The day I kissed a Voodoo Priest by Dennis Hall

..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> I didn't feel the way I thought I would when I saw him walk up the stairs.  Here we were listening to one of the pastors from Cite Soleil (City of the Sun) tell us about the wonderful programs in this seemingly God forsaken village in the valley of ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  When a short petite elderly man with wrinkled black skin and dingy eyes came gracefully up the stairs and began to shake hands with each member of our team as we listened to the various needs of this devastated area.  His posture was one of self -assuredness yet humility.  I was impressed with the quiet dignity that he possessed.  At once my heart was attracted to this gentle man and God flooded me with His love for him.  I knew he was someone special.  As I watched him, it was as if God whispered in my ear, "he's one of the reasons I sent you here."  As my eyes were glued to this elderly fellow, our team leader Wes nudged me and said, this is the Voodoo priest and instantaneously I said, "I know".  In hindsight I did know, as I watched him climb up the stairs, shake everyone hand and eventually stand right next to me.  I knew who he was.  And I knew that God would give me an opportunity to have an encounter with him. 

 

As the pastor was still speaking and our team was listening, this elderly man came and stood between Wes and myself.  It was then that he spoke to Wes (through an interpreter) and invited a couple of us to visit him in his home.  Before Wes could say anything I said, "I will".  For those who know me, I usually think before I speak but it was as if I already knew what the question would be.  Even Wes looked at me startled as if he thought, I understood Creole.  There were 4 of us including the interpreter that were invited to Dielulifait's home.

 

As we walked to his house, my heart started to beat very fast.  The sight of extreme poverty surrounded me as I dodged garbage in the narrow path to his home.  The smell of sewage seemed to travel down my airways as I glanced at women with children standing in doorways.  I could tell that we must be special walking to the home of a respected leader of the village.   My heart didn't beat quickly out of fear or apprehension, but it was from pure excitement!  Not only was I excited because this was a divine appointment, but my heart was filled with 'surprise'.  This wasn't the way I thought I should feel coming up against 'evil'.  Just think I was about to enter into unknown satanic territory where animal sacrifices are made and incantations practiced.  In my pre-Haiti conversations, I had told people that I wasn't so keen on going to a country that was so immersed in the occult.  I thought that I would sense a heaviness and spiritual dread.  Yet here I was encountering a voodoo man, a witch doctor a priest of the spiritual realm and my heart was filled with love and glee.   Only God could be doing this.  He is a God of surprises.  I felt such immense incredible LOVE.  I have been given a new definition of AGAPE.  It's the ability to love in the face of evil.  I didn't fear Dieulifait, nor did I detest him, God gave me His love for him.  I know beyond a shadow of doubt God gave me the heart of Christ.

 

As we were about to enter Dielulifait's home, Wes asked me to pray.  I prayed for God's protection and professed the power of the blood asked that the glory of God would visit us while we visited in this home.  Dieulifait seemed to be very proud and very hospitable.  It was as if he was showing off his menagerie of artifacts.  It was very dark but as our eyes adjusted we could see a bunch of things tied together hanging down from the ceiling.  The only things that I could make out were large rooster/chicken claws.  I had seen this before in pictures.  Though I wanted to ask him, "what is that…what is this…why this…why that?  I contained myself out of respect.  In the corner, voodoo dolls decorated a cluttered table. An altar used for animal sacrifice sat in another corner with a huge knife sticking out of it.  Of course the altar was blood stained.  These items weren't in a museum and this wasn't Hollywood, this was the real deal.  The amazing thing was that I wasn't appalled or shocked.  There were numerous religious icons such as a statute of Mary with a rosary wrapped around it.  There were old pictures of saints, an upside down crucifix and unlit candles.  There was so much but my mind couldn't take everything in quick enough.  Dieulifait introduced us to his family.  His wife an elderly looking lady had a child on her hip came and shook our hands.  I was startled because she had one breast hanging out of her dress.  (Try shaking someone's hand looking the opposite direction.)

