Quote from Forum Archives on October 2, 2000, 12:48 am

Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

Standing Shoulder To Shoulder With You In The Trenches
As We fight The Good Fight

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #

TITLE:

Dear Friend and Partner in Service:

Well, here it is nearing Midnight Sunday ---- again! ---- and I'm just
getting started with my letter to you. Jo Ann and I continue living on
the edge of time, trying to get so many things done that our resources
are stretched to the limit. We have just concluded six days of helping
my father prepare for and conduct a "moving" sale, spent a day of
ministry at the church where I serve as interim pastor, and now we're
trying to get packed for a return trip to my father's Monday and then fly
to Bosnia on Tuesday.

Do we enjoy this life style? No!

And, yes!

No, because we do not enjoy the pressures and deadlines that currently
fill our lives.

On the other hand, we are so grateful for the lessons and truths God is
teaching us during this special season of our lives.

One thing that He has taught me is the art of taking it one step at a
time with a willingness to stay up as late as necessary in order to get
necessary things done. Saturday as we traveled home I told Jo Ann that I
had a better understanding and deeper appreciation for Kris
Kristopherson's hit song of years ago, "One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus".

She responded that she felt the hymn "Moment By Moment" was more
appropriate for her.

Another lesson God is teaching me is the pure honor and privilege it is
to not only serve Him, but also serve my earthly father in his days of
transition and decline. In many ways Dad and I are closer than we've
ever been.

I grieve for him at times because he feels so badly about his "imposing"
on us. He mentioned that over and over last week. No matter how hard I
tried to assure him it was no imposition, he just could not get around
his feeling that he was causing us great hardship.

Because he didn't live as close to his father as I do him, Dad wasn't
able to serve his own father during his declining years. So, I'm sure
it's hard for him to remember the joy he felt in serving his father and
then understanding that's how I feel.

Though humanly inconvenient, serving Dad at this time in his life is one
of my greatest blessings. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Then I guess the Lord is also teaching me something about living in the
moment rather than by the demands of the clock. This is a real change
for me, because I've always been a "clock" person. I always preferred to
begin on time, and it was important to end on time (except when I was
preaching).

When Jo Ann and the girls and I would travel during seminary days back to
our families, I would plan the trip out so that, unless there was an
accident or mechanical breakdown, I could know within five to ten minutes
exactly where we would stop for gas or food, and when. I would pull into
the gas station and tell Jo Ann and the girls they had ten minutes to go
to the restroom, not realizing the impossible challenge I had given her
of getting four little girls to go "potty" and yet keeping them all out
of trouble at the same time.

God is teaching me how to live in the "now". It isn't easy, and it
doesn't necessarily make things easier, but it is certainly less
stressful.

I am reminded of a joke I heard recently about a poor preacher who was
inquiring of God about the scripture in which God claimed to have
unlimited resources. He said, "God, is it really true that all the
silver and gold is years?"

"Yes, son, that's true."

"And is it true that a minute is like a thousand years, and a thousand
years is like a minute?"

God replied, "Yes, that's also true."

The poor preacher said, "Great! I'd like a million dollars."

God said, ---- "just a minute, My son"

SPECIAL BALKAN MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES:

Five very special ministry opportunities for the Balkans are available
next Summer. Perhaps you or someone you know might be interested. If
so, please get in touch with me for any details.

1. College students and other adults: A three week trip to Sarajevo and
surrounding areas for ministry to believers, unbelievers, and war
refugees from Kosovo, Bosnia, and Serbia. Leave late May, return mid
June.

2. English as a Second Language teachers to work with the Kairos Center
in Sarajevo through out the Summer in periods ranging from three to six
weeks. Do not need any kind of degree ---- just a heart to serve.
Training will be provided there.

3. Volunteers for office work, humanitarian work, etc. through the
Kairos Center in Sarajevo. Time periods range from three weeks to
several months.

4. Renewing Our Minds Christ-based cultural exchange program held at the
Hope Center in Fuzine, Croatia. Live with, study with, and interact with
unbelievers from various Balkan and other eastern European countries for
a period of three weeks, studying politics, economics, business,
education, religion, etc. from a Christian perspective with the goal of
introducing these young men and women to the teachings of Jesus.

5. Island Evangelism along the Dalmatian Coast of Paul and Titus on a
sail boat captained by a former missionary to the Balkans. Teaching
sessions on board while sailing from island to island, then doing
evangelism and literature distribution on the islands. Late May to mid
June.

OUR BALKAN JOURNEY:

Today Jo Ann and I leave for our eleventh trip since 1995 to eastern
Europe. We ask you to join us as partners in prayer as we travel to
Sarajevo, Tuzla, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Karlovac, Zagreb, and other
sites.

We will be ministering to pastors, missionaries, churches, and
unbelievers, leading seminars on two subjects and preaching in churches.
I'm including our schedule at the end of the letter so you can pray for
us more specifically.

