Some music that helped me much this morning:
A snails trail of time, these days of waiting. Waiting for our house to close, waiting for spring, waiting for tomorrow. So much time to contemplate God's coordination.
If our home had closed on February 29, we would be in The Philippines already....but then we would not be here to help my Mom and Dad. If we had known the house would not close, I would not have had to take my dog to the shelter at the last minute, maybe someone would have taken him....but then maybe the person who needed him most was looking for a shelter dog.
If we had already left the States we would miss out on all of this time with my brother and sis-in-law and nephews. That is some of the time I am most grateful for. I feel relationship renewed and it is priceless.
God's timing is perfect.
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
where are you?
For those of you who don't feel like you are on mission, think again. You are on mission right now. At home, in school, at the store, at work - you can do it all for Him, bringing Him glory. You don't have to go to be a missionary, you can stay and be a missionary.
Trust that if God wants you to go on mission, to leave wherever you are at today, He will plant that desire in your heart. Well, at least He will if you invite Him in to your heart. Choosing Jesus involves dying to yourself, you can't have both your old self and a new self. Once you give up your old self and dedicate your life to whatever God wants, then He will change your desires to match His desires. It's totally awesome, and not terrifying when He does it (well, not very terrifying).
Trust that if God wants you to go on mission, to leave wherever you are at today, He will plant that desire in your heart. Well, at least He will if you invite Him in to your heart. Choosing Jesus involves dying to yourself, you can't have both your old self and a new self. Once you give up your old self and dedicate your life to whatever God wants, then He will change your desires to match His desires. It's totally awesome, and not terrifying when He does it (well, not very terrifying).
Friday, February 3, 2012
water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink
Thirsty? So are the 3.6 million people around the world who will die in the next 12 months from drinking unclean water.
What can you do?
Water ink _ BDDP Unlimited and Solidarités International - UK from BDDP Unlimited on Vimeo.
What can you do?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
mission, not just a brand or a movie
Every believer is called to be missional.
But what does that mean? Is it just another buzz word, whatever that means...we can get so caught up in words that the definition and the arguments that ensue consume us.
We can get so caught up in studying Christianity, in spending thousands of dollars, buying and reading hundreds of books, that we aren't even living the Christlike life. But the answers are in the Word. The commands are clear and apply to every believer. We don't want to believe many of the commands, so we "study" and complicate things.
Jesus taught blue collar workers, he lectured to crowds of hungry poor people, he met people where they lived, he touched lepers. His crowds were not Ivy League upper crust dignitaries. His words are not vague or confusing.
I like Pastor Rod's definition of missional on his blog, Kingdom Come.
That first point, "not tied to any age group"; so you mean my kids should be missional? Yep. What about the retired folks? Yep. Check out this lady:
God always blesses me in the library. Yesterday He sent me home with a book titled "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne. This book is messing me up. and i'm already pretty messed up for Jesus.
Shane quotes a friend as saying "I am surrounded by unbelieving activists and inactive believers". Get that, read it again, it's good. Believers should be activists!
Go Act Do
But what does that mean? Is it just another buzz word, whatever that means...we can get so caught up in words that the definition and the arguments that ensue consume us.
We can get so caught up in studying Christianity, in spending thousands of dollars, buying and reading hundreds of books, that we aren't even living the Christlike life. But the answers are in the Word. The commands are clear and apply to every believer. We don't want to believe many of the commands, so we "study" and complicate things.
Jesus taught blue collar workers, he lectured to crowds of hungry poor people, he met people where they lived, he touched lepers. His crowds were not Ivy League upper crust dignitaries. His words are not vague or confusing.
I like Pastor Rod's definition of missional on his blog, Kingdom Come.
- Missional Christianity is not tied to any age group or any particular style of doing church.
- Missional Christianity is incarnational rather than attractional.
- Missional Christianity sees evangelism as a part of the mission, not the entirety of the mission.
- Missional Christianity sees making disciples as much more than getting people signed up for heaven.
- Missional Christianity does not rely on strategic planning.
- Missional Christianity does not rely on marketing.
- Missional Christianity opposes a consumer mentality.
- Missional Christianity believes in the sacredness of all of life (no sacred and secular parts).
- Missional Christianity is culturally aware.
- Missional Christianity seeks to serve rather than to be served.
- Missional Christianity focuses on building the kingdom rather than on building a congregation or a denomination.
- Missional Christianity does not seek power, wealth or popularity.
- Missional Christianity takes discipleship seriously as essential for all followers of Christ rather than something optional for more advanced followers.
- Missional Christianity believes that a congregation's job is to participate in God's mission in the world rather than to formulate their own mission and ask God to bless it.
- Missional Christianity believes that God tends to work at the margins of society.
- Missional Christianity believes that ministry should be concentrated at the margins of society.
- Missional Christianity believes that God works most often through weakness, rather than through human power.
- Missional Christianity believes that the gospel is good news to be proclaimed, rather than an "offer" to be marketed.
- Missional Christianity believes that true holiness is the most powerful form of evangelism.
- Missional Christianity realizes that there is no culture-free expression of the gospel.
- Missional Christianity believes that the gospel is for all peoples, in every culture, at all times.
- Missional Christianity believes that "epistemological humility" does not weaken the truth claims of Christianity.
