Christian Men's Network Meetings in Helsinki, Finland

The Icelandic volcano caused all kinds of chaos in Europe. It caused the cancellation of the Christian Men's Network Meetings on Thursday since no one was able to fly anywhere in Europe. My Thursday morning flight from Bonn was canceled Wednesday night but I found an early Friday morning flight on different airline.

Paul Cole who came from the U.S. had to be driven from the CMN Aachen, Belgium meetings to the mid-week meetings in Budapest, Hungry. He and his wife Judi were stuck in Budapest. Getting to Helsinki was impossible and getting stuck there, out of the question. They finally drove for 18 hours to Amsterdam on the hope they would be able to return to the U.S. for his meetings there.

The other team members, Daniel Kawku and Fred Fredricks could not fly from London to Helsinki. They finally arrived late Friday night and feeling good that they could get any flight out.

No one will forget those weeks when people were stuck in airports and the trains and ferries completely full. Rental cars were all sold out and on the roads trying to get their occupants to their destinations. But it was all worth the extra effort to get to minister to the people of Finland.

This was my first visit to Finland and the beginning of many trips in the future. The Finnish people were incredible to me. There was an instant spiritual connection. Making a direct connection to the Finnish men will help me in writing future articles for the Tosimies-Lehti Christian Men's Magazine. www.tosimies-lehti.fi

I've been invited by a local pastor to return in September and preach at his church plus it looks like we'll also have another Christian Men's Meeting while I am there. I'm looking forward to my return.


Our first meeting on Friday evening was at a beautiful downtown Helsinki Lutheran church built in 1826.




Meeting with my translator before the meeting.

The following are pics from the Christian Men's Network meetings on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's all day meeting was at Mission Church, a Helsinki inter-city church. The Sunday services were in a nearby city of Nurmijärvi at a local Pentecostal church.












The Old and the New in Helsinki


The First Lutheran Church in Espoo, Finland


The Ferry to Tallin, Estonia


Street Musicians & an Old Restored Fish Market



Larry praying for a Mia, a young deaf mother, as the other lady "signs" for both of us.
It was blessing. I found out later from Mia, the signer wasn't a Believer, "yet".





The final shot from a great weekend of ministry for the CMN Crew, Daniel Kawku, Kimmo Janas, Fred Fredricks, Larry Blakeslee, and Petri Aalto

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe & Asia

For More Info:
www.tosimies-lehti.fi
www.cmneurope.org

Christian Men's Meeting in Aachen, Belgium

These pictures are only a portion of the pics I took at the meeting this weekend. No commentary is necessary they all speak for themselves. Keynote speaker Paul Louis Cole of Christian Men's Network was a real blessing to all of us.

Enjoy the pictures and the fact that God is moving among these men of all ages to become strong men of God.

Travel Update
Just got word from my Finnish contact that the Helsinki airport will remain closed for another 24 hours, (8:00pm / 20:00 Tuesday). By faith, I'm packing and getting ready to minister in Helsinki this weekend.

The clock is moving but the volcanic dust is apparently not....

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee

No Flying = No Travel

As you have seen on the new everywhere, there is the complete shutdown of air travel in Europe. It's been four days now that not a flight has left the ground in Central and Northern Europe and the UK.

I arrived back in Germany from the U.S. on Wednesday, 7 April and was glad I got here before the volcano eruption in Iceland. The problem now is that as of today, Sunday evening, they have no idea when the airlines will again be allowed to fly again.

KLM, British Air and other airlines are asking that the airspace over most of Europe be opened again by the various governments. These same airlines are also asking the governments to prove that the real threat to flight and aircraft still continues. This should be pretty interesting to see how this gets resolves.

The problem came close to home this weekend. Today, I just returned from the first of a series of Christian Men's Network meetings. This meeting was held at a church in Aachen, Belgium. Paul Louis Cole, of Christian Men's Network was the guest speaker. He and his wife Judi arrived the day before the shutdown.

This afternoon the Cole's were supposed to fly out to Budapest, Hungry for the next series of meetings. No one is flying, the trains are completely booked, and car rentals are all but completely sold out. While I was in Aachen this morning, I got a phone call asking if I would co-drive them the 11 hours from Aachen to Budapest. It would have a been a quick turn around literally dropping them off, getting some sleep and returning so I could make it back to Bonn to fly out on Thursday to meet them in Helsinki.

