ENOUGH

I was talking with someone the other day who had read a great quote in a book. He said it was the root of every temptation that mankind has ever had. It is the first thought that Satan uses to worm into our minds. Are you ready? Here is is. YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH. That's it. My friend told me that several weeks ago and I have been thinking about it ever since. I think it is true. It was the original temptation in the Garden of Eden. It must have been a hard sell. Adam had everything. He had a great job, a beautiful wife, he ate the best organic everything, drank pure spring water, he had it all. And Satan still came and convinced him it was not enough. He needed the one thing God had forbidden. So, what is it in your life? When you look at all God has given you. You have been born into the 20th century. You could have been born in the middle ages in some hut in the middle of Uzbekistan. You ate something this morning you probably wanted to eat. You have freedom and choice and luxuries 99% of the people throughout history could only dream of. And yet, you feel somewhere in your soul, you don't have enough. Root that thought out and throw it as far from you as you possibly can. I think the only way to root it out is through gratitude. Be thankful. It is part of human nature to miss the majority. I stub my toe and I think of nothing but the bad luck of stubbing my toe. I do not immediately think of all the other parts of my body that don't hurt. I do not thank God I haven't stubbed my toe yet today. So, today be thankful. Let it fill your heart. Do not believe the lie that you do not have enough. You have Jesus and he is more than enough for today and every day from now until you sit with Adam and both of you realize you always had enough.

Utang

Early on in the movie The Godfather there is a scene at a wedding. It is the Godfather’s daughter’s wedding and different people are coming to him to ask for favors. An undertaker comes in and asks for revenge to be taken on behalf of his daughter. It is a famous scene. The Godfather ends up granting the request but he also tells the undertaker that someday he may ask for a favor and at that time it will be the undertaker’s responsibility to comply. The undertaker was in debt to the Godfather.
In the Philippines there is a cultural understanding that is similar to the indebtedness the undertaker carried. It is called Utang Na Loob. If someone does something for me that is extraordinary I tell them that they now have Utang with me. That means that if there ever comes a time when they need something they can call me and tell me it is time to fulfill Utang and I am obligated by honor to do everything I can to help them. Utang is like calling in a marker. If you have Utang with me and call it in then I might need to go to another friend I have Utang with and call in that favor to fulfill the Utang I owe you. Once the process begins it is hard to tell where it will end.
Tom Randall is a giver by nature. He also likes to do extraordinary things. He is also an ardent follower of Jesus Christ. Those elements have combined to give him more Utang in the Philippines than just about anyone. A colonel flew up from another island to meet Tom at the airport to provide him with protection as he arrived in Manila. A half dozen others provided him with safe houses while he was running around in the Philippines trying to figure out what was going on. Each one risked getting involved and ending up on the wrong side of some very bad people. A worker at the airport let Tom in a back door so he could avoid the crowds where kidnappers might spot him. All of this was Utang. Lawyers calling to find out how they can help. The closest thing we have is the movie It’s A Wonderful Life where the townspeople find out that George Bailey is in trouble and they all come running to help.
I like the idea of Utang. All Christians should. As followers of Christ it should be our normal experience to be living in such a way that we collect Utang like a Florida retiree collects sea shells. Every couple of days we should be serving someone in such a way they look us in the eye and say, “Utang na Loob”. If you ever need anything please let me be the one who you call. So, this weekend, make sure you do something in the name of your savior that collects Utang. Not because you might need it someday, but because it is the only way to really live.

Update on Tom Randall #4 Good News

Here is another update about Tom from his wife Karen.

Dear Friends,

This is just a short note to let you know that Tom is scheduled to arrive in LA around 11:30 am today, Sunday. He’ll be home here in Oklahoma by 6:30 tonight. We were able to get him an earlier flight out of the country but were reluctant to share too many details publically.

Things are not completely settled with the case but we felt it was better for Tom and for those trying to protect him to get him out the country. Tom may have more details to share once he gets home.

We cannot thank you enough for praying for Tom and Toto. Like I said, it’s not over yet but we feel the crisis is past for a little while. You could pray for Toto and all at Sankey when you think of them. This whole situation makes everyone nervous!

