The Eternal Adventure Chapter 9
A Holy Spirit Road Trip
Paris in 1971 was an exciting place to be, especially on the Left Bank district (Rive Gauche) of the River Seine. There a new generation was gathering for true living according to a new way of thinking and being: A classless society, the abandonment of long-standing traditions, free thinking and free love, with the movement being fueled by major quantities of weed, hashish, and wine. This was sharply contrasting those who lived on Rive Driot- the Right Bank of the Seine, where the more established and aristocratic French Society dominated the economy, the fine dining restaurants, the politics of the Republic, and the national thinking.
That November, I found myself was sitting in the front row of a small theatre on the Rive Gauche. The place was jammed, with some sitting on the floor. The movie being showed was The Iconic Film of the My Generation: Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda on his ‘Captain America’ motorcycle wearing his star-spangled leather jacket, with his sidekick Dennis Hopper, dressed in buckskins and feathers, on his custom chopper.
The movie begins with a drug deal. Wyatt (Fonda) and Billy (Hopper) sell their smuggled brick of cocaine to a dealer in Los Angles, and place the money in a hollow tube hidden inside the fuel tank of Wyatt’s ‘Captain America’. They don their sunglasses, start their motors, and head out to the highway- Interstate 10 East. It’s at that moment that ‘Born to Be Wild’, an iconic song of that generation, began to blast through the theatre speakers.
As the band Steppenwolf pounds out the powerful chords and rhythm of Born To Be Wild, Billy and Wyatt start their Road Trip across the Southwest to New Orleans, with the plan to get there in time for Mardi Gras. The ensuing journey is full of adventure and new experiences for these two, and others (Jack Nicholson) they meet along the way. All this and French subtitles!
Road Trip. It is a concept that is American as Apple Pie, Thanksgiving, and Gated Communities.
We Americans are all about freedom of movement and in our own vehicles whenever possible. Most of us love the adventure of getting our motors running, heading out on our highways, looking for good food, inspirational scenery, unplanned adventure, and whatever may come our way.
My first big Road Trip occurred in the fall of 1979. That year my dear friend Joe Tanner and I completed our Active Duty with the United States Navy and headed across the country. We began in perhaps the most northwest corner of the United States- Whidbey Island Washington, where I lived in the small town of Coupeville. Joe and my friend Bob built a foldout platform in the back of my 1973 Volkswagen Van, a small cabinet and side seat, and installed more speakers in the back. On or about November 14th, we headed out, accompanied by Dallas, my rather large Irish Setter (107 lbs).
We caught the 7:15 Mulkiteo ferry from Whidbey Island, and we on the mainland by 7:40. In a matter of minutes we were passing through Paine Field in Everett, where Boeing builds their huge 747 airliner. As we drove through the lines of cars filled with workers getting to their jobs before 8 AM, Joe and I had the exact same thought. Finally, he said simply: “Not even a Consideration”. We both had concluded that whatever the future held for us, an 8 to 5 job for 50 weeks of the year until retirement was not something that we would ever consider.
Within a few hours we were crossing the Cascades heading toward Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and eventually Colorado. The following day, we found ourselves driving through the Bitterroot Range in Western Montana. With the sun in our faces and snow on the ground, we both took our shirts off- catching rays as we drove. Soon we passed a car full of other Road Trippers- young ladies who invitingly showed us their big jug of red wine. We pulled over at the next convenient spot and spend a few hours sharing wine and other refreshments with these fine ladies. Yes, we were looking for adventure.
Eventually we made it to Vail Colorado, where I visited a college friend. In a matter of hours, we had purchased our season ski pass, and found two rooms in a condo to share with some other friends. In a few days, we drove on south and east, through New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, finally arriving in Pensacola Florida, where Joe had his home, his and sweetheart Martha.
Dallas and I continued on to Vero Beach to visit Forrest and Mabel and spend Thanksgiving. Then Dallas and I drove north, eventually arriving at Columbus Ohio, where I had attended high school in suburban Reynoldsburg. There it was time to reconnect with high school and college buddies. After that, I headed out on Interstate 70, heading west, destination Coupeville Washington. Dallas and I drove for 66 hours straight through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington, finally arriving back on Whidbey Island, stopping only for fuel and refreshment. It was now mid-December, and I had to meet Joe back in Vail right after Christmas.