As it turned out two other men were found who had more time available to do the drive so that released me from the marathon drive. Although there was a tinge of regret, it could have been an interesting "road trip" in some areas that I've not gone before.

The no-fly shutdown is now hitting close to home. I'm supposed to fly out Thursday to Helsinki, Finland to minister with Paul Cole. No one has an idea if anyone is flying any where and when. The three days of Helsinki meetings might get canceled.

For the Cole's it would be a pretty hard drive from Budapest to Helsinki. The highways on the way there are lacking through the former Soviet Union.

If I can't fly to Helsinki, my next flight was to depart Helsinki on Monday, 26 April for a major church planting conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but that might not be made either.

Mind you, I am not complaining. I am "stuck" at home not like literally thousands of people in air terminals just trying to move on to their destination.

By the way, the CMN meeting at Lighthouse Church in Aachen was really terrific. We had a nice turn out with a good mix of ages at the meetings. I met some incredible men at this meeting.

Be in agreement that "the cloud" will move on and allow safe air travel very soon.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe & Asia

2010 Is Going To Be Great

I thought I'd update you on my current activities. Last month, Europe Advance held two Church Planter Roundtables. One at Thousand Hills Church, Hilversum, The Netherlands and the other at Power House Church, Zurich, Switzerland. The CPRs provide information to people interested in planting churches in Greater Europe.

Europe Advance's goal is to motivate others to plant churches and provide on-going mentoring and financial assistance during the start up phase of the church plant. The financial support is provided by established churches with the same vision. My role is to support the overall mission strategy and mentor in the area of church administration.

Europe Advance is working closely with an American based ministry called A.R.C., the Association of Related Churches. A.R.C. has been successfully planting churches in the U.S. since 2000.

Admittedly, I have a "selfish" motivation for helping Europe Advance succeed. Besides the obvious of reaching the lost adults in Europe, unsaved children must have a good church to attend so they can learn about the Gospel and develop their personal relationship with Jesus.

Kids are still my main thrust in ministry. Reaching them and adults utilizing every possible opportunity with the Gospel is the most important thing to me.

2010 = Unbelievable
Personally I think 2010 is going to be a tremendous year for ministry and impacting my part of the world for Christ. 2009 was an incredible for First Step Ministries. God opened some amazing doors and He continues to do so.

Tosimies Lehti Magazine
My first "How To" article encouraging fathers to teach their children to pray was published in December in Tosimies -Lehti, a Finnish Christian Men's magazine. My next article, which is part of a series, will be published in the February issue. I really believe that God is going to use these articles to motivate Finnish men to take an active part in developing the spiritual life of children.

Future Travel
I'll be visiting America from mid-February through March, for my annual trip back home to see my family in Florida and to minister in the U.S..

The Baltics and Finland
The last two weeks of May I'm scheduled to go to Hamburg, Germany, Estonia and Latvia with Paul Cole, the son of Ed Cole, founder of Christian Men's Network (CMN). I am also going to Helsinki, Finland and Budapest, Hungry for the first time in April. I am excited because these trips will open some incredible new ministry opportunities in the future.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe and Asia.

For more information:
http://europeadvance.org
http://www.relatedchurches.com/
http://www.powerhousechurch.ch/
http://www.thousandhills.cc/
http://www.tosimies-lehti.fi

Miscellaneous Stuff

No Comments
I wanted to let you know that I have turned off the "Comments" portion of my blog. Hopefully this will be temporary. No, it's not because of my "thin skin". For the last few weeks, I've had people use it to promote their products for sale. Putting strange comments and links on it. Nothing really bad thank God, but it was spam and they can go some where else.

I'll try to figure out a way that I can "control" or delay the comments before they are posted. That will eliminate the problem. I'm always happy to hear from you.

Europe Advance
On a better note, I'm working right now on my next posting for this blog. It will be about the European church planting group, Europe Advance, that I am working with in a major way along with my other minstry areas. Stay tuned!


Traveling to America
I'm making my annual trip to America on 16 February. I'll be in Phoenix first for a couple of weeks. Then heading to Florida to see my sons and grand kids. Can hardly wait. I'll be in the States until roughly the first week of April. Then return to a very busy next few months ministering in Estonia, Latvia and Finland. My first time there.

Tosimies Lehti
Just a few days ago, I sent my second article to Tosimies Lehti, the Finnish Christian magazine, about father's helping to teach their kids to pray. It will be published in a few weeks. What a blessing God has opened up for me to reach the Finnish.

