well ... where do i start??? its been a roller coaster of a ride the last few months. today i feel like i'm coming down off the final loop and i can see the end of a really crazy ride in front of me. the end is near. and the cool thing — my stomach feels great.
as most of you know, i left the student life staff a few months ago and ventured out into the world of ministry in ymnow and back on staff at a church. its all really — really — good. i feel so blessed. i am amazed! once again, our loving God has proven himself to be the great God that He is.
as i sit here in from of my macbook, i sing His great praise! i want to say as loud as i can that He is the great God. He is the one worthy of our praise and worthy of our worship. He is truly God. He is the One. He is the Only. As Chris Tomlin wrote so well, He is is the Uncreated One.
i am sure other days will come and my tone will be different. i am sure there are doubt-filled days again. but let it be said that i love God. i truly worship Him and want to live the rest of my life following Him more than anything else.
praise be to the One True God.
check out my church at connectchurch.com .... and if you don't know about ymnow ... take a look at it as well ... ymnow.com
19.6.08
16.6.08
little by little ... part 2
I drove by my neighbor's house today and grabbed this picture. this entire story amazes me. for a lot of reasons, this story gets my attention. so ... it gets another blog entry.
as i said, i drove by today and there it was. an old antique car in the middle of a total model t makeover ... the ty pennington for this old car was not visible but his car was. he must have gone in for a drink, a break, more paint, another piece of sand paper or maybe even a chance to go in and look out the window as people drove by and admire his car. i have no idea what he was doing, but he had to be close. his project was out in the driveway with the doors open and was in full view of us all. his project appears to be moving slower again ... now he's working in the interior.
this story would have been perfect if he had fixed the inside first and then moved to the outside. then it would have been a true biblical lesson ... but ... he's writing this story and he's in charge. he decided to make the outside look new first. hey wait. maybe this is biblical. the Bible says God is in heaven and He does what He wants. could it be that God fixes some of on the outside first??? i know. its probably a bad question.
all theology aside, the man is making bringing this old car back to life ... little by little. i'll keep you updated.
14.6.08
Kobe, Tiger, Phil
what a weekend ... kobe and the lakers blow a 20 point lead friday, tiger makes 2 eagles on the 2nd 9 today, and phil makes a 9 on the 13th hole on saturday.
kobe — after the game kobe says he's going to go drink a lot of beer, wine and maybe 20 shots (not talking about bball shots either). i'm not a kobe fan, and i rarely write anything like this, but this really bugged me for some reason. i guess i just wish things in life were different and that people like him would lead better than they do. i know it was an interview and it was a raw moment talking with a very competitive person — but — come on ... oh and the nba sure didn't need a game like this in the middle of the swirling issues about fixing games. how is it kobe didn't even score in the first half? if the lakers come back to force a game 7, it won't be good for the nba
tiger — wow ... he shoots a 30 yesterday on the second 9. he makes 2 eagles on the back 9 to take the lead today. the shots he hit on 13 and 17 were amazing. i'm not a big tiger fan, but this was amazing/inspiring/unbelievable/on and on. "tiger woods will do something that will make you jump out of your lazy-boy, spill your beer and scare your dog" said one analyst today. i didn't do any of the above today, but i did sit up and shake my head. wow! how cool would it be to be able to do what tiger does??
phil — sigh. i'm a phil fan. for some reason i always want him to win. i like the way he plays. i hurt when he fails. but today was painful. it made me sick. it took 9 strokes for him to finally sink a put on the 13th. 9 strokes. i made a 9 last week at the broadmoor, but i haven't played golf all-year-long! phil has been targeting this tourny for 5 years and it all went down the drain today on one hole. nope. i don't get it.
not really sure why i'm blogging about kobe, tiger and phil. just felt like it.
maybe we can learn how not to handle ourselves as leaders from kobe, to be our best from tiger and how to fail from phil. kobe is sure showing how not to lead both on and off the court, tiger continues to display what it means to compete, and phil is telling us how he blew it yet again.
as a fan ... this has been a good weekend. as a man ... i'm trying to be my best. as a blogger ... i'm wondering if anyone ever reads these things :) i'm having fun.
