Recording Dying Languages
This article is pretty interesting about a researcher doing language studies with languages that are dying off. Wow, I've really never thought about this before. And the ramifications for something like Bible translation, that keeps the language from dying, and sometimes consequently, the whole culture from dying...
- "A language doesn't fall over a precipice, it sort of slides into oblivion."
- Once I asked, "Can I use this word this way?" and the response was, "Of course, you're foreign, you can say a wrong thing. But I can't say that." (Foreign missionaries NEVER do stuff like that.)
-... to learn about how people communicate and how the human mind works. What are the categories that are important enough for people to express them in their languages? If these so-called "exotic" languages die, we'll be left with just one world view.
- every Amazonian society ever studied has a legend about a great flood.
- About 60-70 percent of linguistic diversity in the north-western region of Brazil has disappeared in the last 100 years.
Read it here.
Friday, January 30, 2004
Next SPACE Launch
So this SPACE kids come through again. We went and scoped out the next Launch.... I'll talk more about it when it gets closer. Very cool though. Going to do something unconventional to celebrate Valentines Day. Think a party that's totally out of the box. Yeah.
We also talked about these two statements:
1 - The church of God has a mission in the world.
2 - The God of mission has a church in the world.
Which one is right and why?
It made for some good discussion, especially after we framed them and talked about the previous four launches and which ones were relevant to statement #1 or #2.
Just for the record, #2 is really the right one. Debate among yourselves in the comments...
So this SPACE kids come through again. We went and scoped out the next Launch.... I'll talk more about it when it gets closer. Very cool though. Going to do something unconventional to celebrate Valentines Day. Think a party that's totally out of the box. Yeah.
We also talked about these two statements:
1 - The church of God has a mission in the world.
2 - The God of mission has a church in the world.
Which one is right and why?
It made for some good discussion, especially after we framed them and talked about the previous four launches and which ones were relevant to statement #1 or #2.
Just for the record, #2 is really the right one. Debate among yourselves in the comments...
Thursday, January 29, 2004
P&P 2
So we had this big work party tonight. It was quite a party, literally. There was a great dinner, an open bar, a live band, and lots of socializing, at one of the best restaurants in DC. Very fun. It was really a great time for a job well done, the execs really pulled out all the strings to throw this gala event. They really did a nice job.
My friend CW came too, even though he left the company a few months ago, he was invited, because he was a contributor to our successes. It was great to catch up with him, and we continued the conversation we had started during his final days as an employee. We talked about a decision point, The Passion movie, and differences in religions. The most significant thing we talked about, certainly, was my story of the P&P strategy, and thinking about him and giving him that book. How Joe pressed him for what book, and then hearing that Joe had gotten the same book as a gift the next day. CW said that he didn't think it was a coincidence at all, I of course agree. He and his fam also went to a church a few weeks ago, and they liked it. It sounded a lot like Grace. Your prayers for CW and his continuing to investigate and research would be great news.
So we had this big work party tonight. It was quite a party, literally. There was a great dinner, an open bar, a live band, and lots of socializing, at one of the best restaurants in DC. Very fun. It was really a great time for a job well done, the execs really pulled out all the strings to throw this gala event. They really did a nice job.
My friend CW came too, even though he left the company a few months ago, he was invited, because he was a contributor to our successes. It was great to catch up with him, and we continued the conversation we had started during his final days as an employee. We talked about a decision point, The Passion movie, and differences in religions. The most significant thing we talked about, certainly, was my story of the P&P strategy, and thinking about him and giving him that book. How Joe pressed him for what book, and then hearing that Joe had gotten the same book as a gift the next day. CW said that he didn't think it was a coincidence at all, I of course agree. He and his fam also went to a church a few weeks ago, and they liked it. It sounded a lot like Grace. Your prayers for CW and his continuing to investigate and research would be great news.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Waking the Dead 3 - Fellowships of the Heart
- It Must Be Small
This small core fellowship is the essential ingredient for the Christian life. Jesus modeled it for us for a reason.
- It Must Be Intimate
Of course, small groups have become a part of the programming that most churches offer their people. For the most part, they are short-lived. There are two reasons. First, you can’t just throw a random group of people together for a twelve-week study of some kind and expect them to become intimate allies.