Ministry Opportunities
If you would like me to share what God has put in my heart about children's ministry, men's ministry or Europe Advance, the church planting group, I am available. Contact me by email listed here.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe & Asia

Fellowship of European International Churches

Hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving.

The other day when I posted the story of my new car, I realized that I had forgotten to update you after my trip to Vienna, Austria and the Fellowship of European International Churches ( www.feic.org ) Summit meeting.

So better late than never, here's a brief update with links to photos and a video clip. My Facebook Friends have seen the video clip but my blog followers have probably not.

The meeting was in mid-October and held in a small retreat center up in the mountains about two hour ride from Vienna. It was attended by 60+ Assembly of God missionary pastors. They pastor churches located all over Europe from Finland to Greece to the Canary Islands.

I was invited to attend by Sebaastian Van Wessem, a Dutch pastor that I work with on the church planting group, Europe Advance. www.europeadvance.org

During our times of fellowship we discussed what God was doing in Europe and shared about our churches and ministries. They graciously allowed me share about First Step Ministries and my heart to help kids learn to pray.

We were all caught off guard when an unseasonably early snow storm moved in and dumped about 18 inches over two days. As it turned out, it seems it was an answer to prayer from a little seven year old missionary girl, named Olivia, from the Canary Islands. She asked her parents if they would see snow up in the mountains. The parents told her to pray and ask God. Guess he answered her prayers. Thankfully, He also answered our prayers to get us off the mountain safely without snow tires so we could catch our flights back home. He did.

It was great to make new friends and new ministry connections. I'm sure I'll be involved with them in future.

Here's the link to the FEIC photos:
http://drop.io/FEIC_Pics_Oct_2009

FEIC Video:
http://animoto.com/play/0CESfFIbk8rugSaPVIb0cg

(Just copy and paste the above URLs to your web browser to connect to the photos or video.)

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe & Asia

Christmas Came Early

For me, Christmas came early this year. So early that I will be able to celebrate again on December 25th. Actually, the German's celebrate two days of Christmas and if that's not enough, the Dutch have three days of Christmas.

It's The Solution
Think about it. Just having more Christmas days is the ultimate solution to an ever present problem. Which friends, family, "in-laws" or parents you are going to celebrate Christmas Day with this year? Well I digress...

My Christmas came a few weeks ago when someone called me and said they wanted to bless me with a car. It was a total surprise. In fact I was speechless. (You who really know me, know that doesn't happen very often.) They wanted the car to be used for the ministry. No problem! I think I can make that happen. It took a few weeks to get everything organized. And I finally picked up it last Monday in The Netherlands and drove it home.

It has been a real process to get it registered and inspected with the German government but thanks to a couple of German friends that helped get me through the "red tape", it was uneventful. Thank God for German public transportation. But waiting for trains and buses outside in the German winter is not all that it is cracked up to be.

The First Car
Some of you might remember my first European car. It was a little, red, 20+ year old Opel Kadette that was given to me five years ago. It had a lot of "experience" but I got two good years of use from it. When it came time for the every two year German car inspection, it would have cost me more to get it to pass inspection that the actual value of the car. So it was time to get rid of it.

The Opel Kadette, like this car, was a total gift from God and I proclaimed it as such to everyone, saved and unsaved. To the amazement of many of my German friends, it got me all over Europe without fail. The Chevy is also going to be put to good use for The Lord and ministry. If you feel led, you can be in agreement with me for the car's expenses to be met.

The Sermonette
There is a "sermonette" in this story. It is never give up on your dream(s). No matter how tough it looks, just never give up on God. The dream may not come in your timing but it will come in His. The Bible talks about "Give and it will be given unto you..." (Luke 6:38) He's not kidding.

My Thanksgiving
The family that blessed me with this gift will be blessed by God for giving it. My friends that have made it possible for me to stay on the mission field all these years and especially during these tough economic times, have been and will continue to be blessed for their faithfulness. I know Him and I know His Word it is true. By the way, so do they...

Thank you to all those that have been used by God to make the "impossible" come true. It has already been an exciting and interesting 2009 for me. I can hardly wait to see what is in store for 2010.

Happy Thanksgiving America. We still have a lot to be thankful for in our lives. If there was ever a time to pray for our country and the world, it is now.

Love ya,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe & Asia

New Great News

Just wanted to let my faithful blog readers know some great news I just received. In fact you are nearly the first know, right after my two sons and a couple of very close friends. I haven't even Facebooked this news yet.

