These statistics will get you thinking.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Swine Flu Pandemic or Fear Epidemic?
Just got word from some that they’re not coming to church until the Swine Flu pandemic passes.
I also talked to a pastor who has installed hand sanitizers at the entry of their church as a precautionary measure. I jokingly told him that it could double as an outreach to people who struggle with OCD. He didn’t think I was very funny.
I’m planning to take a team to Mexico this summer. I thought I better get informed (not by watching the news, but by really reading about what is going on). I discovered that there have been 20 people confirmed with Swine Flu in the U.S. 2 have been hospitalized. One has died. This is tragic and it could get worse, but is it really time to start closing schools and churches (as suggested by some)?
I must confess that I am not motivated by fear. Whether it be Y2K or flying on a jet, I like to look at hard facts and base my response on the realities. I will admit I tend to be on the opposite side of fear (borderline adrenaline junkie), so I am not always the best judge.
At the same time, I have more important things to worry about then the zero confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Washington State. How about the family that is broken by divorce and drugs? How about the neighbor who is fighting depression? How about sharing the Good News? How about really looking at REALITY rather than CNN or the CDC’s suggestions based on the “possible” cases?
Some of you surely don’t like what I’m saying. Sorry, but this is a bit of who I am and your caution may help keep me in balance.
I also talked to a pastor who has installed hand sanitizers at the entry of their church as a precautionary measure. I jokingly told him that it could double as an outreach to people who struggle with OCD. He didn’t think I was very funny.
I’m planning to take a team to Mexico this summer. I thought I better get informed (not by watching the news, but by really reading about what is going on). I discovered that there have been 20 people confirmed with Swine Flu in the U.S. 2 have been hospitalized. One has died. This is tragic and it could get worse, but is it really time to start closing schools and churches (as suggested by some)?
I must confess that I am not motivated by fear. Whether it be Y2K or flying on a jet, I like to look at hard facts and base my response on the realities. I will admit I tend to be on the opposite side of fear (borderline adrenaline junkie), so I am not always the best judge.
At the same time, I have more important things to worry about then the zero confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Washington State. How about the family that is broken by divorce and drugs? How about the neighbor who is fighting depression? How about sharing the Good News? How about really looking at REALITY rather than CNN or the CDC’s suggestions based on the “possible” cases?
Some of you surely don’t like what I’m saying. Sorry, but this is a bit of who I am and your caution may help keep me in balance.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A Prostitute's Easter
Here is another missionary update that I received today. It gives one a glimpse into another culture and another "front line" of God's grace and His activity. Take a look...
I'm back in Athens after my quick trip to Seattle. It was great to connect with those of you I could - 2 weeks is definitely not enough time! But I enjoyed seeing the budding spring in Seattle, and sharing our amazing parks with Erik. I wanted to ask for prayer for an upcoming awareness raising show we are putting on on May 29th in a theatre space donated by the city of Athens. Some local artists have graciously donated their talent and time to put together a music and theatre event to raise public awareness about the issue of trafficking and our organization's work. We haven't ever put something like this together, and though we've been working on it, many things still haven't quite fallen in place, particularly for the advertising. This is one more way by which we seek to be a witness to an audience (of 600+) which may not think well of Christians. And it's one more opportunity to see God at work, as we attempt to pull something off that is truly a God-sized event. Please pray for protection, provision, wisdom... And the following is an account about our Easter outreach written by Britt Kroll, who is halfway through an internship with us. Enjoy!
the eve before my first greek easter, i stood in a square outside a traditional orthodox church in the center of athens. i did my best to absorb the new everything around me. the sights & sounds of this celebration: the priests singing into the cold night, surrounded by a mesmerized crowd, in which the soft glow of candlelight was slowing growing. the gradual walk through plaka, shared with friends trying to keep their light the whole way home. the calm city, with only church bells to break its rare silence. anticipating the taste of lamb for our easter lunch the following afternoon …
as i reflected back on this easter season, which had started weeks before, the picture unfolded into nea zoi’s special holiday outreaches. the senses of easter were much different here. the sight of a dark stairway, lit by a single dim dulb above its doorway. the sound of loud dance music to greet us at the entrance - a constant reminder of the cheap party some women are forced to attend. the smell of cigarettes, perhaps from a previous customer. the warming affect of a smile & “kalo paska!” in a crowded & uncomfortable place. the taste of chocolate in our gifts, sharing a celebration. the shy welcome of a girl, telling her name or country of origin with hesitation. one girl in particular stands out in my mind from our visits. tanya works in a brothel that is a longer walk from our outreach center. she is bulgarian, and immediately welcomed my friend & i inside. she was not busy at the time & we had a chance to sit with tanya & her madam for several minutes. they both accepted candles, and were interested in discussing the easter holiday & what we do as an organization. tanya has been in this work since she was a young teen, and is now in her mid-20’s. she was open to hearing about nea zoi & she had such a welcoming & kind heart! i was thankful that we had a chance to meet tanya, and know we were only able to make this far-away connection because of our unique easter outreaches, in which we cover more ground. we know many other bulgarian women like tanya, and it is my hope that we can continue to have positive contacts with as many as possible.