 

After meeting his family, Wes started to ask questions about some of the stuff in this very small two room home.  I was looking for a way to start a conversation and Wes gave it to me.  He told Dieulifait that I was a pastor from America.  Dieulifait seemed to be impressed that I was a black American.  Haiti doesn't see to many African American missionaries.  That was my cue.  I started to speak with him and told Dieulifait how much Jesus loved him.  Wow what an encounter.  The more I shared the greater the LOVE.  I became passionate with him.  I stated that Jesus loved him so much that He died for Him.  He humbly nodded.  I stated that he couldn't serve voodoo and serve Jesus!  He continued to nod.  I said, "you can make a decision right now to serve Jesus only.  You can get rid of this stuff; I'll even help you.  This stuff has no power!"  As I spoke, my interpreter (a pastor) was getting just as intense and passionate as I.  He began to sweat.  Though I felt the heat, as the room seemed to get hotter and hotter, I didn't perspire.  It was such a powerful presence of God.  As I was sharing with him, Wes and the two other team members went outside of the home as well as Dielulifait's family. Later I was told Wes and the team went out to pray as I shared inside.  I'm sure it was much cooler outside. J

 

After several minutes of sharing, I finally asked Dielulifait if he wanted to pray to make Jesus Lord of his life.  I emphasized Lord because I wanted him to know that he would have to get rid of the voodoo practice and all the trappings that went with it to make Jesus Lord.  Dielulifait looked sad and said that he knew that he must do this but practicing voodoo was the way that he made his living.  I told him that the bible says that if we give our lives to Christ, he would take care of us.  Again he refused; I asked if I could pray for him.  He said no.  I asked why.  He said that he wouldn't pray until he could make a total commitment to Jesus.  Wow did I respect that.  If we here in America truly counted the cost of discipleship what a difference our churches would be, probably not so crowded.  Motivated by intense love, I asked if I could give him a hug.  He said yes.  We embraced and the sweet presence of God came upon us.  I prayed in his ear, (though he couldn't understand English.)  He held me tightly and seemed to melt in my embrace, I could feel his breathing come in sync with mine.  We held each other for what seemed several minutes.  Tears began to form in his eyes and also in mine.  As we broke our embrace, I kissed him on his cheek and said Jesus loves you so much.  He looked at me with tear filled eyes and nodded yes.

 

I told him as I was about to leave that I was coming back to visit him and that I expected to see the voodoo stuff gone.  He promised that it would be.  I gave him a $10 bill and said this was a gift from Jesus.  Again with tears in his eyes he raised both hands and said in Creole, "Thank you Jesus…Thank you Jesus…" He embraced me again and I left.  I believe my friend's name is already written in the Book Life.  It is just a matter of time before He makes his formal commitment to our Lord.  I know that he will serve Jesus with his full heart and strength very soon.  And that he will be a powerful leader in the church.  Jesus reminded me shortly after this encounter that a kiss was the highest expression of love between two men.  And it is a statement of brotherhood and friendship.  Jesus on that day invited Dieulifait to go from slavery to friendship.  (I believe he did!) And He offered it through a kiss.

Dear Friends,

This article is so troubling and confirms "the state" of the "church".  For this group of tele-evangelist it's planes, for many of us it might be wasting food or other mismanagement of God's resources.  It's not that we should point the finger without self examination but the exhuberant life style (and it is quite lavished) of the american christian needs to be examined.  At the least, we here in American should live in constant tension of the great responsibility we have with all this stuff. We must ask the question daily...Do we live a purpose filled life of living modestly?  God enables us to be economically blessed to be a blessing to our Christian brothers and sisters and to the least and lost in the 2/3 world.  It is so important that we adhere to the admonishment from Micah 6:8  "He has showed you, O man what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God."  Please paste the site below and read the entire article, very eye opening.  I guess what makes this so gruesome and horrific is that people have sent in money under the guise of a 'seed' gift hoping to receive a new house, healing, car or plane.  And it's all done in the Name of our Lord, Jesus.  