Literally a few minutes ago, I received a reply to an email I recently sent to the publisher of Christian Mens Magazine in Finland. My email proposed an idea to write either a single article or a series of articles for his four color, "Charisma" style magazine. The "How To" articles would encourage men to teach their children to pray.

He accepted the proposal and is excited about the idea. And instead of just one article, he wants to do a series over the next year. The first article will be published in the upcoming December issue. The magazine will translate my articles. He teasingly suggested that I start to learn Finnish. Okay... My German friends will be "pleased" to see that I am going to try to add one of the worlds most difficult languages to my list of "linguistic inability".

Honestly I am excited and nervous at the very same time. God is my strength and ability. He certainly opened this door and made this God Intersection. The Holy Spirit will give me the words and concepts to communicate His heart to these men in Finland but still pray for me.

Thank you Lord for this and every opportunity to minister to your children of all ages.

Will keep you posted as things progress.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe (including Finland) and Asia

Just Behind A "Little"

Hi Everyone,
It just occurred to me to check my blog for the date of my last posting. OH MAN! It was the end of July!

Face Book
Well you can blame it on Face Book. Or I can blame it on Face Book. I was a "late comer" on FB but I love it. Found and reconnected with so many people from my past. What an incredible way to keep in easy touch with those you know and love, no matter where they live in the world.

What about Twitter?
No, this is where I draw the line. I am pretty positive that nobody really cares that I am riding the train to go grocery shopping or taking out the trash. I'll spare everyone that stuff in my life.

The last month has been absolutely crazy busy but I love it. It is almost 1:00 a.m., I can hardly keep my eyes open but have decided to "wing it" and post something for all of you that don't see the stuff on my Face Book Wall. Wouldn't want to leave you out or anything.

So the "winging it" part is that I'm going to take a few minutes to update you. And leave with a promise to really put a more adequate posting up next week sometime.

In short here is what's been happening and it's all good.

Europe Advance (Church Planting Project in Europe)
Continue to work with Pastors Sabaastian from The Netherlands and Desmond from Zurich. It's moving slowly right now for my part of the activities but the other two guys are busy doing what they need to do right now. So it's all okay. My "turn" and work will kick in soon.

Christian Men's Network
I was the keynote speaker at a regional leadership meeting in Solingen, Germany for CMN last Saturday. My message was to encourage the other 60+ men and pastors to see and develop the gifts and callings in their children. I spoke on my First Step Ministries, Kids Prayer Program and how it had the potential to grow and influence children to have a deep relationship with our Heavenly Father.

We had men from Brussels, Finland, The Netherlands and of course Germany attend the one day event. I was blessed to meet a lot of new pastors and men that are not afraid to openly love and serve God.

John Maxwell's EQUIP "Train The Trainers"
Thursday afternoon, I'm heading down to Zurich, Switzerland to attend this trainers meeting. An American from Maxwell's ministry in Georgia will be training us to be able to go out and raise up pastors using John Maxwell's time tested principles. It should be great.

Rhema Bible Church Bonn, Germany
This has been my overseas church since I arrived in Germany 7+ years ago. This summer I volunteered to step in and help teach every other week in our children's church. During summer, everyone is out of town on vacation so the extra help was needed and a blessing for me and them. Since then, I've signed up to become a regular teacher with the 6-12 year olds. They're learning. I'm learning. We're all, always learning aren't we. It's been fun and a blessing.

Church Summit near Vienna
In mid-October I am planning on attending a meeting of a new group of English speaking International churches. This group has a number of churches throughout Europe. They are new to me, so I was excited to get the invitation and meet new people. It will increase my network. I don't know much more about it but will post something after I return.

Doing the Stuff
In the mean time, I've been working on the photos I took at these meetings and promise to post them shortly. By that time, I'll have the Zurich photos ready also. Continue to work on and improve the 26 weeks of Kids Prayer Program curriculum. It seems never to be ready or not need some little improvement.

Summer in Germany
WOW!!!! God answered my spring time prayer for a warm and wonderful summer. It has been amazingly beautiful, warm, with limited rain. You "almost" welcomed the rain the few days it came. "Almost" is an operative word.

Got a lot of summer time bicycle riding in this year. It was great. Only the last few days have been overcast but still warm in temperature. This is okay with me. Warm weather, yes, "This too shall pass," usually by November. But by then, it will have been a wonderful memory to hang onto when the temps drop to the 40's and below with constant rain or drizzle. Let's not think about that right now. I'd rather live in denial.

