Quote of the Week 1/28

"And people who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives... and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." Nate Saint (1923-1956)

Video of the Week 1/24

Well... There You Go.

Cruise 'is Christ' of Scientology
By: Emily Smith
The Sun Online (link)

"TOM Cruise is the new “Christ” of Scientology, according to leaders of the cult-like religion. "

“Like Christ, he’s been criticised for his views. But future generations will realise he was right.”

Quote of the Week 1/21

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV)

5 Things I Hate More Than Painting Baseboards (in no particular order)

1. Brussel Sprouts
2. Dental Work
3. Small Claims Court
4. Telemarketers

5.

Because Sometimes a Man Needs to Drive His Family to Church

The way I see it; with the back seats, it makes the perfect utilitarian family car. If you need proof one need look no further than my own father who, as the father of 2 children, owned a '69 Firebird.

Besides, I deserve it. (link)

The Inhumanity Of It All

China Forbidden City may close Starbucks
Residents have expressed the placement of the U.S. coffee chain as an insult to Chinese culture, newspaper reports. CNN (link)

Starbucks in the Forbidden City was always an enigma to me. In the United States we really don't have anything like the Forbidden City so it would be difficult to equate but it would be allot like a Burger King in the Old North Church. It is not surprising to me that people would have a problem with it.

And no, we didn't partake in a Grande Forbidden City Latte' when we were there. I was tempted with a frappachino (since it was 110 degrees with 112% humidity outside) but the frap' has ice and ice=un-boiled water (frozen)=Ming's revenge

It's So Good She Will Hear About Jesus

One does not have to look very closely to notice that my daughter, Kaara, does not (thankfully) look like me. For this reason total strangers make comments. By in large I don’t mind, it sort of comes with the territory of being an adoptive parent. Typically people are just curious so even the more potentially offensive questions (i.e. was she expensive?) don’t bother me. Some of the questions/ comments include:

1. Is your wife Asian?
2. Does your wife speak English? (by the same person that ask #1 after I told them no)
3. Is she (Kaara) adopted? (I love this one, especially when we are out as a family)
4. Is she one of those “Lost Daughters” (link)?
5. It’s so good that now she will be able to hear about Jesus.

I have been thinking allot about the last one lately. I used to always respond by saying, “Well, that diminishes God’s power; she could have heard the Gospel in China”. It is undeniable that the Chinese Government actively tries to suppress the Gospel in China but God is more powerful than the PRC. He may very well have been able to reach Kaara if she had not been adopted.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:15-16 (NIV)

Here is where I have been convicted: What if it’s not the people who say, “It’s so good that now she will be able to hear about Jesus” that are diminishing God’s Power? What if it’s me? What if God’s plan of salvation goes beyond His Son coming, dieing on the cross for the sins of mankind, being buried, defeating death by rising on the third day and ascending to Heaven where He resides today preparing a place for us. While that is universally true, what if God’s plan for salvation for each of us goes beyond that to the personal level? One person may come forward during an alter call given at the end of a church service. I came to Christ as a child. What if God ordained that an unformed Chinese baby would be adopted by a Christian American family and would have the opportunity to hear the Gospel through them?

It is incredible to me that God would love us so much that he would individually tailor our Gospel experience. He is more than a form letter or infomercial god; He speaks to us personally.

Video of the Week 1/17

Quote of the Week 1/14

"The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost."

G.K. Chesterton

Video of the Week 1/10

Sending out some love to Dan and Charlie.

Quote of the Week 1/7

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)

Since my wife heartlessly invoked the "you'll put your eye out" defence on my only Christmas wish for next year I will add this. (Link)

Video of the Week 1/3

New Blog Features.

For 2007 I am starting two new blog features.

The First: "The Coolest Thing Ever", will feature just that... the coolest things ever.

The Second: This Old House. This will document my continuing adventures in home improvement. When I bought our house I was single so no thought went into the typical things one usually thinks about when purchasing a house. For instance; Is my house big enough for my family, can I get far enough away from my children before they drive me insane or will I have time/money to do maintenance. What I did want was an older home with a big yard. Then I met Kris... God has provided a great house for my family we enjoy it very much but it is nearly 70 years old and need of improvements. I will be documenting those improvements here.

I hope you enjoy both "The Coolest Thing Ever" and "This Old House". If you have suggestions (or offers of free labor) please feel free to comment.