That first point, "not tied to any age group"; so you mean my kids should be missional? Yep. What about the retired folks? Yep. Check out this lady:
Sharing Love from South Asia on Vimeo.
God always blesses me in the library. Yesterday He sent me home with a book titled "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne. This book is messing me up. and i'm already pretty messed up for Jesus.
Shane quotes a friend as saying "I am surrounded by unbelieving activists and inactive believers". Get that, read it again, it's good. Believers should be activists!
Go Act Do
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Human Trafficking
Yesterday was Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
More people are becoming aware of the fact that today there are more enslaved men, women and children than ever in history. 27,000,000.
Al Jazeera, see the link to the right under "where I go for news", has an enlightening series on the slaves of today. You can search for the program "Slavery: a 21st Century Evil". They cover bonded slaves, sex slaves, child slaves, prison slaves. It's ugly. We don't really like to know about stuff that is SO ugly. Makes me feel ashamed that I've been in the dark so long.
How can it be that non-Christian news sources and Hollywood are more involved in raising awareness and ending slavery than Christians are?
Exodus Cry, link to the right, has produced the above documentary in full length. They are involved in awareness, and rescuing slaves. You can support their work prayerfully and financially. Adopt a country to pray for the end of slavery in that country. It's the least you can do.
Slavery is a big problem in the Philippines. The mafia is involved, it's big business and as we work to stop this money maker there are risks we must be willing to take. Jesus never said it would be easy. He promised persecution for those to take up their cross and follow Him.
Pray today for an end to slavery in this generation. Educate your kids. Check out Exodus Cry, or Red Light Children.
You are the answer to someones prayer.
More people are becoming aware of the fact that today there are more enslaved men, women and children than ever in history. 27,000,000.
Al Jazeera, see the link to the right under "where I go for news", has an enlightening series on the slaves of today. You can search for the program "Slavery: a 21st Century Evil". They cover bonded slaves, sex slaves, child slaves, prison slaves. It's ugly. We don't really like to know about stuff that is SO ugly. Makes me feel ashamed that I've been in the dark so long.
How can it be that non-Christian news sources and Hollywood are more involved in raising awareness and ending slavery than Christians are?
Nefarious: Merchant of Souls Official Trailer from Exodus Cry on Vimeo.
Exodus Cry, link to the right, has produced the above documentary in full length. They are involved in awareness, and rescuing slaves. You can support their work prayerfully and financially. Adopt a country to pray for the end of slavery in that country. It's the least you can do.
Slavery is a big problem in the Philippines. The mafia is involved, it's big business and as we work to stop this money maker there are risks we must be willing to take. Jesus never said it would be easy. He promised persecution for those to take up their cross and follow Him.
Pray today for an end to slavery in this generation. Educate your kids. Check out Exodus Cry, or Red Light Children.
You are the answer to someones prayer.
Monday, January 9, 2012
afflictions eclipsed by glory
Words that wrap around inside my head. I try hard to grasp at the meaning, tuck them away, but then there they are again:
"afflictions eclipsed by glory"
Words from the David Crowder Band song "How He Loves us".
What does it mean? Afflictions - all the junk, the pain, the pettiness, all that hurts and needs redemption. Eclipsed - overtaken, not erased, but shadowed over, overshadowed. Glory. That one's tough. What is Glory? Light, God's brightness that shines out as the result of His perfection.
So our pain, overshadowed by His Glory, because He loves us. God doesn't always take away that which we ask Him to take, but He will eclipse our pain with His glory. It all has a purpose. Even the pain, maybe especially the pain.
A pastor at church lost a son. Just 7 months growing in the womb and their longed for son born and died. They meet a couple in the doctor's office, stayed in touch, grew close, mentored a brother, said brother is called to go to the Nations, the middle east of all places! He obeyed the call and moved to a country in the middle east to tell people about Jesus, who loves them. A God who promises to eclipse their afflictions with His Glory.
If their son had not headed to Heaven at that time, they would not have met that couple, would not have mentored that young man, and he would not now be living in a Muslim country sharing the Gospel. God used the affliction and brought a glory that they could not even imagine.
It all comes to good.
We talk about Heaven alot in our home. The boys have lots of questions, imaginings, anticipation. Yes, they anticipate going to Heaven. Yosef can't wait to pet a lion and watch him eat grass (did you know the Bible says the lion will eat grass like the cow?), Ethan hopes that you can travel instantly from place to place (beam me over, Scotty), Tom looks forward to ears that actually work! Seth wants to learn all of the card tricks in the world. Bis wants to meet his first Dad.
What do you want to do in Heaven?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
it's not about the leaving
a note in my inbox the other morning - from another goer. a mom, a wife, a friend, woman, teacher - lonely. she asks small if i might have time to converse, she just feels the loneliness of it, being a goer. of course i have time, i write back immediately, i hear the tune of lonely. seems odd that in chasing such big things we can feel so small.
But it is not about the leaving. So what is it then? It's the living like I actually have the Spirit of God in me. If I claim the Spirit is in me, yet I look just like everyone else, is it really true? Francis Chan lays it right out there. If the Spirit lives in me, I should look different.
