Still Here

I’m still here, just haven’t been writing much lately. Hang in with me.

There are a couple of posts at my other blog that you might be interested in checking out. See taethnenetwork.

 

Play Ball!

The World Series begins this evening.

The reigning World Series champs, Philadelphia Phillies (National League, 93-69), take on the American League champs, New York Yankees (103-59).

The Series opens in New York.

To follow the action and your team of preference, click onto World Series.com.

Go Phillies!

 

Phillies or Yankees?

Well, the stage is set for this year’s World Series. It will be last year’s winners, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Yankees who won their series against the Angels last night.

The Series begins Wednesday night.

Can the Phillies do it again?

See a picture of the Phillie’s after last year’s victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays here.

 

UPGs

Check out my post on Unreached People Groups at my other blog, taethnenetwork.

 

And The List Goes On

Hebrews 11 has often been referred to as the “Hall of Faith.”

The chapter begins in verse 1 with a definition of biblical faith:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

We are told that it was by faith that the men of old gained the approval of God (v.2) and that “without faith it is impossible to please” God (v.6).

The author of Hebrews then proceeds to list by name many of the Old Testament saints who gained the Lord’s approval and brought Him glory by virtue of their faith-filled lives and actions. Among those named are Enoch, Noah (for whom one of my sons is named), Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, and the prophets. All individuals worthy of their inclusion in this list.

There are un-named others who are included in this “Hall of Faith” as well. They were men and women of faith who received back their dead by resurrection, were subject to mockings, scourging, and torture, stoned, tempted, and put to death, all because of their faith in God and their lives of faith.

The Bible says that these people ”gained approval through their faith,” even though they “did not receive what was promised.”

What a list, and what a witness these men and woman of old are to us today.

But, I can’t help but believe that the list of those who have lived, and do live, with an “other worldly faith”  in God continues to be added to.

I’d like to briefly share about three men and women that I know and/or have recently learned about that I believe have that “other worldly” kind of faith that pursues God and His will and purposes on this earth and thusly, gain His approval.

The first is a Chinese pastor who started the church that I attend on Sunday evenings. This man obviously has the spiritual gift of “apostle” or church planter. He is an itinerant missionary who  lives and operates out of a nearby major city and has started at least four Mandarin congregations in university cities in our state. I know that his ministry extends beyond the borders of our state; he has traveled as far as Canada to be involved in the start of Mandarin congregations there. What amazes me is that this pastor has an earned PhD in an engineering field and could be comfortably employed by an engineering company for the support of his wife and children. Yet, he has responded to the Lord’s call on his life to evangelize and disciple international students and start churches. I recently asked a fellow church attendee if the pastor has a ministry organization through which I could contribute to his support. I was staggered to learn that he does not have a ministry organization and he does not conduct fund raising campaigns. He and his family are supported by the Lord through the free-will offerings received from the churches he starts and other churches and individuals who know him and share the vision the Lord has placed within his heart. He is a man with an “other worldly” faith.

The second man is one that I only know about through the newsletter of friends who serve in a “closed access” nation. This man was prayerfully considering leaving his place of service in another part of the country to join my friends in their work. He eventually informed them that he has decided to stay where he lives and continue his service as the pastor of a house church network. The church he personally serves has been visited several times by government representatives and there have been threats of arrests. This man said that if anyone was to be arrested, it needed to be him rather his young associate who is married with young children. Thus, his decision to remain where he is. This man has an “other worldly” faith and confidence in God and a self-sacrificing love for his fellow believers.

The third person that I would share with you about is a young lady who lives in our community. I do not know her or her name but was told about her by two leaders in the church where she is a member. This young lady has long had a burden for the low-come families who reside in a Section 8 housing community in our city. She became involved in ministry to the children and families who live on the “Loop” while still a university student. Her ministry is that of evangelism through word and deed. Her compassion for the people on the “Loop” was so great that she was not content to minister to the people as an “outsider.” She sensed the Lord’s call on her life to minister to the people from the “inside,” as one of the people, a resident of the housing community. So, when she recently graduated from the university with a degree, rather than seeking employment in her field that would guarantee her a comfortable career and income (an income that would have disqualified her from housing in a low-income area), she chose rather to work for the local school district as a teacher’s assistant. As a T.A., with the low-income that T.A.s make, the young lady has qualified for an apartment on the “Loop” and is now ministering there as a resident. This un-named young woman, compelled by the love of Christ has chosen to live a life of poverty and simplicity and serve others, exemplifying an “other worldly’ faith that gains the approval of the Lord.

I am inspired by the men and women who are referred to in Hebrews chapter 11 to live a life of faith that pleases the Lord. I am just as inspired by the two men and one woman that I have shared with you above in this post.

To live by faith and pursue the Lord and His purposes and glory on this earth. To look past and to forsake the pleasures and comforts of this life for the sake of the Gospel. To trust, for the care and provision of my family and ministry, the One who has called me into His family and Kingdom service.