these are the visions that fly through my mind as i reflect on nea zoi’s easter season - a time of sharing true, vibrant life in a dull & colorless world. i pray these gifts are received well & that the hope of something different lingers in their minds.
Thanks for your prayers.-- Emma Skjonsby Manousaridou
Nea Zoi: Association for the Support & Restoration of Individuals in Prostitution
Vilara 7Athens, Greece
I'm back in Athens after my quick trip to Seattle. It was great to connect with those of you I could - 2 weeks is definitely not enough time! But I enjoyed seeing the budding spring in Seattle, and sharing our amazing parks with Erik. I wanted to ask for prayer for an upcoming awareness raising show we are putting on on May 29th in a theatre space donated by the city of Athens. Some local artists have graciously donated their talent and time to put together a music and theatre event to raise public awareness about the issue of trafficking and our organization's work. We haven't ever put something like this together, and though we've been working on it, many things still haven't quite fallen in place, particularly for the advertising. This is one more way by which we seek to be a witness to an audience (of 600+) which may not think well of Christians. And it's one more opportunity to see God at work, as we attempt to pull something off that is truly a God-sized event. Please pray for protection, provision, wisdom... And the following is an account about our Easter outreach written by Britt Kroll, who is halfway through an internship with us. Enjoy!
the eve before my first greek easter, i stood in a square outside a traditional orthodox church in the center of athens. i did my best to absorb the new everything around me. the sights & sounds of this celebration: the priests singing into the cold night, surrounded by a mesmerized crowd, in which the soft glow of candlelight was slowing growing. the gradual walk through plaka, shared with friends trying to keep their light the whole way home. the calm city, with only church bells to break its rare silence. anticipating the taste of lamb for our easter lunch the following afternoon …
as i reflected back on this easter season, which had started weeks before, the picture unfolded into nea zoi’s special holiday outreaches. the senses of easter were much different here. the sight of a dark stairway, lit by a single dim dulb above its doorway. the sound of loud dance music to greet us at the entrance - a constant reminder of the cheap party some women are forced to attend. the smell of cigarettes, perhaps from a previous customer. the warming affect of a smile & “kalo paska!” in a crowded & uncomfortable place. the taste of chocolate in our gifts, sharing a celebration. the shy welcome of a girl, telling her name or country of origin with hesitation. one girl in particular stands out in my mind from our visits. tanya works in a brothel that is a longer walk from our outreach center. she is bulgarian, and immediately welcomed my friend & i inside. she was not busy at the time & we had a chance to sit with tanya & her madam for several minutes. they both accepted candles, and were interested in discussing the easter holiday & what we do as an organization. tanya has been in this work since she was a young teen, and is now in her mid-20’s. she was open to hearing about nea zoi & she had such a welcoming & kind heart! i was thankful that we had a chance to meet tanya, and know we were only able to make this far-away connection because of our unique easter outreaches, in which we cover more ground. we know many other bulgarian women like tanya, and it is my hope that we can continue to have positive contacts with as many as possible.
these are the visions that fly through my mind as i reflect on nea zoi’s easter season - a time of sharing true, vibrant life in a dull & colorless world. i pray these gifts are received well & that the hope of something different lingers in their minds.
Thanks for your prayers.-- Emma Skjonsby Manousaridou
Nea Zoi: Association for the Support & Restoration of Individuals in Prostitution
Vilara 7Athens, Greece
China's Martyrs
A close friend of mine who is a missionary in Asia (including China) sent me these photos and this report of a recent persecution of Christians there. This is a first hand account, but I have withheld his name for his own security. I also edited and didn't publish one of the photos because they were too graphic for me. The truth is hard to swallow, but this is what God sees every day.
