kingdom travelin'

There is conversation worth your time over at Mark’s blog about attitudes regarding homelessness in Budapest. I weighed in with a too long comment that you might read as well… it is interesting to me because this morning I just read these words about the sermon on the mount…

“The Beatitudes are lists of human ‘lasts’ who at the individualized touch of the heavens become divine ‘firsts.’ The gospel of the kingdom is that no one is beyond beatitude, because the rule of God from the heavens is available to all. Everyone can reach it, and it can reach everyone. We respond appropriately to the Beatitudes of Jesus as if this were so, as it concerns others and as it concerns ourselves.” (Willard, Divine Conspiracy, p.122) here are some ‘lasts’ that some of my friends in Kyiv
are trying to help…

I took this picture of a friend who lives in a steam tunnel in Kyiv. SOme of my friends who are also followers of Jesus have commited their lives to trying to help these kids…

There are other lasts… hear this…

“Who could be on your list of ‘hopeless blessables’ as found in today’s world? Certainly all of those on Jesus’ lists, for though they are merely illustrative, they are also timeless. But can we, following his lead as a teacher, concretize the gospel even more for those around us? Who would you regard as the most unfortunate people around you?” (Willard p. 122)

Remember this, Jesus came from heaven to be with us, but he was often without a place to lay his head…

due to the unfortunate illness of a friend I got to attend “last ball at u-hall” with my sweetie Anna – note the fans are all in orange as each seat came with a t-shirt for the event

we saw a good game as uva played their last home game in university hall against Md.

we saw a great comeback as the cavs came back from an 18 point deficit and then took the lead!

but the end was a disapointing one point loss as the md defense prevented uva from scoring at the end… final 71-70

but it was great to see uva greats like ralph sampson, terry holland and others as they highlighted the life of the building

go hoos

Anna and I were talking this morning about the eastern mind and how it goes toward experience, we hypothesized that this is why Korean believers are such great prayers…

while western believers are into truth, into knowledge… I said that I thought this knowledge and truth thing, while biblical is probably a side effect of the rise of modern thinking…

and that the emerging generations are moving away from that… then we said that there must be a balance… we must know what is Right to make sure our experience is measuring up to biblical standards…

to not have experience with Him and the body for the sake of truth is just as wrong as pushing away an adherence to absolute truth for the sake of experience in an attempt at being relevant…

what think ye?

some problems with the sidebar caused me to change the template and that is why the new look…

the lack of posts pretty much tells the story of a hectic week

I’ve been trying to prep my students this week for next weeks exam which is the writing of a paper on what they do or do not believe about God… my guess is that with all that reading, I’ll have some blogs coming out of their musings

I am working through a book on marriage and here is a quote that I hope all blog readers can profit from…

“Even when you disagree with the point being made by your partner, you goal is to show respect for and validation of his or her perspective. That means waiting your turn and not making faces or looking bored. Showing real respect and honor to one another is the goal. You can disagree completely with your mate on a matter and still show respect. In fact, we are told in scripture to show respect no matter what (1 Peter 2:17). – Stanley, A Lasting Promise, p. 62

I think this an important thought… do you agree?

By the way, HAPPY MARCH!

This morning as my wife Anna and I were walking we noticed this view…

The reflection on the pond is so clear because the water is so calm…

I commented on this… “look how the landscape is so beautifully reflected in the calm water”

This makes me think of how we as followers of God are to reflect Him… we can best do this when we are at peace in our souls… that peace comes through knowing Him and following Him in a real and vibrant relationship that is ever growing and ever strengthening…

beautiful reflections…

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is hard to cope with when sign around you constantly warn you to keep out of fields because of acive land mines.

Here is what some of those in attendance at a PTSD seminar in Croatia said: Robi (a former soldier and war prisoner) said: “Chris is really good, he names all the things that are going on in me… ”A lady who attended the Marriage and parenting seminar said: “He explains things so simple that we understand it, and can easily apply it.” Pray that God would continue to work in their hearts. Pastor Laci said that “The LORD has opened the hearts of many in Vukovar. The LORD has opened several doors for discipleship, councelling… The LORD has started to heal hearts and wounds, to deliver people from their past bondages… HE did all of that through one man, who HE blessed and gifted with the perfect heart, mind and knowledge for this city.” Praise God, and thanks to those of you who prayed for this endeavor!