pedro the rooster

This is Pedro, the rooster residing in the antiquities center in LaGrange, GA. Who knew? This was an eye-opening experience. This place, as random as it seems to be located in western Georgia, is a great resource for understanding more about Jewish culture and the context in which Jesus lived. From examples of housing, shepherding, family burial traditions, meals, food, culture -- it was well worth the hour we spent there. Not to mention, Josh stepped in Pedro's poop. Good thing there was a well in the middle of the courtyard. Want to learn more? Check it out.

balance beam.

91%

Research indicates out of the global increase of Christians every day - 77,000 worldwide - 91% or 70,000 can be found in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

hope makes the difference

Suicide tops Shanghai student-killer list (April 23, 2009, Xinhua)

Universities in Shanghai will offer more help to young people suffering from depression after a report showed suicide has now become the No. 1 cause of death among students. A study by Shanghai Education Commission released on Tuesday found 23 college students in the city attempted to take their own lives last year, while 19 succeeded. It put suicide ahead of acute diseases, traffic accidents and fires in the list of main causes of death.

This news brief reminds me of the reality that my friend Biscuet talked about on his blog.The campus in Beijing where he teaches, has experienced this tragedy in recent weeks. Read his perspective.

living with the end in mind

Sunday I spoke at our home church in Auburn. Here is what I'm learning.

jesus loves the little children

Here are some of the children we have been blessed to sponsor through Grace Campus.

perspective

my office wall until we move out in a week.

my office wall yesterday.

one reason i like saturday mornings

they will tell... what?

Psalm 145 says, "One generation will commend your works to another, they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty...they will tell of the power of your awesome works...they will tell of the the glory of your kingdom... so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom."

No one is born with sound theology. It truly is a mantle of responsibility for every generation to pass along the full story of who Jesus is and what He has done and how by grace we are ushered into to his unstoppable kingdom. Is it possible that "discipleship" has been based on our own cultural values + Jesus?

What will you tell the next generation?

When did the clear, direct, commission to "therefore go and make disciples of all nations" become the exception for but a relative few? When did the "calling to go" become far more difficult to discern than the assumption to stay. No sooner than I type these words, does the thought of "is this an extreme view?" cross my mind. But -- it crosses my mind not because of Scripture, but because of culture. I am so used to thinking about myself. We all are. We blind one another with self-centered worldviews. Someone recently shared that many American Christians have been inoculated with Jesus. We have "enough" of Jesus, to no longer need Jesus, or be consumed by Him.

Culture says: Stay. Consume. Acquire. Amass. Be comfortable. Compartmentalize. Build monuments. Limit your sacrifice. Calculate risks. Consider others after you consider yourself. Make a name for yourself.

Scripture says: Go. Be Consumed. Give. Help others. Store up treasures in heaven. Do not worry about comfort. Offer all of you life. Raise ebenezers. Downward mobility. Love others like you love yourself. Make the name of Jesus great.

The gospel changes everything. If we are convinced that one died for all -- then we can no longer live for ourselves. The redeemed must reflect the Redeemer -- for the joy of ALL peoples in Christ. I understand freedom. I get "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" -- but our freedom in Christ, should align with the values of Christ. Clearly - He is building a church of all peoples. So, if there are billions of peoples, from other languages, cultures, and nations WITHOUT THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL -- have we misappropriated our freedom?

• How many Christians do you know have an understanding of the progress of the gospel around the world?
• How many Christians do you know can name countries where believers are persecuted for their faith?
• How many Christians do you know have an understanding of the 10/40 window?
• How many Christians do you know understand the state of the Church in North Africa? Southeast Asia? Mongolia? Indonensia? Iceland? France? Iraq?

A couple resources that I continue to find helpful in my own journey with these questions are:

Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper and The Joshua Project

ties