It's ironic that a group of us from our church are preparing ourselves to go to Haiti.  I did a lot of soul searching to examine our motives for going and how best to honor God in our use of resources.  As many know, it takes a lot of money to go on a short term mission trip and the money might be better spent sent directly to the sons and daughters of the soil (people of that country).  Also the money was needed right here at our struggling urban church.  Sometimes 'short term' mission trips are loaded with paternalism (control issues), do goodism, vacationism and other ism(s).  After getting past our motives and possible ism(s), I felt pretty good about our team.  I believe our motives were at least wanting to be pure.  (I believe it's impossible for humans to have pure motives...thank God for Grace.)   So my big hurdle was stewardship.  I wasn't quite sure on the stewardship issue (and still struggle with it).  But what turned my titantic of indecision was our teams meeting with the Haitian pastor of the ministry that we will be visiting.  I asked him point blank, "why should we come to your country to your city to your village...why are we coming?"  Pastor Jude answered without hesititation..."when you (missionaries) come, you bring Hope."  And he began to elaborate.  In other words your physical presence personifies Hope.  And with his words a tangible presence was in our midst and I believe it was the Holy Spirit and many of us had tears in our eyes.  I believe this was a confirmation.  We heard it from one of the sons of the soil himself.

I mention Haiti just to illustrate that [even] doing wonderful things for God demands that we live in the tension of...'is this the best use of God's resources.'  I believe living in America for the follower of Jesus means to struggle daily with our prosperity and walking the tightrope of modest living.   My friends, in all of our 'blessings' and prosperity lets do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.  In Jesus' Name.

Love,
Pastor Dennis

 

Memoirs of a Birthday Boy - Today's My Birthday June 10, 2008

Today is my birthday and I am half of 90. I don't quite know what to think of that yet. But also this day is riddled with riddles, questions and some pain. I too grew up without having a father in the home. I was a result of an adulterous affair. My mom was the musician at a Baptist church and my (bio) father was a deacon. Their relationship was interesting they started out as friends but became lovers. She was already having difficulty with her husband (he was a womanizer and alcoholic). Though this is never an excuse to violate 'the rules', I mention it only to give a context. My mother later told me that she 'knew' instantly when I was conceived during that act of 'love making'. (I use that term 'love making' purposely because she really believed she loved him.) And at that moment proudly told my bio father that she had conceived him a son. Her statement to this day reminds me how complex life is and even deceptive, wrongdoing often has as its roots a false sense of righteousness. She was very proud to give him a son because his legal wife could not have children. I think she really believed at one point she was his spiritual wife. "Their love was made in heaven and God understood." And like biblical days, having a son was a badge of honor and a sign of blessing. I really think she loved him, probably more genuine than most so called love I see today, if we define love as self sacrificing and intensely committed. Her life became like a Hester in the Scarlet Letter protecting the guilty (Rev. Dimsdale) and heroic-ly receiving the burden and blame alone (a single mother in a religious community). I coin it living the 'Scarlet Letter Life'.

So I came into this world in an atmosphere of deception shrouded in a quagmire of religion and spirituality. I don't think there was any celebration on my behalf. I don't recall any talk of baby showers, or exciting visits to hear the heart beat or pictures to attest to any celebration My birth brought much with it, divorce, rumors of illegitimacy, fear and oddly enough pride for she had given him a son.

Even my sister regretted the day I was born and disliked me for years to come for taking her place of being the featured one. When behavior is centered on self the affect on others can be devastating. For some reason all the players in this game never thought what affect their behavior would have on me. And how it would shape my life and path forever. But God did...He knew. Ultimately He's the blame for my birth. He's the biggest culprit of all. More on that later...I unknowingly and unwillingly was starring in my own version of Joseph and the techno colored coat.

