On Sunday morning, we heard a sermon on "time" and the importance of living in the present (rather than in the past or in the future). One of the texts was Hebrews 13:8, which talks about God being the same yesterday, today, and in the future.
Later on Sunday, we celebrated of elder daughter's 6th birthday (which was actually the previous day). Besides our 3 kids, there were 13 other children, plus 4 other adults who helped. As our daughter is in a new school, a lot of her guests were from her previous school of the past 3 years. They all seemed to enjoy seeing each other again. We did the party around a Strawberry Shortcake (in French, Charlotte au Fraise) theme party. Besides seeing the kids again, we also enjoyed getting back in contact with some of their parents.
It struck me that in another decade, we should be celebrating her sweet 16 party. This is a good reminder to enjoy each day with my wife & children.
My wife plans on starting an English club on Wednesday & Saturday mornings for children. We have a good amount of interest already.
Tonight (Monday) our older 2 children began swim classes. It was nice to see some of the other kids & their parents after a summer away. Some of them are interested in the English club too.
lundi 14 septembre 2009
dimanche 30 août 2009
Freddy Mercury, George Michael
We've been back in Paris for a couple of days now. It's been a busy time of trying to unpack, sort mail (& handle urgent ones), restock our groceries, organize our stuff, and get adjusted to the 6 hour time change.
This morning we attended a worship service at church. After having been in 9 different churches the last 9 Sundays in the U.S., it was an adjustment to be back. We missed the great kids programs that many U.S. churches have. I enjoyed a sermon on John 15 and Galatians 5 that talked about bearing fruit, as well as the leaves and branches that need to be pruned in order to be fruitful. I may blog on this another time. But it was a good sermon to come back to as we start this next season of ministry here.
Tonight on TV, my wife and I watched a concert by Queen, followed by a documentary on the career of George Michael.
I was amazed at Freddy Mercury's capacity to motivate crowds through his vocal talent, creative lyrics, and charismatic stage presence. It was sad to think of him dying of AIDS at such a young age, as he was so gifted.
I reminisced about the 70s and 80s while watching the George Michael documentary. The group WHAM has some of my favorite tunes of that period. Since going single, he has had much musical success, along with ups and downs in his personal life. He's dealt with the death of several loved ones.
I feel a little depressed now in thinking about where these 2 artists are at now. It's a good reminder of why I'm here focusing on ministry to artists. Great artists have the capacity to exercise great influence. This can be used for great good or great harm. They can produce good fruit or bad fruit through their art, as well as through their influence.
I hope that this next season of ministry somehow helps some artists to follow Jesus better (or even to start following him), as well as produces good fruit in their different artistic domains and spheres of influence.
This morning we attended a worship service at church. After having been in 9 different churches the last 9 Sundays in the U.S., it was an adjustment to be back. We missed the great kids programs that many U.S. churches have. I enjoyed a sermon on John 15 and Galatians 5 that talked about bearing fruit, as well as the leaves and branches that need to be pruned in order to be fruitful. I may blog on this another time. But it was a good sermon to come back to as we start this next season of ministry here.
Tonight on TV, my wife and I watched a concert by Queen, followed by a documentary on the career of George Michael.
I was amazed at Freddy Mercury's capacity to motivate crowds through his vocal talent, creative lyrics, and charismatic stage presence. It was sad to think of him dying of AIDS at such a young age, as he was so gifted.
I reminisced about the 70s and 80s while watching the George Michael documentary. The group WHAM has some of my favorite tunes of that period. Since going single, he has had much musical success, along with ups and downs in his personal life. He's dealt with the death of several loved ones.
I feel a little depressed now in thinking about where these 2 artists are at now. It's a good reminder of why I'm here focusing on ministry to artists. Great artists have the capacity to exercise great influence. This can be used for great good or great harm. They can produce good fruit or bad fruit through their art, as well as through their influence.
I hope that this next season of ministry somehow helps some artists to follow Jesus better (or even to start following him), as well as produces good fruit in their different artistic domains and spheres of influence.
dimanche 23 août 2009
Fishing
Yesterday we left Paul & Jessica's house in the Downriver Area of Michigan for Oakland County. Before arriving at Loren & Margaret's home, we spent a delightful afternoon with my long-time friends Darren & Donna. They live on Cass Lake.
They took us on their pontoon boat, which was very relaxing. Our son asked about fishing and they happened to have a rod and tackle box in the boat. After little success, Darren then have the boat go at a very slow speed, which is called "trolling."
Soon afterward, our son felt a tug on the rod. He had a caught a small mouth bass and was very happy.
Our elder daughter tried fishing as well. She caught a bluegill.
Hopefully this successful fishing is a precursor to this next term in France.
