ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“Challenge” “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20

Applying God’s Word

Back on September 11^th, I sent a “Challenge” inviting men to attend a WorkLight retreat weekend. It filled up very fast. I’m sending out a new invitation this week for another men’s WorkLight weekend starting on Friday evening November 17^th and ending on Sunday the 19^th in the afternoon. The retreat will be held at Mission San Antonio in Jolon California (near King City). Includes two nights and all meals.

I made my original weekend at Mission San Antonio in April of 1987. It was a 2 and ½ hour drive one way. I had no idea what the weekend was about. I’ve attended over 50 of these weekends since then. All I had to do was open the door once and God did the rest. The drive will be an hour further for me, now. Is it worth it? Most definitely.

They say, “No risk, no reward.” (see attached) Questions? Contact me Jack McCall 408-472-7576

Accounting of God’s Word

“Challenge” Have I ever allowed myself to really open the door to a relationship with Jesus?

Absorbing God’s Word

“On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Matthew 9:12

Applying God’s Word

The above scripture is such an important example for me, because Jesus didn’t discriminate. He made Himself available to everyone.

Louise and I have friends who are believers and friends who are not. Our non-believing friends know that we are not hesitant to live out our faith. We don’t force it on them, but we are not afraid to let them know we want heaven for them. God does the rest.

Four of our friends are fighting terminal cancer. Thus far, only one has accepted our offer to pray with him. One in four isn’t bad. We want heaven for all of them, though. They have to want heaven, too.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I discriminatory when it comes to sharing Jesus with others? Do I only surround myself with those that are spiritually healthy?

Absorbing God’s Word

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26

Applying God’s Word

Louise and I met nine years ago. We had both experienced losing spouses we loved and were not looking to remarry. Also, the thought of carrying on a long distance relationship seemed to present a mountain of obstacles. Yet, we sensed that if God wanted us to be together He would find a way.

God did find a way and we’ve been married eight years. God is definitely at the center of our life. He has directed our steps when it comes to our relationship and to our ministering together. WorkLight is one of the ministries that has truly blessed Louise and I.

I have met most of you over the years, but many of you have not met the incredible woman I’m married to. Louise loves the Lord and the Lord loves her. The short video below is an introduction of my wife, Louise, to all of you. She’s sharing about the WorkLight Retreat Weekend.   

Accounting of God’s Word

Is God at the center of my relationships/friendships? Do my closest friends speak with God’s wisdom?

Absorbing God’s Word

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

Applying God’s Word

Last week Louise and I watched a video titled “The Latest Scientific Evidence of God”. It was brilliant. The presentation was incredible as the content was filled with truth and new scientific findings. The presenter talked without notes because he is blind.

Robert Spitzer is a priest, philosopher, educator, author, speaker and the retired President of Gonzaga University. He has appeared on Larry King Live discussing creation and the universe with Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow, and Deepak Chopra. He has appeared on the History Channel, Today Show and PBS and also has a television program on EWTN called “Father Spitzer’s Universe.

Most of us probably know someone who is a non-believer or skeptical about the existence of God. We do and we are sending them this video to watch. This isn’t an opportunity to say “I told you so”. It’s an opportunity for them to have eternal life.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I want heaven for my family, friends and coworkers who are non-believers? Will I watch this video and then share it?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

Applying God’s Word

Life is crazy busy, right? There are so many responsibilities and demands on my time. Keeping God as my first priority is not always easy, but when I do the rest of my life seems to fall into place.

Besides finding quality time with God each day, I also look for opportunities to go away with Him. The men’s (and/or women’s) retreats available through Christians in Commerce/WorkLight offer that opportunity.

I try to attend one or two a year. I’ve attached two short video links below. One is by our National President Wes Farrow, who talks about our ministry. The other is a testimony from a young man, Josh, that I met at our last annual Conference/Retreat. Josh is married with five children and is a 911 emergency dispatcher in Arizona.

https://youtu.be/ux7ouH5N6kY            

https://youtu.be/YybflDXj-0c

Consider signing up for a Challenge Weekend and the call to “Come With God” to a quiet place. https://worklight.org/

Accounting of God’s Word

When was the last time I spent a couple days with our Lord?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:6

Applying God’s Word

She’s a beautiful young lady who is married and living in California. She happened to invest in a genetic test from 23 & Me, which generates a report of each customer’s ancestry.