So what am I failing at? Is it that joy does not ooze from my pores; I don't typically leave a trail of joy in my wake? That darn joy thing! or is it that I don't want to step on toes, dare to offend, thus i don't even offer up the offensive. Why can't others look at me and see the difference? and in the seeing just know, of course, we are going - we are that weird family after all.
If Heaven is believed in, if we grasp the reality of forever in Heaven, then shouldn't everyone be excited at the prospect of getting the job done so Christ can come back? If every tongue and tribe and nation will be represented at our Worship in front of GOD, then there is certainly work to be done. Joshua Project lists 6,950 unreached people groups!
Admittedly, I have only recently come to understand the gravity of getting to all those people groups. I used to hear about missionaries and think "oh, that's cool - good for them". Now I think "Wow - that is awesome! I want in on that action!" Like that song says that is playing now "when the saints go walking in, I want to be one of them."
How can there be anger at our going? It's not a danger thing; it's more dangerous to ride in a car than to be a missionary. So what is it?
I want Jesus to come back. I am sick and tired of cancer, death, anger, sickness, rape, injustice. I WANT HIM back! and the sooner the better. So let us get the work done that He put before us. Take His news to all nations.
Someone with good intentions said to me that our going is like if my youngest no longer wanted to live with us. But that's a leaving thing, and has nothing to do with being Jesus' hands and feet; our youngest is 9 after all.
Lonely. I guess that's what I've felt this past week or so. Because it is big and exciting this setting out, but many people that I would want to talk it through with, don't want to hear it. Like my goer friend said "it's hard to talk to anyone about anything without talking about the Philippines."
So in keeping with my earlier post on resolution, I will seek out the process of making distinguishable the Spirit of God in me.
And I will take comfort in my friends who do stand by, and my men - those 6 who want to be different. That we aren't shy about being called those Jesus Freaks. And I trust in Heaven eternal. Time aplenty to spend with everyone doing everything to give glory to God. Maybe I'll learn to play the guitar in Heaven!
But it is not about the leaving. So what is it then? It's the living like I actually have the Spirit of God in me. If I claim the Spirit is in me, yet I look just like everyone else, is it really true? Francis Chan lays it right out there. If the Spirit lives in me, I should look different.
So what am I failing at? Is it that joy does not ooze from my pores; I don't typically leave a trail of joy in my wake? That darn joy thing! or is it that I don't want to step on toes, dare to offend, thus i don't even offer up the offensive. Why can't others look at me and see the difference? and in the seeing just know, of course, we are going - we are that weird family after all.
If Heaven is believed in, if we grasp the reality of forever in Heaven, then shouldn't everyone be excited at the prospect of getting the job done so Christ can come back? If every tongue and tribe and nation will be represented at our Worship in front of GOD, then there is certainly work to be done. Joshua Project lists 6,950 unreached people groups!
Admittedly, I have only recently come to understand the gravity of getting to all those people groups. I used to hear about missionaries and think "oh, that's cool - good for them". Now I think "Wow - that is awesome! I want in on that action!" Like that song says that is playing now "when the saints go walking in, I want to be one of them."
How can there be anger at our going? It's not a danger thing; it's more dangerous to ride in a car than to be a missionary. So what is it?
I want Jesus to come back. I am sick and tired of cancer, death, anger, sickness, rape, injustice. I WANT HIM back! and the sooner the better. So let us get the work done that He put before us. Take His news to all nations.
Someone with good intentions said to me that our going is like if my youngest no longer wanted to live with us. But that's a leaving thing, and has nothing to do with being Jesus' hands and feet; our youngest is 9 after all.
Lonely. I guess that's what I've felt this past week or so. Because it is big and exciting this setting out, but many people that I would want to talk it through with, don't want to hear it. Like my goer friend said "it's hard to talk to anyone about anything without talking about the Philippines."
So in keeping with my earlier post on resolution, I will seek out the process of making distinguishable the Spirit of God in me.
And I will take comfort in my friends who do stand by, and my men - those 6 who want to be different. That we aren't shy about being called those Jesus Freaks. And I trust in Heaven eternal. Time aplenty to spend with everyone doing everything to give glory to God. Maybe I'll learn to play the guitar in Heaven!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
exciting news from the island
News came from Boracay this morning. We've felt a bit out of the loop way over here, but now we've learned some fun stuff. Mair Gault wrote to those of us planning to go to Boracay for short or long term. Her aim is to get us connected and answer our questions.
The Gault family from Canada arrived on Boracay to teach at the Agape school in August; they'll stay for a year. The Gaults have 3 girls, ages 10, 12, and 14. They have a blog at:
http://gaultsonboracay.blogspot.com/
The Russell family are preparing to move to Boracay for 2 years, just like us. They have their plane tickets for February 1st. They are farm folk from Pennsylvania. And get this - they have 11 kids! They also have a blog:
http://dozenrussells.wordpress.com/
Two of the Russells' kids will not be moving with them, but 9 will! and 8 of those are boys ages 15 years down to 18 months.
I am very happy to know that our boys will have lots of kids to play with, both islanders and North Americans. It will be great for them to support each other, and complain to one another if needed.
The Russells have this video on their blog - a thank you to them.
Prepping our home for selling is going well, it looks very nice. If only I could get the grass to grow...
After New Years we'll get serious about re-homing out pets, and selling our cars.