So Blessed
Yes, I'm a geek. Always have been, always will. So this year, I've been really blessed with some important geek tools of the trade. So far, The Lord has blessed me with some neat but important tools of the "missionary trade". I got a new Dell laptop that is a real "race car" for not much money. My seven year old one was not and could not keep up. Bless it's darling heart, it tried but how much can you remember has changed in the computer world in seven years or seven weeks.

I was also blessed to get a new Canon 50D digital camera with a couple of good usable lens. I've had cameras in my hands since I was 1o years old. If you've known me at all, you know that I click, click, click all the time on every trip I go. I've worn out two digital cameras before getting my little Canon PowerShot two years ago. It continues to be a little work horse but the new "real" 50D just warms a photographer's heart.

Just the other day, I was blessed with a new 22 inch monitor to use with my laptop. I love my laptop but when you're working with PhotoShop, MS Word and my audio editing program, it just didn't have the "real estate" needed to work.

Why am I telling you this? Not to brag, you know me better than that but to brag on my Heavenly Father. Sometimes when things or circumstances are the darkest, things are about to change and the sun really is going to come up in the morning. You just can't quit. You have got to stay in the fight or you really will loose and never see the victory you set out to have.

This stuff is wonderful but it is still just stuff. Yes, it makes my life and work a lot easier but it is just stuff. But God even cares about our stuff and to help us do better, quicker and easier. Hang in there and never, never give up on your dream. It will come to pass.

So this is an extemporaneous blog posting. I'm not going to look back and start correcting, editing and tweaking. I will spell check it, that's easy to do. But I'm moving on to "Save" and the push "Publish Post" buttons. I kinda like taking these "writing risks".

Love you all. Will catch up later. Check out my Face Book page or add me as a friend. It's under Larry Blakeslee / Germany

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe and Asia

Healing in Disneyland, Really!

I am so thankful a friend here in Germany sent this to me. It touched me so much that I had to post it on my blog.

If you want to see see the power God working in a public place like Disneyland, answering the prayers of a bunch of bold teenagers, check this video out.

It's almost ten minutes long so don't bail-out early. Watch the entire thing. It bless you.

Copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpdoge4KSug

Or click on the video here if you can see it.



Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe and Asia

Future Church Planting in Europe

Last Wednesday, I attended a meeting with three pastors in Koblenz, Germany. We met to discuss creating a European network to proactively assist in the planting more churches in Europe.

Two pastors were from Europe, Desmond Frey, Power House Church in Zurich, Switzerland and Sebastiaan van Wessem, Hilversum International Christian Church, in Hilversum, Netherlands. The other pastor was Steve Hickey, from Church at the Gate, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Pastor Hickey works with a non-denominational organization in America that has been successfully involved in church planting in America for a number of years. As part of that organization, Steve believes that it is time to assist in the creation of a similar program in Europe.

At this first meeting, the group discussed the steps to put the process in motion. The consensus is that Europe, which is wholly "unsaved", needs to hear The Gospel. It needs local churches that are alive with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not just huge beautiful buildings from a past era. The best way to develop churches is partner directly with nationals during the start-up and initial growth period. To stand, support and be available to them as they establish themselves in the community.

It is exciting to be involved in planting more local churches and utilizing the experience and strength of the non-denominational American organization here in Europe.

All this is so new that there is not more to share at this time. Will keep you updated as we all walk this project out.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe & Asia

Christus Gemeinde - Jena, Germany

What an incredible time of ministry in Jena, Germany. I was at Christus Gemeinde pastored by Mark and Sandi Copper. The weekend started off with a seven hour, pleasant train ride that had very few train connections but a myriad of stops for the first three hours of travel.

By accident, I happened to pick the slowest train possible for the first half of the trip. It was a "milk run" commuter train that stopped about every seven minutes, at literally every stop from my station to my first connecting train stop 90 miles away in Mainz.

After I realized my mistake, I just relaxed and enjoyed the ride. No amount of wishing would make the train move any faster or get me there sooner. As it turned out it did give me time to read, listen to my iPod and enjoy a beautiful early summer day train ride.

About four hours into the trip, I crossed over the former East/West German border. As you enter into the old East German region, you can still see many differences between the East and West. The East continues to improve but slowly.

Saturday, Pastor Mark and Sandi took me to church to get ready for the morning sessions with the children. On Saturday, I did the Kids Prayer Program and Sunday preached in adult church.