“All the believers were one in heart.” Acts 4:32 It means they all loved the same thing, they all wanted the same thing, and they were bonded together to find it, come hell or high water. And hell or high water will come, friends, and this will be the test of whether or not your band will make it: if you are one in heart. My goodness- churches split over the size of the parking lot or what instruments to use during worship. Most churches are not ‘one in heart.’
Second, most small groups are anything but redemptive powerhouses because, while the wineskin, might be the right size, they don’t have the right wine. You can do some study till you’re blue in the face, and it won’t heal the brokenhearted or set the captives free. We come; we learn; we leave. It is not enough. Those hearts remain buried, broken, untouched, unknown. It is knowing that you are at war, that God has chosen you and evil is hunting you, and so a fellowship like Frodo’s must protect you.
- It Will Be Messy
“The family is… like a little kingdom, and, like most other little kingdoms, is generally in a state of something resembling anarchy.” – G.K. Chesterton
It is a royal mess. It is disruptive. Going to church with hundreds of other people to sit and hear a sermon doesn’t ask much of you. It certainly will never expose you. That’s why most folks prefer it. Because community will. We have settled for safety in numbers – a comfortable, anonymous distance. An army that keeps meeting for briefings, but never breaks into platoons and goes to war.
Living in community is like camping together. For a month. In the desert. Without tents. All your stuff is scattered out there for everyone to see. Some philosopher described it like a pack of porcupines on a winter night. You come together because of the cold, and you are forced apart because of the spines.
However, there are two things you now have that you didn’t have before, and they enable this sort of fellowship to work. First, you know the heart is good. That is the missing key in most fellowships. Your heart is good and the other’s hearts are good. This makes it so much easier to trust and to forgive. Whatever may be happening in the moment, whatever the misunderstanding might be, I know that our hearts toward one another are good, and that we are for one another.
Second, we know that we are at war. The thought that says, “Oh, brother, here goes Frank again. Why can’t he just drop it about his mother? What is it with these people? The’re not really my friends.” That’s the enemy. You must remember that the Enemy is always trying to pull everyone else to do to you what he is doing to you. As I said earlier, he creates a kind of force field, a gravitational pull around you that draws others into the plot without their even knowing it. “If you cant get it right, we don’t want to be with you.” It’s a lie. It’s the Enemy. I don’t feel that way toward him really. But unless I live with this awareness, keep a watchful eye out for it, and resist, I’ll get sucked into the pull, start making agreements with it, and there goes the friendship.
- Fight For It
“Be kind, for everyone you know is facing a great battle” – Philo of Alexandria
A true community is something you’ll have to fight for. You;ll have to fight to get one, and you;ll have to fight to keep it afloat. But you fight for it as you bail out a life raft during a storm at sea. You want this thing to work. You need this thing to work. You can’t ditch it and jump back on the cruise ship. This is the church, this is all you have. Without it, you’ll go down. Or back to captivity. This is the reason small house fellowships thrive in other countries: they need each other. There are no other options.
Suddenly, all those “one another’s” in Scripture make sense. Acts of kindness become deeply meaning full because we know we are war. Knowing full well that we all are facing battles of our own, we give one another the benefit of the doubt.
Wow.... We just started with a growth group this past Fall. Some great couples in it, and to be honest, we kind of hand picked it with people that we already knew, that we had worked with in ministry before, because of some of the reasons Eldredge refers to above. We started with three couples in the Fall, the other two we knew pretty well, and worked with together in YouthMin for literally years. Like about 5 years. We have shared passions, the same kind of calling, see the same kind of perspective. We just added a fourth couple, and they are a great mix. When I think about these three other couples, the word 'sacrifice' comes to mind. I'm pretty sure I could call them in the middle of the night if I needed to. And I think they would feel the same about us.
- It Must Be Small
This small core fellowship is the essential ingredient for the Christian life. Jesus modeled it for us for a reason.
- It Must Be Intimate
Of course, small groups have become a part of the programming that most churches offer their people. For the most part, they are short-lived. There are two reasons. First, you can’t just throw a random group of people together for a twelve-week study of some kind and expect them to become intimate allies.
