This reminds me of one time when I was at 'Big Break' with Campus Crusade in Panama City Beach.
We went in teams to witness to tipsy college students on the beach every day (which was actually a great experience). One day I got paired with this freshman who was still pretty innocent with regard to sharing his faith. At the end of the day I noticed, for the first time, that his hat said, "I'm not arrogant, I'm just smarter than you."
Labels: Spiritual Thought Of The Day
Check out this awesome article. It really highlights what's involved and at stake for many Central Asians.
Here's an excerpt:
When Sherzod, who recently graduated from Jacksonville (Ark.) High School, telephoned his Muslim parents in Uzbekistan to tell them of his newfound faith, his father disowned him, making it clear he was no longer welcome in his home and was never again to speak to his mother or his siblings. He withdrew all funds from Sherzod's U.S. bank account, arranged to cancel his son's U.S. sponsorship and college scholarship and even drew up legal papers declaring Sherzod is no longer his son.
As devastating as that must be for an 18-year-old, Sherzod remains strong in his commitment to Christ.
"I am not sorry I accepted Christ," he said. "I am not sorry for getting baptized. Even though my parents did that, I am not sorry for anything that happened."
Labels: god, missions, news, perspective, pray
Check out this story about a family in NJ who had a backyard pool stolen during the night.
Having a pool stolen is no big deal I suppose, but it had 1,000 gallons of water in it, and nobody can figure out what happened to it. See for yourself:
Click here
Labels: news
Here's yet another article about how oppressive things are becoming in Central Asia. I also read that reporters from two of the best news sources for the truth about what's going on there were recently arrested and taken to a military prison.
Praise God for our freedom, and pray for theirs!
Labels: missions, news, perspective, pray
PB&J Campaign Wednesday, July 25, 2007 |
So, every couple of weeks, I head down to the 'quicky lube' -- or whatever it's called -- and the nice people there change my oil.
And of course they punch my car into their handy-dandy computer and tell me all the things I should pay them to fix... which is sometimes helpful and usually just makes it a tad bit harder to sleep at night.
This past time, they gave me this rediculous checklist and basically told me that my car needs some serious internal surgery -- to which I said, "Oh gosh, I'll have to have that looked at some time," but politely declined when they offered to get started for a reasonable fee.
Well, yesterday Dad took the car to the Toyota dealership where he works and some of his trusted friends took a look just to see if there are any major problems. Last night he called me to tell me the damage. Here's how the conversation started:
Dad: "Hey son, how are you doing?"
Me: "Good. We're just getting ready to have a little dinner."
Dad: "Hmmm... I have some information about your car. Do you want me to call back after dinner?"
Me: "Eek. No - What's the damage?"
Dad: "Have a seat and get a pen."
He proceeded to tell me that I need a new radiator, rear axle, brake lines, rack and pinion system, O-rings, gaskets, oil pan, some kind of valve... oh and windshield wipers
- which is going to cost a grand total of $1,050 -- with his 'hey cut my son a break' discount...
How do you plan for that one in the ol' budget?
Labels: musings, news, perspective
Mom took a trip back west to visit most of her 11 brothers and sisters a couple of weeks ago. The quite extensive St. George clan is a beautiful bunch of folks. Have a look:
Labels: news, photography
Desiring God has some info about how you can put good theology in the hands of those who teach the Church in Africa:
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/732/
Labels: god, missions, piper, stewardship
Home Alone Thursday, July 19, 2007 |
So, my wife is out of town without me for the first time since we've been married.
This isn't the first time we've been apart -- I took our youth group to camp for a few days. But this is the first time that I've been the one home alone.
I'm a bachelor for the first time in over a year.
I don't know what to do.
Last night I came home after church, ate some leftover chinese and a bowl of cereal, and watched half of 'White Chicks'. I didn't really enjoy it, I just didn't want to go to bed alone. I even thought about sleeping on the couch...
Thank you Jesus, for my wife :0)
Come home soon honey!
Labels: introspective, musings
Last night, Steph and I celebrated 5 (awesome) months of marriage by going to see Transformers.
Those of you who know me well know that it's hard to get me to be over-the-top about a movie. I gave "Pirates 1" a 9, "Pirates 2" a 6, and "Pirates 3" a 7. I gave "Spiderman 3" a 7. All of the LOTR movies together get about a 9.
I don't like my movies to be too predictable, cheesy, cliche, boring or exhausting.
I'm a tough customer.
I give Transformers a 13. They knocked it out of the park. I love everything about it. It was funny, witty, exciting... it shows off the new Camaro that's coming out soon... it has a great message... and it's just fantastic enough that I didn't care how realistic it was. Go see it -- today.
And on a completely unrelated note, something very important came from the Vatican yesterday.
Read about it here. And here. Share you thoughts. I'll share mine :0)
Here's a snippet, in case you're tempted to skip reading the link:
With Pope Benedict XVI's blessing, the Vatican released a document Tuesday that said the Catholic Church is the one true church and other Christian bodies shouldn't be called churches.
Labels: musings, news
Hey boys and girls!
If you don't check out the 'Astronomy Picture of the Day' on a regular basis, you are missing out!
Check this out*: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0707/pelicanzoom_alves.mov
*Be patient: It'll take a couple of minutes...
Labels: creation, god, perspective, photography, worship