Many years later on my birthday I had the wonderful opportunity to confront my bio father at a restaurant called 'The Olympic' in Rockford, Illinois. And I got to ask the two questions that every deserted son wants to ask his Father: did you ever want me...and (if so) why didn't you fight for me. The answer to those questions weren't half as important as the opportunity to ask them; because you never know if the answer is true or not. But letting them come out of my mangled spirit and seeing him squirm and sweat were gifts enough. My dessert on that day was another question that may have been unique to me but I needed to know or at least ask, did he come to the hospital when I was born and did he hold me. Everyone wants to be held by their father on their birthday.

Today is my birthday, June 10, 2008 and twelve years ago today my mother passed away. Yep she died on my birthday. Though I don't fully yet understand the significance of her death on the day of my birth. But I do look at her life as a gift. There are many children who lost their mother on the very day they were born. I was given 32.

There is so much more I want to reflect about today, but so little time. The major thing is that I am so glad that I am here. I have had several interruptions while I was writing this. And these interruptions help define and give meaning why I am here. Each of my four children in separate intervals have come and brought me their homemade cards. Each expressing their sincere love for me in their own unique way. What greater contribution could I ever made to this world and the next than these precious lives. Though someday on their birthday they might invite me to a restaurant and ask some difficult questions, it will not be the ones I had to ask to my bio father. And this is why: I longed for and wanted each of my children. I was there when each one was born; a matter of fact I was allowed to pull them out. They will never have to wonder if I would fight for them. I do it everyday by wrestling with them. They get to call me dad. I get to tell them daily how much I love them and enjoy them.

Like I alluded to earlier, I don't want to give all the credit to my mom and bio-father for my existence. In my opinion they were free willed pawns in an orchestrated event. There were no surprises or accidents in the heavenly realm on their night of love-making. Even in the tilted and stained intentions of their hearts God ruled and commanded them for His purposes. Scary isn't it…but it's so true. For me, there is a certain amount of comfort to know that my destiny has been in the hands of SOMEONE much greater and wiser than I. God meant (allowed) the manner in which I came into this world so that I could receive all what I didn't get…namely His Love. For some who read this and might get complacent in their devotion, God's sovereignty doesn't get any of us off the hook, but through His Grace, He gets us off.

I want to share how Psalm 139 gave meaning and redemption to my life which otherwise was a perceived mistake. especially verses 13-15. "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvelous are Your works. And that my sould knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You. When I was made in secret. And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed. And in Your book they are all were written. The days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them."

Today I heard loud and clear my Heavenly Father singing over me with Joy as in Zephaniah 3...Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...Happy birthday my precious son...Happy birthday to you…with a resounding reverb I'm glad you're here…through the off key clarion sound of my children.

TSUNAMI GRACE

The day after Christmas a couple of years ago brought one of the most horrific catastrophes known in this modern era. While many of us were preaching about the love of God found in the birth of His one and only Son. Multitudes of others half way across the world were experiencing a disaster of such great magnitude that thousands upon thousands were killed. I remember coming home from church and hearing the news that huge waves had engulfed entire villages in Indonesia and other neighboring countries and that countless upon countless of lives were lost, many injured and others missing. Many of us had never heard the term, tsunami until this dreadful event, but now it is forever embedded in our consciousness. I was startled to learn that so many people died from tidal waves that many ride on fiberglass boards. But not even the camera footage seen on television could adequately portray the monstrosity of this unleashed power of nature. It was interesting for many of us here to learn that tsunamis are giant tidal waves of water created as a result of a seismic earthquake under the ocean floor. And the moving of land plates enough to jolt the earth's rotation, caused a reaction that produced gigantic waves that literally swept entire villages away. Everything, and I do mean everything in the path of these waves was leveled and destroyed.