“All the believers were one in heart.” Acts 4:32 It means they all loved the same thing, they all wanted the same thing, and they were bonded together to find it, come hell or high water. And hell or high water will come, friends, and this will be the test of whether or not your band will make it: if you are one in heart. My goodness- churches split over the size of the parking lot or what instruments to use during worship. Most churches are not ‘one in heart.’
Second, most small groups are anything but redemptive powerhouses because, while the wineskin, might be the right size, they don’t have the right wine. You can do some study till you’re blue in the face, and it won’t heal the brokenhearted or set the captives free. We come; we learn; we leave. It is not enough. Those hearts remain buried, broken, untouched, unknown. It is knowing that you are at war, that God has chosen you and evil is hunting you, and so a fellowship like Frodo’s must protect you.
- It Will Be Messy
“The family is… like a little kingdom, and, like most other little kingdoms, is generally in a state of something resembling anarchy.” – G.K. Chesterton
It is a royal mess. It is disruptive. Going to church with hundreds of other people to sit and hear a sermon doesn’t ask much of you. It certainly will never expose you. That’s why most folks prefer it. Because community will. We have settled for safety in numbers – a comfortable, anonymous distance. An army that keeps meeting for briefings, but never breaks into platoons and goes to war.
Living in community is like camping together. For a month. In the desert. Without tents. All your stuff is scattered out there for everyone to see. Some philosopher described it like a pack of porcupines on a winter night. You come together because of the cold, and you are forced apart because of the spines.
However, there are two things you now have that you didn’t have before, and they enable this sort of fellowship to work. First, you know the heart is good. That is the missing key in most fellowships. Your heart is good and the other’s hearts are good. This makes it so much easier to trust and to forgive. Whatever may be happening in the moment, whatever the misunderstanding might be, I know that our hearts toward one another are good, and that we are for one another.
Second, we know that we are at war. The thought that says, “Oh, brother, here goes Frank again. Why can’t he just drop it about his mother? What is it with these people? The’re not really my friends.” That’s the enemy. You must remember that the Enemy is always trying to pull everyone else to do to you what he is doing to you. As I said earlier, he creates a kind of force field, a gravitational pull around you that draws others into the plot without their even knowing it. “If you cant get it right, we don’t want to be with you.” It’s a lie. It’s the Enemy. I don’t feel that way toward him really. But unless I live with this awareness, keep a watchful eye out for it, and resist, I’ll get sucked into the pull, start making agreements with it, and there goes the friendship.
- Fight For It
“Be kind, for everyone you know is facing a great battle” – Philo of Alexandria
A true community is something you’ll have to fight for. You;ll have to fight to get one, and you;ll have to fight to keep it afloat. But you fight for it as you bail out a life raft during a storm at sea. You want this thing to work. You need this thing to work. You can’t ditch it and jump back on the cruise ship. This is the church, this is all you have. Without it, you’ll go down. Or back to captivity. This is the reason small house fellowships thrive in other countries: they need each other. There are no other options.
Suddenly, all those “one another’s” in Scripture make sense. Acts of kindness become deeply meaning full because we know we are war. Knowing full well that we all are facing battles of our own, we give one another the benefit of the doubt.
Wow.... We just started with a growth group this past Fall. Some great couples in it, and to be honest, we kind of hand picked it with people that we already knew, that we had worked with in ministry before, because of some of the reasons Eldredge refers to above. We started with three couples in the Fall, the other two we knew pretty well, and worked with together in YouthMin for literally years. Like about 5 years. We have shared passions, the same kind of calling, see the same kind of perspective. We just added a fourth couple, and they are a great mix. When I think about these three other couples, the word 'sacrifice' comes to mind. I'm pretty sure I could call them in the middle of the night if I needed to. And I think they would feel the same about us.
Evanescence
So, I don't exactly have a disposable income to buy all the latest music, although I would love to. In any case, since it was one of the top albums of 2003, I bought it. I wanted to buy it used, but D and I bought some other stuff from Amazon and got free shipping. I'm listening to it now, as I do more reading of Eldredge (the girlies are in bed...) Eldredge speaks a lot of seeing our lives as epic, and this album really fits the part. The music is so wide and expansive, listening to it convinces me that I'm integral to the battle, that the hour is desperate, that there is a war going on. It's interesting isn't it.
