This article about what the past few weeks have been like for people in Uzbekistan is real reality check. This is what people around the world experience every day just for trying to follow Jesus. I encourage you to subscribe to the blog at www.Registan.net for perspective served up every day. It's usually more political than anything, but I benefit a lot from it.
Here's how the article begins:
Following a January raid on a private home in Nukus in north-western Uzbekistan where 18 Protestants had gathered, one of those present, Salauat Serikbayev, faces criminal trial for teaching religion illegally, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. There is a three year maximum sentence if convicted and the hearing is set for 24 April. The host of the meeting, Grigory Ten, was fined more than many local people earn in a year on 9 April, and his hymnbook was ordered to be confiscated. In the eastern city of Andijan, three members of the embattled church led by Dmitry Shestakov – imprisoned on 9 March – are also facing possible prosecution. In Samarkand police swooped on an outdoor Protestant Easter service. Several prominent Protestants are facing death threats and the daughter of one pastor was traumatised after being kidnapped by unknown young men.
Labels: missions, news, perspective, pray
I'm posting this on behalf of my friend Stephen, since he keeps his blog under a password :0(
He pointed to a great article from Christianity Today entitled, "It's All About Who, Jesus?"
This little blurb will let you know what you're in for:
When we're not affirming God for how well we're nurtured, our songs often congratulate ourselves on how well we respond to God's grace. Have you noticed how much we sing about how loud or passionately we sing? We talk a lot about what we're going to do—usually in the singular: I will worship, I will praise you, I will bow down, etc., etc. One beautiful and well-intentioned song even tells us that God thinks of "me above all."
As my professor friend says, "Begging your pardon: the only person who thinks of Me above all is Me."
If it's not in our singing, it's in our preaching. Whether it's contemporary meet-my-needs sermons or old-fashioned fire-and-brimstone, the focus seems to circle in the vicinity of getting our fine wide souls into heaven, and between now and then, into better circumstances here on earth. And yes, I may be overstating the case. But then again, am I?
Any thoughts?
Labels: god, music, musings, news, perspective, worship
So, Steph wasn't a big fan of the last template I was testing out. I think she didn't like all the dark colors...
So how 'bout this one? Any comments or suggestions?
Labels: news
I recently learned about this website, blurb.com, where you can use your own photos and ideas and put together a book that people can order online for reasonable prices.
Has anybody tried this? I think I would like to make a 'Perspective From Central Asia' book... Would anybody be interested if I did?
Labels: missions, perspective
This is an artist's mockup of a planet that was recently discovered about 20 light-years away. They say it is the most earth-like planet that we have found so far, and that its parent start (sun) is the right brightness and distance to make our climate possible.
Read more here
Labels: creation, god, news, photography
Since the News and Observer is even talking about it, I thought I'd make sure that everyone knows that the Harvest Crusade is coming to Raleigh, June 22-24. Over the course of three nights, there will be music from Leeland, Third Day, Toby Mac, David Crowder Band, and others.
This is especially significant to me because Harvest Christian Church (in Riverside, Ca) is where I became a believer and went for almost 10 years. I even went to school there for a while. Greg Laurie is the pastor at Harvest and is a very gifted evangelist. I've been to probably 10 different crusades over the years and they are really awesome opportunity to expose a friend to the really simple Gospel Message. Let me know if you have any questions about the crusades!
Labels: god, music, news, worship
Apparently, it's a real possibility.
Read more here
Labels: news
An article on slashdot is saying that a new study 'confirms' that birds are the modern descendants of dinosaurs, and that the DNA of chickens (of all the modern animals currently cataloged) most closely resembles that of a tyrannosaur.
Read more here
I love chickens! They taste just like tyrannosaurs....
wait...
I'm confused...
Labels: creation, god, news
Wow! Can I just say that today's Astronomy Picture of the Day will rock your socks off! No wonder Jesus said that if we don't worship, the rocks will cry out!
Labels: creation, god, photography, worship
Has anyone ever used Kiva before?
I saw a special on 60 minutes that really intrigued me. In a nutshell, they provide a web interface that enables regular old folks like you and me to provide small loans to people in developing countries who want to start a business.
For example, you can provide a loan to a guy in Kenya who wants to advance his sheep farm. The web site connects you and enables you to negotiate the details, then you put up the money, and amazingly, people usually pay it back with interest. And you get the joy of helping someone fulfill a dream!
Most of these people are only looking for less than $2000. I'm really interested... but has anyone out there done this before?
Labels: missions, stewardship
Katie sent this to me. It's pretty cute...
Google Maps directions from New York, New York to Paris, France *
*read carefully, and click on the popup for #23 :0)
Labels: musings
I listen to music almost all day while I'm at work. It's probably a bad idea, since I imagine that having headphones on all day isn't good for the ol' ears....
These couple of lines really stood out to me just now:
"At the end of myself and the end of the day,
I can find little else but the courage to say,
'I need you'
...that's all"
I'm learning that there's mature truth in that :0)
Labels: god, music, musings, perspective