Deep Thoughts

Some things to think about…

What am I getting myself into?

This entry is part 2 of 27 in the series Zimbabwe 2007 Project

I believe it was back in May of last year that one of the men in my church first approached me expressing his desire to go on a short term missions trip in the future and wanting to present a questionarre to the men’s group to see if there were any others who had an interest. Little did I know the way events would unfold and how not only is this missions trip actually happening, but I’m one of the ones going!

Why Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe became the point of destination for the men in our church because it is a natural fit with the partnership our church has established with Gord and Anita Cooledge who run a Village of Hope in Harare. The purpose of this project is to make available the varying gifts and abilities of the men who go, the resources we are able to take with us, and the willingness to serve wherever there is a need to aid in the work that the Cooledges are doing in building this community to help children orphaned by AIDS.

Article Review: The Blessing of Pain

I must admit I never quite looked at pain the way that Paul Brand and Philip Yancey record in the article Putting Pain to Work which is posted on BuildingChurchLeaders.com. Illustrating from his experience working with people suffering from leprosy, Paul highlights the importance of pain in healthy bodies. This correlates directly with the healthiness of the body of Christ as well. He says,

Article Find: Revenge of the Plants

Fly hazardYou know I never thought of the creation/evolution debate from this angle before, but Dr. Richard Yen (a cell biologist, founder of a biotech company, and advisor to the West-Coast Chinese Christian Conference) certainly has a valid point in highlighting how plants defy the evolutionary model. Certainly when you read this article you can’t help but see why evolutionists might want to avoid talking about plants…

Five non-religious arguments for marriage over living together

I’ve always been against the practice of living together before marriage and for the wonderful commitment between a couple in getting married. However, even though I disagree with a guy and gal living together before marriage I still understand why some people think it’s okay. There are many reasons why I disagree and of course among them is the Biblical teaching on the sanctity of marriage. However, I must admit (to my chagrin) that the Bible just doesn’t carry the initial influence that it once had in society (gasp!) and frankly a “religious” argument just doesn’t have any impact on “reasoning” with people that it once had. That doesn’t make the Biblical teaching invalid or worthless - it just means that I can’t make the assumption that quoting scripture is going to convince people that living together is not a good idea or is even living in… (whispers conspiratorily) sin!

Perspective on the Mel Gibson affair…

Okay, I know this is a bit delayed but I came across this article by Michael Coren, published in the Toronto Sun that I liked. In Christians are a Jews’ Best Friends Coren makes some good comments about the incongrous perspective the media and secular establishment in North America takes when it comes to covering “anti-semite” stories. He points out correctly that,

“If we want to see authentic hatred and bigotry, we only need to read the newspapers and watch television. There, one finds daily venom against Christianity from the mainstream and the most vitriolic contempt from the fringes.”

How true. I guess my questions coming out of this are, “What do Christians do to contribute to this ill-gotten perspective” and “What can we do to change it…or is it possible?” It leaves me wondering if the Christian Church (capitalized on purpose) were to live as Christ taught would such a perspective be present? Probably - I mean Jesus said himself that his followers would face persecution,

…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 - NIV)

What I'm Doing (twitter)...

Posting tweet...

In the conversation...