Category: We Recommend

Last Days

If you feel like you are getting a bit out of touch with the urgency of the Gospel, read some of Joel Rosenberg’s books. It will remind you how our lives are but a vapor and this world we live in is going to see very terrible times in the end.

“To misunderstand the nature and threat of evil is to risk being blindsided by it.”

This quote from Joel Rosenberg’s book, “The Last Days,” has spurred a series of reflections. Are we ever called to tolerate evil? When God says in Matthew 5:44 to, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” what exactly did He have in mind… tangibly? I know this may seem a world away, but as I read several books at once (of course!), I know that in the spiritual realm, every battle is connected.

How are we misunderstanding evil in our lives? I really believe that a spiritual battle is being waged, but I wonder what evil I look at and underestimate… that will soon blindside the denial right out of me. I don’t think Westerners think enough about the power of God over this evil. Instead we think, “Out of sight, out of mind.” The only problem is that ignorance is exactly how Satan quietly gains ground.

I don’t think ignorance is bliss. I think ignorance is the misguided calm before the casualty.

sidenote: I went over to Joel Rosenberg‘s website to check out the man behind the stories and was almost as intrigued by all the news this man is getting as I was with his page-turning fiction.

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what I’m listening to…

These three artists could not be more different, but they have each provided something special to the soundtrack of this week.

The Almost. Rosie Thomas. William Fitzsimmons.

Check them out and let me know what you think!

I’m SO excited for the market tomorrow – the first since I returned!

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crazy love

This is one picture I can’t bear to pass up. I got to spend some sweet time with Myla Paige over break… and also her mom (my best friend from college) and pop. Holding that sweet, darling girl, watching her smile and dance… I wondered how God must feel about His children… how much more passionate and intimate He must know us.

For a variety of reasons, I’ve been hit with conviction upon conviction coming out of break and back into life here. I have kind of promised myself to get “up and running” on a lot of things, including this blog. I am a bit behind in, well, a lot of things and unfortunately jotting down my thoughts is not at the top of my list.

In the meantime, I want to recommend this sweet book by Francis Chan that has left any trace of New Year’s resolutions in a sorry heap at the back of my mind. I have been challenged to think about what exactly in this moment is eternally significant. What am I doing that will effect eternity?

i am a dreamer. a long term visionary.

But where does that leave the souls of the people who are searching for light right now?

I desperately want to live a radical life, but at the same time the devil has been so deceptive in claiming small, rationalized pieces of this little life puzzle.

One of the strongest (and yet simplest) realizations has been that my resolve for discipline has absolutely nothing to do with my being a true disciple. If I purpose to run after God as the Ultimate, Only, and Perfect prize, then discipline will naturally follow.

I forget that my willpower is definitely overrated.

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In the News

Last time I wrote about someone in the news, it was my brother Samuel. This time, I’m so excited to say it’s my school…and we made the 24-7 prayer website news based in the UK.

Read this article and rejoice with me in the blessings of His glorious grace!

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In the News…

Today is so full of joy (for many reasons)!

In his first season as head coach at South Haven, our brother Samuel, will be playing his third playoff game this week. His success (in my opinion) depends greatly on his dedication to his team and the sport as a ministry. For those of you skeptical of sports and the impact that can be made there, talk to my brother.

Ever since he first started taking on responsibilities at Holland Christian while still in college, his heart for reaching young men through the sport of football has impressed some of the most convincing skeptics. I remember sitting in the stands with Bethany at some of the early games (several losing seasons) and watching Samuel encourage and inspire his team. Many times after games he would be in tears.

Now, after taking his first head-coaching position, I know that his passion for the sport and the young men has only increased. I haven’t been able to talk to him much about it, but luckily the Holland Sentinel newspaper wrote a story on the upcoming game. Click here to read it!

If you still want to know more, you can click here to read another article, in the Kalamazoo Gazette. If you still want to know more, you can go over to his blog (which I’m sure he’s having a hard time updating with all this excitement!).

Basically, today is one of those days my pride could burst my buttons. Congratulations, bro!

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New Honduran Horizon!

One more month has passed – can you believe it?

I certainly cannot! I admit, this newsletter was more hastily finished than any of the previous, but I wanted to get it out in time for Spiritual Emphasis Week to encourage you to pray (if you’re not already!). Just click on this image below or go to my webpage: Adventures in Tegucigalpa.

Without giving too much away, this has been both a wonderful and a difficult month for me. The Lord is constantly refining me and reminding me that there are no promises of ease as His ambassador.

I am daily encouraged by Christians around me and also by the opportunity I see in students and the surrounding area. God is moving and I am learning to expect His presence… to believe that He is mightier than anything the devil brings to battle.

Praise God for the victory we find in Him alone.

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first day of sun

Well, today marked the first day of sunshine in a very long time! I know – it seems strange. You might think that, being in central america, it would always be sunny here. That is simply not the case! I have been bundled in several layers, drinking hot tea and decaf coffee for several weeks straight it seems as the winds and rains whip at my window.

But, as I said, today there was sunshine! We went down into the city to get groceries and the temperature difference was between 12-14 degrees! On the way back up the mountain it felt as if we were entering a different climate completely.

In any case, after we got re-acclimated (and I bought some fresh fall-color flowers on the way), we joined other students and staff in the 24-7 prayer room to hear a short concert and testimony from Benny Prasad. I can’t tell you what a treat it was to hear how the Lord has blessed this man with an amazing ministry that he takes all over the world. Check out his website to read more!

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Musical Stylings of Josh Garrels

In the current age of the internet, mediocre musicians have an easy time gaining a substantial following. The media only encourages their mediocre melodies because shallow is much easier to sell.

Josh Garrels is about as far from shallow and conventional as you can get. Born in the midwestern United States to a musical family, Garrels never really attempted anything conventionally. His first formal musical venture was with a group of interns in a missionary house in Muncie, Indiana.

His father a music teacher, Garrels grew up around all types of instruments and spent hours experimenting with different sounds influenced by rock, acoustic, funk, hip-hop, and folk. Possibly for this reason, his own music refuses to be pinned down to any certain genre.

The song “Freedom” describes his own journey out of a youth of drugs and alcohol into a transformational relationship with Christ. “…time to start livin’ and get a reason for the rhyme/I don’t wanna be dead wrong on the deadline/standing on the dark side and all out of time/like a blind pantamimes fantasized/climb up his own ladder to the sunshine/nothing’s mine that has been given/and no one’s alive now that ain’t been risen.”

Garrels’ poetry calls out to others still lost as he was. The rhymes weave unique stories through the fabric of complicated musical masterpieces. In his most recent work, Jacaranda, he does not stray from his truly original style. Although, this time his originality is attracting a few more ears.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1611489&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
“Freedom” – Josh Garrels from Josh Garrels on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1620865&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
“Restless Ones” – Josh Garrels from Josh Garrels on Vimeo.

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