Peace
The Gault family from Canada arrived on Boracay to teach at the Agape school in August; they'll stay for a year. The Gaults have 3 girls, ages 10, 12, and 14. They have a blog at:
http://gaultsonboracay.blogspot.com/
The Russell family are preparing to move to Boracay for 2 years, just like us. They have their plane tickets for February 1st. They are farm folk from Pennsylvania. And get this - they have 11 kids! They also have a blog:
http://dozenrussells.wordpress.com/
Two of the Russells' kids will not be moving with them, but 9 will! and 8 of those are boys ages 15 years down to 18 months.
I am very happy to know that our boys will have lots of kids to play with, both islanders and North Americans. It will be great for them to support each other, and complain to one another if needed.
The Russells have this video on their blog - a thank you to them.
Prepping our home for selling is going well, it looks very nice. If only I could get the grass to grow...
After New Years we'll get serious about re-homing out pets, and selling our cars.
Peace
Friday, December 16, 2011
now for some good news
If any of you follow the Livesay family in Haiti (and all of you should) you will be thrilled to tears to learn that the Heartline Hospital fund program was chosen as the winner of the Giving of Life Award. They won - $50,000 towards the building of the hospital. I pray for this weekly, it is great to feel part of something so BIG! If you have no clue of what I speak - then click on the Livesay link and read up.
The Livesay tribe also creates a Christmas drama or musical each year. Check out this production. Shot in Haiti, where Troy and Tara live and serve along with their kiddos. The Livesay family have served in Haiti since long before the quake.
Have a wonderful weekend.
The Livesay tribe also creates a Christmas drama or musical each year. Check out this production. Shot in Haiti, where Troy and Tara live and serve along with their kiddos. The Livesay family have served in Haiti since long before the quake.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
the Christmas push
The Goodfellows in Peru posted this video on their blog. Sarah talks about how their family does Christmas differently from many families they know. Ann at a holy experience wrote this week about how their Christmas looks different from other families.
Funny how this has been on my heart and the heart of other moms around the world. I told Man that I hope when we (if we) return from the Philippines, I want for us to make Christmas about Jesus.
This morning Matt Carter, our senior pastor, talked about how he has struggled to unbrainwash his kids. Kids connect Christmas with presents as soon as we teach them that truth. Then some parents, like me, panic down the road and wonder what we've done. Our kids miss Jesus. They focus on the gifts; they've learned what we've taught them.
Ann Voskamp shares that it has been 10 years since there were gifts under their tree. 10 years of Christmas for Jesus! In the days leading up to 12/25 her kids pour over catalogues for Compassion International, World Vision, Heifer International, etc. They decide on what they will buy for whom this day. Each day is a new gift in the Name of Jesus. Chicks for a family in Kenya, a goat for a family in Guatemala, a rickshaw for a family in India. No gifts under the tree. I love that. My heart yearns for such giving in my children.
Don't get me wrong, we love gifts. Grandma's love to give gifts, and we are blessed. We may celebrate New Years with giving each other gifts for the new year. But Christmas, it will be for Him.
Christmas is about Jesus. The Gift of gifts. It is the beginning of the story of redemption from sin and death. It is the pointing of our hearts to the cross, where God won! Perfection paid the price for our sin, so that we can spend eternity in Heaven.
I pray that you, too, will spend differently the resources entrusted to you.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
kids for Jesus
Our three older boys are at church camp this weekend. None of our kids has ever been to camp. I feel humbled that our 3 are able to spend time at camp with all that comes along with kids gathered to worship and love. I am expecting great things.
When we dropped them off at church last night they were so excited, they didn't even look back at us, or give us hugs! I will pay them back when we pick them up on Sunday by wailing and crying at their feet!
One quick pic of #1.
Tom, a little nervous?. Yosef all giddy.
Yesterday was also the last day of the term for our homeschool coop. Yo and EQ took drama and performed in a play for the school. I was the assistant. Yo played the angel, and a camel. EQ was Joseph, a rat, and a wiseman.
Man was the videographer; he apologizes if you get motion sickness.
Okay so I tried to upload the video and it would not work. I'll try another time.
And then another gift sent along from Ann at a holy experience. This 16 year old boy/young man, and his music for Jesus.
I really love this, and yes it made me cry!
This guy, Quigley is his name, performed all of the music on this video. His sister helped with the camera. He did all of the instruments and vocals. Awesome!
I hope you provide your kids with much to inspire them in this Holy day season.
When we dropped them off at church last night they were so excited, they didn't even look back at us, or give us hugs! I will pay them back when we pick them up on Sunday by wailing and crying at their feet!
One quick pic of #1.
Yesterday was also the last day of the term for our homeschool coop. Yo and EQ took drama and performed in a play for the school. I was the assistant. Yo played the angel, and a camel. EQ was Joseph, a rat, and a wiseman.
Man was the videographer; he apologizes if you get motion sickness.
Okay so I tried to upload the video and it would not work. I'll try another time.
And then another gift sent along from Ann at a holy experience. This 16 year old boy/young man, and his music for Jesus.
I really love this, and yes it made me cry!
This guy, Quigley is his name, performed all of the music on this video. His sister helped with the camera. He did all of the instruments and vocals. Awesome!
I hope you provide your kids with much to inspire them in this Holy day season.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Are you ramping up to buy stuff?
