Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
DECEMBER 08: e.postcard update
Too much time on my hands...
Friday, December 26, 2008
He Qi: Flight into Egypt
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Nativty #17: A Painting from PNG
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
from a guy named Joe on flickr
Monday, December 22, 2008
Nativity #16: Made in Peru
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Nativity #15: Simplicity
Monday, December 15, 2008
Nativity #14: Can you say "Hobby Lobby"?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Nativity # 13: Stained Glass and Fresh Flowers
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Nativity #12: Dansk Crystal
Friday, December 12, 2008
Christmas Greetings sent...
Nativity #11: With Poinsettias from Costa Rica
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Nativity #9 & #10: Out of Africa
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Psalm 139: PART TWO
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139 (PART ONE)
and you know me.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
too lofty for me to attain.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Nativity #8: Palm Trees
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Nativity#7: Can you tell?
Friday, December 05, 2008
Nativity #6: Tom Clark
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Nativity #5: "Ding Dong" Avon Calling
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Simple Math
"Is this good enough?"
"Are we okay with this pace, knowing that it means a few more generations of people from thousands of language communities will enter eternity having never heard God speak (except, in some cases, as a foreigner)?"
"If we are not okay with this pace, can we do anything about it? Should we do anything about it?"
Simple math (the kind I can wrap my head around) shows that we'll need to start a translation program every 3 days in order to be entering the last languages in this generation -- by the year 2025.
In a few months we will be able to say that Vision 2025 (a vision to see Bible translation in progress in every language community needing one by the year 2025) is 10 years old. In that decade we have experienced the greatest acceleration of the pace of Bible translation that the Church has ever known, cutting off more than 100 years from the projected date for entering the last languages. New translation programs are starting at a pace of more than one per week.
While that is fantastic -- while we are celebrating all that God has accomplished in us, through us, and in spite of us -- Wycliffe is committed to ongoing acceleration. We continue to have a holy discontent and until God puts out that fire within us, we will keep doing what we know to do.
Pray continuously.
Love justice and mercy.
Walk in humble obedience to God and His Word.
Work hard - always giving credit to God for all He does.
Invite everyone to participate.
Get out of God's way.
HEBREWS 12: 1-3 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Nativity #4: Precious Moments and other "chains"
Monday, December 01, 2008
Nativity #3: "...three things I love about this one."
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Nativity #2: Happy 40th Birthday
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Nativity #1 - from Peru
Friday, November 28, 2008
Decorating for Christmas
Thursday, November 27, 2008
A Day for Giving Thanks
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!
For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!
Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
Thats an easy way to start!
For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
iTunes: Recommendations?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thinking about what motivates us...me...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thinking about prayer on Wycliffe's annual DAY OF PRAYER
God has called us into a relationship with Himself. Relationships require communication. Prayer is communication between a holy God and a beloved you and me. Throughout God's Word we're taught the significance and role of prayer.
GOD COMMANDS US TO PRAY.
“In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me in earnest, you will find Me when you seek Me” (Jeremiah 29:12,13, NLT).
God wants to be in relationship with us. And He knows we need what He can give. Through prayer, we experience life-transforming, life-renewing intimacy with the Creator of the universe.
GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO US THROUGH PRAYER.
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing” (Psalm 143:10, NLT).
We learn more and more about His character and how His perfect will is working itself out in our own life. Deepening our understanding of God also deepens our faith and desire to worship.
GOD INVITES US TO BRING OUR BURDENS AND NEEDS TO HIM IN PRAYER.
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NLT).
We have a Heavenly Father who is more than able to bring victory to any challenge we face. God is a spiritual and physical healer. Like any healthy relationship, we must keep a line of communication open.
GOD RESPONDS TO THE PRAYERS OF HIS PEOPLE.
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results” (James 5:16b, NLT).
It is through prayer, that His work is accomplished on earth. The apostle Paul continually asked for prayer in his missionary endeavors and saw prayer as vital to his success.
GOD IMPARTS WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING THROUGH PRAYER.
“If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking” (James 1:5, NLT).
As we become increasingly aware of our limitations, we can rest in the knowledge that our God is omniscient. Availing ourselves of God’s counsel is a blessing of prayer.
GOD EXERCISES HIS AUTHORITY AND ABILITY TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF HIS PEOPLE.
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22, NLT).
Our hearts pound with great confidence as we take mighty tasks to our exceedingly mighty Lord.
GOD EXTENDS HIS POWER TO US THROUGH PRAYER SO THAT WE MAY RESIST TEMPTATION.
“Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!” (Matthew 26:41, NLT)
With prayer, you always have a proven shield of protection available. Just say the word.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Last Languages Celebration: INVITATION
Friday, November 07, 2008
47th Birthday Cupcake Extravaganza
Thursday, November 06, 2008
47 Treats and a VERY DISCIPLINED Cootie!!
XL7, FOUR eXampLe
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
If you are a U.S. citizen who is 18+, I have one thing to say to you:
Monday, November 03, 2008
Yahweh-nissi
Saturday, November 01, 2008
::NOVEMBER::
Friday, October 31, 2008
Booo!
I'm not a big fan of this holiday -- certainly not a fan of the way it has become second only to Christmas in consumer spending! That is ridiculous. And while I could get into a discussion of the reasons that followers of Christ should not celebrate this day v. why it is okay to let your kids go out and get free candy, that's not my intent.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Global _________ Crisis
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Made in Africa
While this video is about innovation and technology and Kenya, it also speaks beyond those parameters. If you like IDEAS or are motivated by CREATIVITY or if you love KENYA, you'll want to watch this.
The subject is interesting, but it is not important that you either understand the complexities of the technology or even see the importance of leveraging social media for the greater good.
What is important is how this will likely push you to take Africa out of the box you'd put it into. That alone is worth the 4:14 it will take to watch it.
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Russ Hersman (friend and colleague whose office is next door to mine) sent me a link to this video in an email. He is the appropriately proud father of the speaker/storyteller in the video.
Edde Arthur (friend and colleague who is the Director of Wycliffe UK) blogged about it. And now I'm blogging about it too.