Back injury updates, etc.

Greetings all,

I wanted to update you all, as many have written inquiring of my most recent back injury. I had a very similar injury a few months back, and this injury seems to be a reminder that I am not in the physical shape that I used to be. This type of injury heals slowly and lends itself to reinjury, and greater consequences long term. It seems that I will not be able to do all the things I would like to do, but I praise the Lord for His mercy and grace that should allow me to do the work He has called me to. If God wants me to "change jobs" I am willing, and we have seen His hand at work to show us more and more needs both in the body of Christ, and to reach the lost with the Gospel.

Truly, much of what I do is driving, walking, and standing. There is no lifting required to share the Gospel, to fellowship with the saints, or to work on discipleship. It is generally the "extra" work I do that causes the injury. This time, I was dragging a picnic table into the shade so that the family could cool off in the hot Kansas sun. Not exactly necessary, but at the time I had not thought it through. I will have to learn to be more conscious of what is and is not safe.

I love to play volleyball, cut firewood, work on cars, drive tractors, and build parade floats, but it seems that those things are the greatest cause of injury to me. I generally try to overdo, and don't know when to quit. Those that know me best know that I tend to be obstinate and self willed, characteristics that some consider "manly" but that have no place in the work the Lord has given me. The flesh truly has caught up with me, and when I bow to the demands of the flesh, suffering comes in more ways than one. I would appreciate prayer concerning this. Often, friends have reminded me that I ought to be careful, and I have disregarded that counsel. Please bear with me, and thank you for your concern. I am a very flawed man, for sure.

Looking to the future, I am healing well, being just 6 days since the latest injury. Still, I was advised that even one more such injury could cause permanent damage that could leave me in no shape to walk the town knocking on doors, or even driving our camper home from state to state. I would appreciate your prayer as I consider what I should and should not do, what the Lord desires to teach me while I have this time to read, pray, and recuperate.

This week, I have had a blessed time studying Malachi, James 2, Haggai, and a few chapters of Acts. I have also been reading "Reimagining Church" by Frank Viola, "True Discipleship" by William MacDonald, "George Muller's prayer journals, and much more. I also got a chance to listen to Keith Trevolt's message series from the Kentucky Fellowship Day, considering worship. These messages were tied in with the study of Malachi and Haggai. The Lord has been teaching me many things these last few days, and we have been blessed to have times of fellowship with many families.

Sara met with some young ladies the other night, and they had a great time of fellowship and considering women's roles in ministry, using the book "Raising maidens of virtue" by Stacey McDonald. Sara has found this area to have many young ladies to visit with, and they have been a tremendous blessing to us all. We had supper with our neighbors last night, and talked much of what the Lord is teaching us all, children, and reaching the lost for the Savior.

We are excited to see all the Lord is doing here, and so blessed to be a part of His greater plans. Every Christian, every blood bought believer in Christ, has a part in His plan for the ages. What a blessing it is to have relationship with the Creator of the Universe. To be in fellowship with all that call themselves by His name. We would love to hear what God is doing in your life, your family, your local church. Ideas for evangelism and outreach, stories of the works of God's grace poured out on mankind. Speaking of the Lord Jesus brings a smile to our faces, and a song in our hearts. He is altogether lovely, and it is such a privilege to serve our Savior.

Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our blessed Redeemer

Sing O earth, His wonderful love proclaim

Hail Him, Hail Him, highest archangels in glory

strength and honor give to His holy name!

Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,

In His arms He carries them all day long

Praise Him, Praise Him, tell of His excellent greatness,

Praise Him, Praise Him, ever in joyful song!

Introduction for our new friends. Looking back on the past 18 months on the road

Mark and Sara Cowperthwaite work in churches throughout the United States. Offering a message of forgiveness and hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ, they have been blessed to work alongside Christians across denominational lines. Their children are educated at home, living and traveling in an RV full time. God has blessed them with four happy and healthy children, and two that are home in Heaven with the Lord. This is their story of hope and peace, of relying on God's providence and protection through the storms of life.

It was  March 25,2009. My wife, Sara, and I had so many plans for our family with a  new baby. That all came crashing in when our son, Joshua, died in my arms. I had hopes and dreams about our son, never dreaming that we would lose him so quickly. In the days that followed, we found a peace that we could not explain, but that knowing God's plans were being revealed and that we must trust in Him as we walked through this dark valley. God revealed many things to us by His Word in the following days and months. Joshua is at rest in heaven, and someday I will join him in the presence of God. We will never again be separated, both in the presence of our Savior for eternity.