Recently, the young woman cautiously contacted our family looking for her biological father. Based on the details we were given, one of my younger brothers recognized her mother as a woman he dated briefly. After taking a similar genetic test, the results showed that unknowingly he was her father. My brother was thrilled, because he doesn’t have any children.

Last weekend, our family came together to have dinner with this courageous young woman and her husband. Talk about a time of rejoicing over finding lost sheep. It was so wonderfully moving. Thank You Lord.

Accounting of God’s Word

Have I entertained any lost sheep lately or tried to help someone who is lost find their way?

Absorbing God’s Word

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12

Applying God’s Word

I spent three years on a submarine called “The USS Sea Cat”. The communication capabilities back then were antiquated compared to now, which meant I had to memorize the coded alphabet to send and/or receive messages.

Example: M– O −−− R ·−· S ··· E ·    C −·−· O −−− D −·· E ·

I had to learn to type, therefore, I spent hours listening to coded messages, typing them and sending them. It became second nature for me. I wasn’t real fast, but could receive and send about 40 words per minute.

God has blessed me with a number of gifts that serve His people. Looking back though, I realize that God also equipped me for works of service to His people through the simple gift of typing.

Accounting of God’s Word

What has God equipped me with for works of service?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong! Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.” Proverbs 20:22

Applying God’s Word

Recently I was blocked from reserving vacation weeks with my time-shares for non-payment of the annual maintenance fees. Honestly, I have never failed to pay those fees.

After inquiring, I was told  I was delinquent on the fees, owed additional money for late fees and needed to pay up or else face foreclosure on the properties I own. Grrrr!  There was no warning letter, email or phone call to inform me of this supposedly unpaid bill. I was frustrated but remained calm, confident that God was in my corner. I quickly wired the money to stop foreclosure. 

Over the next few weeks and numerous calls to multiple people who didn’t seem to care, I discovered that the bill went to an address I lived at eight years ago. Thankfully, God led me to Barbara, the Customer Advocacy Manager for my timeshare group. After reviewing the situation, she apologized, reimbursed the late fees and unblocked my account. She said, “Mr. McCall, you have been very kind and pleasant throughout this ordeal, and it was a pleasure to assist you.”

It’s unfortunate, but I’m bumping into more and more service issues these days. 

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I patient when I am wronged or do I wait for the Lord to avenge me?

Absorbing God’s Word

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

Applying God’s Word

For years, our entire family has supported the fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. My mother, my mother-in-law and my sister’s mother-in law all suffered with Alzheimer’s. I personally have been to a number of fund raisers and auctions for Alzheimer’s, but I have never participated in the annual Alzheimer’s walk.

My sister Patti, on the other hand, has walked for Alzheimer’s every October for the last ten years. She will walk again on October 7^th to honor our mom, Doris, and all those suffering with Alzheimer’s. Last year, she raised $65,261, ranking her the 12th highest fundraiser in the nation. Her total for the past 10 years is $252,082! Patti still volunteers at the Alzheimer’s senior community where mom lived out her last days. To say that I’m proud of my sister would be an understatement. God is proud of her, too.

Here’s a touching 4 minute video titled WHY I WALK. It’s about our mom, Doris, and Patti’s mother-in-law, Fern.

Accounting of God’s Word

Have you considered a donation to Alzheimer’s? If you would like to donate, here’s PATTI’S DONATION PAGE.

Absorbing God’s Word

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 

Applying God’s Word

I shared in a recent “Challenge” the daily routine that Louise and I use in spending time with God. It involves praise, worship, intercession, scripture, meditation, reflection and journaling. Showing up to spend time with God is challenging, but such a meaningful way to begin our day.

Recently, we decided that we were not spending enough quiet time with God in a solitary place. Therefore, we started going to church one afternoon during the week to just sit in the presence of the Lord. It’s not easy to leave the world behind to give God our undivided attention. It’s humbling and at the same time very rich.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I practicing how to spend quality time with God in a solitary place?