Many Americans will head out on Friday to buy stuff they don't need, or stuff that other people don't need. Some stores are even opening up on Thursday night so these spenders can get started even earlier. This makes me sad.
Have we, as a whole, become so consumeristic that we are shortening our day set aside for Thanksgiving?
And those bargains you might find at Wal Mart? Someone paid for those already. In low wages, or no wages, in terrible work conditions, in long 10-12 hour days, 7 days in a week.
I am not saying we should not buy anything. But please use wisdom. Ask God to guide you as you shop; He cares about everything you do.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Have we, as a whole, become so consumeristic that we are shortening our day set aside for Thanksgiving?
And those bargains you might find at Wal Mart? Someone paid for those already. In low wages, or no wages, in terrible work conditions, in long 10-12 hour days, 7 days in a week.
I am not saying we should not buy anything. But please use wisdom. Ask God to guide you as you shop; He cares about everything you do.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
religion or the Gospel
Church this morning challenged, stretched, taught; I thank God that that is normal for our church.
Do you practice religion or live the Gospel? I confess that I waiver. Most Christians practice religion, on Sunday for an hour, they do not live the Gospel.
Every other world religion is defined by a person doing his or her best and hoping that it's good enough.
Only in Christianity do we admit our sin, and accept that Jesus took our punishment. Romans 5:8-9 while we sinned Christ died for us. Justified us - declared us not guilty, righteous forever, through Him. (my paraphrasing)
Religion= I obey so I can be accepted.
The Gospel = I am accepted, therefore I obey.
Did you get that? read it again, it's good.
I choose to die to myself, I want to abandon it all for Him, because of my overflowing gratitude for all that He has done and will do for me. Stinky, selfish, short fused, me.
And what is it that I obey? What does Jesus ask?
We are to learn and become disciples so that we can make disciples who make disciples, all the way to the ends of the earth, in all languages and people groups. To what end? Worship
It's as easy and as complicated as that. Do we do this on our own? No, we do it with His power. Serve the King of kings so that others can join in the service and worship Him.
I'm finding so much on youtube to inspire me. I hope we can get reliable internet on Boracay!
May you OVERFLOW with gratitude today.
Do you practice religion or live the Gospel? I confess that I waiver. Most Christians practice religion, on Sunday for an hour, they do not live the Gospel.
Every other world religion is defined by a person doing his or her best and hoping that it's good enough.
Only in Christianity do we admit our sin, and accept that Jesus took our punishment. Romans 5:8-9 while we sinned Christ died for us. Justified us - declared us not guilty, righteous forever, through Him. (my paraphrasing)
Religion= I obey so I can be accepted.
The Gospel = I am accepted, therefore I obey.
Did you get that? read it again, it's good.
I choose to die to myself, I want to abandon it all for Him, because of my overflowing gratitude for all that He has done and will do for me. Stinky, selfish, short fused, me.
And what is it that I obey? What does Jesus ask?
We are to learn and become disciples so that we can make disciples who make disciples, all the way to the ends of the earth, in all languages and people groups. To what end? Worship
It's as easy and as complicated as that. Do we do this on our own? No, we do it with His power. Serve the King of kings so that others can join in the service and worship Him.
I'm finding so much on youtube to inspire me. I hope we can get reliable internet on Boracay!
May you OVERFLOW with gratitude today.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Teach a man to fish and all that
Aid is a hot topic. Does it work? Usually financial handouts alone do not lift people out of poverty.
They need Hope - the message of the Good News.
They need education, a long term investment.
They need job training.
Ideally the attitude of a helper is to work him/herself out of a job. For a missionary to no longer be needed in an area, thus able to move to another area, is the goal.
There are some awesome people doing this, and doing it really well.
One of my favorites is Krochet Kids. A company started by some college dudes (yes, dudes) who started crocheting beanie type hats and were making bucks doing it. They then wondered about the billions of dollars in aid being doled out around the world, and the fact that it did not seem to help. That is the very short version.
These guys started up Krochet Kids to help poor folks lift themselves out of poverty by keeping up a sustainable job.
A gorgeous family from North Carolina just started up the Peru Krochet Kids:
I have been pondering what we can teach folks in the Philippines, those who want to learn. Man can teach woodworking skills, trim work, carpentry - the works of his hands.
Folks here have been generous in sharing ideas. One that I'm most excited about is cobra bracelets. My boys can make these. They are made from para chord and have about 8 feet of chord, heavy duty stuff. The chord is braided in a cobra weave, then worn as a bracelet to be used for a variety of purposes. Once unwoven (a simple thing to do) you have:
a tourniquet
dog leash
emergency climbing rope
tie up a dead critter for gutting
make a critter trap if you are super hungry
These look cool and will appeal to many of the young tourists on the island.
I'm learning to fish paint, or paint with fish. An ancient Japanese art. You paint a dead fish, then press paper to it, peel the paper off, and you get a beautiful print. Great for those tourists who catch fish that they can't bring home, but they can bring home a cool, unique art print!
Teach a man to paint with a fish, give him a lake.
Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.
They need Hope - the message of the Good News.
They need education, a long term investment.
They need job training.
Ideally the attitude of a helper is to work him/herself out of a job. For a missionary to no longer be needed in an area, thus able to move to another area, is the goal.
There are some awesome people doing this, and doing it really well.