They took us on their pontoon boat, which was very relaxing. Our son asked about fishing and they happened to have a rod and tackle box in the boat. After little success, Darren then have the boat go at a very slow speed, which is called "trolling."
Soon afterward, our son felt a tug on the rod. He had a caught a small mouth bass and was very happy.
Our elder daughter tried fishing as well. She caught a bluegill.
Hopefully this successful fishing is a precursor to this next term in France.
samedi 22 août 2009
Life & Death
Yesterday I attended the visitation, then the funeral of a friend named Jerry. He passed away early Wed. morning just after midnight. This happened to also be his birthday and he was in his upper 70s. I actually know his wife Nancy better, as she has been a huge spiritual encourager of our work. They have financially supported our work for a number of years now. We happen to be in the area, so I wanted to be there to pay tribute to him, as well as support Nancy.
It was interesting getting to know Jerry better through the words of his wife, son, and granddaughter. This was the first funeral type of service I've been to since our stillborn daughter's this past November and first adult funeral since my mother's in November 2007. I learned that Jerry was well connected in the community and had lots of longtime friends. He loved to golf and camp with his friends & family. He worked as a bricklayer. He and Nancy were high school sweethearts and had been married 60 years. He was admired by his children and grandchildren. He was a committed follower of Christ and served in many different capacities in a number of different churches. He worked as a volunteer probation officer.
Nancy mentioned that she had learned many new things about her husband in the course of the 2 days of visitation. It was a reminder that there is often much more that we don't know about our family & friends than what we know. Only God knows each one of us in all our different facets.
Those who live well have visitations & funerals like the one yesterday. Jerry's body looked very peaceful lying in the casket while others were talking about him. He's now with Jesus and hopefully was greeted by Jessica and my mom.
It was interesting getting to know Jerry better through the words of his wife, son, and granddaughter. This was the first funeral type of service I've been to since our stillborn daughter's this past November and first adult funeral since my mother's in November 2007. I learned that Jerry was well connected in the community and had lots of longtime friends. He loved to golf and camp with his friends & family. He worked as a bricklayer. He and Nancy were high school sweethearts and had been married 60 years. He was admired by his children and grandchildren. He was a committed follower of Christ and served in many different capacities in a number of different churches. He worked as a volunteer probation officer.
Nancy mentioned that she had learned many new things about her husband in the course of the 2 days of visitation. It was a reminder that there is often much more that we don't know about our family & friends than what we know. Only God knows each one of us in all our different facets.
Those who live well have visitations & funerals like the one yesterday. Jerry's body looked very peaceful lying in the casket while others were talking about him. He's now with Jesus and hopefully was greeted by Jessica and my mom.
mercredi 29 juillet 2009
Car safety
It's been said that, statistically speaking, the most dangerous thing that someone in our line of work does is to get into a car. More people die in car crashes than are martyred for their faith.
A couple of days ago, we were driving to visit some friends in Arlington, TX. We were only a couple miles from our host family's home. We were in the left of 2 lanes and in a row of cards stopped at a red light, which turned into green. Suddenly we felt a bump from behind. A yellow rental truck had apparently anticipated the changing light and rolled forward.
I got out to inspect our back bumper. It appeared that there was no apparent damage. We both pulled into an Exxon gas station immediately on the left. We called our host friends, who suggested we call the police.
My wife said her neck was hurting a little. Our friends arrived first, then a plain clothes police officer, then a couple more police cars, then a fire truck and emergency vehicle.
The other driver first claimed that he didn't hit us, then changed his story after the police came. One of our host friends chewed him out.
My wife got into the emergency vehicle and got checked out. We wanted to have a record of what happened, just in case there were physical complications yesterday.
Fortunately, it appears that neither our car nor anyone in our family nor the other driver suffered any physical damage. We felt a little shook up emotionally and were cautious both going to and coming back from our friends' house in Arlington. Coming back, we hit the biggest rainstorm that I can remember driving through in many years.
During this trip, we've pretty much had smooth sailing during our travels. But the little incident was a reminder to not take this safely for granted. Car accidents often seem to be something that you are either part of or just miss by just a few seconds. I'm sure that the Lord has protected us many times that we aren't even aware of.
A couple of days ago, we were driving to visit some friends in Arlington, TX. We were only a couple miles from our host family's home. We were in the left of 2 lanes and in a row of cards stopped at a red light, which turned into green. Suddenly we felt a bump from behind. A yellow rental truck had apparently anticipated the changing light and rolled forward.
I got out to inspect our back bumper. It appeared that there was no apparent damage. We both pulled into an Exxon gas station immediately on the left. We called our host friends, who suggested we call the police.
My wife said her neck was hurting a little. Our friends arrived first, then a plain clothes police officer, then a couple more police cars, then a fire truck and emergency vehicle.