I found out they are located in a former Baptist church that existed during the old East German, D.D.R. days. The sacrifice the former Baptist congregation must have made to even exist as a church during the Communist rule must have been incredible.

The Copper's were concerned that because summer vacation had started the day before, they were not sure how many kids would attend. They have a small church so we were pleasantly surprised to see about fifteen kids and ten adults show up for the meetings. We even had adults who were not parents show up. They just wanted to sit in on the class. The classes went great. By the end of the morning, they all had learned something, had a few laughs and found out how much God really loves them.

The Sunday service was unbelievable. Worship was incredible and everyone could feel the presence of God in the service. Instead of doing my sermon first, with permission from Pastor Mark, I switched to praying for people right after worship and then sharing some remarks about how God wants to have a deep relationship with us.

Nearly everyone stayed around after the service just to socialize. It turned into a great unplanned fellowship. I think everyone was blessed. I know that I was. God is faithful and good.

Monday, I was back on the train to head back home to Rolandseck. It was another beautiful day out to enjoy the ride back.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe and Asia

Starting Eight Years

On the evening of 2 June 2002, I boarded a Lufthansa jet in Phoenix for an overnight, trans-Atlantic flight to Germany and the start a new chapter in my life as an overseas missionary.

It is amazing that I am starting my eighth year. God has given me an incredible opportunity in so many areas. He has given me opportunities to be a blessing and be blessed. Leaving the security of nearly ten years with a company and job that I loved, leaving family, friends, moving to a new country, new culture, unfamiliar language and starting a new life will test the best.

Why?
Why did I do it? It had to be God. Timing is everything. Well God's timing is really everything. It was a part of God's plan for my life. During the past seven years, God fulfilled a number of my dreams. Plus He gave me new ones. He allowed me minister in countries beyond my imagination. Minister to people groups that I never thought I had a heart for until I got there. Guess He knew.

A Growing Extended Family
Leaving my two adult natural sons and at that time, one granddaughter in Florida was tough. But God would expand my extended family with new "sons, daughters and grand children", all with a variety of ethnic backgrounds. It has been remarkable.

Has it been worth it?

I would say emphatically "Yes". Everything is a learning experience if we allow ourselves to go through the process. We can learn a lot about our God and ourselves.

At the Airport
With luggage and boxes piled high at the airline check-in counter, I turned to my best friend David and told him, "I'll either be back in six days, six weeks, six months or six years." Either way, I need to do this while I'm young enough and avoid the regrets of not following my heart, later in life. I can honestly report seven years later... no regrets.

Change
In biblical numerology, "seven" is God's number and the number of completion. "Eight" represents new beginnings. My goal was to be on the mission field for five years.

Earlier this year, when I was itinerating in the America, I had a string of connected prophecies from unconnected people. They all spoke about upcoming change during the next phase of life and ministry. It is two years past that goal and I wonder what God's plans are for me as I start my eighth year.

What Have I Learned?
Whatever the upcoming years bring, in the deepest part of my spirit and soul, I know that I can trust my Heavenly Father. He is faithful. He is with me as we go forward together to fulfill His plans for me. I know that the Holy Spirit will guide me as He has done in the past. It is what a loving father does for His children. The Word talks about planting for the future but living one day at a time. Well Carpe Diem.

A Special Thanks
Thanks and blessings to those friends, both Believers and non-Believers that have stood with me these years. Thanks to those that supported me both prayerfully and financially. Your faithfulness is remarkable. Let's continue to link arms and go forward into a challenging and promising future.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe and Asia

The Missing Plumb Line

Something struck me when I was at the Adobe Mountain Youth Detention Facility in Phoenix recently. It was the apparent lack of a "plumb line" early in the lives of the young men that were serving time there.

As Christians, our "plumb line" is the Bible. All people, worldwide need something to use as a gauge for excellence or error. These young men are serving time in this detention facility because they either didn't have or ignored the "plumb line" in their lives.

"Robert"
One young man, I will call "Robert" stood out to me. At 15 years old, he told me that all of his family had been or is currently in jail. Since he is a minor, his "error" in judgment got him sentenced to Adobe instead of adult jail or prison. I don't know how "Robert" ended up making his wrong decision but apparently no one in his immediate family had exercised good judgment either, so society "exercised" it for all of them.