The other thing that comes to mind about it is that its kind of a dark record when you first listen to it. But the words are so heavy. Our culture is looking for spiritual answers... Enough that the album sold 3.4M copies...
i tried to kill the pain
but only brought more
i lay dying
and i'm pouring crimson regret and betrayal
i'm dying praying bleeding and screaming
am i too lost to be saved
am i too lost?
my God my tourniquet
return to me salvation
my God my tourniquet
return to me salvation
do you remember me
lost for so long
will you be on the other side
or will you forget me
i'm dying praying bleeding and screaming
am i too lost to be saved
am i too lost?
So, I don't exactly have a disposable income to buy all the latest music, although I would love to. In any case, since it was one of the top albums of 2003, I bought it. I wanted to buy it used, but D and I bought some other stuff from Amazon and got free shipping. I'm listening to it now, as I do more reading of Eldredge (the girlies are in bed...) Eldredge speaks a lot of seeing our lives as epic, and this album really fits the part. The music is so wide and expansive, listening to it convinces me that I'm integral to the battle, that the hour is desperate, that there is a war going on. It's interesting isn't it.
The other thing that comes to mind about it is that its kind of a dark record when you first listen to it. But the words are so heavy. Our culture is looking for spiritual answers... Enough that the album sold 3.4M copies...
i tried to kill the pain
but only brought more
i lay dying
and i'm pouring crimson regret and betrayal
i'm dying praying bleeding and screaming
am i too lost to be saved
am i too lost?
my God my tourniquet
return to me salvation
my God my tourniquet
return to me salvation
do you remember me
lost for so long
will you be on the other side
or will you forget me
i'm dying praying bleeding and screaming
am i too lost to be saved
am i too lost?
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Missions Bio
Found this bio of a missionary who works with Wycliffe.
- After twenty years of linguistic research, translation and literacy, and medical work, she completed the New Testament in 1982
- resulting in the establishment of indigenous churches in every Balangao village
Now that is some impact huh?
Found this bio of a missionary who works with Wycliffe.
- After twenty years of linguistic research, translation and literacy, and medical work, she completed the New Testament in 1982
- resulting in the establishment of indigenous churches in every Balangao village
Now that is some impact huh?
Year of the Monkey
Unfortunately, I'm not usually very big on Chinese New Year. And I'm Chinese!! It's pretty sad all in all. And if you know me, you know that the only Chinese culture I have in me is eating chinese food. I've tried to be better about it. I chose a people group in China for my Perspectives final paper, and been trying to expose my kids to more Chinese culture. But it's still bad. I've also often thought what kind of impact I could make as a Chinese person living here in the states, maybe Chinese youth ministry, or something like that. It really is a big culture difference, moreso than I ever used to think.
So this year, I took the girls to a Chinese New Year celebration they had at our county library. It was pretty cool, lots of little crafts, and a few little demonstrations and shows. They seemed to enjoy it. You can see pictures of them here.
Also, this is a cool link to see a Quicktime VR of the NYC Chinatown celebration.
Unfortunately, I'm not usually very big on Chinese New Year. And I'm Chinese!! It's pretty sad all in all. And if you know me, you know that the only Chinese culture I have in me is eating chinese food. I've tried to be better about it. I chose a people group in China for my Perspectives final paper, and been trying to expose my kids to more Chinese culture. But it's still bad. I've also often thought what kind of impact I could make as a Chinese person living here in the states, maybe Chinese youth ministry, or something like that. It really is a big culture difference, moreso than I ever used to think.
So this year, I took the girls to a Chinese New Year celebration they had at our county library. It was pretty cool, lots of little crafts, and a few little demonstrations and shows. They seemed to enjoy it. You can see pictures of them here.
Also, this is a cool link to see a Quicktime VR of the NYC Chinatown celebration.
Parents Panel
Our pastor to the Family, TS, asked D and I to participate in one of three parents panels that he is running, for preschoolers, elementary age kids and middle/high schoolers. Pretty cool, it's very flattering. When we both read the email, we were like, "Who, us?" Anyway, it's a pretty neat opportunity and not that we are experts.
