<![CDATA[I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly - Our Blog]]>Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:38:24 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Interesting Quote]]>Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:13:35 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/11/interesting-quote.htmlAs someone intricately involved with the Christian mission enterprise I thought this quote was extremely interesting. "We do not stand at the end of mission; rather we stand at the end of a specific period or era of mission, and the clearer we see this and accept this with all our heart, the better." Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission, David J. Bosch, pg. 8.

I was telling my wife how I don't meet or hear enough forward thinkers. We must always praise and learn from the past, but if we try to simply reproduce the same things then we will miss large opportunities. Some people are scared of change, but without change movements of the past will become institutionalized and ineffective. We must be looking to birth new movements, create new ideas, and leverage new technology, and I am excited to see what will result from the next twenty years of human history. God is doing something new in our day, and I desperately want to discern those things and align my objectives and goals accordingly. Listening prayer and reading God's Word have been the most effective tools to help me do this. Maybe I will post something soon on listening prayer, because a lot of people I meet don't know how to do this.  

]]><![CDATA[Arabic 101]]>Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:26:27 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/08/arabic-101.htmlFor most of you this is crazy, but for a language student you really appreciate being able to say entire sentences. We had some good laughs, so thank you IowaFarmerGuy.
]]><![CDATA[Can you imagine...?]]>Wed, 25 May 2011 11:56:53 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/05/can-you-imagine.htmlI was listening to the speech given today by President Barack Obama in London and this quote stood out to me,

"The path has never been perfect," he said. "But through the struggles of slaves and immigrants; women and ethnic minorities; former colonies and persecuted religions, we have learned better than most that the longing for freedom and human dignity is not English or American or Western — it is universal."

Can you imagine a world like this? In the current context I am living it is hard to imagine, but I do believe as a follower of Jesus we are called to reflect a kingdom that will surpass everything we have ever known here on earth. Without this hope it is really hard to imagine a world that Obama describes, but with hope and faith it is our goal.
]]><![CDATA[One of the best things I can do for this country...]]>Mon, 02 May 2011 11:46:41 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/05/one-of-the-best-things-i-can-do-for-this-country.htmlThe country we are currently living and working is struggling, even though there are many untapped opportunities here if one can put up with the many inconveniences that result from a country developing. Anyways, I was thinking today that one of the best things I can do for this country is to buy stuff. We were buying household stuff the other day from a local shop and I guarantee this made his day. We bought stuff we needed at a fair price and he was able to go home and take care of his family.

Maybe we need to start thinking out of the box a little more? This simple thing impacted this man more then any words I could say in his heart language. It makes me want to figure out how to do this simple thing on a massive scale.
]]><![CDATA[Prayer]]>Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:48:40 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/03/prayer.htmlI know when you search the word prayer on YouTube you will find a lot of crazy stuff. I do not want to judge those people, nor do I want to be one of them. I do want to say prayer is one of the things that makes me know I have a relationship with Jesus. I need to be reminded constantly that Jesus is there with me.

When you hear the voice of God there is nothing like it. If you are struggling with anything please know God will speak to your situation and will not judge you.

When we walk in harmony with Jesus and let him take our burdens we are free from all the many worries in this world. I have been reminded lately that even in turbulent times God gives us peace and joy. Ask anything to Jesus and He will hear you and answer in his way and timing.

If you have time watch this Hillsong video as it has really helped my prayer life. Remember you need to hear from Jesus, and He will speak to you if you ask Him. He might speak to you through the Bible, through people, through experiences, through music, through nature, etc, but you need to ask Him to do this.

If you don't ask for this you potentially run of the risk of defaulting to one of two things. The first is a very religious person working out of personal discipline and duty. The second is a person who claims to walk with God, but really just views God as a self help genie that they pull out when they need something. The people I meet who walk with God closely are those who hear from God on a regular basis.
]]><![CDATA[Cultural Lesson 1]]>Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:54:40 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/03/cultural-lesson-1.htmlPicture
There are many things that are different when you travel, but in our current country we had an interesting experience. We had one guy insist that people from another city were animals. I wonder if this just didn't translate, but he kept telling us that these people were animals.

I couldn't imagine being called an animal, because I was born into a situation that most people envy. I struggle to relate to those who have been oppressed, but I do know when I see oppression it reminds me that this life is only temporary and that the greatest hope for an eternal kingdom comes to those who have been oppressed the most. It is difficult sometimes determining the role I need to play in conveying that message to the oppressed, but I believe it involves a less amount of talking, and a greater amount of servitude.

The picture above was drawn by a friend of mine and it reminds me to pray for the kingdom to come to come faster. It also reminds me to pray for God to use me to help make this world a little more reflective of that future kingdom. When you grasp a vision of the eternal kingdom where Jesus is sitting you will never live the same. Jesus wants to reveal this vision to you, but you need to ask him.

"Open, pour, let praise soar, raise him, praise Him, Christ be adorned" 

]]><![CDATA[Life as adventure]]>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:33:26 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/02/life-as-adventure.htmlI heard this story today from a person that has walked with God for a long time and I thought it was insightful.

He said that one time while he was in Europe he woke up early to fill up his car with gasoline, but on accident he filled it up with diesel fuel. It was only when he got back to the hotel to pick up his wife that he realized this big mistake, because the car would not start. He said they could have decided to complain or fight about it, but instead they decided to seek adventure. They found that even in this big mistake an adventure awaited and he went on to explain one of the best days of their lives.

He just reminded me that even in the worst of situations that a philosophy of "life as adventure" can really make or break the experiences that God has awaiting for us.

I found this video on You Tube and it is the scene in the Lord of the Rings: Twin Towers where Frodo wants to give up and Sam encourages him to keep going. This movie would have been disappointing if both Frodo and Sam simply gave up.
]]><![CDATA[Trust]]>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:57:03 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/02/trust.htmlMy wife and I trust God, especially when times get tough. Right now we are in a big life transition and it simply is overwhelming at times, even though we know it is right. Personally I struggle to think of life without a greater trust in an almighty God.

If you are reading this and don't believe in God I am just curious how you have learned to deal with some of lives difficulties?


]]><![CDATA[Philippines]]>Sat, 22 Jan 2011 08:26:58 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/01/philippines.html
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All those who commented that the Philippines is the most hospitable country in the world please keep posting. I really want to come visit and experience this myself someday. I do know the United States (my country if you didn't figure that out already) is very bad at showing hospitality.

Also, you can legitimately say you are home to the best boxer in the world. Manny Pacquiao is amazing.

]]><![CDATA[More to Come]]>Sat, 22 Jan 2011 08:17:58 -0800http://www.lionsdencentral.com/1/post/2011/01/more-to-come.htmlWe have not had much to blog about that most of you didn't already know, but when we move in the next month we will begin to post interesting culturally things, stories, and resources. Be blessed!
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