There was another young man who had nearly completed his time and was soon to be released and re-enter society. He seemed genuinely concerned that once released, he would not be able to make the correct decisions that would keep him out of jail. You wonder how either "Robert" or this other young man had no foundation for their decisions. I think I have at least a partial answer.

Politically Correct
We live in an era when it is more important to be politically correct than to take a stand for actual moral correctness. Our schools, our politicians and even some Christian denominations are all "gray". Everything except gravity and for now, sports, is "gray". No one is allowed to win or lose... well almost no one.

We talk a good game with our fellow Believers but when it comes to diplomatically challenging unbiblical principles with our friends or the world, we fall short. We know that what we believe is counter-culture to our increasingly permissive society.

We are "told" that we are in the minority and we are shrinking. But what's worse is we are afraid to stand up for what is right based on God's Word, fearing that we might offend someone. We don't need to be offensive but we do need to take a moral stand.

Inch by inch, year by year, we move farther away from what is biblically correct, further into the gray. Are these changes a result of prayer being eliminated from our schools? I think so. I think it has contributed.

Applied Logic
I am really not sorry that I might offend someone by stating my views. Guess you might "offend" a child when you yell at him that the stove is hot and not touch it. After all, is it "our" responsibility? Is it obvious to anyone else that we have got to get our horse-sense back into all levels of this world including politics?

Politically correct or not, we have got to be confident and loving enough to share with the world that there really is a moral anchor available to mankind. Yes, it will probably limit their permissiveness but it is good overall for everyone.

Back To "Robert"
It seems that no one bothered to yell at "Robert" and warn him that the "stove would burn" him. Maybe his family didn't care. Maybe they didn't want to limit his "exploration and development" as a child or teenager. Maybe they were just complacent and wrapped up in their own bad decisions. Never-the-less, "Robert" is now locked up.

Now he spends his teenage days hearing the locks on steel doors controlling his every move. He could have been attending a high school football game, ordering a burger & fries at a fast food joint or being able to "text" his friends. He now hears the guards telling him when to get up, when to go to bed, when to eat and when to take a shower, when to whatever...

It seems that "Robert" had nothing going for him as a child. He has little going for him as a teenager except that we all hope he learned a life lesson or a lesson that will change his life.

On a positive note, the Word is being "planted and watered" in him through a weekly Bible study that he is choosing to attend. The Word promises that it will grow fruit in anyone's life. It is still everyone's choice to spend time reading it and having a relationship with its author, our Heavenly Father by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For "Robert"... now he has an honest chance of succeeding.

"Robert" will finish serving his time. Because of the level of his crime and that he was a minor when he offended, he will get a fresh start at life. His family environment certainly does not guarantee his success "outside". Knowing some Bible verses doesn't ensure success but it does start to provide the "plumb line" he was missing earlier in his life.

Like all of us, in various ways, "Robert" has been given another chance. As Christians, our Heavenly Father forgives us and gives us another chance. For Unbelievers, salvation and forgiveness is available to them also.

Mankind's Ultimate "Plumb Line"
There is life after death. Where you spend eternity is your free will choice. But the only way to avoid eternal life in hell is by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

The Challenge
Who do you know that is missing a "plumb line" in their life?
Will you love them enough to have the courage to share the answer with them?
Will you take time to pray for them?

God's blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe & Asia

Still Need A Smile?

Sometimes you just love technology and the learning curve it puts us through.

I learned something yesterday. The people that subscribed to my blog got their personal emailed blog posting just like usual. The problem was that finding the video or the link was a challenge because of the way it was posted on my blog site itself.

So, in lieu of any of my faithful subscribers missing out on the opportunity to "Smile" I've posted a direct link to the video below. This ensures that if you have an interest, you will find it. Sorry about that...

Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq6b9bMBXpg&feature=player_embedded

If not, you can just go to the Blakeslee Blog itself, as some did yesterday. Where you can't possibly miss it.

http://azblake.blogspot.com/

I just hope this works or I'll have to go back to the proverbial drawing board.

New blessings for a new day,
Larry

Need a Smile?

Take 4 minutes out of you busy day and click below to see what happened in the main train station at Antwerp, The Netherlands.



Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee

Back In Bonn

I'm back in Bonn, Germany; arrived uneventfully last Wednesday night.

Spring Has Sprung
I was delighted to find the forecast for rain and snow, predicted a few days before, did not happen. Wearing my down jacket, I wheeled my piled high luggage trolley outside the airport expecting to get hit with a blast of cold air. I didn't. It was breezy, with the ever present German winter overcast and around 53 degrees. Amazing.