Got this from Lanny earlier today
after you watch the video visit the official lanny donoho blog ... http://www.lannydonoho.com/
12.6.08
little by little
there's this man in my neighborhood. he's older. he's retired. for close to two years i've run by his house and watched him work on his antique car. its a model t. he stands in his driveway with sand-paper in one one hand a water-hose in the other. he uses the water hose to rinse off the dust he creates on the car with the sand-paper.
when you look at him you can barely see him moving. and as for the car ... you can hardly tell he's doing anything to it. i literally look at him every time i run by his house and think to myself that he's not making any progress. i'm serious, he's been doing this for two years! the car is faded ... covered in old paint ... covered in rust. you never see him make any progress.
then one day there was a change ... i was cooling down from a run, walking by his house, and i saw something different. there was paint on the car! i mean beautiful paint. the old car that was rusty and ugly for two years had paint on it. it was shining! a dark, rich, smooth paint job. i mean this car looks like new. the weird thing about it, the change just happened over night.
no wait ... the change took two years, it didn't happen over night. the change took two — long — years. this older man, living the last stage of his life, standing in his drive-way slowly brought this old car back to life. little steps, taken slowly made the difference.
as soon as i saw the change i felt God whisper in my ear that he wanted me to learn from this man. He had a great lesson for me. one of my takeaways was simple — God is working on me and He's in no hurry. time is in His hands and not in mind. the man in the drive-way never appears to be in a hurry, and please understand, he's living the last stage of his life. it seems like he would hurry up. maybe pay someone to do it for him. instead, he walks at a slow pace. he takes time and meditates on tiny little parts of the car he wants to improve. this cool old man is in control. i think God does the same thing with me.
i am extremely visual. i need God to draw me a picture sometimes and i think he did just that for me with this man and his car. i am learning so much about God and so much about me.
little by little he's making me like Him. i love the way He moves!
when you look at him you can barely see him moving. and as for the car ... you can hardly tell he's doing anything to it. i literally look at him every time i run by his house and think to myself that he's not making any progress. i'm serious, he's been doing this for two years! the car is faded ... covered in old paint ... covered in rust. you never see him make any progress.
then one day there was a change ... i was cooling down from a run, walking by his house, and i saw something different. there was paint on the car! i mean beautiful paint. the old car that was rusty and ugly for two years had paint on it. it was shining! a dark, rich, smooth paint job. i mean this car looks like new. the weird thing about it, the change just happened over night.
no wait ... the change took two years, it didn't happen over night. the change took two — long — years. this older man, living the last stage of his life, standing in his drive-way slowly brought this old car back to life. little steps, taken slowly made the difference.
as soon as i saw the change i felt God whisper in my ear that he wanted me to learn from this man. He had a great lesson for me. one of my takeaways was simple — God is working on me and He's in no hurry. time is in His hands and not in mind. the man in the drive-way never appears to be in a hurry, and please understand, he's living the last stage of his life. it seems like he would hurry up. maybe pay someone to do it for him. instead, he walks at a slow pace. he takes time and meditates on tiny little parts of the car he wants to improve. this cool old man is in control. i think God does the same thing with me.
i am extremely visual. i need God to draw me a picture sometimes and i think he did just that for me with this man and his car. i am learning so much about God and so much about me.
little by little he's making me like Him. i love the way He moves!
11.6.08
: Worship of Technology
Our God is in heaven
doing whatever he wants to do.
Their gods are metal and wood,
handmade in a basement shop:
Carved mouths that can’t talk,
painted eyes that can’t see,
Tin ears that can’t hear,
molded noses that can’t smell,
Hands that can’t grasp, feet that can’t walk or run,
throats that never utter a sound.
Those who make them have become just like them,
have become just like the gods they trust.
Psalm 115: 3-8, The Message
… the success of twentieth-century technology in providing Americans with convenience, comfort, speed, hygiene, and abundance was so obvious and promising that there seemed no reason to look for any other sources of fulfillment or creativity or purpose. To every Old World belief, habit, or tradition, there was and still is a technological alternative. To prayer, the alternative is penicillin; to family roots, the alternative is mobility; to reading, the alternative is television; to restraint, the alternative is immediate gratification; to sin, the alternative is psychotherapy; to political ideology, the alternative is popular appeal established though scientific polling. There is even an alternative to the painful riddle of death, as Freud called it. The riddle may be postponed through longer life, and then perhaps solved altogether by cryogenics. At least, no one can easily think of a reason why not.
doing whatever he wants to do.
