“Signs”

I pass a lot of signs when I run through the neigborhood.  I’ve been listening to podcasts on my new phone (which also has a great camera) so I thought I’d snap a few pictures of a few of them.

Notice the use of the quotation marks in the first sign.  I’m not sure what they’re trying to say here.  Maybe it’s, “Some would call this thing that holds water a pool–it’s a matter of opinion,” or they are letting you know that someone once said the word pool–I’m not sure.

There were a string of the second sign on trees along MacArthur Blvd in the Palisades neighborhood of NW DC.  They caught my attention because a last summer, Pepco (the local electric company) came and cut down 3 trees on our street.  I miss them!  I hope the paper (and the neighborhood backing behind it) is strong enough to stop the chainsaws.

 

Celebrating Freedom

In the week we remembered the United States of America gaining independence, I listened to Mars Hill’s podcasts on forgiveness.  Thank you Rob Bell for speaking so eloquently on something that imprisons us far more than taxation without representation.  You can check out the audio here (audio file downloads):

Drop the Jawbone

Tortured by Books

It Stops Here

 

The provision of God in a global recession

As money gets tight everywhere I’m finding that God has some interesting ways of providing for our needs.  Here are a couple of them:

1. Free parking – After coming home from an evening with friends, we left our car parked in rush hour zone.  The next day, Jen remembered @ 8:30 am–1 1/2 hour after it was supposed to be moved.  I ran outside as fast as I could expecting a big ticket and a tow, instead the car was right where we left it, ticket free!
2. Free phone – I’ve been excited about the release of Palm’s new smartphone for 6 months–so excited in fact that I was first in line for it on June 6th when it came out in stores.  The only issue was that smartphones aren’t cheap.  I’ll spare you all the details, but after all of Sprint’s upgrade discounts and rebates, not only was my new phone free, but I got $25 out of the deal.  Not bad!
3. An unexpected gift – At the end of last month our missionary account was looking low.  As I was praying for provision, I was starting to think of how we could get by on less.  At the last possible moment, an anonymous donor gave us a $2,000 gift!  AMAZING!

These are just a couple of ways God has shown his faithfulness to us as we serve Him.  We’re continuing to pray for his provision.  We’ve lost a number of our financial partners due to economic hardships, and with the rising costs of living in Washington, DC with growing boys, our resources are at their limit.  For those of you who are part of our team, I want to say thanks.  Your commitment to God and to us is humbling.  We couldn’t do what we’re doing without you.

If you’re not yet on the team, would you consider becoming a part?  You can click the “Support the Godzwas” link for all the info you need to get started.  Together we’re reaching students, training leaders and influencing nations.

 

The gift that keeps on giving

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege to baptize a student.  Every semester we take over one lane in the university pool and give students the opportunity to mark their decision to follow Jesus and make a public profession of faith.  This year Brittany, an AU freshman, stood in the pool and gave a testimony of how Jesus not only saved her from her sin, but delivered her from life controlling problems.  Amazing!  But even more amazing was that standing next to Brittany, helping with the baptism was her small group leader Julia.  Julia had that same testimony 3 years ago and now because of what God has done in her she’s able to invite others into that same healing experience.  The gift of a transformed life truly is one that keeps on giving.

 

May newsletter is off to the presses

Our latest edition of the Collegiate Chronicles was just sent off to the printer, but if you’d like to read an advance copy, just click on the link here.

To open the PDF file you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. To get Acrobat, click here

 

Good things come…

Just a little something I shared with our students. Thought you might like it too.

..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

A little more than a month ago, Starbucks surprised me with a new product announcement. They introduced their first instant coffee. The claim, “Our new instant coffee is changing what people think about instant coffee.” I have to admit, I was skeptical, but because they offered me a free sample, I thought I’d try it. The envelope came in the mail last week and I’ve got a cup in front of me right now. While it’s some of the better instant coffee I’ve tasted, it’s still instant coffee. Translation: Starbucks Via isn’t very good.

Instant goodness is hard to find. The Bible often uses agricultural metaphors to describe the transformational process. It’s not something that can be rushed, in fact, there are times when it looks like nothing is happening. But as long as the right conditions are present and the crop is cultivated it will grow. Paul is sharing the same idea to the Philippians. Don’t worry, this process that Jesus started, He’ll keep it moving along. There’s more going on than what we can see. Even though it seems like nothing is happening, it’s encouraging to know that He’s still working. The change may not happen today or tomorrow, but it will happen and unlike a particular brand of instant coffee, it will be good.

 

Gentle reminder

Levi’s been a little clingy lately. Jen’s been bearing the brunt of the attachment, but when we’re in a crowd, he’ll cling to the most familiar hand, arm, or leg he can find. The Sunday morning crowd @ NCC sent Levi into my arms. He must have been pretty comfortable there because that’s where he stayed during until the singing was over.

So there I was, singing about the Spirit flooding my thirsty heart, with Levi arms wrapped around my shoulders and his head tucked under my chin. That’s when I got an overwhelming sense of God’s presence. It was as if He was reminding me of the warmth, safety, and rest He’s been longing to provide for me. In that moment, I could feel my spirit being renewed; my prayer for refreshing being answered. I hugged Levi closer and savored the moment.

My prayer is that you experience the embrace of our Heavenly Father filling your soul as you begin this new week. May you hear His voice as He speaks your language. A gentle reminder that He is near and that He always will be.

 

The Sin Chair Strikes Back

We’re back from Mexico and had a great trip.  I haven’t quite worked up the energy for a full account, but stayed tuned, one is coming soon.  But until then, here’s a video of one of the highlights.  It’s a missions trip classic skit with a little twist.  Check it out.

 

Back Across the Border!

Spring break has started and in a half hour, I’m off to Mexico. We’ve been taking students on missions trips during their spring break for years, but this time it’s a little bit different. I’m taking Sam along too. He’s so excited, I think he might fly to Mexico without the plane!

I’m bringing my computer along with me this time so I’ll try to post some update throughout the week, but until then, please pray for us. We need His grace for our travel, His compassion and power for ministry, and His love to work as a team and give Him glory in everything we do.

Stay tuned for more…

 

The hard places…

So I was out running today.  No podcast or music this time, just me and my thoughts.  As I trudged up the New Mexico Ave hill I got a feeling that I’ve had a few times here in DC.  It’s a sense of being established–I’m home.

Like I said, I’ve only had it a few times.  DC’s a hard place to think of as home.  Most people (like myself) aren’t from here and they aren’t staying here either (unlike myself).  The only thing big about the apartments are the price tags and you wouldn’t classify your typical city-dweller as warm and friendly.  Just yesterday I was crossing the street near campus when a BMW tried to beat a group of pedestrians through the crosswalk (driver’s ed. reminder: pedestrians have the right-of-way).  A lady almost had a new license plate tattoo!   As it all unfolded before my eyes, I found myself shaking my head in disbelief.  The driver of the BMW then proceeds to roll down his window and curse me out!  Yes with all the choice words too.  Even after living here for 10 years, I didn’t expect that one.

So they don’t exactly roll out the red carpet for you, but I still had that at home feeling today.  I think it has to do with the fact that I’m a missionary.  In the history of influencing the world for Jesus, his followers haven’t picked the easiest spots to do ministry–but they’ve been strategic.  Washington, DC isn’t the most challenging spot in the world, but I can’t think of a more strategic one.  The whole world is here!  Sounds like a perfect place to spread the good news.

So maybe that’s what that feeling was all about.  Whatever it was, it’s great to know I’m right where I’m supposed to be.