP member)…Love, INC
and the Silver Dollar City Foundation and
their many community programs…The
Road to Jerusalem Conference coming up in
August…employees in our areas, as they
struggle with gas prices and other expenses,
and for an increase in tourism yet this
season…all unspoken and unknown needs
and concerns.
PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER TEAM: PRAY
THE VOTE
Members of the Presidential Prayer Team (if
you are not a member, there is no charge,
and you can receive regular e-mails -- the
web site is www.presidentialprayerteam.org)
are being given the opportunity to
participate in “40 Days to Pray the Vote”, in
preparation for our national and state
elections. Here are two examples: “Day
Three: May 30, 2008 – 157 days, 10 hours
and 29 minutes left until election day. Lord
God, Your love for all persons staggers my
imagination. Your compassion and concern
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for every living person move me to (417) 331-1028
acknowledge my own inadequacy and
weakness. Your love is without regard for
race, gender or any of the concerns that
divide us, Your children. You sent your only
Son, Jesus Christ, to powerfully demonstrate
Your sweeping love for everyone to whom
You have given life. In the days leading up
the this fall’s elections, I ask that you reveal
Your love to all citizens of our country so
they may respond to Your love and enter
into relationship with You. May we see and
experience Your love anew as we prepare to
vote this fall. In Your name we pray.
Amen.”….”Day Ten: June 6, 2008 – 150
days, 16 hours and 2 minutes left until
election day. O Lord God, You are supreme
over all things and all persons and all
powers. I proclaim Your glory and Your
authority and might. You have put all
things in place, and You rule in truth and
beauty. You do not deceive nor are You
deceived by anyone. I confess
that sometimes I get wrapped
up in the claims,
accusations and fervor of
the candidates. Give, O
Lord, a discerning spirit
and the ability to tell who
is speaking truth and who
is not. As we move
toward this fall’s
elections, let the
cunning, crafty or
deceitful be revealed, O God, and let those
who speak the truth do so in love. Let them
speak truth in the power of Your love, that
we may as a nation be discerning and wise in
this election. Amen.”

God bless you, brothers and sisters. Peace to

you and yours. Please keep on being faithful
to your hour(s), encourage others to join,
and if you are a friend of the UP Team,
please consider taking an hour.
Thank all of you for your faithfulness!

Bob Burton
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