Two days after Christmas, I headed out on the highway, crossing over on the ferry to Everett, on to Interstate 90, and onward to Colorado, arriving at our condo in Vail on the evening of the 28th. It was a 10-week Road Trip that crossed from the extreme northwest corner of the United States to the most southeastern corner, up to the northern border with Canada, and back to the northwestern corner, and then back to the middle point of the continent. That circular route was over 8600 miles: the equivalent of driving from Anchorage Alaska past Bogata Colombia.
Amazingly, in the month of October 34 years later, I am sitting in Martha & Joe’s kitchen in Colorado letting him edit his part of this story.
Joe and I spent the next two ski seasons in Colorado, along with Joe’s wife Martha. In the fall of 1981, I embarked on another adventure- this one to Maui, where “what came my way” was a relationship with Jesus Christ. I have a totally unexpected experience with God that changed everything, and my aimless life was suddenly filled with Divine Purpose. Joe had a similar experience that year, when he met Jesus on a personal level. Shortly after, he got offered a job with NASA ad one of their pilots, and eventually became one of the most respected astronauts of our time with his work on the Hubble Telescope, and his building of two of the solar panel arrays on the International Space Station.
Now our Road Trips take on a whole different meaning, just as we will see as we begin Acts 13.
When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them. Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. 4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. Acts 12:25-13:4
Luke’s narrative is once again overloaded with details that give credence to his account. It seems that one random day while these leaders were together in active interaction with the Lord that the Holy Spirit spoke specifically that He had a specific plan for two specific persons-He is sending them out on a Holy Spirit Road Trip.
Who is sending out Barnabas and Paul for this mission? Is it the elders of the church in Antioch? Maybe the leaders of The Way in Jerusalem? No, it was the Third Person of the Trinity: God Himself.
Our First Principle from Acts 13 is: Every effective ministry here on Planet Earth will be initiated and led by the Holy Spirit.
Michael, Mikaela, Arielle, Lukas, Pat & Moselle
The Bible gives us general guidelines for Ministry:
“Proceed on Your Journey and Make Disciples.” Matthew 28:19
“Help the Poor.” Matthew 6:2-3
“Take Care of Orphans and Widows.” James 1:26
“Teach the Word of God.” 1 Timothy 1:11
“Make Disciples Who Make Disciples.” 2 Timothy 2:2
However it is the Holy Spirit who has prepared us for a very specific ministry within the guidelines expressed in the Bible. Paul expressed this principle in his letter to his friends in Ephesus:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Here is our Second Principle, and it is one of the most hopeful of the entire Bible: God’s plan for our lives is not nebulous nor ambiguous, but very specific and long standing.
Mikaela, Arielle, Pat, Moselle & Kandi
I was living on Maui when I first discovered this principle in Paul’s letter to his friends in Ephesus, and I asked God to show me what His specific plan was for me. He told me in many impressions: “Get Ready!”
I did. I enrolled in the Logos School of the Bible on Maui, got involved in Craig Englert’s discipleship class, became a small group leader at Hope Chapel, volunteered for many work projects, and finally I went on what I thought was a ‘two-week trip’ to help Miskito Indian refugees from the Sandinista war in Nicaragua. Little did I know that this two-week trip was the gateway to God’s specific plan for my life, which was much bigger than my own plan. His plan took to me more places, allowed me to touch more people for the Kingdom, and caused there to be more dramatic changes in my own life than I could ever imagine.
His plan utilized many of the experiences I had growing up in a military family and living in foreign cultures, as well the skills I acquired working in hotels, restaurants, a moving company, a photography studio, on a dive boat, and flying in the Navy. He prepared me along the way to accomplish a plan He set in motion when He created Earth.
How does that concept make you feel?
It makes me feel very loved by and very significant to my Lord, and a bit disconcerted that He would entrust me with such a mission!