Their gods are metal and wood,
handmade in a basement shop:
Carved mouths that can’t talk,
painted eyes that can’t see,
Tin ears that can’t hear,
molded noses that can’t smell,
Hands that can’t grasp, feet that can’t walk or run,
throats that never utter a sound.
Those who make them have become just like them,
have become just like the gods they trust.
Psalm 115: 3-8, The Message
… the success of twentieth-century technology in providing Americans with convenience, comfort, speed, hygiene, and abundance was so obvious and promising that there seemed no reason to look for any other sources of fulfillment or creativity or purpose. To every Old World belief, habit, or tradition, there was and still is a technological alternative. To prayer, the alternative is penicillin; to family roots, the alternative is mobility; to reading, the alternative is television; to restraint, the alternative is immediate gratification; to sin, the alternative is psychotherapy; to political ideology, the alternative is popular appeal established though scientific polling. There is even an alternative to the painful riddle of death, as Freud called it. The riddle may be postponed through longer life, and then perhaps solved altogether by cryogenics. At least, no one can easily think of a reason why not.
29.5.08
Apple is my friend
ok ... so i get out of my jeep yesterday and i feel my phone, that happened to be in the side pocket of my shorts, bump against the door. i didn't think anything of it. i didn't think anything of it until i reached into my pocket and pulled it out to make a call. (i was on my way to the airport, headed to atlanta for an all-day meeting with youth specialties) i took it out and much to my disappointment the screen on my precious iPhone was shattered. it looked like someone had hit with a rock. needless to say, i was sick.
so ... i took my wounded phone and tried to make a call ... it worked! i talked to a friend, who happens to be an iPhone fan, and he told me he thought it would cost me a cool 250.00 to get it fixed. now remember, i'm on my way to the airport for a very important all-day meeting. i had to have a phone.
as i drove up 360 on my way to the airport for a 5:45 flight ... it was 4:06 ... i made a decision to try and stop by the apple store to see if i could get another phone. i was ready to spend the money to get another phone. but there was a problem. i did not know how to get to the southlake apple store. so, i took my broken phone and clicked on the google maps icon. and ... it also worked! i managed to see through the shattered screen and navigate my way to the store. that's right, the phone was working just like new. the screen was shattered!!!
i rushed into the parking lot, jogged into the store, and they put me on the waiting list for the genius bar. then they told me it would be 30 minutes. as i waited, i thought, there is no way i make my flight. yet another surprise was just around the corner. they called my name out after a short 5 minute wait. i went to the counter and an apple genius took my phone, switched my sim card and handed me a replacement phone ... i was ready to pay until i was handed a sheet of paper that had all zeros where the charges should have been ... the guy at the store, handed me my phone, smiled and told me about a shortcut to the airport.
i rushed back to the jeep, drove to the airport and had 20 minutes to spare before my 5:45 flight.
i had time to sync my phone and fly to atlanta!
amazing ... apple knows how to roll
28.5.08
John 13
So I read John 13 this morning ...this study in John has been so much fun
i loved this chapter!
the chapter begins with a simple announcement that Jesus knew His time on earth was done and that He was about to go back to His father in heaven. he knew!!!! nothing caught Him off guard or surprised Him. the chapter goes on to say that judas was led by satan to do his evil deed and then it says that Jesus had all power. i loved that little part — it was a slam on satan and testimony to Jesus' commitment to do His Father's will. Jesus knew he had all power ... as andy stanley says ... he was the most powerful person in the room!
after He tells us about his knowledge and His power, he displays the way he wants us to live. He washed His followers feet!!!!
he was truly showing us the full extent of His great love.
the passage shares a discussion with peter and we get to see Jesus teach peter a great lesson ... i pray i will learn the lesson he is trying teach me through this discussion with peter ...
in verse 12, He asks His followers if they are understanding what He is telling them. then ... He explains in verses 13 and 14. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
my prayer is that i can get this ... i lived a long life and its a harder to do the things i know i should than it used to be. i know, if its God's plan, i have a long life ahead of me and i want to live it serving God by living like Jesus.
i finished my time in God's Word with these words from Jesus .... "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
may i do what He says!!!!!!