Because of Christ,

Karen

Update #3 on Tom Randall

I just received this from Tom's wife Karen.
Dear Friends,
I’ve talked with Tom several times in the last couple of days and I have a little more information to share with you.
Toto was able to go to the courthouse to pay his bail on his charge of being an accessory to kidnapping. We were hoping to put some land up for bail but that wasn’t accepted so we posted the cash. It was P200,000 or $4,500. We will get that back when this goes to trial on June 8. There is a new judge that was in charge there and he seemed surprised that the prosecutor was even bringing this case forward. He felt it was a weak case. We know it’s a weak case because it’s all a lie!
We are convinced that “they” never wanted this case to go forward but really just wanted Tom so that they would be able to extract a bribe or payoff of some sort. We have a very good trial lawyer that has been helping us so we feel confident that this will be cleared up eventually. Toto is happy and feels good about what is happening. Tom said that he carries his bail receipt in his pocket so he can show it at any time!
Thank you again for praying for Tom and Toto and all the others that are involved. Can you keep it up for a few more days? We have been overwhelmed by your kind words, your promises of prayer, the special verses you have shared with us, and your wise suggestions. Tom will have a lot more to share with us when he gets home. He told me to get ready for another good story! Can’t wait!
Because of Christ,
Karen

Update #2 on Tom Randall

Here is the latest update on Tom. He called me last night and left a voice mail on my phone. I couldn't understand much of it but I think he said the whole thing is a trap. Here is Karen's latest email. Please keep praying. Thanks.

Dear Friends,
Tom arrived in Manila and is now staying somewhere other than Sankey Samaritan. We all felt it would be safer for him.
He’s only been there for a little while but we know more now than we did before. Here is what we know:
• Papers of the original kidnapping case that was dismissed by the Asst. Dist. Attorney were never filed… or at least they are not on file now. There are no records of the dismissal or of the boy’s testimony that Tom or Toto did not kidnap him
• The District Attorney in Lucena City seems to be running the show but we all feel that she is just being used by someone even more powerful. The Asst. District Attorney is not being allowed to be involved in this case.
• The timing of all of this is suspicious. The Supreme Court justice that had helped us before recently retired and it is election season. Many of the officials that might be able to help us are in full campaign mode and are very busy or out of town often.
• At this point there is not an arrest warrant for Tom that we know about. This is odd since with the original case he was the principle one being charged. And this time Toto is being charged as an accessory. That is why Toto’s charge can be a bail situation but if they arrested Tom he would not be allowed to post bail.
• Toto will go to the courthouse today to post bail on his charges. We have decided it is not wise to post cash but are going to attempt to put up a small section of land at Sankey that will cover the amount. We think it will be easier to get the land removed from the bail than it would be to ever see the cash again.
• We are quite sure that the one they are really after is Tom. They have used Toto and this case to get Tom back in the country. I know Tom was praying right up to the last minute about whether or not he should even go back. But he is there and we will go forward with trying to get this settled.
• The two main dangers are if they could actually find Tom and arrest him and hold him in jail without bail or a possible kidnapping for ransom situation.
As you can see we need you to keep praying. This seems overwhelming but we know God knows just what we need to do. Pray for safety, wisdom, that someone will come forward to help, for peace in our hearts and a clear way forward. We love you and appreciate you so much. You are making a difference in our lives and we can feel your prayers. Thank you so much.
Love, Karen

Update on Tom Randall

Here is an update on Tom Randall. I received this from his wife Karen.