Barnabas and Saul set out on their “road trip”. As Luke describes it, they will travel to interesting places, met many people, successfully express their message, endure hardships, get stoned, and finally arrive back home having had a remarkable experience. It sounds a lot like the road trip that Dallas, Joe, and I made in 1979…
So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. 5 There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. Acts 13:4-5
Who is John Mark? This is the young man who most Bible historians agree is the author of the Gospel of Mark, and who first appears in Scripture fleeing from the guards when Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Then all his disciples deserted him (Jesus) and ran away. One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked. Mark 14:50-52
Mark: First The Naked Disciple; Now the baggage carrier for the Road Trip Team!
Since Barnabas is a native of Cyprus, and it is relatively close by, this is probably why the Holy Spirit made this the first stop on their Road Trip. He probably is going to make use of past relationships for this mission trip.
6 Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.
9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11 Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.
12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. Acts 13:6-12
Sergius Paulus was a spiritual man, and had a spiritual advisor, Bar-Jesus (“son of Jesus”) who happened be “on the other team”. When the governor invited the Road Trip Team to come to the palace, this sorcerer began to interfere with God’s work.
Here is our Third Principle: Wherever the Kingdom of Heaven is advancing, there will be opposition from demonic forces.
Camel Caravan, Negev Desert 2006
Saul/Paul realizes that Jesus has given him authority over these demonic spirits, so he takes out his spiritual badge of authority and confronts the sorcerer, who has a deceptive name: ‘Son of Jesus’.
Remember the teaching on the tactics of deception in the last chapter? Saul/Paul has obviously been patiently awaiting a word from the Holy Spirit as to when to confront and what to say. These are two important characteristics of Godly Confrontation.
Here is our Fourth Principle: In the Christian Life, there is a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
Generally speaking, we all have life issues that God wants to change. Those around us often recognize these issues before we do. Those closest to you will notice them even more. Shall we be free to confront our friend with his/her issues?
First ask yourself a simple question: “Am I responsible for the spiritual life of this individual?”
If you are, then start praying for him/her asking God for the time and substance of your confronting comments. Often, God is working on the issue, and timing is important for your comments. Stepping ahead of God will often hurt the relationship.
Maturity is the goal in this process of transformation, and we all as a community have a responsibility to each other to be part of this process.
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ Ephesians 4:14-15
We are to have concern and care for others, and at the right time, with an others-centered attitude, speak God's truth to our brothers and sisters.
'speaking the truthy in love."
Principle: True change will only happen within the heart of your friend. Outward changes will only be temporary if there is not an inward change.
Lukas & Moselle
If you are not responsible for that person, then pray for God to reveal the issue, and ask God to use you to help encourage him/her through your own modeling of the appropriate Godly behavior. If God tells you to say something, make sure it is at the right time.
In spiritual warfare matters, there is also a time for confrontation, and a time to await God’s signal to move ahead. Here is what Jude has to say about spiritual confrontation.
But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) Jude 1:9
I have dear friends who have been sidelined from ministry for extended periods because they stepped ahead of God in confronting demonic forces. Spiritual Warfare is a serious thing.
Obviously, Saul/Paul was in tune with the Holy Spirit, and boldly spoke God’s Words to Bar Jesus. I find it rather interesting that this man who was attempting to be the spiritual guide to the governor was struck blind and suddenly realized his need for someone to guide him. What was the result of this confrontation?
When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. What teaching in particular? This is a fundamental question.
In a confrontation with some Sadducees (who don’t believe in the Resurrection- that’s why they are sad you see….) Jesus made this statement:
“Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. Matthew 22:29
According to Jesus, the Teaching of the Kingdom involves two aspects:
- The Word of God -the Bible- and
- The Power of God – The Empowerments of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12 & Romans 12.
These two go hand in hand for effective evangelism. You really cannot just have the Bible without the Power, because that usually leads to religious behavior and legalism. You cannot just have “Power Experiences” without the grounding and framework of the Christian life found in the Bible. That leads to mysticism and weirdness.