Even with this peace from God, when we found out that the Lord had blessed us with another baby on the way, we were overjoyed, yet conflicted. We felt joy mingled with fear at the news. Surely in the time that has passed since losing our precious son,we have learned to lean on God's  strength through times like  these.  Now standing here, almost a year later, February 8, 2010, I found myself again at Sara's side as she prepared to deliver Samuel. It all came rushing back to me, the fear, the anxiety, the sorrow, and then at last... peace. I have found that times of greatest need is when you find out what you really believe in.

I dropped to my knees by that hospital bed. When we lost Joshua, I asked myself (and God) how I would survive. And now, standing by that hospital bed, the thought would not leave my mind. What if I lost my wife whom I love so much?  What if we lost another child, either during birth or in the days to come? This is what brought me to my knees. I cried out to God at that moment, in praise to Him for giving me a wife, and all my children, even those that have gone to His presence before me. I renewed my promise to go wherever He leads, and trust Him for provision and strength to do whatever task He sends me to do.

As we look forward to where He leads our family in ministry in the coming months, we know that with God's leading, we will never be led down the wrong path. God's loving hand will hold us tight in the storms, we know that from experience. When Samuel was born, alive and healthy, I again dropped to my knees by the bed and praised God. I am reminded of the words that my friend read to me from the Bible the night Joshua passed into eternity, from the story of Job as he heard of the loss of his family and most of his earthly possessions.

    

" When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said: "We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The LORD alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the LORD!" In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong." Job 1:20-22 Holy Bible, CEV

Who will take responsibility?

This post was in response to one by my brother in Christ, Nathanael Pena. His blog can be found at http://nathanaelpena.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-would-you-do_12.html My prayer at the meeting this AM was for the young men and women that have served so faithfully in the Gospel work here. It was also for those of us with more experience (as Christians more so than Gospel specific), that we need to be like Ed McCully's father, in seeking God's will for our children and letting God lead them. So often we impose our desires on them, and forget that we are not raising children, but hopefully raising reponsible, competent adults that love the Lord and will serve Him according to His leading. That may not be the same as our wants for them, but we must trust that God will take care of those whom He calls.  Some parents will be Dr. McCullys, but not nearly enough. I pray there are more of them.

Others parents will "tolerate" their children's desire to do something for the Lord, but in their hearts will not trust God to take care of them, and seek to discourage those that so earnestly want to be used by God for whatever He burdens their hearts to do in His service.

Still other young folks have parents that are not Christians. These young men and women need so desperately the support, advice, prayer, and discipleship from those in their lives that have experience and a track record for trusting God. Should we not rather be seeking them out, praying for them, and offering ourselves rather than waiting for them to have to ask us?

Sadly, there are many that get on fire for the Lord only to be doused by the bucket brigade. The older generation (I put myself at 35 in that category) will have to take up the slack for these unfaithful  parents, to find these that are yearning for a life example, a mentor, and we are responsible before the Lord for this work.

Whether or not we ever have another fellowship dinner, get the carpets cleaned, or have time for our pet projects, we must take these young ones under our wing, so to speak, and invest in their lives. So many have been left to disciple themselves, missing out along the way the sweet fellowship and relationships that come as we study God's Word together, and exemplify that type of life that was characterized by Paul and Timothy.
I could go on forever, but I want also to thank Nathanael and so many others like him in this generation coming up, for thinking about these things, for speaking up publicly, and for their zeal for the Savior.

The young men will often be pulled aside and put in places of responsibility, or maybe even discipled if they beg hard enough. The young ladies, however, have all too often been set aside, to our shame! The excuses are plentiful, but we can no longer make excuses. This generation will be lost to us, and we will see God work in spite of us too often. Others will be discouraged and become ineffective for God. Isn't it worth our time for each of us to prayerfully consider our role to play in this?

I know the excuses, sadly they have fallen from my lips also  But no more, folks. The following is my perception, not to glorify my wife, nor to tear anyone else apart. I just know her schedule and her passion for young ladies. If my 27 year old wife with 4 children can cook the meals, clean the home, educate our children, be a godly wife, offer hospitality on average 4-5 meals per week in our home, share the Gospel at parks and other places, along with a million other things, and still find time to talk on the phone, write to, pray for, and spend time with a few of these young ladies, then I can't imagine there are too many reasons that others could not do it too. I know other wives and mothers, singles, widows and working ladies that take the time because it is a priority in their eyes. Many are involved in this important work in varying degrees and various ministries, and for that I praise the Lord, but far too many are not. I am not trying to tear anyone apart, but we all need to ask ourselves "Couldn't we do more?" I want no one to disregard their families or other responsibilities, but we must prioritize and get all those things done for which the Lord has given us responsibility.