i loved this chapter!
the chapter begins with a simple announcement that Jesus knew His time on earth was done and that He was about to go back to His father in heaven. he knew!!!! nothing caught Him off guard or surprised Him. the chapter goes on to say that judas was led by satan to do his evil deed and then it says that Jesus had all power. i loved that little part — it was a slam on satan and testimony to Jesus' commitment to do His Father's will. Jesus knew he had all power ... as andy stanley says ... he was the most powerful person in the room!
after He tells us about his knowledge and His power, he displays the way he wants us to live. He washed His followers feet!!!!
he was truly showing us the full extent of His great love.
the passage shares a discussion with peter and we get to see Jesus teach peter a great lesson ... i pray i will learn the lesson he is trying teach me through this discussion with peter ...
in verse 12, He asks His followers if they are understanding what He is telling them. then ... He explains in verses 13 and 14. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
my prayer is that i can get this ... i lived a long life and its a harder to do the things i know i should than it used to be. i know, if its God's plan, i have a long life ahead of me and i want to live it serving God by living like Jesus.
i finished my time in God's Word with these words from Jesus .... "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
may i do what He says!!!!!!
23.5.08
Thoughts on John
still reading John ... amazing stuff ... humbling, exciting ... one of my recent takeaways is what i'm learning about the way Jesus taught us about Him and about God ... i'll try and write more later ...
18.5.08
Catching up
had a great weekend. spent some good time with my mom. but ... we all really miss my dad. i think the thing that is so weird is that she is alone and i never got to say goodbye to the most important man in my life. i mean i know it was his time and it was the way God wanted it ... i just wish i could have talked to him. i miss him so much. i think i'm going to go visit the cemetery sometime soon.
i remember him. he was a great man!
i know lots of people feel like me and can relate to what i'm about to write — i wish we would all tell the people we love how much we love them while they are still here. that would be a good thing.
my last memory of my dad was in arkansas. he thanked me for taking him with me to see bailey and kori kate at camp. we had a nice visit next to lake quachita. i used to teach water skiing there. i took a cool picture of him with kori during the closing day ceremony.
thanks for letting me share and allowing me to catch up ... tell your parents you love them
i remember him. he was a great man!
i know lots of people feel like me and can relate to what i'm about to write — i wish we would all tell the people we love how much we love them while they are still here. that would be a good thing.
my last memory of my dad was in arkansas. he thanked me for taking him with me to see bailey and kori kate at camp. we had a nice visit next to lake quachita. i used to teach water skiing there. i took a cool picture of him with kori during the closing day ceremony.
thanks for letting me share and allowing me to catch up ... tell your parents you love them
16.5.08
John 12: 23-28
I'm captured by these words ...
Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name!"
Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name!"
15.5.08
What grabs you by the soul
I'm reading a little book today ... the author says we should chase after the thing that grabs you by the soul. As I read those words it dawned on me that the only thing that truly ... I mean truly ... grabs my soul is God. He is all there really is to me. I'm happy when I am with Him. I'm fulfilled when I worship His glory. I laugh the most when I am in His beautiful word. He is what I want more than anything.
May I chase after Him!!!!!!! I want to. I will.
May I chase after Him!!!!!!! I want to. I will.
14.5.08
Its Raining Today
I love a rainy day. I even love it when I have the top down on my Jeep.
Rainy days seem to calm me down. They seem to make me feel better about life. They remind me God is near. I love the sound of rain.
I love the faithfulness of God. It is present on a rainy day. He uses a day like today to tell me that He is in control and that help is coming at just the right time. He sends help!
I'm up close and personal with God these days. He is near me and I know it. I spent more time in John 9 today. What a story!!!!! Jesus heals a man born blind. The man had never seen anything until he met Jesus. Jesus met his needs even though it was sure to cause a fight with the religious idiots of His day. I love the way Jesus handled them. So cool. So wise. He is truly transcendent.
Jesus was rain to that man who had never seen. He brought this man rain in more ways than one. I wish I could have been there the first time the blind man got to see rain like I'm seeing today. And what about lightning??? That was a riot I'm sure.
I love you Jesus. Thanks for being there ... for sending rain ... for sending dry times ... thanks for giving us sight.
Rainy days seem to calm me down. They seem to make me feel better about life. They remind me God is near. I love the sound of rain.