Journeys such as this are becoming more frequent it seems, and the sense
of urgency we feel tends to compound our frequent feelings of "too much
work and too little time" on the one hand, and the deep hunger to have
some time to ourselves just to enjoy each other and this beautiful place
God has given us.

We certainly do find ourselves caught between these two poles. It seems
to me that during such times, God is calling us to a new measure of
steadfastness.

Maybe you've been there.

Now I don't mean just the ordinary complexities and demands of life. It
is something deeper ---- an inner driving that often seems in conflict
with the desires to simply enjoy life on a more "casual" level.

Have you ever been there? I'm not even sure I can express what I feel
inside. I do not resent in any way the ministry to which God has called
us; Jo Ann and I are awed that God would call us, and honored that He
would do so. We stand around a lot with our mouths open in wonder at the
unbelievable doors God has opened.

Who would have ever anticipated we would be taking our eleventh trip to
eastern Europe in a matter of hours? Who could have anticipated we would
have friends and partners in ministry scattered all across the European
continent and in other lands? Who would have ever conceived of my having
the joy of writing to men and women such as you on six continents in over
30 countries?

It is indeed mind boggling, and we are eternally grateful.

Notwithstanding, that joy is not without its burdens. And one of those
burdens is trying to be certain we never grow weary in well doing.

I'm sure you, my friend, face similar pressures, and sometimes even
weariness and exhaustion. So, that's why I believe God is prompting me
---- both for your good and mine ---- to share some thoughts about being
Called to Steadfastness.

A CALL TO STEADFASTNESS:

Paul, in I Corinthians 15, deals with the sixth of seven major issues
about which he had to confront the immature Christians of Corinth. These
new believers had many preconceived notions to change and numerous gaps
in their spiritual understanding to fill. Perhaps none was more
pertinent than the issue of the Resurrection of the Dead, for it was an
issue crucial to long-term service and ministry.

1. The Reality of Christ's Resurrection:

First, he deals with the veracity of testimony regarding the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus Christ in verses 1-19. He makes no bones about it ----
not only for the sake of truth, but also for the sake of validating his
own ministry, which had been called into question.

That fact has never changed ---- if a man believes in the literal
resurrection of Jesus, there will always be those who try to cast
disparaging remarks on his ministry. Satan is no fool ---- if he can
discredit the messenger, he can nullify the message.

2. The Reality of Death's Lost Battle:

Next, by showing the sequential order of the resurrection in verses 20-49
---- Christ the first of many to follow ---- Paul declares that the
resurrected Christ will and must reign until All His enemies are under
His feet, the last of which will be death itself.

So, Paul offers great assurance to the Corinthian believers, and to us as
well, by reminding us that, no matter how impossible our battles may
seem, death has lost the battle. He reminds us that Jesus, the Last
Adam, did what the first Adam failed to do ---- he conquered death!

Hallelujah! Praise His Name!

3. The Reality of Life's Struggles:

Paul continues in verses 50-57 by agreeing that there is an ongoing
battle between the spiritual and the temporal, the immortal and the
mortal. He doesn't hide the fact that the struggle is real, and that it
sometimes ends in death.

But! ---- he also reminds us that, because of Christ's incredible
resurrection, death is soundly defeated. The sting of death is gone.

I remember a wonderful little story of a family driving through the
countryside on a beautiful and balmy Summer's day, windows rolled down in
the car, simply enjoying an afternoon drive.

Suddenly a huge bee flew through the open window and began to buzz all
around the car. The father quickly stopped the car, knowing his son was
deathly allergic to bee stings.

Calmly the father positioned himself so he could get to the bee. When
once the bee landed from its frantic efforts to escape the car's
imprisonment, the father cupped his hand and swiftly closed it over the
bee.

Of course the bee did what you would expect, and severely stung the
father in the hand. Then the father opened his hand allowing the bee to
escape.

This further terrified the son until the father said, "It's alright now,
son; the bee is harmless, for it left its stinger in my hand when it
stung me. It will never sting again."

When Jesus went to the cross, and then rose again, He took the sting of
death into Himself. And when He opened His nail pierced hands, He said,
"It's alright now, son; death left its stinger in My hands. It will
never sting again."

4. The Reality of Steadfastness' Necessity:

Finally, in light of Christ's victory and all the assurances of hope,
power, and endurance it possesses, Paul challenges us in verse 58 to a
life of steadfastness. He mentions three things to which we have been
called, which will develop steadfastness within us.

1) First, we are called to Stand ---- "Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be steadfast . . . . immovable!" It seems Paul challenged all
the churches to whom he wrote to the same thing. Ephesians chapter 6
contains strong admonition to stand.

When we make a decision to stand at all cost, we will begin to develop a
spirit of steadfastness.

2) Next Paul challenges us to be Strong. "Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be steadfast . . . . always abounding in the work of the Lord."
Again, this theme rings out through is other letters ---- "Be strong in
the power of His might!" He echoed Joshua's challenge to the Children of
Israel to "Be strong and of good courage!"

