Where God Has Placed Us

This blog actually comes from my missionary friend Jennifer in China. You can keep up with her via her blog at http://www.xanga.com/jenmusic.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Good news - it's 75 degrees right now!!! I was outside earlier, wearing sunglasses (that gets even more stares, BTW) and enjoying the sunshine. I really wish I could post pictures, you should see this. It's beautiful when spring comes to our little corner of China.

So the other day I was walking to meet some students for lunch, and something happened. It's happened before, but every time it does it's really strange. I was walking along, listening to my iPod and looking around, when all of the sudden I thought, "I live in China! I live in China? No way! That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard!" That's pretty much the internal monologue, verbatim.

Does that ever happen to anyone else, when you're somewhere and doing something and you think, "This is impossible. I can't really be a mother/work in an office/be a clown for Ringling Brothers/insert your choice here"? It's so bizarre when that happens.

But it's not a bad thing, I think. Aside from the momentary disorientation, it was good to be reminded of the privilege and excitement of living and working in China. I remember when I first came and just stared at all the signs in Chinese, and now it's so commonplace I barely look anymore. Well, I'm looking again, and feeling the wonder I felt when I first came. I'm very thankful that Father refreshes us when we need to be refreshed, and sometimes it happens just by remembering where he has put us.

Have a great day - zaijian!

Men's Camp 2007

I had a great time at this past weekend's Men's Camp. There were over 500 men in attendance this year. I haven't been to the camp in over 5 years, so it was good to get back and fellowship with some of the men. I am a little sore today from the sports activities. This picture is of some of the Lakeland gang that went. You can check out a few other photos from the weekend by going to my Flickr account.

Endure Movie Project

My company's feature film project is now into full swing in its development stage. With the script being finalized, we are now beginning to seek funding for the $1.2 million project. We are also beginning to develop the casting and crew list. Fortunately, we already have interest from a couple of distribution companies. Check out the trailer and website at www.enduremovie.com.

New Idea for Bible Study

I got this article from Beliefnet.com. Great idea for a study location. Meet with them where they are.

Enjoy Wings, Bible Study at Hooter's

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

We'll furnish the hot wings. You just show up, says the Rev. Tom Sharron.

Beginning Thursday, Destin United Methodist Church will offer "Hot Wings Bible Study" at the Hooter's Restaurant in Destin, an establishment known across the country for its scantily clad waitresses and hot wings.

"It's a study for people who haven't studied the Bible a whole lot. It will be beginner's style," said Sharron, the assistant pastor at the Methodist church one of bringing the gospel Destin's largest, to the marketplace.

Knowledge of a similar program at a Hooter's franchise in Montgomery inspired Senior Pastor Ken Taylor to offer the service to Destin.

"The idea is to take the gospel to the marketplace, where the people are," Taylor said.

He recently approached Hooter's owner Stewart Houston, a fellow Rotarian and member of Destin United Methodist Church, with the idea. It was pleasantly received.

"We've been a member of the community for about 14 years now," Houston said. "So anytime someone from the community approaches us and asks us to help with something, we're always happy to do what we can."

The Bible studies will begin at 11 a.m. each Thursday on the outdoor deck at Hooters, weather permitting. Everyone is welcome to attend, and wings will be served.

Taylor will lead the first study.

This is just one of the many outreach services Destin United Methodist Church has planned as it "takes the gospel to the marketplace." Taylor plans to expand and soon offer regular Bible studies on a Destin fishing boat.

"It's for the fishermen who work all day and can't come to church on Sundays," he said.

As the program expands, another dream of Taylor's is to one day launch a pontoon barge at Crab Island for conducting Bible services.

Holy Week Open Air Meeting

Here are a couple of images from our recent Open Air meeting in Munn Park during Holy Week. It was great to have a number of elementary school classes in the park having Easter Egg Hunts at the time. They enjoyed the music of the band and we had a wonderful opportunity to present the Gospel to them.

You can check out a few more images from the Open Air meeting at the link to my Flickr account on the right-hand column of this site.

Easy To See The Faults In Others

I am sitting here in Panera Bread having a bagel and coffee. I should be on my way to work. But, after a long and busy weekend with Holy Week activities and Easter services. I need a break. Panera has somewhat become my oasis during the week.

As I am sitting here, I have observed a small boy and his mother who frequent Panera often. I have seen them a number of times, when I stop by. This morning the boy is really showing himself (most parents will know what I mean by this). It has become a spectacle for the whole crowd seated near them.

However, what has become even more interesting for me is the comments from the retired couple seated near me, as they offer suggestion for how they would handle the situation. They obviously have an opinion. Granted, I have one too.

This whole situation has reminded me how easily we see faults in other people and how they respond to life. It is so easy for us to be critical of others. Yet, we usually don't see our own short comings. My scripture reading for the morning says, "I have blotted out your transgressions and your sins like mist.." (Isaiah 44:22). Thank God for that. I have many shortcomings, but God still loves me and forgives. May I see the good in others and be reminded of my humanity.

Jimmy's Calling

What a great day yesterday at our church. The worship team set went really well. Everyone seamed to enjoyed watching the short video entitled "That's My King". The Songsters had a wonderful presentation of "Prayer Prelude". And Ed gave a great sermon on making Jesus' Kingship reign in us.

While this was going on at our church, some 20 or so of our youth were attending our state-wide youth councils. Our son Jimmy said that it was a very good weekend. He really enjoyed it. However, there is one issue regarding this weekend that Elyshia and I had specifically talked about with Jimmy, prior to the weekend. We had actually talked with him about it separately on more than one occasion and spoke with him about it together just before he left for the weekend. The issue is that of the "Call to Full Time Ministry" that we knew would occur on Sunday morning during the worship time. Every year at youth councils there is a moment when they ask the young people if they feel they have been called to full-time ministry as a Salvation Army Officer (Pastor). Elyshia and I both know, from experience, that many young people respond at the time, due to emotions of the moment. In our conversations with Jimmy prior to youth councils we with him talked about the importance of that decision and that it is one that should not be taken lightly. We also mentioned that perhaps he might be too young to begin making life-long decisions at this point. Basically, we told him not to respond at this time. Actually, last year at Youth Councils, I was a chaperon, and when the invitation came to respond to the "Call", Jimmy started to head up to the stage and I basically told him to sit down.

So, as you would guess, upon Jimmy's return from the weekend one of our first questions to him was, "Did you go forward during the invitation for the 'Call to Officership'?" He said yes. At which point his mom and I both just looked at each other. So, he responded either due to the emotion of the moment or God really is calling him to serve full-time. Either way he didn't listen to his mom or me. In this instance, maybe that is not a bad thing.