This is not meant to be a political statement. I post this as a report from one of my missionary friends:
"Hey everyone what you are about to see is very graphic but it will let you know what the Chinese government really does to the people who call themselves Christians. The people that die are true Christians and Americans really need to know what the Christians are going through in all the other parts of the World. If this happened to the Christians here in America I bet more than half would fall away from Christ so they wouldn't have to die for their faith. You need to take a good look at the pictures of this poor woman that that was martyred for her faith in Christ and really pray to God of these Christians that are dieing left and right for their faith. You need to also look where you are at with Christ because in the next 15 years this could be you who are getting shot in the head by a high powered rifle and getting your head blown into pieces just because you have a relationship with our awesome God. God Bless,"
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Chaos to Movement - The First 500 Years of the Church
"God started with chaos and from it emerged a movement"
"Chaos is the canvas of God"
One of my twittering friend (JohnFehlen) just posted these statements on Twitter and I thought "If there was ever an example of this, it is the history of the early church." It also could be your testimony.
Persecution, madness, crazy cults, amazing leaders, courage, confusion, miracles & martyrs -- this is part of the mix that the Holy Spirit worked through while the Church grew.
We are on part 2 of a "Church History class" on Wednesday nights and tonight I am teaching on the first 500 years of the Church
PPT is HERE.
Post your questions here. I am not a historian but I have some great resources to look through.
"Chaos is the canvas of God"
One of my twittering friend (JohnFehlen) just posted these statements on Twitter and I thought "If there was ever an example of this, it is the history of the early church." It also could be your testimony.
Persecution, madness, crazy cults, amazing leaders, courage, confusion, miracles & martyrs -- this is part of the mix that the Holy Spirit worked through while the Church grew.
We are on part 2 of a "Church History class" on Wednesday nights and tonight I am teaching on the first 500 years of the Church
PPT is HERE.
Post your questions here. I am not a historian but I have some great resources to look through.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Staying Confident in a Pessimistic World
Here is the Power Point and audio from this morning's sermon...
The story of Thomas and the challenge of having a growing confidence in God.
POWER POINT
Audio
The story of Thomas and the challenge of having a growing confidence in God.
POWER POINT
Audio
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Unbelievable?
Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Is the glass half empty or half full? I'm glad Jesus chose both kinds of people when He chose the disciples. This weekend we are going to be looking at the encounter "doubting Thomas" had with Jesus, one week after the resurrection (John 20). The title of my message is "Staying Confident in a Pessimistic World." This message is important because we all struggle with doubts. Yes, we might "believe," but there are times when our behavior expresses more confidence in ourselves than it does in God. A growing confidence in God is one of the characteristics of a growing life.
Belief:
•Not a state of being but a state of doing
•Not about how you think but how you act
•Not intellectual its behavioral
I look forward to talking with you about this over the weekend.
Podcast and notes will be posted...
Read John 20 to get a "head start".
Belief:
•Not a state of being but a state of doing
•Not about how you think but how you act
•Not intellectual its behavioral
I look forward to talking with you about this over the weekend.
Podcast and notes will be posted...
Read John 20 to get a "head start".
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Last Words of Jesus
This is the manuscript I have written for the 7th and final "last words of Jesus" for tonight's Good Friday service.
The seventh and final word spoken by Jesus from the cross.
(Luke 23:46) “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Immediately after Jesus spoke those words He breathed his last breath.
The temple veil was torn. An earthquake shook the city of Jerusalem and those who witnessed His death declared, “Surely he was the son of God!” This was a turning point in history. His death shook the world and has been shaking our world ever since.
When I consider these words that Jesus spoke, I am reminded that Jesus wasn’t merely a victim of a cruel form a capital punishment.
He wasn’t the victim of confused religious zealots.
He chose the time of His death.
In John 10:18 Jesus declared, “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again."
Normally, death by crucifixion took a LONG time. Typically it took many hours, sometimes it took several days. People call that process “fighting death”. Jesus fought death and death lost the fight.
Perhaps Satan thought he had won as Jesus was dying on that cross. Perhaps Satan thought he had just achieved victory but in that moment a turn around takes place.
Jesus goes from being abused and tortured, to being triumphant and in control.
He wasn’t a victim, He was a victor.
In an act of His will Jesus quotes what David had written long before in Psalm 31:5, “Into your hands I commit my spirit”.
The last words of His life show us that He was in control of His destiny and He invites us to do the same by saying the very same words,
“Father, into your hands, I commit my Spirit.”
We have the opportunity to do in life what He did in death, and that is to entrust our eternity in the hands of our creator.
These are the words that take us from being a victim, to being victorious.
Would you do tonight in life what Jesus did in death? Would you pray and declare to God, “into your hands I commit my spirit”. Some see these as words of death.
