tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62230142024-03-27T02:13:45.439-05:00Seeking Balance in TruthFinding Peace and Joy in a Life with ChristJPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.comBlogger662125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-42821033908015453232015-12-24T23:07:00.001-06:002015-12-24T23:07:51.109-06:00It's become one of the few traditions I hold to, a Christmas Eve post quoting Dalton Trumbo's version of the Christmas Story from Johnny Got His Gun. I want to add a quick quote here I believe I posted a short time ago from Joe Boyd's blog on his qualms with Christmas, which I share, and how he is working through his issues:
I see everything wrong with Christmas. Trust me.
It seems to me that JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-54701242798689493292009-06-21T09:15:00.003-05:002009-06-21T09:24:10.003-05:00I'm sitting in Heathrow's Terminal 5 waiting for my flight home, and trying to process the burdens of my heart as I think back to the few hours we spent on Saturday at the UNHCR World Refugee Day celebration/awareness at the Kenya International Convention Center. I've worked with International Teams Refugee Ministry in Nairobi for the past few years, spending time in fellowship each of the past JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-60195040034245303852009-06-16T23:18:00.000-05:002009-06-16T23:20:13.416-05:00The countdown has begun, in about 84 hours I’ll begin the journey home, I’m starting to get more homesick and ready to get back to the family, I think they are missing me a little more as well. I picked up a little head cold on my trip back to Nairobi with Mwende the past few days. I don’t feel too bad today, but want to rest to make sure it doesn’t get worse, we have a lot to do yet in the lastJPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-13482391900009430052009-06-14T10:54:00.001-05:002009-06-14T10:54:52.656-05:00Well, I found out this morning that I am still not over my deep-seated fear of preaching. Though I probably could have prepared more for that time, I absolutely bombed it. I just don’t like to preach. Teaching for me, though many think it the same, is so different. In teaching I can get the input of those who are in attendance, we can learn from each other. We can take into account the JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-23841940448213618352009-06-13T12:41:00.000-05:002009-06-13T12:42:39.435-05:00Being in Kenya for the sixth time, this is the first time I’ve felt very little need to write down some of my experiences, yet I will do so for my own memories down the road:We’ve traveled too much while in country. We got in at around 10pm on the 6th, to the hotel at around midnight, up at 5 for a 12 hour trip on the worst roads I’ve ever been on. In Babati then for two full days, left the JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-70180644441046363172009-05-10T19:41:00.005-05:002009-05-10T20:48:36.813-05:00Much of my recent reflection and discussion has centered around the social and political ramifications of Jesus' inauguration and teachings on the Kingdom of God. In my heart and mind, I've struggled to reconcile those who view the idea that Jesus was instituting a new social and political reality with the conviction that if that was true, it would look nothing like what we would consider a JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-13430793120312991232009-05-09T07:43:00.001-05:002009-05-09T07:44:40.629-05:0090% of what Jim Wallis wrote on this week's ediciton of SojoMail was partisan garbage, but he ended with a powerful story of true Kingdom work:My favorite story from the week was that of a poor young women who had been sexually trafficked in a major East Coast city. And when civic crusaders closed the brothel where she lived, she became homeless. But she got hooked up with one of our partner JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-64251136969418729702009-03-16T22:24:00.003-05:002009-03-16T22:29:26.375-05:00I thought I was done blogging for the night but came across the following article. It's horrific, but the story must be told so people realize what is happening!God, I pray for these women, yound and old, treated in such a brutal and inhumane way. I ask that in your power and glory you take each one of these women right now and give them a special outpourind of your Spirit, wrap them in your JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-14150682730959287232009-03-16T21:59:00.003-05:002009-03-16T22:19:18.836-05:00I mentioned in the previous post that I would comment on Wright's book here, I want to provide two quotes with minimal comments. As always, looking for discussion or input in the comment section:1) In writing of (and criticizing) the current practices in the church regarding hymns, the Christian year (more focus on Christmas or other Christian celebrations rather than Easter) and ceremonies of JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-52713101162624745442009-03-16T21:41:00.002-05:002009-03-16T21:57:44.836-05:00Since I've been participating in this Facebook Bible Study the past three weeks I can't seem to get two thoughts out of my mind:1) The importance of Matthew 4:17, "From that time, Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." I was reflecting on this earlier today, and I find that my entire understanding of Jesus and God's redemptive work builds around this one passage. JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-81204457601240470152009-03-13T18:58:00.002-05:002009-03-13T19:02:14.334-05:00One of the reasons I find calming in my travels to Africa is that historically Kenya has been one of the most peaceful African countries. Violence exists, but nothing like Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Congo, etc. I still feel that way, but articles like this are making me much more wary.Also, I hope to be blogging much more in the near future, at least until my Kenya trip in June. I'll be catchingJPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-48260984543326194572009-03-12T16:36:00.002-05:002009-03-12T16:52:03.606-05:00VERY interesting article from the Christian Science Monitor. I know nothing about the organization or the author, but he brings up some interesting points. A few comments:1) This does not surprise me at all, nor do I think this is a bad thing. I think the author is right that we have picked the wrong horse in the race and it is going to come back to bite us. He couldn't have said it any JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-42396153734761931872009-03-09T19:25:00.001-05:002009-03-09T19:27:41.257-05:00Last week I mentioned a Facebook Bible Study I'm participating in. I really like the author, think he is theologically sound yet very challenging in some of his thoughts. The following is one I'm not so sure about, interested to see where he takes it and how he supports it:We must fearlessly move past our assumptions about Jesus and search for him anew in Matthew's words. Last week we began to JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-45494249423336881242009-03-02T21:25:00.001-06:002009-03-02T21:26:30.591-06:00I'm in a Facebook Bible Study with my man Joe Boyd, a comment he made in the first lesson is pretty convicting:If you fashion yourself a good, Bible-believing evangelical Christian today you would have likely had much more in common with the Pharisees than Jesus' early followers, at least on the surface.JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-60151833321083301842009-02-15T20:05:00.004-06:002009-02-15T20:11:20.776-06:00It's taken me almost a year to confirm this, but last March I saw a coffee table book at Christina's with a picture of a snow-capped peak on the Uganda/Congo border, and every person I've talked to since that time has taken me for an idiot. I found proof this afternoon, above and below are pics of Margherita Peak:JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-55417791515315666692009-01-17T08:34:00.002-06:002009-01-17T08:45:24.656-06:00This summer I've been asked to discuss with a church plant in Kenya the Biblical model and view of leadership. I requested a different topic, maybe the Kingdom of God and its implications in our day, or something along those lines. Nevertheless, no matter how inadequate I feel on this subject, I'll begin preparing soon. I'll be focusing mostly on service, and just thought of a new thread with JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-80735468050086016992009-01-01T14:20:00.002-06:002009-01-01T14:22:03.883-06:00I've been saying this for at least two years now, and it appears closer than I thought. All of those countries (Russia, Venezuela, etc.) who thumbed their noses at the IMF and World Bank when times were gooed (i.e. commodity prices high) will come crawling back in no time begging for aid. Like I said, it appears closer than expected:After Russia "de-privatized" (the government word for stealingJPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-39546009760198557492008-12-24T15:07:00.002-06:002008-12-24T15:19:47.190-06:00It's become one of the few traditions I hold to, a Christmas Eve post quoting Dalton Trumbo's version of the Christmas Story from Johnny Got His Gun. I want to add a quick quote here I believe I posted a short time ago from Joe Boyd's blog on his qualms with Christmas, which I share, and how he is working through his issues:I see everything wrong with Christmas. Trust me. It seems to me that theJPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-707717866549517752008-12-07T20:19:00.002-06:002008-12-07T20:33:08.655-06:00A few weeks ago a small group of us met and decided that we wanted to begin meeting with our families in community in the very near future. Today, Lisa and I hosted our second gathering. We loved it! Not only was the food AWESOME, but we found time for a little discussion. Our topic centered around the implications of living within a New Covenant paradigm (a model of the Marriage, Mosaic, andJPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-38790045081449497832008-11-02T18:59:00.001-06:002008-11-02T19:00:36.135-06:00I was just reading a blog on the election, a very thorough look at the issues. But his last paragraph was outstanding!...but I have to make one theological note. The only true ruler we have is Jesus, who is our very real and present King. He appoints our earthly governors, and all that happens comes about because of His will. Because my hope is in Jesus, not in the “politics of hope,” I know JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-42672549636823832412008-10-15T18:21:00.000-05:002008-10-15T18:22:43.589-05:00Good paragraph in the latest edition of In Hope:For those of us attached equally to country, community, church, and Christ, faith loses its power. Only as we return to the Father, willing to release all that we have and hold to Him alone, can we experience the true freedom of faith. JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-8626065234589516322008-10-06T21:29:00.002-05:002008-10-06T21:33:23.011-05:00I've been pushing Joe Boyd here for a long time, I wish I lived in Cincy and could attend the services at the church where he teaches. Anyway, here are some excerpts of his latest sermon, which he posted on his blog:Ivan Illich was once asked, ‘What is the most revolutionary way to change society: Is it violent revolution or is it gradual reform?’ He gave a careful answer: ‘Neither. If you want JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-76310722563613289742008-10-02T16:51:00.003-05:002008-10-02T17:19:27.973-05:00This, from the latest edition of In Hope by Dr. David Timms, really convicted me:We marvel at military technology that targets and kills by remote control, rather than grieve the loss of life. We approve government spending to produce sophisticated weaponry that can obliterate villages and cities. We justify aggression as a necessary evil to protect ourselves, our families, and our possessions. JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-56443134572535069412008-09-30T19:01:00.003-05:002008-09-30T19:12:16.374-05:00I may have mentioned I'm reading Paul Theroux's Ghost Train to the Eastern Star. He convicts me with some discussion of late on his travels through India:When an Indian says, as one said to me, "There are two hundred and fifty million middle-class Indian, which is very nice, but four hundred million are living below the poverty line," how do you respond? Two hundred years ago, the French JPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6223014.post-926792749570835042008-09-27T16:35:00.002-05:002008-09-27T16:42:29.130-05:00The latest edition of In Hope arrived in my inbox earlier this week, and I just now got the chance to read it. Dr. Timms, the author, discusses the Scripture from Genesis 2 where it is written, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." He writes how unnatural this is for me, as "The Hebrew word (dabaq) is used elsewhereJPNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11731926654801226114noreply@blogger.com0