I love the faithfulness of God. It is present on a rainy day. He uses a day like today to tell me that He is in control and that help is coming at just the right time. He sends help!
I'm up close and personal with God these days. He is near me and I know it. I spent more time in John 9 today. What a story!!!!! Jesus heals a man born blind. The man had never seen anything until he met Jesus. Jesus met his needs even though it was sure to cause a fight with the religious idiots of His day. I love the way Jesus handled them. So cool. So wise. He is truly transcendent.
Jesus was rain to that man who had never seen. He brought this man rain in more ways than one. I wish I could have been there the first time the blind man got to see rain like I'm seeing today. And what about lightning??? That was a riot I'm sure.
I love you Jesus. Thanks for being there ... for sending rain ... for sending dry times ... thanks for giving us sight.
8.5.08
Reaching out to Cyclone Survivors
go to http://www.gfa.org/cyclone
and donate what you can ... show the love of Christ.
A brief glimpse of the damage at GFA’s Bible college campus in Burma. This building lost its roof.
A Gospel for Asia Bible college in Rangoon, Burma (Yangon, Myanmar), is now a makeshift shelter for those devastated by Cyclone Nargis, which swept across the country early Saturday morning.
James Pinglay, the teenage son of a Gospel for Asia missionary in Kerala, India, was at the Bible college in Rangoon when the storm hit. He was able to obtain information and get on one of the only flights out of the country to deliver a report and photos of the devastation.
Pinglay said the cyclone hit at about 2:30 a.m. By daylight, the full effect of the storm was obvious. Homes were destroyed. Giant trees had crashed through buildings and were lying uprooted, blocking roads.
International news organizations are not allowed to report from Burma, but the news that is trickling out is horrifying. The death toll is estimated to be at least 22,000 and another 41,000 are missing.
"The people in Burma live in clusters of small communities in simple bamboo structures," explained GFA President K.P. Yohannan. "These villages are not made of concrete. I imagine that literally hundreds of these simple structures were just blown away. We are praying here in India and are asking Christians around the world to join us."
We are facing at least six months of continuous work ministering to the people. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to reach out in love to them just like we did after the tsunami in 2004.
Pinglay reports that more than 80 people—along with 70 children from a nearby orphanage that was destroyed—made their way to the Bible college campus as soon as the storm subsided. Buddhist monks are also at the college, seeking assistance.
Local officials set up shop at the Bible college because the police station was completely destroyed. The police have asked for help from the staff at the college. At present, the students are away on their summer vacation. This freed up space to accommodate many who came for help.
GFA missionaries serve at about 400 churches and 250 mission stations in Burma. In 2006, the military-run government of Burma forbade foreign non-government organizations from doing aid work in the country. In the face of this disaster, the government is now relenting and allowing outside aid.
Since GFA missionaries are already in the country and have found favor with the government, they are one of the few groups able to offer immediate help to the people as they begin the recovery process.
"In the past, whenever there was a problem of any kind, our people got involved in helping. That is why the government and the people there look at us with good favor," Yohannan said.
The missionaries and staff at the Bible college are taking care of the people's basic needs by offering meals, prayers and the love of Jesus for those who have lost all hope. They will continue caring for the people, but the task before them is daunting. "Rangoon is in total darkness, and they are estimating that there will not be electricity for at least three months," Yohannan said.
Obtaining enough food to feed all those at the Bible college presents another challenge. At present, the banks are closed and fresh food and water are in short supply. Yet these are simply the immediate problems before the aid workers.
A 2004 photo of GFA's Burma Bible college. Part of the building is now being used to house storm refugees.
"We are facing at least six months of continuous work ministering to the people," Yohannan explained. "This is a tremendous opportunity for us to reach out in love to them, just like we did after the tsunami in 2004."
And while part of one Bible college building is still standing, portions of the campus—including the building where the people are now staying—were severely damaged.
"We will need to rebuild the Bible college, staff quarters and hundreds of homes of those in our churches," Yohannan said. "Also, dozens of churches are sure to have been destroyed."
While many missionaries and staff will remain in Rangoon assisting with the work at the Bible college, many others are already going out into the villages, looking for survivors and surveying the damage.