There must be something within us, my friend, that rises up in righteous
indignation against all that opposes itself against the things of God
---- an indignation that draws out of us a response that is more than
mere human motivation. Rather, it is a spiritual adrenalin rush that
enables us to be something we cannot be and do something we cannot do.
He calls us to "Be Strong!"

3) Finally, Paul tells us we have been Called to Serve. "Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be steadfast . . . . knowing your toil is not in
vain in the Lord."

You see, it seems to me that the one thing that causes us exhaustion and
weariness in our ministries is the feeling that our efforts are futile
and getting nowhere fast.

I'll never forget the days of my childhood when my uncle entrusted that
little Allis Chalmers wide-wheel C tractor into my care and told me to go
out and cultivate the new shoots of corn and soybeans. What an adventure
it was! ---- for the first thirty minutes or so.

Then that 20 acre field began to look bigger and bigger as the hours wore
on. I was sure it had become over 100 acres by noontime. It was an
impossible situation.

Sometimes that's the way we feel about our ministries. The field grows
larger and larger, the plow gets duller and duller, the sun grows hotter
and hotter, and the days gets longer and longer.

No wonder we have troubles with steadfastness ---- or the lack thereof!

But! Now get this, dear co-laborer ---- Your Toil may be hard, painful,
and seemingly impossible.

But! It is Not in vain in the Lord!

You see, when I got the assurance from my uncle that my work was not in
vain, something inside me kicked into gear, and I was good for not only
the whole day, but the entire week as well.

What was it that I knew? I knew two things.

First, I knew that my labor was not in vain, because my uncle promised
there would be a crop and a harvest ---- if I would just patiently
cultivate the plants until they were strong enough to overcome the weeds
themselves.

Next, I also knew that I would have a reward coming if I kept faithful in
plowing the corn and soybeans.

So it is with you and me in ministry. God has promised us that, if we
will be steadfast and faithful, a harvest will come. And, we'll get our
reward as a faithful servant having done well.

IN CONCLUSION:

Well, I suppose that is really what keeps Jo Ann and me going. My desire
is that each remaining day of my life I will remain steadfast ----
Standing, being Strong, and faithfully Serving my king.

And, I want that for you as well. I know you do, too.

So, as my little man below my signature says, "Hang In There! I'm With
You!"

Even more importantly, ---- HE's with you!

As God brings us to your mind, please pray for us as we face the next
several weeks. Next Monday I hope to write to you from Sarajevo. The
following will be from Tuzla, and the third hopefully from Rijeka. I
look forward to sharing my heart with you again from those fertile fields
of service.

In His Bond of Grace and Sufficiency,

Bob Tolliver

BALKANS ITINERARY:

Oct 01: Preach at Southern Hills in Bolivar.
Oct 02: Travel to Independence to prepare for Bosnia trip (Oct 3 - 26).
Oct 03: Leave KC via Chicago and Vienna to Sarajevo.
Oct 04: Arrive Sarajevo 2:45 p.m. (7:45 a.m. Bolivar time).
Oct 05: Settle in, meet with missionaries and former team member Candy
Warner.
Oct 06: Meet with missionaries, pastors, and staff. Conduct two
sessions of "Forgiveness" seminar.
Oct 07: Ditto.
Oct 08: Preach in several churches in and around Sarajevo.
Oct 09: Meet with missionaries, pastors, and staff. Conduct
"secularized" version of "Forgiveness" seminar to ESL classes.
Oct 10: Ditto.
Oct 11: Meet with missionaries, pastors, and staff. Conduct "Personal
Evangelism" seminar.
Oct 12: Travel to Tuzla, Bosnia.
Oct 13: Meet with missionaries and staff. Conduct "Personal Evangelism"
seminar for missionaries and local believers. Discuss future ministry
opportunities.
Oct 14: Ditto.
Oct 15: Ditto. Preach in church services.
Oct 16: Travel to Sarajevo and on to Mostar, Bosnia. Meet with
missionaries and believers. Discuss future ministry opportunities.
Oct 17: Meet with missionaries and believers. Travel to Dubrovnik,
Croatia.
Oct 18: Rest and sight seeing in Dubrovnik.
Oct 19: Travel by boat up Dalmatian coast to Rijeka, Croatia.
Oct 20: Arrive in Rijeka early morning. Go to Life Center in
Crikvenica. Meet with Stevo Dereta, director of Life Center
International regarding future ministry plans.
Oct 21: Rest and meet with Stevo Dereta and other believers.
Oct 22: Preach at church in Rijeka.
Oct 23: Rest. Possibly travel to Karlovac, Croatia.
Oct 24: Meet with pastors and believers concerning future ministry
opportunities.
Oct 25: Travel to Zagreb, then fly to Vienna, AUS for night.
Oct 26: Travel from Vienna to KC via Chicago, arriving 5:15 p.m.
Oct 27: Travel home from KC to Collins.

All subject to change, of course.

Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright October, 2000. All rights reserved.

We'd love to hear from you. Drop us a note with reports, observations,
prayer requests, etc.

If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.

If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know.

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Hang in there! I'm with you!

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