God sees these as words of victorious life.
I invite you to make these words your own.
Today we remember His victory.
(Luke 23:46) “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Immediately after Jesus spoke those words He breathed his last breath.
The temple veil was torn. An earthquake shook the city of Jerusalem and those who witnessed His death declared, “Surely he was the son of God!” This was a turning point in history. His death shook the world and has been shaking our world ever since.
When I consider these words that Jesus spoke, I am reminded that Jesus wasn’t merely a victim of a cruel form a capital punishment.
He wasn’t the victim of confused religious zealots.
He chose the time of His death.
In John 10:18 Jesus declared, “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again."
Normally, death by crucifixion took a LONG time. Typically it took many hours, sometimes it took several days. People call that process “fighting death”. Jesus fought death and death lost the fight.
Perhaps Satan thought he had won as Jesus was dying on that cross. Perhaps Satan thought he had just achieved victory but in that moment a turn around takes place.
Jesus goes from being abused and tortured, to being triumphant and in control.
He wasn’t a victim, He was a victor.
In an act of His will Jesus quotes what David had written long before in Psalm 31:5, “Into your hands I commit my spirit”.
The last words of His life show us that He was in control of His destiny and He invites us to do the same by saying the very same words,
“Father, into your hands, I commit my Spirit.”
We have the opportunity to do in life what He did in death, and that is to entrust our eternity in the hands of our creator.
These are the words that take us from being a victim, to being victorious.
Would you do tonight in life what Jesus did in death? Would you pray and declare to God, “into your hands I commit my spirit”. Some see these as words of death.
God sees these as words of victorious life.
I invite you to make these words your own.
Today we remember His victory.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Extreme Makeover
Did you know that the Bible describes God as an architect and a builder? This weekend I will be speaking about the renovation or rebuild that God wants to do in each of us. For me, having just turned 40, it is a great message - to be encouraged to let Him do the things that are needed to shape me further into His image. Here is an unpublished poem that describes a conversation between God and a person who isn't they want to experience His renovation. Power Point is HERE!
Audio is HERE!
Covenant
God
Knocks at my door
Seeking a home for his son.
Rent is cheap, I say.
I don’t want to rent. I want to buy, says God.
I’m not sure I want to sell,
But you might come in to look around.
I think I will, says God.
I might let you have a room or two.
I like it, says God. I’ll take the two.
You might decide to give me more some day.
I can wait, says God.
I’d like to give you more,
But it’s a bit difficult. I need some space for me.
I know, says God, but I’ll wait. I like what I see.
Hmm, maybe I can let you have another room.
I really don’t need that much.
Thanks, says God, I’ll take it. I like what I see.
I’d like to give you the whole house
But I’m not sure…
Think on it, says God. I wouldn’t put you out.
Your house would be mine and my son would live in it.
You’d have more space than you’d ever had before.
I don’t understand at all.
I know, says God, but I can’t tell you about that.
You’ll have to discover it for yourself.
That can only happen if you let me have the whole house.
A bit risky, I say.
Yes, says God, but try me.
I’m not sure—
I’ll let you know.
I can wait, says God. I like what I see.
Margaret Halaska
God
Knocks at my door
Seeking a home for his son.
Rent is cheap, I say.
I don’t want to rent. I want to buy, says God.
I’m not sure I want to sell,
But you might come in to look around.
I think I will, says God.
I might let you have a room or two.
I like it, says God. I’ll take the two.
You might decide to give me more some day.
I can wait, says God.
I’d like to give you more,
But it’s a bit difficult. I need some space for me.
I know, says God, but I’ll wait. I like what I see.
Hmm, maybe I can let you have another room.
I really don’t need that much.
Thanks, says God, I’ll take it. I like what I see.
I’d like to give you the whole house
But I’m not sure…
Think on it, says God. I wouldn’t put you out.
Your house would be mine and my son would live in it.
You’d have more space than you’d ever had before.
I don’t understand at all.
I know, says God, but I can’t tell you about that.
You’ll have to discover it for yourself.
That can only happen if you let me have the whole house.
A bit risky, I say.
Yes, says God, but try me.
I’m not sure—
I’ll let you know.
I can wait, says God. I like what I see.
Margaret Halaska
Friday, April 03, 2009
Jr. High Team in Rosarito
Last night our Jr. High Team safely arrived in Mexico where they will be ministering for the next week. You can follow them on their blog at: http://eastsidechurch-uturnjrhigh.blogspot.com/. Remember them in your prayers. They are helping with a Hope Chapel church plant in Rosarito.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)