One of my favorites is Krochet Kids. A company started by some college dudes (yes, dudes) who started crocheting beanie type hats and were making bucks doing it. They then wondered about the billions of dollars in aid being doled out around the world, and the fact that it did not seem to help. That is the very short version.
These guys started up Krochet Kids to help poor folks lift themselves out of poverty by keeping up a sustainable job.
A gorgeous family from North Carolina just started up the Peru Krochet Kids:
I have been pondering what we can teach folks in the Philippines, those who want to learn. Man can teach woodworking skills, trim work, carpentry - the works of his hands.
Folks here have been generous in sharing ideas. One that I'm most excited about is cobra bracelets. My boys can make these. They are made from para chord and have about 8 feet of chord, heavy duty stuff. The chord is braided in a cobra weave, then worn as a bracelet to be used for a variety of purposes. Once unwoven (a simple thing to do) you have:
a tourniquet
dog leash
emergency climbing rope
tie up a dead critter for gutting
make a critter trap if you are super hungry
These look cool and will appeal to many of the young tourists on the island.
I'm learning to fish paint, or paint with fish. An ancient Japanese art. You paint a dead fish, then press paper to it, peel the paper off, and you get a beautiful print. Great for those tourists who catch fish that they can't bring home, but they can bring home a cool, unique art print!
Teach a man to paint with a fish, give him a lake.
Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Humble
We are to walk humbly with our Creator.
What does that look like? Where does He walk?
Micah 6:8 messes with me, it's those tears again.
...O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what He requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
My heart just swells right up and pushes tears down my face. He requires these of us, His followers. These are not suggestions.
Do what is right.
Love Mercy. Mercy is not giving someone what they deserve. In other words, you not getting punished when you deserve it. I'm supposed to love mercy.
Then that last one, walk humbly with my God.
Where does He walk? Looking at Him in the New Testament it looks like He spent the bulk of his time with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the sinners, the lost, the meek, the working class folks.
So if I want to walk with Him, I need to go where He's at. Now of course He is everywhere. But I believe for me, my heart's desire is to walk with Him in the hard places.
He plants the desires in my heart, and unless I seek to satisfy those desires, I will be restless on this earth for my whole life.
I really love the above song. Be sure to pause my music stuff on the right, so you can enjoy Josh' song. I pulled it off the Livesay's blog - such cutting edge folks!
And a bit of art. It is all connected, as are we all connected.
So how can I sell it all and move across the world to care for strangers, to love them, to get dirty with them? BECAUSE they are my family.
We are so excited to be selling and giving it away. I can't explain it to most people, but we are totally at peace - more peaceful than ever before - and we are jumping into the unknown in faith. How awesome is He!
What does that look like? Where does He walk?
Micah 6:8 messes with me, it's those tears again.
...O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what He requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
My heart just swells right up and pushes tears down my face. He requires these of us, His followers. These are not suggestions.
Do what is right.
Love Mercy. Mercy is not giving someone what they deserve. In other words, you not getting punished when you deserve it. I'm supposed to love mercy.
Then that last one, walk humbly with my God.
Where does He walk? Looking at Him in the New Testament it looks like He spent the bulk of his time with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the sinners, the lost, the meek, the working class folks.
So if I want to walk with Him, I need to go where He's at. Now of course He is everywhere. But I believe for me, my heart's desire is to walk with Him in the hard places.
He plants the desires in my heart, and unless I seek to satisfy those desires, I will be restless on this earth for my whole life.
I really love the above song. Be sure to pause my music stuff on the right, so you can enjoy Josh' song. I pulled it off the Livesay's blog - such cutting edge folks!
And a bit of art. It is all connected, as are we all connected.
So how can I sell it all and move across the world to care for strangers, to love them, to get dirty with them? BECAUSE they are my family.
We are so excited to be selling and giving it away. I can't explain it to most people, but we are totally at peace - more peaceful than ever before - and we are jumping into the unknown in faith. How awesome is He!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
just one more
This, the 3rd post of the day. What in the world are your kids doing - I can hear that question....well they are watching tv. ahhh, that's funny! no really. They ate lunch, shot at each other for awhile, fed apple bits to our fire ants, and now they are watching Man, Woman, Wild on Netflix.
I'll go read to them in a few minutes. We are starting The Fighting Ground by Avi.
How's the mission thingy coming along? thanks for asking.
Well, I've been sorting books and videos and cd's. I plan to trade in most of our fiction (man's fiction, spy, murder stuff) and get credit at Half Price Books to buy kid books to ship ahead to the island. I'm giving lots of our good books (my intelligent, interesting books) away to friends at our coop.
Here is a video that is a few years old, but gives good info on the ministry we are joining. On The Rock now feeds about 2000 kids and adults on two islands.
I think the Kropp family needs its own t-shirt. So I've designed one and when I have some extra cashola, we'll have cool t-shirts. Maybe we'll sell some.
Going Kropps
I'll go read to them in a few minutes. We are starting The Fighting Ground by Avi.
How's the mission thingy coming along? thanks for asking.
Well, I've been sorting books and videos and cd's. I plan to trade in most of our fiction (man's fiction, spy, murder stuff) and get credit at Half Price Books to buy kid books to ship ahead to the island. I'm giving lots of our good books (my intelligent, interesting books) away to friends at our coop.