The other driver first claimed that he didn't hit us, then changed his story after the police came. One of our host friends chewed him out.
My wife got into the emergency vehicle and got checked out. We wanted to have a record of what happened, just in case there were physical complications yesterday.
Fortunately, it appears that neither our car nor anyone in our family nor the other driver suffered any physical damage. We felt a little shook up emotionally and were cautious both going to and coming back from our friends' house in Arlington. Coming back, we hit the biggest rainstorm that I can remember driving through in many years.
During this trip, we've pretty much had smooth sailing during our travels. But the little incident was a reminder to not take this safely for granted. Car accidents often seem to be something that you are either part of or just miss by just a few seconds. I'm sure that the Lord has protected us many times that we aren't even aware of.
dimanche 26 juillet 2009
God of My Days -- Visit to Gateway Church (South Lake, Texas)
God of My Days
Gateway Worship
You awaken my heart
From slumbering
Meet me in mourning
And you speak to my grief
You're the light in my darkness
The delight of my eyes
The hope of the daybreak
When the sun's slow to rise
(Chorus)
I trust that every moment's in your hands
You're the God of my days
The King of my nights
Lord of my laughter
Sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise
The love of my life
You never leave me
You are faithful
God of my days
You unveil my eyes
Help me to see
The arms of my Father
Encircling me
You're a constant companion
I am never alone
Your love is the banner
That's leading me home
(Chorus)
My eyes are on You
My hope is in You
My faith is in You
My eyes are on You
My hope is in You
My faith is in You
(Repeat chorus 2 times)
Yesterday we attended the 4:00 p.m. Saturday service of the South Lake campus of Gateway Church. Our friends Brad & Holly have attended here for 6 years and they've seen it grow from around 1,500 to 15,000. It was mind-boggling to walk around that campus before church and see how well everything was done. The service lasted exactly one hour, including announcements done via a video clip at the very beginning of the service, worship time, communion, and an excellent sermon by Pastor Robert Morris on the law vs. grace.
The rapid growth of this church from a home Bible study in 2001 to its current size gives lots of room for thought. It would be amazing to see that type of church develop in Paris. Perhaps Hillsong is that type of church.
Gateway Worship
You awaken my heart
From slumbering
Meet me in mourning
And you speak to my grief
You're the light in my darkness
The delight of my eyes
The hope of the daybreak
When the sun's slow to rise
(Chorus)
I trust that every moment's in your hands
You're the God of my days
The King of my nights
Lord of my laughter
Sovereign in sorrow
You're the Prince of my praise
The love of my life
You never leave me
You are faithful
God of my days
You unveil my eyes
Help me to see
The arms of my Father
Encircling me
You're a constant companion
I am never alone
Your love is the banner
That's leading me home
(Chorus)
My eyes are on You
My hope is in You
My faith is in You
My eyes are on You
My hope is in You
My faith is in You
(Repeat chorus 2 times)
Yesterday we attended the 4:00 p.m. Saturday service of the South Lake campus of Gateway Church. Our friends Brad & Holly have attended here for 6 years and they've seen it grow from around 1,500 to 15,000. It was mind-boggling to walk around that campus before church and see how well everything was done. The service lasted exactly one hour, including announcements done via a video clip at the very beginning of the service, worship time, communion, and an excellent sermon by Pastor Robert Morris on the law vs. grace.
The rapid growth of this church from a home Bible study in 2001 to its current size gives lots of room for thought. It would be amazing to see that type of church develop in Paris. Perhaps Hillsong is that type of church.
dimanche 12 juillet 2009
South Dakota
We're on day 18 of our Summer 2009 U.S. HMA. We've been in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and now South Dakota. Except for needing to replace the battery, the car has run fine. We've already seen many friends along the way.
Today we're at a sponsoring church in western South Dakota. We'll be talking in adult and children's Sunday school in an hour or two.
It's a privilege to get to make new friends and see old friends during this HMA trips. Our schedule is generally packed, although we have enjoyed some times of rest and refreshment along the way. For me, getting to see friends is the highlight of these trips. We're blessed to have friends scattered throughout the U.S., as well as around the world.
Now it's time to get dressed and get the wife and children up. I love these quiet mornings when everyone else is asleep.
Today we're at a sponsoring church in western South Dakota. We'll be talking in adult and children's Sunday school in an hour or two.
It's a privilege to get to make new friends and see old friends during this HMA trips. Our schedule is generally packed, although we have enjoyed some times of rest and refreshment along the way. For me, getting to see friends is the highlight of these trips. We're blessed to have friends scattered throughout the U.S., as well as around the world.
Now it's time to get dressed and get the wife and children up. I love these quiet mornings when everyone else is asleep.
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