Weblog
28/08: Blog Moved
After a few frustrating episodes with our blogging software, we have switched to wordpress.The domain has also moved to:
blog.rachelandjuan.com
27/08: Black Flight
This has serious implications for those of us with Here's Life Inner City, or for that matter, any inner city organization. I would hope that we take notice, because not only will it affect who we do ministry with, but also where we do it. If we stay in the cities, then we will be working with a largely upper middle class white post-modern. If we wish to remain working with the poor, we might find ourselves in the suburbs.
Another interesting speculation is that with some western rural towns having an unemplyment rate close to 2% there might be a slow, but steady shift away from poverty caused by unemployment. What then?
21/08: Do away with income tax?
I've been reading a great many persuasive arguments on why the income tax can and should be repealed. The idea is not only interesting, I believe it makes a lot of sense.The basics of the argument are that income tax is one of the lesser sources of income for the government and would only reduce the governments ability to spend to about the year 2000's levels. Then with who knows how much cash in the hands of people, untold jobs would be created and people's earnings would skyrocket. What do you think? Workable or not so much?
12/03: Antsy
I'm really antsy today!Is it lack of sleep? I'm jet-lagged from my trip to California and I got up extra early this morning for no good reason. Now I'm feeling like any amount of focus is a lot of hard work. My patience is also a bit threadbare.
Lesson to learn? Get more sleep!
God Bless!
23/01: Our trip to NC
Rachel and I just got back from North Carolina! It was fun, but boy it's good to be home. (I wonder if I'll say that when I go to Heaven?)We saw a good chunk of the support we needed come in, and we hope that we will gain the rest when we go to California in a few weeks. Thanks to all who made it possible!
04/01: Japan
I just met a couple of missionaries that had spent the last 30 years in Japan! I was so excited, and hearing their stories I was reminded again of how I miss Japan and want to go back. I can't even imagine if I could or if that is what God wants, but I know that I am excited about what is going on.Japan is such a beautiful country...
It has such a rich history...
Tokyo, the capitol, is the largest urban center in the world!
God has created the japanese people uniquely, and has given them a history...
They love to have fun and yet are soo serious...
Many are lonely and would love to know Christ...
And there is always poverty, even in Japan's rich country...
Can you see why I want to go? Japan has always had less than 1% Christians, but recently Gallup found that 4% claim to be Christians! Also, 7% of teenagers claim to be Christian! What an exciting time. I envy those who are there, and I want everyone I know to go.
Should I?
28/11: Boxes of Love
Boxes of Love was a success!It began bright and early with the man with the keys 15 minutes late at 6:30AM. Then mass chaos ensued in which I believe good things happened because by the end of the day, 650 - ish boxes had been safely distributed with a 30-second blurb on fox news on the way!
So all in all, God worked tremendously. It's hard to remember sometimes what is going on when you just see the day to day. But when you think of the 4,000 people who will hear the gospel because of a few people helping to mobilize others, it becomes evident that God has a plan. I may have been on the planning end, but God put in place all of the 100 or so (at least) volunteers that it would take to distribute the boxes. God is great!
Perhaps I can keep my perspective better in the future, when I'm bored at my desk!
15/11: The Week Before
It's the week before Boxes of Love (BOL) and everything is coming together nicely. No frantic scrambling, no craziness, just straight forward all the way. All the details are falling where they are supposed to.This means my job is boring! Well, at least in the hectic, oh my God, what do we do now sort of way. So what does this mean for me? Do I celebrate? Do I complain? Do I curl up with a good book and video game? Do I help Rachel with Say Yes? Do I have lots of quiet times? Does it matter?
I really don't know what the right answer is. However, I am sure of one thing. God is in control, and regardless of what I do, His ministry will continue on unimpeded. God is making BOL happen, and God will see it through to the completion He deems necessary. I just get the priveledge of watching.... literally.
How are you letting God work in your life today by doing little or nothing?
