Isaiah 40:4......and hangin' with the fundamentalists

Hello, saints......

I spent some time in Milwaukee last week. Beautiful city, but be warned.....many downtown intersections have no signs!!! Been pondering Isaiah 40:4/Luke 3:5.....in 4 ways......1) The origins of MLW: The 3 towns which became the city were once engulfed in a tense rivalry. The roads were intentionally built to complicate bridge building over the river. Several of the modern bridges still sit at a weird angle & will prob stay weird until the New Heavens & New Earth when "Every path will be made straight". 2) According to locals, that city has the unflattering distinction of being the most racially divided in America. Implicit in these verses is that someday, there'll be perfect racial harmony.  3) I saw my friend, Michael, an "I" evangelist, marry his bride in a fundamentalist church. He left a very conservative life in "that other Abrahamic religion" about 10 yrs ago. He even has self-inflicted scars on his back from a ceremony which commemorates the death of the prophet's grandson. He now preaches the Gospel, of all things! Who'd a thunk? But w/God, all things are possible. (Matt. 19:26) A most unlikely conversion & a most unlikely marriage proves that reconciliation across racial & cultural boundaries can happen even while the nations rage against God (Psalm 2) & each other. This marriage was a preview/metaphor for the Isaiah verse. 
.......About Michael: He was the pastor of an I Church.....(out of Liberty Baptist in Sydney, Australia). We met in 2017 but didn't maintain contact.......Anyway, changing gears.....around January, I started talking w/a new friend in Michael's home country via Whatsapp. We'd met on interpals.net.
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Before calling the first night, I prayed for the Lord to prompt "Mo" to initiate spiritual questions. He did, even showing me his Bible. We continued twice weekly. Eventually, he began bringing it to read at the hotel where he worked the night shift! 

Below is a screenshot of what was hanging on the wall behind him.....Appears to be the architect of the '79 revolution & the current leader.

​I decided that Bible studies would be handled best by a former adherent to his religion from his country. Soon after praying to find that person, I heard Michael's testimony on "Unshackled", a Christian radio program. (Heard on Bott Radio Network & Bible Broadcasting Network.) Hey! I know him!!!! No answer after 2 texts. So, I called Michael's Aussie pastor/mentor at Liberty. He said, "He's moved to Wisconsin. I'll give you his new number."  So, I called & put him in contact w/Mo, who's now in his Skype Bible study. Mo got saved a few months ago & will go to a neighboring country for intensive Bible training for 4 days in Oct....& (I think) to be baptized.. Then Michael said, "Hey, I'm getting married." I went & got to play "skypemaster". I held up Michael's iPad so his friends/family in his home country could watch! Wow....God's Spirit is just zinging around ze globe & I'm giggling like a dizzy little kid spinning around in a playground! 

I got to see his Aussie pastor again. He came w/his friend (also Michael) & his wife from Papua New Guinea. This man, whose tribal name was "Mande", gave up his inherited chiefdom of a 5,000 member tribe in order to become a pastor. Aussie pastor is the quintessential Fundamentalist......very solemn & serious (but the world needs more no-nonsense people like this.....for real). We don't see eye to eye sometimes, but many have been baptized through his ministry, so I decided he's an ok guy (Hah!). It was a great reunion & I intro'ed Aussie pastor to Mo, his "spiritual grandkid" on WhatsApp! Now, don't think I'm getting sentimental or anything, but I actually got a little misty eyed at the wedding.....not so much because of the wedding itself.....but just at how His Providence continues accelerating. I don't know if many of you know this, but I was an agnostic once. What a gift Providence is now! Each time it's like God is saying, "Psssssttt! Hey.....over here......it's Me again!" 

I really liked the Church (Falls Baptist in Menomenee Falls). Stunning music. An orchestra/choir of about 60-70 played/sang old hymns, which I love. They played at both of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's inauguration ceremonies. 

American KJV Fundamentalism is rarified & clarified....can be enough to make you terrified........if you come as the odd man out & "unpreparified"....lol.....(BTW, I have always been an odd man.....hah!). But I did go prepared since one of my agendas is denominational reconciliation (within reason).  I told everyone how I knew Michael & was very open about my broad ecclesiastical associations, taking time to explain how God is ACTUALLY moving through Calvinists & Lutherans & Pentecostals! OH MY!....... Imagine that!  Must've been like fingernails on a chalkboard to some!. Also, I got to practice my motto: “I'm not Re-formed. I'm not de-formed. I'm not Pentecostal. And I'm not Re-pentecostal." Obligatory grins from some & chuckles from at least a few! Love to break down man-made sectarian walls & make people laugh in the process!  (This is my 4th application of Isaiah 40:4. Thought I forgot, didn’t ya?)

For the nations and "subversive" tactics.....(nyuk nyuk nyuk!)

Just another witness to His Glory.