kingdom travelin'

1. Joanna gets stitches out and walking cast Friday, please continue to pray for fast healing.

2. The doctoral committee which is considering my entry into the doctor of ministry program meets tomorrow at 730 am, please pray God will guide them to the decision He wants made.

Thanks!

On this cold grey winter day I sat and was absorbed by and absorbed this book of hope. I was struck by the way in which Manuel takes stories of horror of the recent war in the Balkans, especially in Bosnia, and used the words and stories of individuals whose hope is in God to show us that there is “hope in the ashes.” Manual integrates his own personal story into this series of stories. His struggles, his fears about himself – which, the honest reader must claim as his own – and ultimately, his surrender, to Jesus. As I read, I was touched as one who, a few years later traveled to many of these same places, and heard many similar stories. Indeed, for all troubled hearts and war-torn places, God is the “hope in the ashes.”

As we travel this journey, our calling changes, as did mine two years ago. God moves us about in His Kingdom in amazing ways.

Not long ago I was urged to enter a program to do further professional study toward a doctor of ministry degree. In consultation with those who know me and provide me with counsel, I was urged to pursue this possibility. The study toward this degree and the collaboration with others in the same program (who also work in the field of global outreach) will clearly be a furthering of my work as a leader of Christian Educators Outreach. I am enthusiastic about this possibility but am keeping in mind that “All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”

A committee, who will decide whether or not to allow me in, will meet later this week. So, I ask you to pray that this committee will hear from God and do His will.

“The Bible is much more concerned about who a leader is than what a leader does.” (p. 15)