The next morning to my surprise, there was not a cloud in the sky, as the sun blasted bright into my apartment as it rose over the small mountain range across the valley.

The next surprise was to see 56 degrees on my outside thermometer. While I was gone, the Bonn and Germany as a whole had one of the hardest winters. Now in contrast, it looks like spring has sprung... just in time. After months of enjoying short sleeve shirts and shorts, I was grateful I didn't have to bundle up just go to the grocery store to restock my empty kitchen. I had been spoiled with mostly great weather while traveling in the U.S. this year.

The Economy
During my time in America, I saw how the entire country was affected by the poor economy. It was evident that everyone has been hit by it. This resulted in an obvious drop in giving to churches and ministries which have slowed or stopped everyone including me. Churches and ministries, large and small were either laying off staff or returning from the mission field. We always look to the Lord as our source. This has never been truer for everyone right now, missionary or not.

Not Unaffected Here
As I rode my bike to the post office today, I saw a couple of businesses closed. Apparently the poor economy has had an impact on Europe too. My return airline ticket to Germany was the cheapest it has ever been in the seven years I've made the trip. Guess this is due to the overall drop in international travel and tourism in both directions. Still not "cheap", the low price couldn't have come at a better time for me.

Where Are We Going?
I think as this economy continues to take its toll on everyone, Christian or not, people are assessing what's important in their lives and their futures. If the future continues to get tougher, hopefully we will all get closer to God. It is an opportunity to find true solace in His Word and prayer. He is the only one that can provide answers to pending questions about what to do and how to do it. This certainly is the case in my life and ministry.

Pray for me. I'll be praying for you.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe and Asia

Keep It Real... Really

Last Tuesday night I had the opportunity to teach at Adobe Mountain, a youth detention facility in Phoenix. It was my first time to minister there. It was great. A small group of boys from the ages of 14 to 17 attended the weekly Bible study. These particular young men were serving time for drug violations.

My close friend Nathan Hale has been leading this Bible study for more than a year. Nathan is a young man I've known for years. He has lots of energy and the boys relate to him. He cares for these guys and they know it. Another guy on the team, Ron, shared a little about the history and importance of reading the Bible. Nathan's wife, Debora, helped with the music.

We gathered in a small Day Room and started the meeting with Praise & Worship. Each boy was able to pick a song they liked and wanted the group to sing. It also happened to be movie night in the cottage. All the boys in this unit had to choose to either watch the movie or attend the Bible study.

Later on, after the movie ended, some of those boys, had to return to their locked rooms, but watched and listened through the windows in their doors.

One Shot
With only about thirty minutes to make an impact, what was the most important thing that God wanted me to talk about? Communicate how real God is and how they could have a tangible relationship with Him.

We discussed how doing this is no different than with anyone else on earth. When I asked them if they had a girl friend, somehow they could then easily relate. Instantly a few friendly jabs and elbows were exchanged with each other. Imagine that, teenage boys relating to girls!

Yes, somebody talks. Somebody listens and then you swap. They began to understand that we don't have to use theological terms. We don't have to be religious. Prayer is just talk. Talk develops relationship. Relationship develops love.

God Is All Knowing
"Well, doesn't God already know everything about me?" Of course He does but He still wants a one-on-one relationship. Our Heavenly Father is always waiting for us to "phone home" and share our day. He wants to hear our worries, problems, and victories. Remember, this is the very reason He created mankind. It is no different than what we want on this earth with the people we love.

Keep It Real... Really
During the discussion, one of the boys piped up with a terrific phrase. He said, "So you mean, 'Keep it real... really' ". That says it all. We sometimes get off track on what prayer is or how to pray. Yes, as we mature in our walk with the Lord, there are times we get more "technical" by quoting specific scriptures for specific reasons. But for now, with these young men, it was just keep it simple and "Keep it real... really."

After the meeting, one of the boys came up to me and told me how he liked what he heard. He said he never thought that praying was just talking to God. His "ahha" moment made it all worthwhile for me. From the other boy's questions and responses, I think they got it.

The point with all of us is to understand that we have a real Heavenly Father, who loves us, who wants to communicate that to us. Who is waiting for us to communicate with Him.

Talk to God, just talk. Listen and don't be surprised if He talks back.

Blessings,
Rev. Lawrence Blakeslee
Missionary to Europe & Asia