Dear Friends,
Today Tom is leaving for the Philippines. We were hoping he wouldn’t have to go and that things would have been solved before he had to get on the plane but it is not happening that way.
We have learned a few details that we can share with you. The amazing thing is that apparently the same kidnapping case from over a year ago is the one being brought forward again. The arrest warrant has to be answered by Thursday and bail can be paid or else a fugitive charge can be added to everything else. Tom arrives Wed. night (Philippines time) so the timing is perfect. Our lawyers are working on getting a change of venue rather than have to work with the police or officials in Lucena City which is where the orphanage is and where the case originated from.
We believe that this is a case of someone targeting Tom. We know it has been an ongoing situation for a number of years but this last year things have been so much more dangerous for him. The Lord has been so good to rescue him each and every time that we can’t believe that He won’t do it again. We do not want to be foolish or arrogant about his safety or take it for granted. We are doing everything we can to keep Tom and Toto safe but still be bold enough to confront whatever man or group this is bringing these false charges.
Just to review for some of you that are new to following our adventures… Over a year ago a kidnapping charge was brought against Tom and Toto in Lucena City. The children being mentioned in the charge are not children at Sankey or any that we have ever dealt with. The sad part is that several boys were actually kidnapped but escaped to tell their story. However, that story was embellished with Tom and Toto’s names and Sankey Samaritan as the place by the police who were the ones writing up the boys’ stories. One of the boys came forward and testified to the Asst. Dist. Attorney in Lucena City that Tom and Toto were not the men who kidnapped him and that he had never been to Sankey Samaritan. At that time the Asst. Dist. Attorney dismissed the case only to have it reinstated later by the District Atty. We ended up going all the way to the Supreme Court Justice Puno’s office for help. He immediately put enough pressure on local officials that the case was dropped. He retired a while back and here we are again.
We know that to hear a made up case that has been dismissed and is now being brought forward again is confusing. We are confused, too. But we also recognize that God is bigger than all of this. Pray that we would keep our eyes focused on Him through all of this. We are so grateful for you, you’re choosing to stand with us, and for your persistent prayers for all involved.
Tom has had a verse come into his mind for the last several days. It’s Proverbs 16:18. “Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall.” These prideful and haughty men that are bringing these charges are going to fall. It’s only a matter of time!
Tom shared at the Champions Tour Fellowship Friday evening about spiritual warfare. He was talking about being ready with our armor to fight the battles that come our way. He mentioned that the only place the enemy can get us is in our back while we are running away! Tom isn’t one to run away and we know you aren’t either. Thank you for your loyalty to us, to our heavenly Father, and to the children of Sankey Samaritan Orphanage.
Because of Christ,
Karen and Tom

Pray For Tom

Many of you know Tom Randall. He is a dear friend who served as a missionary for years in the Philippines. The last big story about Tom was when there was a conspiracy to extort money from him by having him arrested for kidnapping in the Philippines. Tom has built numerous churches and several orphanages in different provinces in the Philippines. That story ended with a Supreme Court Justice exonerating Tom and exposing the conspiracy. Several police officers and at least one judge lost their jobs because of their involvement. Last Monday that Supreme Court Justice retired. Yesterday Tom called me to tell me there was a warrant issued for his arrest again. His friend Toto who runs his orphanage has gone into hiding until Tom can get to the Philippines. Tom leaves Monday. He asked me to pray but before we hung up he said, "All I know is that this is going to be another great story. I can't wait to see what God is going to do." Please pray for Tom and his wife Karen who will be home. Tom doesn't know how long it will take or where it will take him. He knows he is traveling in the middle of the hand of God and that is enough. Thanks for praying. I will keep you informed as I know more.

Surprise!

I didn't blog last week. I was traveling to Florida to speak at a church in Key Largo. I know, it sounds like a drag but somebody had to do it. The friends who invited us also invited my daughter and grandson to join us. I decided to make it a surprise for my wife Karen. My daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live in Virginia so my wife has been pining for them since Christmas which is when we saw them last. Rachel and Liam were going to connect with us in Atlanta. Karen and I landed in Atlanta. There had been a baby on our flight and I used the baby to stoke the pining already evident in my wife's heart. We disembarked and began our way to our connecting gate. Rachel and Liam jumped out from behind a pillar and I thought Karen was going to explode. It was exactly what I hoped it would be except Karen began hugging Rachel so tightly she left a permanent mark on her neck. There are few things better than a good surprise. I have been studying the end of the Gospel of Matthew to prepare for the Easter series here at church. At the very end after Jesus has appeared to his disciples after the resurrection he says, "And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the earth." That is the way it reads in the old King James edition of the Bible. The word "Lo" is the greek word idou. It is also translated "surely" or "behold". I read one commentator who said the word really means "surprise!" I like that. Jesus is resurrected and he gathers his disciples together and gives them the great commission. "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and Surprise!! I am going with you even to the end of the world." If there has ever been a great surprise that must have been it. After feeling like they had lost Jesus a few days before as he hung on the cross, here the disciples are told they will never be without him again. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ the really good news is that he is with you today. Surprise!! Even if you don't usually like surprises you have to love this one.