Of the many times I've heard Tony Campolo speak it has been this particular talk titled "It's Friday but Sunday is Coming" that has shaped my thoughts of Easter.
Today the day is rainy in Michigan so I am "forced" to sit at my desk to ponder and pray and to visit some of the "old" books which have influenced my thinking and my life. One of those books is titled THE PRAYER THAT SPANS THE WORLD by Helmut Thielicke. (1960) Here are a few of his thoughts -- please read the whole book
First - "To the Reader"
"These sermons, delivered to congregations in Stuttgart, were addressed to people who continued to assemble throughout the horrors of air raids, the declining days of a reign of terror, and finally through the period of total military and political collapse and the beginning of occupation...
"The preacher saw upon the faces of his hearers the destinies from which they had come or which they were approaching. He sensed the tension they were feeling ... He saw on those faces the torment of doubt and despair, the hunger and thirst for a valid comfort and encouragement that would stand the test in hours of work, in hours spent in underground shelters, suffering agonies of body and mind.
"All that the preacher read in those faces and also what filled him to the brim, since he too was a participant, is doubtless reflected in these sermons. And the Lord's Prayer was able to contain it all.
"..."And to the author it seems important that they should keep in view a world in which the furies had been unleached, a world that was forced to reveal itself - the actual world in which these addresses were delivered. This meant that any kind of phrasemaking and glorification of the world in ruled out. Here only the whole truth and the naked truth can stand; here only the center of the gospel message can make us free." Helmut Thielicke
Second, - Pages 21,22
"No, we cannot say 'Our Father'! We really cannot!
Only on one condition - and that condition would be tantamount to a miracle - could we say 'Our father.' And that would be if the Father has first spoken to us, if he had revealed himself to us and we therefore had the guarantee that he was actually and beyond all conjecture with us in the dark forest and that when we cried 'Father, Father' we were not merely victims of the illusions of our own yearnings.
"And this is the point in our train of thought at which we clearly see the tremendous importance that this prayer is to be attributed to the fact that it is Jesus Christ himself who teaches us to pray the Lord's Prayer...
"... suddenly we realize that it is fatefully significant that Jesus is one from whom we receive this holy prayer of all Christiandom. Jesus in the invisible backgrouind of every one of its petitions. All of them are nothing less than geometrical loci that meet in Jesus, even though Jesus himself is never mentioned.
Page 29
"Out of the flood of thoughts that pour in upon us when we say 'Our Father' I have chosen and dealt with one in this first sermon... this though can be summed up as follows: Absolutely everything depends on this one fact, that it is Jesus Christ who teaches us this prayer. Jesus alone, in his life and his death, is the guarantor that there is a Father, that God is nevertheless at work in this cruel, hard, and fatherless world, building his kingedom of mercy and the secrecy of the Cross. So every sermon on the Lord's Prayer must of necessity be central to the preaching of Christ; otherwise it romantic fantasy, nothing more.
"Now everything will be all right, so long as we hear his good voice calling us above the howling of wolves, and above the sound of branches snapping, above all the ominous noices around us.
Pages 31,32
"God is always there first. God has always spoken first;... Jesus Christ walked the earth, died and rose for us, ascended into heaven, and brought us to the Father. God is always there first, and therefore our prayer is always only and answer to this simple fact. Take Bethlehem and Golgotha out of the world and the cry of God will be slienced and praying becomes meaningless...
"Never can we realize this wonderful fact that a voice is calling to us from Bethlehem and Golgatha and the open grave, and that our tongues are free to pray, so that now the note of praise and thanks may enter into our response: 'Praise to thee, O God our Father; you are the one who walks in the night and calls us. Now all is well...
Page 41 -42
"But Jesus lives and breaths in the atmosphere of eternity. For Jesus, prayerful conversation with the Father is the familiar home to which he is constantly returning. For Jesus, our native home is an alien place...Indeed, his sacrifice is that he comes to be with us in the far country. But Jesus does come; he wants to be our brother... We should all be orphans were it for Jesus. There would be no one to hear us if Jesus had not opened the gates of heaven...
"But now we have a shepherd. Now the gates of heaven are open. Now we have a Father. What can ever cast us down, what can ever unhinge us as long as we can look into that countenance and as long as we can say in the name our brother Jesus Christ. "ABBA FATHER"
To each of you who happen to read this blog
Wilma and I wish for you an Easter filled with grateful hearts for Jesus -- the one who truly spans the whole world!!!
Bill
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thank you
For all of you who tapped into my last post GOSPEL FOR TEENS thank you very much! My hope is that many of you will take your unique "Vi" character and find a equally great way to use your talent (giftedness).
There are million of Onesidphorous type people around the world - deeply needed - desperately wanted - waiting to be revealed. These are the future Mother Teresa people whom the world wonders if they will come ------- some day!
Bill
There are million of Onesidphorous type people around the world - deeply needed - desperately wanted - waiting to be revealed. These are the future Mother Teresa people whom the world wonders if they will come ------- some day!
Bill
Monday, April 4, 2011
Gospel for Teens - from CBS 60 Minutes 4/3/11
Last evening I happened upon 60 Minutes and found a story that caused my heart to break as well as to "sing"! A lady named Vi was the featured person in the story as she has worked with teens in Brooklyn, New York. Lesley Stahl of CBS spent a year working on this story. I recommend that you bring it up on your computer for the whole, beautiful story - ultimately. CBS/60 Minutes/Gospel for Teens.
There were so many statements, so many kids, so many insights that caused me to compare Vi to one of the Apostle Paul's friends - Onesiphorus. (Am I stuck on this guy, or what - II Timothy 1:16 -18 or what?)