I can't help but think of the great enormity of a tsunami and the power it wields. Experts and eye witnesses were saying that these waves were as high as 50-70 feet. When I imagine the vastness of this force I can't help but think of God's Grace. I believe in an odd sort of way, God's grace has the same devastating effect as a tsunami wave. Firstly, God's grace reverberated as a result of an cosmic event of unparalleled proportions: God Himself became a man, the second Adam who lived among men who died on a cross and rose again all for the redemption of His creation. Have you really comprehended how this must of registered on the seismic scale of eternity. The walls of space and time itself shook and are still shaking. When the Creator of the Universe became man, dwelt among men (humankind) and then died for all men. This one seismic event sent shock waves of grace and love that were so enormous and vast that they reached into the past, present and future and even into that world that doesn't have time at all. Secondly, it left the world as it was devastated.

You might be saying to yourself PD you are using the wrong word, God's grace isn't devastating. Grace is a positive force. But speaking from one who has been hit with it's [grace] force. God's Amazing Grace is truly devastating. I looked up a definition of 'devastation' and it read, "To lay waste; destroy. To overwhelm; confound; stun". I thought this definition was perfect for the state one is left in when your 'old wineskin' way of thinking and performing is confronted with the force of Grace that is found in the person of Jesus Christ. I want to take you back 2000 years to graphically show this (twin) tower toppling power of Grace.

A young man named Saul was riding along on his donkey [conjecture] or walking after successfully killing some Christians and wanting to imprison others in the synagogues in Damascus. While on his way, he was blinded by a bright light and was knocked literally off of his seat or feet. Suddenly he heard the voice of Christ speak to him and ask why he was persecuting God himself. Paul needless to say was stunned. He was shocked into blindness. His encounter with Christ left him devastated. He was laid waste. His entire world view was to change. This once Pharisee of Pharisees, a champion of the law and defender of works based religion, was now tsunami(ed) in an avalanche of Grace. It literally destroyed his world and brought him into another one, the Kingdom. Saul went from one who could boast of pulling himself up to God by his own boot straps to gladly admitting by the close of his life that everything was a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. Can you imagine the devastation in one's psyche from self exaltation to being abased in Christ? Let's hope so… this is the result of a Grace Tsunami. You are never the same again. A chain reaction has been started that will first kill the old you and totally mess 'your' life up forever. A matter of fact it is no longer 'your' life. It is a complete devastation of self with ongoing waves of sanctification that wash upon the sandy beach of the heart. Changing us from the inside out.

The aftermath of a Grace Tsunamis leaves the sinner undone like the woman caught in adultery who had prepared herself to be pulverized by stones and rocks yet found herself not only alive but set free to truly live. This type of onslaught is overwhelming for the old self where performance brings love's rewards and punishment is deserved from our choice to do wrong.

This is my prayer for God's most wonderful creation, humanity, as it strolls along the beach of self sufficiency, working feverishly for significance, longing to be loved and accepted…that you will be caught off guard (as I) in your own understanding, devastated by the awesome waves of God's Tsunami Grace and swept away into the ocean depths of our Father's Unconditional Love. May there be no 'self' survivors left.

 

 

 

 

A Message from God to me.  I was feeling down this morning and the Lord spoke clearly to my heart and I wrote this...It may apply to you too.

"Am I not Enough..."

"Wasn't my Blood…red enough...

Wasn't the Pain… intense enough...

Weren't the Nails... sharp enough

Isn't my Love... real enough...

Isn't my Spirit... Holy enough...

Isn't my Grace... sufficient enough...

Wasn't the Grave... empty enough...

Aren't my Provisions... good enough...

Isn't my Wisdom... wise enough...

Isn't my Peace... silent enough...

Isn't my Power... great enough...

Wasn't my Resurrection... proof enough...

Isn't my Joy... strength enough...

Isn't my Word... clear enough...

Isn't my Light... bright enough...

Isn't my Bread... food enough...

Isn't my Yoke... light enough...

Isn't my Glory... heavy enough...