Yohannan asks for continued prayer for the people of Burma as they come to grips with this crisis. He also asks for prayer for those who are helping them.
and donate what you can ... show the love of Christ.
A brief glimpse of the damage at GFA’s Bible college campus in Burma. This building lost its roof.
A Gospel for Asia Bible college in Rangoon, Burma (Yangon, Myanmar), is now a makeshift shelter for those devastated by Cyclone Nargis, which swept across the country early Saturday morning.
James Pinglay, the teenage son of a Gospel for Asia missionary in Kerala, India, was at the Bible college in Rangoon when the storm hit. He was able to obtain information and get on one of the only flights out of the country to deliver a report and photos of the devastation.
Pinglay said the cyclone hit at about 2:30 a.m. By daylight, the full effect of the storm was obvious. Homes were destroyed. Giant trees had crashed through buildings and were lying uprooted, blocking roads.
International news organizations are not allowed to report from Burma, but the news that is trickling out is horrifying. The death toll is estimated to be at least 22,000 and another 41,000 are missing.
"The people in Burma live in clusters of small communities in simple bamboo structures," explained GFA President K.P. Yohannan. "These villages are not made of concrete. I imagine that literally hundreds of these simple structures were just blown away. We are praying here in India and are asking Christians around the world to join us."
We are facing at least six months of continuous work ministering to the people. This is a tremendous opportunity for us to reach out in love to them just like we did after the tsunami in 2004.
Pinglay reports that more than 80 people—along with 70 children from a nearby orphanage that was destroyed—made their way to the Bible college campus as soon as the storm subsided. Buddhist monks are also at the college, seeking assistance.
Local officials set up shop at the Bible college because the police station was completely destroyed. The police have asked for help from the staff at the college. At present, the students are away on their summer vacation. This freed up space to accommodate many who came for help.
GFA missionaries serve at about 400 churches and 250 mission stations in Burma. In 2006, the military-run government of Burma forbade foreign non-government organizations from doing aid work in the country. In the face of this disaster, the government is now relenting and allowing outside aid.
Since GFA missionaries are already in the country and have found favor with the government, they are one of the few groups able to offer immediate help to the people as they begin the recovery process.
"In the past, whenever there was a problem of any kind, our people got involved in helping. That is why the government and the people there look at us with good favor," Yohannan said.
The missionaries and staff at the Bible college are taking care of the people's basic needs by offering meals, prayers and the love of Jesus for those who have lost all hope. They will continue caring for the people, but the task before them is daunting. "Rangoon is in total darkness, and they are estimating that there will not be electricity for at least three months," Yohannan said.
Obtaining enough food to feed all those at the Bible college presents another challenge. At present, the banks are closed and fresh food and water are in short supply. Yet these are simply the immediate problems before the aid workers.
A 2004 photo of GFA's Burma Bible college. Part of the building is now being used to house storm refugees.
"We are facing at least six months of continuous work ministering to the people," Yohannan explained. "This is a tremendous opportunity for us to reach out in love to them, just like we did after the tsunami in 2004."
And while part of one Bible college building is still standing, portions of the campus—including the building where the people are now staying—were severely damaged.
"We will need to rebuild the Bible college, staff quarters and hundreds of homes of those in our churches," Yohannan said. "Also, dozens of churches are sure to have been destroyed."
While many missionaries and staff will remain in Rangoon assisting with the work at the Bible college, many others are already going out into the villages, looking for survivors and surveying the damage.
Yohannan asks for continued prayer for the people of Burma as they come to grips with this crisis. He also asks for prayer for those who are helping them.
2.5.08
1.5.08
Reading John
As I've mentioned recently, I'm reading and re-reading the book of John right now as I seek to know God in a deeper way. And, just like I've written before, its amazing!! I was on the plane this morning and instead of working, I decided to pick up in John 6 where I finished a couple of days ago. So . . . I get my Bible out and a little over an hour later, the pilot comes on to tell us its time to land ... I read the entire flight!
Its really weird, its as if God is speaking to me in a brand new way right now through this book in the Bible. I'm seeing Jesus more clearly. I'm understanding the disciples ... I see myself both in His followers, and the others as they hear Him say these great things. His message is amazing.