Here is a snippet of what he wrote to us. "...seen in you a commitment to being a God honoring parent and one who knows the difference some encouragement and a few new ideas can make."
It sounds fun and like it could really be a great thing in very tangible terms. We are totally going to help out.
Our pastor to the Family, TS, asked D and I to participate in one of three parents panels that he is running, for preschoolers, elementary age kids and middle/high schoolers. Pretty cool, it's very flattering. When we both read the email, we were like, "Who, us?" Anyway, it's a pretty neat opportunity and not that we are experts.
Here is a snippet of what he wrote to us. "...seen in you a commitment to being a God honoring parent and one who knows the difference some encouragement and a few new ideas can make."
It sounds fun and like it could really be a great thing in very tangible terms. We are totally going to help out.
Monday, January 26, 2004
Day Job
More changes at my day job due to the mass excursion of people in November. The gist is that I now have a new boss. I think circumstances warrant some new individuals fitting in with the P&P strategy. Very intersting. In case you haven't heard about the first great P&P story (because I just know there are bound to be more), get in touch and I'll tell it to you.
More changes at my day job due to the mass excursion of people in November. The gist is that I now have a new boss. I think circumstances warrant some new individuals fitting in with the P&P strategy. Very intersting. In case you haven't heard about the first great P&P story (because I just know there are bound to be more), get in touch and I'll tell it to you.
Remote villages and email
Rural Cambodia and Wi-Fi
(free registration required)
This is pretty cool, how about incorporating this into a missions strategy?
Working from home in the snow
While watching this with the kids...
Who is Brit's hero?
Article here. Hmm. Very interesting...
Rural Cambodia and Wi-Fi
(free registration required)
This is pretty cool, how about incorporating this into a missions strategy?
Working from home in the snow
While watching this with the kids...
Who is Brit's hero?
Article here. Hmm. Very interesting...
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Camp Sheng
Last night, me and the girlies slept in the tent. It's a very fun thing to do, most of the time, and we don't do it that much. And yes, K has been camping outside, once in the backyard...
I remember the first time I did it with her when she was probably 18 months or so. It was probably the most impactful time I have ever had with one of my kids. That was the turning point of her toddler years, the point where I was no longer her father, but her dad. I still think about that sometimes, what a profound influence time makes in relationships.
You can see some pictures of Camp Sheng here.
Last night, me and the girlies slept in the tent. It's a very fun thing to do, most of the time, and we don't do it that much. And yes, K has been camping outside, once in the backyard...
I remember the first time I did it with her when she was probably 18 months or so. It was probably the most impactful time I have ever had with one of my kids. That was the turning point of her toddler years, the point where I was no longer her father, but her dad. I still think about that sometimes, what a profound influence time makes in relationships.
You can see some pictures of Camp Sheng here.
Gospel Night
So CpR had this thing tonight called Gospel Night. It was basically training for high schoolers on how to share the Gospel. We focused on the key points, helpful verses and sharing illustrations. It was really good. Sounds like lots of kids are pumped about being able to have tangible tools to share as well as seeing all the other kids who wanted to share but never knew how, since they all came to the thing tonight. SM (the high school pastor) talked at the end about a bunch of stuff, I can't quite remember all of it.
The biggest thing to me tonight was how those kids feed off of SM, he has such a touch with them, a way to communicate to them, its uncanny. I mean, I've heard him speak plenty of times, but tonight, he was right there in sync with 99% of them.
The funnest part for me tonight was teaching a few kids and leaders how to do 2 card tricks that can really be used to open the door for talking about spiritual things. MW was probably the biggest fan, and she was actually in my group during the training. And I had no idea that she had become a Christian through MW (another MW). (So I like using initials...) That was a pretty cool story!
So to see 50 high schoolers come out to Gospel Night on a Saturday night. I'm telling you, there is a generation coming up that is going to have some serious impact for the Kingdom.
So CpR had this thing tonight called Gospel Night. It was basically training for high schoolers on how to share the Gospel. We focused on the key points, helpful verses and sharing illustrations. It was really good. Sounds like lots of kids are pumped about being able to have tangible tools to share as well as seeing all the other kids who wanted to share but never knew how, since they all came to the thing tonight. SM (the high school pastor) talked at the end about a bunch of stuff, I can't quite remember all of it.