Here is a video that is a few years old, but gives good info on the ministry we are joining. On The Rock now feeds about 2000 kids and adults on two islands.
I think the Kropp family needs its own t-shirt. So I've designed one and when I have some extra cashola, we'll have cool t-shirts. Maybe we'll sell some.
Going Kropps
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
$10,000 Rich!
If you make at least $10,000 in a year you are wealthier than 84% of the world. Feels good to be rich! Yee Haw, Thank God we were born in America, right? We deserve this wealth and by george (whoever he is), I'm going to enjoy it.
Now if you are really lucky and make $50,000 a year that puts you into the top 99 percent of the whole world.
But are you satisfied? We aren't, at least not with money and all of our stuff.
Nothing satisfies me like worshiping God in song, prayer, and feeding on His Word. I long to be constantly satisfied; dissatisfaction reduced to a minimum, temporary state, remedied by song, prayer and The Word.
Is it possible to be constantly satisfied, filled up, overflowing, so others benefit from the excess of our contentment? If you read about Paul, Timothy and many others you can see that against common standards, it is possible. Even in the face of prison, danger, loss, hunger.
Yet most of us continue to try and fill ourselves up with holes. What is a house but a hole? That nice car? A week long vacation? More clothes than any one person needs in a lifetime? These don't fill us up, they drain our resources. Pretty good trick of the devil, right?
So when is it that you feel the greatest contentment? If you don't find that at church then either you need a new church, or you need to ask God to fill you up with the Holy Spirit so you can understand and get excited about what the preacher is teaching.
If you feel detached from Christ maybe it's because you've ignored his invitation. An invitation to join God in seeing Himself glorified in all groups of people, all over the world.
So what makes a life worth living? When you find the answer, go and do it. For our family it means being Jesus' hands and feet. So we are going.
Now if you are really lucky and make $50,000 a year that puts you into the top 99 percent of the whole world.
But are you satisfied? We aren't, at least not with money and all of our stuff.
Nothing satisfies me like worshiping God in song, prayer, and feeding on His Word. I long to be constantly satisfied; dissatisfaction reduced to a minimum, temporary state, remedied by song, prayer and The Word.
Is it possible to be constantly satisfied, filled up, overflowing, so others benefit from the excess of our contentment? If you read about Paul, Timothy and many others you can see that against common standards, it is possible. Even in the face of prison, danger, loss, hunger.
Yet most of us continue to try and fill ourselves up with holes. What is a house but a hole? That nice car? A week long vacation? More clothes than any one person needs in a lifetime? These don't fill us up, they drain our resources. Pretty good trick of the devil, right?
So when is it that you feel the greatest contentment? If you don't find that at church then either you need a new church, or you need to ask God to fill you up with the Holy Spirit so you can understand and get excited about what the preacher is teaching.
If you feel detached from Christ maybe it's because you've ignored his invitation. An invitation to join God in seeing Himself glorified in all groups of people, all over the world.
So what makes a life worth living? When you find the answer, go and do it. For our family it means being Jesus' hands and feet. So we are going.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Video Sunday
This first video I snagged from Sit a Spell, the Hendrick's blog - they are a family with 4 boys, they live and serve in Haiti.
This is a spankin' funny video. I especially thought of my friend A and her awesome kiddo T.
For the past four weeks our church has been viewing video footage that one of our storybook crews and our pastor put together in Israel. These can be viewed on our church site
http://austinstone.org/sermons
Today's video is not up yet, give it a day or two. The film today was about a Palestinian Christian. We are not taking a political side, it is not a political film; it is about a man who in his own words "wants to read the Bible, then live it".
All of the videos are excellent, shot on site, around the Sea of Galilee, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Gates of Hades, and other places we read about in our bibles.
John Piper is one of my favorite authors, his books are life changers! He just finished a missions conference at his church and the sermons can be found on his site (desiring God.org) in written, video or audio format. They are all awesome, but the following is my favorite.
This video is from Louie Giglio. If you do not wish to listen to the whole video, move up to about minute 30 and listen from there on out. Louie has compiled the sounds that stars make, the sounds of whales calling - together - this is the Heavenly Music.
All of Creation Worships Him! This is so awesome - please take a listen. Kleenex is recommended, and gather your children.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/the-global-god-who-gives-the-great-commission#ooid=0wMXl0Mjqmit4MKVsiRA6V8VY42Tikhs
How great is our God, the King of all, the Great I AM.
This is a spankin' funny video. I especially thought of my friend A and her awesome kiddo T.
For the past four weeks our church has been viewing video footage that one of our storybook crews and our pastor put together in Israel. These can be viewed on our church site
http://austinstone.org/sermons
Today's video is not up yet, give it a day or two. The film today was about a Palestinian Christian. We are not taking a political side, it is not a political film; it is about a man who in his own words "wants to read the Bible, then live it".
All of the videos are excellent, shot on site, around the Sea of Galilee, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Gates of Hades, and other places we read about in our bibles.
John Piper is one of my favorite authors, his books are life changers! He just finished a missions conference at his church and the sermons can be found on his site (desiring God.org) in written, video or audio format. They are all awesome, but the following is my favorite.