I must say, that I totally understand why the religious people of His day wanted Him dead. Just read John 6-9 for yourself. Read it in one sitting. Try and relate to the feelings of the people who were hearing these words firsthand. Can you imagine being a Pastor today and having someone from an unknown place show up and say you are from the devil? And say it where the people in your church could hear him? Can you imagine being a religious leader and having a guy like Jesus end up near your community, take a blind guy that everyone knows has been blind from birth — and give him sight? Wow. Or — what it must have been like when Jesus handled the lady caught in adultery the way He did. I am sure the news of that story spread like wildfire and the people wanted to follow a man who was filled with grace and truth! I am sure the secret church meetings happened all over town after that little experience. Man I would love to have talked to the first guy who walked away from that scene!
I am loving this time in John. I highly recommend reading the Bible. :) Can't wait for the next experience.
Its really weird, its as if God is speaking to me in a brand new way right now through this book in the Bible. I'm seeing Jesus more clearly. I'm understanding the disciples ... I see myself both in His followers, and the others as they hear Him say these great things. His message is amazing.
I must say, that I totally understand why the religious people of His day wanted Him dead. Just read John 6-9 for yourself. Read it in one sitting. Try and relate to the feelings of the people who were hearing these words firsthand. Can you imagine being a Pastor today and having someone from an unknown place show up and say you are from the devil? And say it where the people in your church could hear him? Can you imagine being a religious leader and having a guy like Jesus end up near your community, take a blind guy that everyone knows has been blind from birth — and give him sight? Wow. Or — what it must have been like when Jesus handled the lady caught in adultery the way He did. I am sure the news of that story spread like wildfire and the people wanted to follow a man who was filled with grace and truth! I am sure the secret church meetings happened all over town after that little experience. Man I would love to have talked to the first guy who walked away from that scene!
I am loving this time in John. I highly recommend reading the Bible. :) Can't wait for the next experience.
AW Tozer Once Said
“Any motion toward God is a forward motion. Even repentance is not a retreat toward the past but a decided march into a more glorious future. Restitution is not a return to yesterday but a step into a blessed tomorrow. There is such a thing as going backward in the spiritual life. There is such a thing as a retreat from a spiritual position once held by us as individual Christians. And there is such a thing as denominations and missionary societies making a wholesale withdrawal from ground once won at tremendous cost. If we find that we have gone back, then we should immediately reverse the direction and again go forward.”
30.4.08
Orange Conference
LIstened to a talk by Reggie Joiner at Orange this week! It was fantastic.
I'm planning on taking the notes and creating a post as soon as I can.
I'm planning on taking the notes and creating a post as soon as I can.
27.4.08
Head Students off at the Pass
Heard a great message today at church . . . it was all about encouragement and what that really means. One of the points the speaker made was that we should head people off at the pass . . . it made me think about our role with students. Many times God puts us in their lives to step in and head them off before they make big mistakes. I hope we all take that role serious.
24.4.08
Youth Ministry
As I sit here tonight, I am confident that there are many youth workers out there right now in need of encouragement. This entry is an effort to help.
Think about these things ...
... you are loved by God
... you are important to Him
... He knows everything
... He knows how you feel
... what you do makes an eternal difference
... the students in your life need you to be there
... people are counting on you
... you are making a difference
... the Creator of all things is on your side
... you are loved
... what you do is noticed and appreciated
... you will not be forgotten
... in Him is true life
I know that what you do is sometimes discouraging ... and ... God knows so much better than any of us what you really need. My encouragement to you is to get alone with Him and let the Spirit breathe life into your discouraged soul right now.
Trust me, the encouragement and love you are seeking is found in Him and sometimes in Him alone. Let these words of our Lord sink in deep. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Be encouraged!
sb
Think about these things ...
... you are loved by God
... you are important to Him
... He knows everything
... He knows how you feel
... what you do makes an eternal difference
... the students in your life need you to be there
... people are counting on you
... you are making a difference
... the Creator of all things is on your side
... you are loved
... what you do is noticed and appreciated
... you will not be forgotten
... in Him is true life
I know that what you do is sometimes discouraging ... and ... God knows so much better than any of us what you really need. My encouragement to you is to get alone with Him and let the Spirit breathe life into your discouraged soul right now.
Trust me, the encouragement and love you are seeking is found in Him and sometimes in Him alone. Let these words of our Lord sink in deep. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Be encouraged!
sb
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