The biggest thing to me tonight was how those kids feed off of SM, he has such a touch with them, a way to communicate to them, its uncanny. I mean, I've heard him speak plenty of times, but tonight, he was right there in sync with 99% of them.
The funnest part for me tonight was teaching a few kids and leaders how to do 2 card tricks that can really be used to open the door for talking about spiritual things. MW was probably the biggest fan, and she was actually in my group during the training. And I had no idea that she had become a Christian through MW (another MW). (So I like using initials...) That was a pretty cool story!
So to see 50 high schoolers come out to Gospel Night on a Saturday night. I'm telling you, there is a generation coming up that is going to have some serious impact for the Kingdom.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
Launch B follow up
Last weekend, SPACE had a launch that centered around babies. Making meals for people in the church that just had new babies and working at a pregnancy center. During the intro, which had an awesome testimony from a girl at Grace that had gone through the issue, I talked about how much information there was about the prolife movement. So much info, so much you could do, so much energy with the issue. But here is an article that I think is pretty unique. It deals with all of us because it talks about the pro-life movement from the perspective of the entertainment industry. Wow, its got some perspective that I have a hard time even trying to think through, its that good. And its written by the author of one of the blogs that I follow, who I think is doing some pretty redemptive things in Hollywood.
Last weekend, SPACE had a launch that centered around babies. Making meals for people in the church that just had new babies and working at a pregnancy center. During the intro, which had an awesome testimony from a girl at Grace that had gone through the issue, I talked about how much information there was about the prolife movement. So much info, so much you could do, so much energy with the issue. But here is an article that I think is pretty unique. It deals with all of us because it talks about the pro-life movement from the perspective of the entertainment industry. Wow, its got some perspective that I have a hard time even trying to think through, its that good. And its written by the author of one of the blogs that I follow, who I think is doing some pretty redemptive things in Hollywood.
Friday, January 23, 2004
"God rules the Earth through the laws of physics"
This article states that it was physically possible that the Red Sea was parted. Sweet.
This article states that it was physically possible that the Red Sea was parted. Sweet.
"I introduced 2 of my favorite people"
Chris Marshall writes about one of his children wanting to hear more about God's story. This is not only neat. As a father, its almost overwhelming.
Chris Marshall writes about one of his children wanting to hear more about God's story. This is not only neat. As a father, its almost overwhelming.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Waking the Dead 2
** It is the image of God reflected in you that so enrages hell; it is this at which the demons hurl their mightiest weapons. -William Gurnall
** "Satan is called in Scripture the Father of Lies (John 8:44). His very first attack against the human race was to lie to Eve and Adam about God, and where life is to be found, and what the consequences of certain actions would and would not be. He is a master at this. He suggests to us – as he suggested to Adam and Eve- some sort of idea or inclination or impression, and what he is seeking is a sort of ‘agreement’ on our part. He’s hoping we will buy into whatever he is saying, offering, insinuating. Our first parents bought into it, and look what disaster came of it. But that story is not over. The Evil One is still lying to us, seeking our agreement every single day."
** "The whole plan is based on agreements. When we make those agreements with the demonic forces suggesting things to us, we come under their influence. It becomes a kind of permissions we give the Enemy, sort of like a contract. The bronze gates start clanging shut around us. I’m serious – maybe half the stuff people are trying to ‘work through’ in counseling offices, or pray about in their quiet times, is simply agreements they’ve made with the Enemy. Some foul spirit whispers, “I’m such a stupid idiot” and they agree with it; then they spend months and years trying to sort through feelings of insignificance. They’d end their agony if they’d treat it for the warfare it is, break the agreement they’ve made, send the Enemy packing."
** "During an assault like this, you must remember: make no agreements. The Enemy will suggest all sorts of things. “God doesn’t care. You’re not worth fighting for. Your heart doesn’t matter. You can’t trust him.” He is trying to kill your heart, destroy the glory of your life. It will feel hard – really hard, almost impossible – but whatever you do, make no agreements. You have to start there."