Isn't my Faithfulness... proof enough...

Wasn't my Side... pierced enough...

Isn't my Way... straight enough...

Isn't my Presence... assurance enough...

Wasn't my Salvation... complete enough...

Wasn't my Healing...whole enough...

Isn't my Life...abundant enough...

I AM...IS YOUR ENOUGH!

Some of My gifts to and for you:  BLOOD, PAIN, NAILS, LOVE, SPIRIT, EMPTY GRAVE, PROVISIONS, WISDOM, PEACE, POWER, RESURRECTION, JOY, WORD, LIGHT, BREAD, YOKE, GLORY, FAITHFULNESS, SIDE, WAY, PRESENCE, SALVATION, HEALING, LIFE.

 

I really do love you...whether you receive it or not.

Sincerely,

God

I want to briefly give a testimony of the restorative Grace of Jesus. Last March (2007)  my family went through an extreme situation (an attack from the enemy). My wife Sharon had an emotional breakdown. It was quite serious...she was unable to adequately care for our home and family or continue to work. She was on FMLA (family medical leave). Her sister came from California to help us with our 4 children and the house for about 2 weeks.

Of course during this time, our church was going through continued transition. And as senior pastor, I had to steer the 'Ship' through the rocks. So needless to say it was a stressful time. And more times than not all I could do was to physically 'show up'. I really had nothing to offer my church or family. To be honest, I didn't want to show up either. It became dogged determination.

Like Paul our family prayed, "Father take this thorn from our side". It's really unbearable. But He didn't. In the raging of the storm, He whispered, "My Grace is Sufficient". It was awful! And like a bratty kid toward their parent, I shook my fist at Him and cried, "You're not Fair". I (we) wanted instant relief. I believe the Lord does put more on us than we can bear so that we release it to Him.

This period was very very lonely and quite scary. The reaction of the community of faith was interesting. I 'think' God orchestrates the responses from others. Some responses were mean, some echoed Sanballat & Tobias, others were fearfully silent and few were redemptive. But all comes from Him. Amen.

Through it all Sharon and I have learned that obedience is learned through suffering...and the 'process' of healing is where transformation takes place. God's all about transformation (the tastiest meals are cooked over a long period of time) and not the quick glitz of religion.

Our family and our church has been transformed and still yet being transformed through the power of the Cross. The redemptive work of the blood of Jesus. Our only boast is Jesus! Yes our crucified risen Lord!

Sharon continues in her healing...Sharon recently received a letter from the President of CMC (Carolina Medical Center). She was recognized by her peers for giving Outstanding Customer Service. This is a sample of what was written:

"Sharon consistently demonstrates caring to her patients on a daily basis. She has been known to sing to a very nervous patient and makes every effort to calm their fears prior to surgery...She is an effective communicator and ensures that her patients are well prepared for surgery, whether it's in the pre-op care she gives or in recovery as they are going home."

This hasn't been her only recognition, she has received other commendations instigated and initiated by patients. This is truly a restorative miracle!!! To have witnessed my wife several months ago unable to mentally function (critical assessments) and now receiving awards for her patient care. This is Outstanding! I am so proud of her but more so humbled by His Mighty Hand.

The life of Christ through my wife gives fresh meaning and wonder to the phrase 'Wounded Healer'. It is through the crushing of the olives that oil is produced. His anointing.

In addition, our church is growing and healing. We are becoming an healthy church. We're not perfect but He's perfecting us to the Image of Jesus. Suffering produces fruit. The Spirit of the Lord reigns in our church. Many are getting saved and growing in Christ. Revival is happening among our children. It's remarkable. It's restoration. Thank You Jesus! Thank You Jesus!

Here the Word of the Lord from Joel 2:25-26 regarding His Restoration:

25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm ^[f]—
my great army that I sent among you.

26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.

Submit yourself to His Mighty Hand...And He will lift you up in due season.  For if you wait on the Lord, He will renew your strength.