People make time for yoga, dance lessons, crafts, days at the beach, getting hair and nails done, gardening, pets, and a million other things that don't matter at all in the scope of eternity and building Christ's church. Will we make time to ensure that the next generation has every tool we have to offer to live out God's call for their  lives? Do we not think it is our responsibility?  I can hear it now, "Am I my brother's keeper?" YES, you are! So am I, as are we all. One body, unified in Christ, for His glory, obeying the commands the Lord has given us in His Word!

Men always say they are so busy with work and family things that they can't take this on even with their own children, but if you have time for sports, fishing, watching TV, working out, keeping up with all the news of the world, and disregard the need for young men to be shown how to practically live for the Lord, then you have your priorities mixed up.

I have found myself over the years caught in silly wastes of time, and have had to repent to God for my unfaithfulness. We must be careful not to let those things that are enjoyable and fun become more important than what the Lord has commanded us to do! We must not be satisfied with how things are, but ever strive to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ who always was teaching, reaching the lost, and showing others how they could be used for God's purposes. We are an adulterous lot, giving our love to the world rather than to Him who deserves preeminence in all areas of our lives.

Wake up, sleepy Chrisians!! Repent and do the things you did when you first met the Savior, when you accepted His mercy and grace, and laid on Him who knew no sin your list of wicked and abominable acts! I speak as one who too often lets down his guard and allows apathy any ground. I speak as a man who has repented of my lack of love for the Lord, my irresponsibility, and my unfaithfulness. I am heartbroken for some of these young folks that have no examples in their lives, who wander about and desperately seek someone to take them along, walking together toward whatever God leads them to do for His glory and pleasure. Please understand my heart, don't take these words as judgmental, but pleading in love for God's glory.

One more thing: I put myself in the category of "older generation" but want to expound on that. If you are retired and have time to plant a garden, redecorate the house, or play bridge, you have time to disciple one or more of these. I keep hearing from retirees "I am too busy" well you had time for all you do plus work not that long ago. Can we really make these excuses? if you are working through retirement just to have the nicer house, new car, or the latest entertainment system, can you honestly say you can't take a few hours a week to pray for and study or serve alongside a young believer that needs you?  I am not saying to sell your car or that you should not take care of your home, just to honestly, before the Lord, judge ourselves. 

You that are wiser and more experienced have so much to offer these dear ones. Some don't think they have much to say, much to teach, but do not be deceived. You are who God commands to instruct us younger folks, with each generation passing down the stories of God's provision, His glory, of revival, of trials the Lord has seen you through. You have a gift to those who are younger, and you must not let this wisdom and experience be wasted.

For us younger ones, we must give honor and respect to those who will come alongside and try to help. Encouragement is always welcomed, but at times admonition is more needed. In all things, for love of one another and with an eye on what God would have for us, not what we would wish the Lord to do. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. We must fix our eyes on Him, with no excuses, but only repentance and willingness to ask for His strength in these things.

Let's be like Dr. McCully and so many more that have raised their children to desire God's labors as their primary goal in life, to seek His glory, to build up one another in love and train those that are younger or less mature in the faith. Paul's heart was so broken in love for the churches, and my heart breaks each time I see a young person that thinks their life is about the American dream. Let me tell you, the American dream is not God's dream. God's  heart is for His people to obey Him, to love Him, and to reach out with His love to others so that the bride of Christ will be pure and undefiled, seeking nothing but her dear Bridegroom's face. 

Pray, Pray, Pray- then watch God work!