** "Finally, the Religious Spirit makes it next to impossible for a person to break free by spreadling the lie that “there is no war.” Be honest. How many Christians do you know who practice spiritual warfare as a normal, necessary, daily part of the Christian life? We don’t sing the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers because it isn’t true. We have acquiesced. We have surrendered without a fight.
We’ve exchanged that great hymn for a subtle but telling substitute, a song that is currently being taught to thousands of children in Sunday school each week (I’m in the Lord’s Army)
There is no battle and there is no war and there is no Enemy and your life is not at stake and you are not desperately needed this very hour, but you’re in the Lord’s army. Yes sir. Doing what?, may I ask."
Wow, that is some heavy stuff. It's very similar to the whole "excluded middle" that Perspectives teaches on, the idea that there is no spiritual element to life and we don't need to worry about it. In contrast to nonWestern cultures that totally believe and act on the fact that there is indeed a middle layer - where the physical and spiritual meet, and sometimes are in conflict with one another. We totally have acquiesced.
Reminds me of the time, and I always tell this story, when I took a group of guys to do conversational evangelism in OC, MD for a few days in the summer. T and E were talking to this older gentleman about Jesus and life and all that, and he seemed pretty into it. His wife came out of a store and immediately got confrontational. Bad vibe starts there. They go on for a bit, she is still very antagonistic. She then looks at T and asks, "Your birthday is in May isn't it?" And of course, it was. Never saw her before in his life. That night, and ever since then, I have taken the middle layer to be a lot less excluded. I think all of us in ministry, all of us that call ourselves Christ-followers really ought to.
** It is the image of God reflected in you that so enrages hell; it is this at which the demons hurl their mightiest weapons. -William Gurnall
** "Satan is called in Scripture the Father of Lies (John 8:44). His very first attack against the human race was to lie to Eve and Adam about God, and where life is to be found, and what the consequences of certain actions would and would not be. He is a master at this. He suggests to us – as he suggested to Adam and Eve- some sort of idea or inclination or impression, and what he is seeking is a sort of ‘agreement’ on our part. He’s hoping we will buy into whatever he is saying, offering, insinuating. Our first parents bought into it, and look what disaster came of it. But that story is not over. The Evil One is still lying to us, seeking our agreement every single day."
** "The whole plan is based on agreements. When we make those agreements with the demonic forces suggesting things to us, we come under their influence. It becomes a kind of permissions we give the Enemy, sort of like a contract. The bronze gates start clanging shut around us. I’m serious – maybe half the stuff people are trying to ‘work through’ in counseling offices, or pray about in their quiet times, is simply agreements they’ve made with the Enemy. Some foul spirit whispers, “I’m such a stupid idiot” and they agree with it; then they spend months and years trying to sort through feelings of insignificance. They’d end their agony if they’d treat it for the warfare it is, break the agreement they’ve made, send the Enemy packing."
** "During an assault like this, you must remember: make no agreements. The Enemy will suggest all sorts of things. “God doesn’t care. You’re not worth fighting for. Your heart doesn’t matter. You can’t trust him.” He is trying to kill your heart, destroy the glory of your life. It will feel hard – really hard, almost impossible – but whatever you do, make no agreements. You have to start there."
** "Finally, the Religious Spirit makes it next to impossible for a person to break free by spreadling the lie that “there is no war.” Be honest. How many Christians do you know who practice spiritual warfare as a normal, necessary, daily part of the Christian life? We don’t sing the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers because it isn’t true. We have acquiesced. We have surrendered without a fight.
We’ve exchanged that great hymn for a subtle but telling substitute, a song that is currently being taught to thousands of children in Sunday school each week (I’m in the Lord’s Army)
There is no battle and there is no war and there is no Enemy and your life is not at stake and you are not desperately needed this very hour, but you’re in the Lord’s army. Yes sir. Doing what?, may I ask."
Wow, that is some heavy stuff. It's very similar to the whole "excluded middle" that Perspectives teaches on, the idea that there is no spiritual element to life and we don't need to worry about it. In contrast to nonWestern cultures that totally believe and act on the fact that there is indeed a middle layer - where the physical and spiritual meet, and sometimes are in conflict with one another. We totally have acquiesced.