Here is our Sixth Principle: Movements of God that are effective in reaching the world around us are steeped in God’s Word and Experiencing God’s Presence and Power.
Roy leading Lucas & Laura
Thus Saul/Paul and Barnabas were successful in bring the governor and others into the Kingdom.
As a side note, most of these First Century Jewish disciples commonly had one name that were used in their Jewish circles and another that they used in their Greco-Roman world. Cephas/Simon/Peter is one example. The Jewish boy Saul was a Roman citizen with a co- name Paul.
Having completed the circuit in Cyprus, they now continued on their Road Trip.
Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia. Acts 13:13-14
The Naked Disciple / Cargo Attendant for the Antioch Mission Team decided to leave the team when they arrived in Pamphylia. This departure was obviously sudden and disappointing for Paul, as we can tell from what happened when they wanted to embark on Road Trip II as recorded in Acts 15:
After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Acts 15:36-38
Why did John Mark leave? Maybe he was homesick. Maybe it was the bugs and swamps of Pamphylia that discouraged him. I can understand that! The climate of Pamphylia often resembles that of the Rio Coco in Nicaragua with malaria abounding. Perhaps he only agreed to go to Cyprus. Maybe he was sick, or tired of carrying the bags. Whatever the reason, he left, and Paul felt deserted by a new teammate. It was probably an immature mistake on Mark’s part, and it put the team in a difficult situation.
Was this the end of Mark’s ministry? Was it one, two, or three strikes and you are out? That is apparently the ministry philosophy of some Christian organizations. Yet the Bible is very clear:
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, For the Lord holds them by the hand. Ps 37:23-24
And:
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. Proverbs 24:16
My friend Ralph Moore, who has started hundreds of churches and discipled thousands over the years recently wrote:
“Champions are recognized in the arena, but only after its many struggles shape them into them victors.”
Character change is one of the givens of the Christian life. It is what normally happens when we confront our personal issues. It’s often through our failures that we realize our great need for the presence and power of God in our lives. I find it interesting that when God send down His commandments through Moses as recorded in Exodus and Leviticus, a large portion of them were for what happens when you make mistakes, and how to get things right with God. My friend Dr. Randy Smith often summarizes the two books like this:
“Exodus: Everyone get a goat. You will need it.
Leviticus: Priests, here is what to do when they bring you a goat.”
Here is our Seventh Principle: God has always recognized our inadequacies. We are the ones who have been often oblivious to our shortcomings and faulty character.
Laura aboard Sharif with our guide Shaia
Remember what Jesus said has he called his fishermen friends to follow Him?
As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 1:16-17
The key phrase here is “I will make you become fishers of men”.
Through our experience of walking through this life with Jesus, we begin to understand that the Holy Spirit is transforming us through these life experiences, even our not so good decisions that often lead us to suffer adverse consequences. That’s when that refrigerator magnet verse really comes to life:
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Here is our Eighth Principle: God will often use our failures to propel us into the next season of transformation.
John Mark made some bad decisions on this Road Trip with Paul and Barnabas, but he obviously learned from this experience and the Holy Spirit used this failure to initiate a season of transformation in John Mark. We know that in later years he helped establish a church in Alexandria and worked with Peter, perhaps in Rome. Mark wrote the first biography of Jesus, utilizing Peter’s often detailed eyewitness account of his time with Jesus.
For example:
And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:37-38
Mark’s Gospel is filled with random details that really don’t lend to the story line but provide evidence of a truly eyewitness account. Papias (60 AD=130 AD), a disciple of John and companion of Polycarp wrote this regarding Mark:
“The Elder John used to say ‘Mark, in his capacity as Peter’s interpreter, wrote down accurately as many things as he recalled from memory, though not in ordered form, of the things either said or done by the Lord.’ “
Mark was one of the most effective evangelists and missionaries of the First Century church. Through the transformation that his failures brought, he finished strong- very strong.
Let this be an encouragement to us all!
Now we are ready for a meal!
Clean off the burnt part and its ready!
Figs, apricots, apples and dates
Hot tea!
A desert meal!
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