listen

I think God has a funny sense of humor. I was looking at Talib Kweli's video for "Listen" In the midst of all the busyness coming up I think he wants me to slow down and listen to Him.

I'm going to be a Dad

Yvette is six weeks pregnant. This is an exciting and scary time. Pray for us. Our lives are about to change completely!

Microloans

A big trend in the developing world is microloan entrepeneurship. I just found out about a group called kiva which connects 2/3 world entrepeneurs with 1/3 world lenders. It sounds like a great program and could be great for the people in our churches in Ethiopia. Here is their website Kiva loans

Change the cup

"Luther did reform the content of the gospel but did not change the basic structure of the worship service. This Roman-Reformed-Catholic meeting pattern was baptized by the Baptists, anointed by Pentecostals, misused by Cults, renewed by Charismatic Christians, put into uniform by the Salvation Army, drycleaned by Quakers but never really radically changed"-Wolfgang Simson Houses that Change the World
For some years now I have been living with a growing disattisfaction with the modern church machine. It is not the content but the structure. It is not the water but the cup.

Expecting

Just went to the doctor and confirmed that Yvette is pregnant. This is such a scary time for me. I'm going to be a Dad. Responsible for another human life. My friend Lena told me "That's crazy" I think so but that's the way God does things

Ethiopia - Manalemosh Dibo (Awedamet)

Here is a great video that shows different aspects of Ethiopian culture. We were there this past summer and experienced much of this. I fell in love with Ethiopia after going with Campus Crusade for Christ. It was an amazing experience and I have returned six more times after that. A big shout out to Damtew and Tracie (they are missionaries there) as well as the Ethiopia summer project team 2000

Video games

I am amazed at the video game phenomena. Video games have now eclipsed movies in sales. This is a trend that I believe will increase as the years go by. What is it about our global culture that finds them so appealing? Where is God in the midst of gaming?

Quiet time

Let the quiet empower you
Restore the piece of your heart
That was ripped out of your chest
Slammed on the ground and spit on
The sad thing is you are the culprit

You have assasinated your own integrity and well being
In the name of being nice you have not been nice to yourself
Uncreative, dry, barren
Irritated as a rashy patch of skin
There is no escape
Except to create yourself again

Anew like the phoenix rising from the ashes
The ashes of your disappointment with people
The ashes of your disappointment with yourself
There's another fire to burn
Another mountain to climb and conquer
Another place to survey the greatness
That is beyond you

Crying out freedom to God
And the whole universe is watching you
More than anyone else they see you
They see the criminal in the mirror
Red handed with the murder weapon
Let their gaze move you to choose life
Choose life and death cannot hold you

He has conquered death for you
Even giving you keys
Now ask him for doors
They are all around you
Opening up as you open your eyes
To this virgin day