Reminds me of the time, and I always tell this story, when I took a group of guys to do conversational evangelism in OC, MD for a few days in the summer. T and E were talking to this older gentleman about Jesus and life and all that, and he seemed pretty into it. His wife came out of a store and immediately got confrontational. Bad vibe starts there. They go on for a bit, she is still very antagonistic. She then looks at T and asks, "Your birthday is in May isn't it?" And of course, it was. Never saw her before in his life. That night, and ever since then, I have taken the middle layer to be a lot less excluded. I think all of us in ministry, all of us that call ourselves Christ-followers really ought to.
21st century slavery
This report from the New York Times writes about his experience buying two girls out of slavery here. I can't even imagine. The second installment of his series talks about the reluctance of one of the girls to actually leave and take her freedom. It's an interesting set of observations that talk about freedom from bondage, but also acceptance when one is free.
It's a whole realm of society that we don't have to deal with here in the US, and a serious opportunity to reach people that are literally captive. Christ came to set all of us free, in order that we would be giving Him more glory.
I wonder what kind of spiritual background this guy has.
(Oh, reading the articles will require registration, which is free)
This report from the New York Times writes about his experience buying two girls out of slavery here. I can't even imagine. The second installment of his series talks about the reluctance of one of the girls to actually leave and take her freedom. It's an interesting set of observations that talk about freedom from bondage, but also acceptance when one is free.
It's a whole realm of society that we don't have to deal with here in the US, and a serious opportunity to reach people that are literally captive. Christ came to set all of us free, in order that we would be giving Him more glory.
I wonder what kind of spiritual background this guy has.
(Oh, reading the articles will require registration, which is free)
Some serious questions about The Passion
Well, the movie certainly has gotten lots of exposure over the past few months and even more in the past few weeks. I just linked to my friend Brian and an article he wrote about it. But this post here asks some serious questions of us Christian leaders about what we promote and why or why not....
** "However, I am curious how some evangelicals will navigate the moral trap they will set for themselves by endorsing this film. What trap is this? It is the moral dilemma of supporting a film filled with excessive violence, torture, and blasphemy - a film so bloody it has earned an R-rating simply for its gory content."
** "Christian leader, if you endorse The Passion as an evangelistic tool in spite of its R-rating, how will you keep your parishioners from attending other R-rated films?"
** "If they are willing to admit it, many evangelicals, if they are to remain consistent in their stated convictions concerning movies, will have to reject The Passion. Those who believe that the morality of a story ultimately has to do with its details (Does it contain sex, violence, or profanity?) rather than with its overall message will be forced to sanction this film with an unclean conscious."
Whoa. Yeah, he hits deep. And he is right on.
** "If you have preached against attendance at R-rated movies, or if you have declared that a movie is immoral if it contains violence, sex, or profanity, then you are inconsistent and lacking integrity if you endorse this film. If you constantly complain about the level of violence, disturbing images, or blasphemous actions in other films, then you should do the same for The Passion."
Read it for yourself and see what you think.
Well, the movie certainly has gotten lots of exposure over the past few months and even more in the past few weeks. I just linked to my friend Brian and an article he wrote about it. But this post here asks some serious questions of us Christian leaders about what we promote and why or why not....
** "However, I am curious how some evangelicals will navigate the moral trap they will set for themselves by endorsing this film. What trap is this? It is the moral dilemma of supporting a film filled with excessive violence, torture, and blasphemy - a film so bloody it has earned an R-rating simply for its gory content."
** "Christian leader, if you endorse The Passion as an evangelistic tool in spite of its R-rating, how will you keep your parishioners from attending other R-rated films?"
** "If they are willing to admit it, many evangelicals, if they are to remain consistent in their stated convictions concerning movies, will have to reject The Passion. Those who believe that the morality of a story ultimately has to do with its details (Does it contain sex, violence, or profanity?) rather than with its overall message will be forced to sanction this film with an unclean conscious."
Whoa. Yeah, he hits deep. And he is right on.
** "If you have preached against attendance at R-rated movies, or if you have declared that a movie is immoral if it contains violence, sex, or profanity, then you are inconsistent and lacking integrity if you endorse this film. If you constantly complain about the level of violence, disturbing images, or blasphemous actions in other films, then you should do the same for The Passion."
Read it for yourself and see what you think.
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