Christian friends: Please be praying Wed-Sat this week from 7pm-10pm CST! Pray that God would pour forth His Spirit on this city, to break down walls of apathy, pride, and spiritual indifference. We want to see a revival such as has never been experienced since Pentecost, a work of God that could never be attributed to the work of man, but such as only God could do. The following excerpt is copied from correspondence from Scott DeGroff, the brother that will be sharing the Gospel here in Ottawa at the municipal auditorium. This man's heart is truly broken before the Lord for this town. For those that don't know Scott DeGroff, here is his recent Facebook post about what he sees the Lord doing.
"Brothers and sisters in Christ,
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” 1 Peter 4:7
I am more eager to see what the Lord is going to do than I have ever been! We are watching the Lord do things in Ottawa that we have never seen before. There are 150 posters up in local businesses. The local radio station is announcing the four gospel meetings multiple times a day. The local paper has been running ads. The local Christians have been very much stirred of the Holy Spirit and have even been meeting to pray for revival to come to Ottawa for the last six months, knowing nothing of what the Lord had laid on our hearts! The Lord has brought the right workers to Ottawa to plow, water, plant, etc… (Gifted brothers and families who can’t imagine not being there right now) These laborers are an answer to specific prayer. They are carrying on the work, and yet they are thanking us for praying for this community! :0) Isn’t God good, He gives us His desires then fulfills those desires! (Ps 37:4) I can follow a God like this!
One local Christian writes in response to receiving the literature: 

“We’ve been praying together weekly for six months (a group of Christian leaders) and have felt just recently that God is telling us something is about to happen soon. When I read your flyer tears came to my eyes as hope stirred in my heart that your ministry may be connected to what God is going to do here in this city!” 

Needless to say, we are more than thrilled at the widespread cry for revival in this town that we are finding and the unquestionable open door that the Lord has provided! Our Great and Awesome God is stirring the hearts of His people to want more, pray more, work more, etc… More Glory for the Lamb that was slain! More people to love Him rather than cursing and spurning Him! More lives saved from the destruction of sin and the wrath of a Holy God! Praise the Lord that we serve an unfailing SAVIOR that WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH! Praise the Lord that He has chosen to use little broken vessels like us that sided with the rebels! And, Praise the Lord that any one of us who say yes to Him is welcomed with open arms to be co-laborers with the creator and sustainer of all things!
I, without any question of conscience, ask you to pray fervently for the Lord to do a work in Ottawa, KS that will encourage the whole of the church in North America! Please pray every day and thus “strive with me in your prayers to God for me” (Rom 15:30b)
Thank you for the many ways that you partner with us in this work the Lord has lain before us! We thank the Lord for you and pray for your encouragement, fruitfulness, and joy in following after a Savior who is the best of Friends and the worthiest of Lord’s! May He receive the glory He deserves through us!
In Christ, Praise God,

Scott and Lynn DeGroff"

You can add to Scott's notes this: the effect of the preparation and Gospel work begun in Ottawa has caused the newspaper to call, asking for an interview. Justin Humes, the local coordinator, has been given the opportunity to share the reason we are here with the readers of the Ottawa Herald. We are not looking for publicity or fame, but are so impressed that the world is watching, seeing God at work, and just have to know what all this talk about town is all about.

It's about Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sin by grace through faith in the only begotten Son of God. It's about the love that God has for sinners, so much that He sent His Son to die in our place. It's the best news the world has ever heard, and I am so glad I get to have a front row seat and take part in this effort to make the name of Jesus Christ the words from every mouth in town. I want the Lord Jesus Christ to get all the glory He deserves. I want to see the power of God unleashed in a miraculous way, and I believe with all that I am that this will occur.

Praise God for His unspeakable gift! Praise Him for His great love and mercy, His grace and righteousness. I will praise the Lord, for He is worthy!

--
Mark and Sara Cowperthwaite

updates from Surge week- Monday June 7

About 150 people gathered in Olathe this morning for prayer and to be assigned to the various areas of outreach in 4 locations. Door to door Gospel work was done in 4 locations, with kid's clubs in 3 locations, and some that stayed at the conference center to pray for all those involved elsewhere. Prayer is so critical to the success of this endeavor. If we want God's power and His leading, we need to ask Him for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit in our lives often. 


It was such a blessing to take about 22 people to Ottawa for door to door witnessing of the love of Jesus Christ and the Gospel message. I met a few new friends, and had a blessed time out today. For my contacts, I saw more doors closed to the message than previously. I feel that Satan is working to blind the eyes of those who need this message the most, yet we will not be deterred from proclaiming this message of life.

Please continue to pray as we go out, that God would prepare our hearts and the hearts of those we will be reaching out to. We want to see revival in this town, I think God wants to see His people revived, and reaching out to the lost souls of Ottawa. I think the fields are white unto harvest, and that we must remain faithful to watch and pray, to put on the whole armor of God each day, knowing that the tricks and lies of the Devil, our adversary, are all about.  We must not be distracted, but press on knowing that God has brought us here to do His work, and His work will be accomplished. 