This video is from Louie Giglio. If you do not wish to listen to the whole video, move up to about minute 30 and listen from there on out. Louie has compiled the sounds that stars make, the sounds of whales calling - together - this is the Heavenly Music.
All of Creation Worships Him! This is so awesome - please take a listen. Kleenex is recommended, and gather your children.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/the-global-god-who-gives-the-great-commission#ooid=0wMXl0Mjqmit4MKVsiRA6V8VY42Tikhs
How great is our God, the King of all, the Great I AM.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What About Those Muslims
Does God really love them? Yep, He does.
9/11, you remember....that September 11th? I was on my way to work, in Seattle, at Boeing. The radio beeped, that annoying public safety test...now when that beep comes over the air my stomach falls.
I arrived at work. They were sending us home, not sure if rumors of a plane heading for Seattle were true. Boeing would be a pretty prime target, we thought at the time.
I picked up Number One from his neighbor-hood caregiver. She is Muslim. She had her Koran out and was reading, she was crying, and praying. My heart hurt for the pain and negativity that extremists of her religion were pulling over on her, a very good woman. A woman to love. Months later her house suddenly emptied. She and her kids gone, disappeared. We never knew what happened to her and her beautiful children. I pray for her.
God loves Muslims. They are a powerful group of devout people, praying to our One True God, but they do not know Jesus, The Way. In US prisons more prisoners convert to Islam than Christianity. More young, black men convert to Islam than Christianity. In Africa Muslim charities are building orphanages, schools, mosques, more so than Christian charities are. Think of the world that could come from Muslim Christians?
Join me in prayer for our Muslim friends and neighbors, near and far.
The greatest is LOVE, not pride, not fear, not hate.
9/11, you remember....that September 11th? I was on my way to work, in Seattle, at Boeing. The radio beeped, that annoying public safety test...now when that beep comes over the air my stomach falls.
I arrived at work. They were sending us home, not sure if rumors of a plane heading for Seattle were true. Boeing would be a pretty prime target, we thought at the time.
I picked up Number One from his neighbor-hood caregiver. She is Muslim. She had her Koran out and was reading, she was crying, and praying. My heart hurt for the pain and negativity that extremists of her religion were pulling over on her, a very good woman. A woman to love. Months later her house suddenly emptied. She and her kids gone, disappeared. We never knew what happened to her and her beautiful children. I pray for her.
God loves Muslims. They are a powerful group of devout people, praying to our One True God, but they do not know Jesus, The Way. In US prisons more prisoners convert to Islam than Christianity. More young, black men convert to Islam than Christianity. In Africa Muslim charities are building orphanages, schools, mosques, more so than Christian charities are. Think of the world that could come from Muslim Christians?
Join me in prayer for our Muslim friends and neighbors, near and far.
The greatest is LOVE, not pride, not fear, not hate.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Question of Good
Ann at aholyexperience has a great post regarding the existence of good.
I tend to look at the bad, the evil, the lack and wonder "is there a God in all of this? and if there is, is He good?"
Ann poses the opposite question. "If there is no God then why is there any good?"
flowers blooming in the ghetto
fathers coming home to their family
sun sparkles on dew
puppies
giggles....
If there is no God, where does all of the good come from?
Is the bad due to our lack of loving our neighbor? Could this bad be turned around if we would all just share?
Like Katie, a young woman I pray for and am inspired by:
There are two blogs about and by Katie Davis. One through her ministry, Amazima, the other under kisses from Katie, you can find these to the right.
Katie's book comes out in October, buy it, support her, share your wealth.
I was not raised with a sharing attitude. Not that my parents screwed me up in some way regarding this, rather I just don't think most parents set out with intention to teach their kids to love thy neighbor.
Intention. Everything we do is fed by our intent. If we go along without prayer and thought to this, we act selfishly. I see it in me, and I see it in my kids.
If I want selfless love to be the default for our children, I have to be intentional about it.
What is the most important thing I can teach my kids? Is it really the multiplication table? spelling?
Do I dare ask them to go without some extravagance so that we can financially support someone else? Maybe they would surprise me and make selfless choices if I presented them with such choices more often.
I tend to look at the bad, the evil, the lack and wonder "is there a God in all of this? and if there is, is He good?"
Ann poses the opposite question. "If there is no God then why is there any good?"
flowers blooming in the ghetto
fathers coming home to their family
sun sparkles on dew
puppies
giggles....
If there is no God, where does all of the good come from?
Is the bad due to our lack of loving our neighbor? Could this bad be turned around if we would all just share?
Like Katie, a young woman I pray for and am inspired by:
There are two blogs about and by Katie Davis. One through her ministry, Amazima, the other under kisses from Katie, you can find these to the right.
Katie's book comes out in October, buy it, support her, share your wealth.
I was not raised with a sharing attitude. Not that my parents screwed me up in some way regarding this, rather I just don't think most parents set out with intention to teach their kids to love thy neighbor.
Intention. Everything we do is fed by our intent. If we go along without prayer and thought to this, we act selfishly. I see it in me, and I see it in my kids.
If I want selfless love to be the default for our children, I have to be intentional about it.
What is the most important thing I can teach my kids? Is it really the multiplication table? spelling?
Do I dare ask them to go without some extravagance so that we can financially support someone else? Maybe they would surprise me and make selfless choices if I presented them with such choices more often.
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