We even invited a famous R&B singer and her too tuff bodyguard. Just kidding! Big shout out to Khaleed and Stephanie. Cool peoples. Khaleed is from Jamaica and has got serious acting skills.

"Angel now that you are 21 what are you going to do? "I'm going to have a party at Mcdonald's!" Grown people having a party at Mcdonald's would stretch my imagination but I was there and besides being incredibly tired it was fun. Shout out to Angel our worship leader from Singapore who is superhot on the acoustic!

The nations are coming to us. Here is the real challenge for the American church of the 21st century: How do we come together as one body in Christ and retain our cultural identity? Can we be one church with many different cultures and many different ethnic backgrounds and still be a representation of God's kingdom??

One of the greatest countries in the world recognizes Ethiopia as very pivotal in building an economic bridge to the rest of Africa. Check out the pictures of Ethiopia's "Chinese invasion." I see even greater potential for Ethiopia to be a "gateway to Africa" for change in all kinds of areas.

Here is an interview with Teshome Toga the minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture
from allafrica.com Teshome interview
I believe that these are Ethiopia's greatest potential strengths. Especially in regards to the overwhelming population of youth, the great long distance runners, and the unique culture which sets it apart as a nation.

The Irish monks of the middle ages spread the gospel all over Europe and helped to convert and preserve civilization. YOu can read about it in Tim Cahill's book "How the Irish Saved Civilization"

This is the kind of big dream and prayer I have for the christians in Ethiopia. That God would use them to help save Africa.

In honor of today being St. Patrick's day here is a prayer attributed to St. Patrick

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

In the darkest days of Europe St. Patrick revolutionized Ireland and Christianity. Give it up for St. Patrick!!!

Today I was inspired to reread Michael J. Gelb's book "How to think like Leonardo Da'Vinci". Leonardo was a genius and his life was so holistic. I firmly believe that our generation is looking for wholeness and a holistic gospel. How do I live my life as a holistic follower of Christ? A Renaissance christian so to speak.

What will happen if I continue to pray for God's divine appointments in my life? Already I have had the opportunity to plant the seeds of faith in others. I just want divine appointments to bring those around me nearer to God than they were before they encountered me.

The responsibility of being a servant of God is overwhelming. This passage in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 should be meditated on over and over by anyone who is feeling called to plant a church.


Our work as God's servants gets validated--or not--in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

No matter what I keep on going because I feel the people of the world calling me. It is like a magnetic pull. My inner compass says to go into all the world. It is my true north. When I look through the book Operation World by Patrick Johnstone I can't sit still. I want to go to places like Mauritius where my friends Tracie and Damtew believe God has called them. Just several months ago I didn't even know where Mauritius was located. Maybe one day it will know me.

Here is a picture of me and my totalled car. It is ironic that I bought this car in order to have security when it comes to transportation and I am still lacking security. The only true security comes from God.

God, the one and only--I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.

Psalm 62:1,2 The Message Bible

Tim Henson are church's natural born administrator just came back from Chennai, India. Take a look at his pictures

Makes me want to go there but for now I will concentrate on Ethiopia.

A mystery: Do we live in a "book culture" or an "oral culture"? It's hard to tell. It is a given that most of western society is expected to read but we gravitate towards story, video, and audio i.e. Lord of the Rings, MTV. So which one is it? This whole thought/question was sparked by the latest Dawn FridayFax which gives weekly updates on churchplanting and mission success. This week the focus is on the importance of storytelling in communicating the gospel especially overseas. Here is the some reasons for storytelling given by Jim Bowman, director of "Scriptures in Use"

over two thirds of the world population receive most of their information orally;
for over one third of the world's population (more than 2 billion people), oral communication is the only source of information;
95% of women in the Islamic world can only be reached through oral communication;
over 75% of the Bible consists of stories. Adding poetry and proverbs leaves probably less than 10% abstract 'intellectual' content;
traditional Western forms of communication only reach the 10% intellectual elite in unreached people groups, storytelling the rest;
storytelling turns discouraged, marginalized, semi-literate believers into powerful evangelists and disciplers with great impact, a sense of fulfillment, personal value and new hope.


I think we (Western civilization) are going from book culture to new media culture. You can read more about the difference between oral and book cultures here Storying

Check out this article on the
blogging trend. They are saying that it won't take off.

I agree and disagree. This is just writing online with the ability to post images and keep an archive of what you wrote. That is something that every writer would love but if you don't really like writing then maybe it has no use for you. I think that it will take off in the context of peer groups and social webs. It can be a real community builder.