 

Notes From The Blueprint By Ma

Interested in church planting and reaching university students for Christ through the start of organic, simple churches?

I am as well and recently read a book that was very insightful into the subject and very encouraging.

Read my post on The Blueprint:: A Revolutionary Plan to Plant Missional Communities on Campus by Jaeson Ma. You can read it here on my other blog, taethnenetwork.

 

It’s Greek To Me

The word “ta ethne” is found in two passages of Scripture where the Lord Jesus Christ commands His disciples, then and now, to go to the “nations” and preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47) and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).

Many misunderstand the word “nations,” as “ta ethne” is translated in many versions of the Bible, to mean the geo-political entities of the world when, in fact, it does not.

I’ve recently read an article by Dr. Jim Slack of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention on the subject of “ta ethne” as it is used in Scripture. The article helps us to correctly understand that “ta ethne” means ethnolinguistic people groups.

If you are interested in reaching the “nations” for Christ, please read Slack’s article and my post. Our understanding of “ta ethne” may change the way that we look at and do missions, globally and locally.

I have written a post on Dr. Slack’s article on my other blog, taethnenetwork.

Dr. Slack’s article can be found here.

 

Chinese Student Ministry

Please check out my post about our recent field trip with nine international students and one baby to a local Czech ethnic and cultural festival. You can read the post, “PhDs and Kolaches,” at my other blog, taethnenetwork.

 

“Ta Ethne Network” Blog

I have begun writing a new blog that I’d like to invite you to click over to and visit. It is call taethnenetwork.

This new blog is being put together as we are developing a new ministry organization, ta ethne network. ta ethne network is a continuation of our ministry to international students at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and beyond that we believe will allow us to intensify that ministry. We have ministered to students since 1997 under the banner of International Bible Fellowship, but with a subtle change in ministry concept, we are changing our name to “ta ethne network.”

After the first post on the new blog site, which is an introductory statement, you will find three posts that were originally written and posted on the old International Bible Fellowship blog. I have copied and placed them on taethnenetwork because they are still relevant to our ministry. The fourth post is a series of pictures that document our student ministry, showing men, women and families who have been involved in the ministry over the years. There are also several pictures of events that we have conducted with students.

So, please visit us at taethnenetwork. We would also ask you to pray for us as we step out in faith and pursue the ministry concept that the Lord has impressed upon our hearts. Thanks.

~ Blessings ~

 

BTJ Quotes

As I mentioned in my last post, I am going to share some quotes from the book Back To Jerusalem that spoke to me as I read about the Chinese church’s vision to evangelize and “church” the nations of the “10/40 Window” and Jerusalem itself.

******************************

 … don’t be amazed at the Chinese Christians, they are just sinners saved by grace and undeserving of any attention. Rather, be amazed at the wisdom and manifest beauty of God’s plan. ‘For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.’ (I Cor.1:25)”  (Paul Hattaway, p.xiv)

Don’t pray for the persecution to stop! We shouldn’t pray for a lighter load to carry, but a stronger back to endure!” (Brother Yun, p.69)

Please pray that God will give us His wisdom in all things, so that the whole movement will be rooted in His will and operated in His strength.” (p.94)

We are often asked how we are going to finance the Back To Jerusalem movement. The answer is simple: we aren’t! But we believe God will, and that He has done so until now….we look to the hand of God for his provision and not to human hands.” (p.102)

When we serve God it’s importnat to concentrate on His character and our obedience to his leading.” (p.105)

We can’t afford any big programmes or fancy Gospel presentations. All we have to give people is Jesus.” (p.106)

When you are truly obeying the Lord’s call you please God, and when you are in step with the work of the Holy Spirit you begin to feel the heartbeat of our loving Saviour. Your work stops being a chore and starts becoming a natural overflow of the love of God that has been deposited in your heart.” (p.125)

 … we refuse to be drawn into the spirit of denominationalism in any way….We are also not interested in erecting any church buildings. We don’t need believe the world needs another single church building. They need Jesus ….” (p.129)

If God has given you a vision for is glory, then step out in obedience to the heavenly call. The road may not be easy, but you will succeed if you endure to the very end.” (p.134)

So why then are there still so many needy countries and areas of spiritual darkness in the world today? … The problem lies in the kind of Christianity practised by the majority of believers today.” (pp.136,137)

There are more than enough Christian ‘believers’ in the world today. God wants more disciples!” (p.138)

God cannot use a person who wants a safe and comfortable Christian life.” (p.151)

People often think people backslide because they cannot hold onto certain theological truths, but the problem is usually disobedience, not theology.” (p. 153)

A church is meant to be a training centre and command hub for war, not a social club for pleasantries and hypocrisy, where people give lip service to Christ while refusing to obey His commands.” (p.156)