The false beliefs that we can somehow be good enough to please God or that there are many ways to please God and gain entrance into Heaven are some of most prominent lies. These lies are straight from the pit of Hell and defies God's redemption plan through repentance and trust in our Savior, Jesus Christ. There is not a person on this earth that is good enough to earn God's favor, but we are altogether unrighteous. We need a perfect Savior with the power to cancel sin's penalty, and Jesus Christ is Him that took my place on Calvary's cross. He is the one who is preeminent over all, the Creator, and the one whom we boldly proclaim.

Updates from Kansas, Surge week starts tomorrow!

Yesterday in Baldwin City, Sara and the kids came along with me. A group of 25-30 went out to distribute flyers for the upcoming kids clubs at Baldwin Gospel Chapel. Many folks were home and were engaged in conversation, opening the doors to share the Gospel. Originally, we thought we had about 1000 homes to visit, but instead we distributed over 1200 flyers. We don't mind a miscount when it means we get to reach more people. A great time of fellowship after around the table, and our family stayed to visit until about 9pm with a few of the young people. 

Today, Nathanael Pena will join Mark again, visiting a young man that is seeking answers about God. This young man was reached via our door to door work. Praise the Lord for all He has done, is doing, and will do! We ask for prayer in all these things, that many would partner with us before the throne  of grace. We know that there is a battle for the souls of men and women, and we pray that the distractions of the enemy and the cares of life do not keep people from seeing the desperate need to be made right before God, to be reconciled with the Father that made them. 

It is a sobering thought as I read the obituaries in the local newspapers. Do we really realize that the 5 people that died right here in Ottawa this past week. Some destined for eternal life in Christ, some eternal death in Hell without God. One baby, one young boy, and three older folks have taken their last breath on this earth. I don't want any of them to slip through our hands, we want to reach them all. 

What about your home town? What are you doing to reach the lost before their eternal destination is finalized?  Until that last breath, everyone has the chance to repent and trust in Christ. One second after death, it is all over. Let us not allow anyone to leave this earth without us showing them the truth. Let us proclaim the Savior of the world and the life in Him that is a free gift to anyone who will believe.  Proclaim the glorious beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior while there is stilll time. 

Good News Kansas updates

For those not on Facebook, you can read daily updates on our family website. We are posting daily updates during this time, and you can subscribe to the page updates to get updates automatically. If you would like to read all the updates, just check out the linked page and click "view more" at the bottom to read them all.

We are so excited to see what the Lord is doing here. The message of the Gospel is going  out to  many folks, and the response has been exceptional. The  door  to door work  and our presence in town has started many conversations. Many churches and individual  Christians have contacted us to encourage us, and to relay their own stories of how they have prayed  for revival in this city. We believe the Lord's timing is now, and we will do all we can, by God's leading to be vessels set apart for His use in this way.

Honestly, we don't have a ton of time to write,  so I will make this short. God is blessing, people are united in Christ, with a passion for the Lord and for reaching the souls Jesus came to save. We ask that you partner with us in prayer, that God  will  be glorified, that whatever He chooses to do here  will  not be attributed to power of man, but only to God. We can do nothing in  our own strength and rely on the Lord for everything. He is worthy of our lives, our time, our labor, everything. We are so happy and blessed to be able to be part of what God is doing, and encourage everyone to be a part, whether here  in Kansas, or from the privacy of your prayer time before the Lord.

Please  pray specifically that God would  bind Satan, that the cults that are out with lies about God, and steering people away from the truth would be frustrated. Pray that the people who receive literature and visits from the cults will be blinded to their false teaching.

Pray that the eyes of the blind would be open to  the truth of God's Word, letting it penetrate their hearts, being convicted of sin, and led to seek the only One  that holds the answers they need. We have seen new and constant efforts from the so called "Jehovah's Witnesses" and we pray that even those teaching their false doctrine would see the light of God's Word, and the truth of salvation by grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Seeing their fervency and dedication, I often think what  powerful allies these would be if only they had the truth. For now, they make themselves enemies with God. Still, God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. We plead before the Lord to open the eyes of these deceived ones. We boldly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.We have the truth of the true and living God, how much more dedicated and fervent ought we to be than those preaching lies?

Please pray with us. We want to see Jesus' name lifted up, to see a true and genuine work of the Holy Spirit in this city. We pray for the salt and light to go forth, to be so evident that all will see God's glorious salvation offered to men, and that they would taste and see the goodness of the  Lord. Pray for us, and pray for all those we come in contact with.

Because of Christ and for His glory,
Mark