Mark Driscoll's 32 Hours in Haiti

This video is helpful in two ways.

• It puts a very personal face on a tragedy that could easily turn our emotions numb through sheer intensity.
• It gives a practical, Jesus-honoring way to help.

Thanks to my pastor for bringing this video to my attention.

Pray for Mago Followers

Last month my pastor and I had the blessing of sharing about Jesus with several people at the grand opening of the Mago Earth Park.

Since then I have learned more about Mago and the organization that is behind her park.

Here are two short videos that explain the Mago worldview. I disagree with their worldview, of course, but these will help you to know how to pray for them.





The Korean man who founded the Mago religion, Ilchi Lee, was the subject of a CNN investigative report earlier this month. Here is an interesting segment from that report which was actually filmed at the same Mago grand opening I was at.




The Mago statue is the subject of a heated debate in my community. The Cottonwood city government is in the process of deciding whether it violates zoning regulations.

Today's Work of Art by the Master Artist...

... as captured by a very amateur photographer!



For a couple more shots you can visit my photo album.

Who's Handicapped?

The Joy of Family Ministry

In the 1980's there was a Christian kid's TV program called Kids Praise The Lord. It was hosted by a family (whose name I have now forgotten). I don't really remember any of the shows, except for the zany opening (see video below) and their "Sinbag the Sailor" segments. Sinbag was a brown paper bag turned upside down and used as a puppet. He was an evil character who tried to convince his watchers (us kids) to yield to temptation. But always his arguments would be proven false and he would be wadded into a ball and thrown into the trash.

In hindsight, the theology of the program was sometimes weak. But one thing I appreciate about KPTL was that it showed an imperfect but intact family enjoying each other and working together to share Jesus. In today's dysfunctional culture, there are few more powerful ways to demonstrate the power of the gospel of Jesus than to minister together as a family.

As you watch the video I've embedded in this post, imagine how much fun they must have had together creating it!

Mom's Resurgence

Thank you to those who have been praying for Mom. Here is a recent picture of her. Although still quite frail, during the last month she has not merely held her own but improved slightly. Earlier in 2009 I thought that she would not live to see the end of the year, but by God's grace, she's still here!

She's even felt well enough to share some new thoughts on her blog (which she hadn't done since July).

In my last update on her, I asked you to pray about her trip to the dentist. Praise God, she was able to get into (and out of) the dentist's chair. And she did not have a cavity after all!

You've heard the saying that "You're as old as your dreams." If that is true, Mom is still quite young, because she has been working on ways to help China avoid the socially and morally destructive elements of their industrial revolution. Her desire is to see home-based microenterprises become economically viable there. This is a large but worthy challenge.

Please continue to keep her in your prayers, and know that we praise Jesus for giving her to us for another day.

Why Not Ask God to Do the Dishes?

This seemingly silly question is harder to answer than you might think.

When you wash the dishes, are you depriving God of the opportunity to perform a miracle? Would God be more honored if you prayed for Him to do the pots and pans, and He did?

We all instinctively realize the answer is no. God is (generally speaking) more glorified by us doing the dishes than by Him becoming a supernatural dishwasher. But why? I'd like your own thoughtful input on this question before I attempt an answer myself.

Need Google Wave?

Many are excited about Google Wave, a new, powerful tool for realtime collaboration over the internet. Google is slowly allowing more and more new users in. I have had Google Wave for a month and a half and have still not figured out any way to productively use it! Google has now given me 25 Google Wave invitations that I can send to my friends. If you want Google Wave, let me know and I'll send you an invite.