JUST A LITTLE SNOW....

Hmmm.... 3 P.M. on a Wednesday.... well to be fair it is Christmas Holiday time... and of course our front gate was froze shut this morning.

But... come on... this is only an inch or two of snow.l

.... THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE BUILDING ARE THE RECEPTIONIST, THE OFFICE MANAGER AND MYSELF...!

Earthquake in Indonesia

All our Pioneer Bible Translator folks are fine.

 Thank you for your prayers.

Stay Out Of The -- Fray

Noun:	A situation of intense activity, typically one incorporating an element of aggression or competition.
Synonyms:	verb.  wear out - frazzle - wear noun.  fight - affray - scuffle - conflict - clash - tussle Jesus said,  Matthew 5:1-12 NIV  1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them. The Beatitudes     He said:   3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn,    for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek,    for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,    for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful,    for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart,    for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers,    for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.    11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Did you ever stop to think....

What is old..? What is modern..?  This Philippine Carabao (water buffalo), caught my attention just standing in a field near Santo Tomas.  The water buffalo is all over Southeast Asia.  Interesting how old toiling methods and today's toiling methods.... still work.

Hmmm.... oh wait.... What is wrong with this picture according to our MODERN MEDIA....? It seems as if Media would have us believe labor, toil, and ethics are passe'....

In fact... the TV screen confirms... Modern Media does NOT want us to live in the REAL WORLD. Oh no... they want us in the VIRTUAL WORLD--- THIS IS CRAZY IT HAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

We need to get back to basics:

“For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.”

1 Peter 1:24-25 NIV

Friday Night Memories - NOT..!

It is time. It is time. It is time. Friday night High School Football is here....! I love it...! I remember Viking Stadium in Bristol, TN... the Stone Castle... The Band... The Cheer Leaders.. The Players.. The friends in the seats....! According to Wikipedia.. there are well over 20,000 schools participating tonight... Wow... over 77 of them have played each other for over 100 years... what a wonder we have in America...!!

But wait...wait...wait... none of my missionary friends... are going to be sitting under the lights... hmm... perhaps around the village fire... perhaps... just perhaps.. they will be remembering their youth... in another venue...

Oh, how blessed we are in the U.S. of A. Thank you all... for my memories.

Only One Life to Give

“Only one life 'twill soon be past,

Only what's done for Christ will last.”

The life of Phyllis Rine continues to influence people. She lived the motto that hung on the living room wall in her home in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She made the ultimate sacrifice in Africa on Nov. 24, 1964.

I shared her story with the students at International Christian College of Manila, Philippines because I believe, that as dedicated as these students are, they may also make that ultimate sacrifice. Some of the students are from Mindanao, the part of the Philippines known to be hostile to Christians. The major world religion there does not share the love of the same Jesus we serve. As I interviewed the Seniors I asked if they were willing to serve no matter the cost and they each were very adamant they would serve to the end.

In my article for the Christian Standard (11.23.2008), I wrote

“..we must remember Phyllis Rine and why she was martyred—an unwavering faith that was willing to go and serve wherever she was called, even in the face of grave danger. Her life is to be remembered as a testimony and example for others to step out in faith and take risks necessary to serve the Master.”

Pray for strength to face the ultimate sacrifice and hear the final words, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant...”

China Listening Post

"Be still and know that I am God..."

It was March of 2011. Charliece and I were on the highest mountain within the official Hong Kong area. We came upon this old dilapidated concrete building. To me it was large for all the work done constructing a concrete building in a remote place. The building was obviously totally abandoned.  It had been constructed years and years ago at some great expense. I wondered if men had carried the concrete up here step by step.

Inquires to our Chinese host soon exposed the purpose of the building. It seems it had been built when Hong Kong was under British control. The building was a "listening post" into mainland China.  "Yes," I said to myself, "... up here in the quiet and looking over into the mainland..." 
Hmm... sort of reminds me of Psalm 46:10 when the Lord God of the Universe says,

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God..." 

Today,  I wonder if the 1.3 billion in China ever get an opportunity to actually read... "Be still, and know that I am God..."

Hmm...  I guess that is our job. Thank you Lord that we may sereve.