For the 40 some kids who auditioned to sing Vi selected some and could not tell you why. She just felt that they belonged in the group. From the first the kids were told to leave their "baggage" outside and just learn to sing. Singing became the vehicle for bonding, for company, for self respect and eventually for openness.
When asked to introduce themselves many of the kids were either too timid or too ashamed even to share their name. In time there was trust and one day Vi asked them to bring their "baggage" inside. Kid after kid shared of someone really close who had either been shot or stabbed or some other horrible thing had happened to them. Vi asked them to "sing it all out". One young lady said, "I build up all of my pain so that I can sing it all out. You believed in me." (Gabby) (Onesiphorous - you often helped me catch my breath) About Gabby Vi said, "If I had only looked at the surface I would not have invited her."
Another young lady, Rhonda, wrote a song about her life. She lives with a Grandmother in a special apartment building set aside for women to raise these young people. Two of those ladies spoke of how they are able to help but also about how they can not replace a father. Rhonda's song was about her Dad who came and never came back. "DADDY, DADDY, DADDY WHERE WHERE ARE YOU WHEN I NEED YOU THE MOST?" This from a 15 year old in Brooklyn whose dad came and took her to a movie and gave her $20.00 and promised to come back, and never did.
David Moses, another 15 year old whose father has stayed with his family because his father had modeled what it meant to stay with the family, even in the "projects" and how he has now stayed with family. David, "my cousin was shot to death - "Sing it all out!" and sing David did! Vi, "Struggles - what do you do - you have to go someplace where there is sacred ground." "Singing was allowed during slavery, so I want these kids to know that Gospel singing could be "sacred ground". "The right to sing was allowed."
Another young lady was asked by Leslie Sthal, "What's on the inside?" The answer, "JOY"
David and Tiffany Oli (on the spot at the spring concert ) were asked to sing the theme song of the group "HOW CAN I TELL YOU". Tiffany (14)later sang a solo, "Jesus love me".
At the Spring Concert the kids were asked to share their name - each one shouted out "My name is....from Brooklyn, N.Y.!"
Vi (Onesiphorous) you often refreshed me - helped me catch my breath. You were not ashamed of my chains (Oh the chains these kids carry). You sought me out and you found me (Oh that all the kids in our towns and cities could find a Vi). You served me --- "you believed in me when no one else believed in me!" (Gabby) Her Mom and Dad did not come to the concert
This blog is an attempt to let you know about another person who gives herself to others - to let them "sing it all out". In time, to let them bring their "baggage" inside. A place where trust has been won and where it is safe to "sing it all out".
I hope you too will find "sacred ground" for singing.
Bill
There were so many statements, so many kids, so many insights that caused me to compare Vi to one of the Apostle Paul's friends - Onesiphorus. (Am I stuck on this guy, or what - II Timothy 1:16 -18 or what?)
For the 40 some kids who auditioned to sing Vi selected some and could not tell you why. She just felt that they belonged in the group. From the first the kids were told to leave their "baggage" outside and just learn to sing. Singing became the vehicle for bonding, for company, for self respect and eventually for openness.
When asked to introduce themselves many of the kids were either too timid or too ashamed even to share their name. In time there was trust and one day Vi asked them to bring their "baggage" inside. Kid after kid shared of someone really close who had either been shot or stabbed or some other horrible thing had happened to them. Vi asked them to "sing it all out". One young lady said, "I build up all of my pain so that I can sing it all out. You believed in me." (Gabby) (Onesiphorous - you often helped me catch my breath) About Gabby Vi said, "If I had only looked at the surface I would not have invited her."
Another young lady, Rhonda, wrote a song about her life. She lives with a Grandmother in a special apartment building set aside for women to raise these young people. Two of those ladies spoke of how they are able to help but also about how they can not replace a father. Rhonda's song was about her Dad who came and never came back. "DADDY, DADDY, DADDY WHERE WHERE ARE YOU WHEN I NEED YOU THE MOST?" This from a 15 year old in Brooklyn whose dad came and took her to a movie and gave her $20.00 and promised to come back, and never did.
David Moses, another 15 year old whose father has stayed with his family because his father had modeled what it meant to stay with the family, even in the "projects" and how he has now stayed with family. David, "my cousin was shot to death - "Sing it all out!" and sing David did! Vi, "Struggles - what do you do - you have to go someplace where there is sacred ground." "Singing was allowed during slavery, so I want these kids to know that Gospel singing could be "sacred ground". "The right to sing was allowed."
Another young lady was asked by Leslie Sthal, "What's on the inside?" The answer, "JOY"
David and Tiffany Oli (on the spot at the spring concert ) were asked to sing the theme song of the group "HOW CAN I TELL YOU". Tiffany (14)later sang a solo, "Jesus love me".
At the Spring Concert the kids were asked to share their name - each one shouted out "My name is....from Brooklyn, N.Y.!"
Vi (Onesiphorous) you often refreshed me - helped me catch my breath. You were not ashamed of my chains (Oh the chains these kids carry). You sought me out and you found me (Oh that all the kids in our towns and cities could find a Vi). You served me --- "you believed in me when no one else believed in me!" (Gabby) Her Mom and Dad did not come to the concert
This blog is an attempt to let you know about another person who gives herself to others - to let them "sing it all out". In time, to let them bring their "baggage" inside. A place where trust has been won and where it is safe to "sing it all out".
I hope you too will find "sacred ground" for singing.
Bill
Monday, March 28, 2011
Roy Cook - sequel
After Roy's funeral we have spent this last week thinking more about Roy and Evelyn, about their influence, their willingness to cover people with prayer and loving care. In looking over some of the minutes of past Board meeting of Haven Hill Foundation (1983),I found this quotation from the book A GIFT FROM GOD by Mother Teresa (adapted for Michigan).
"...in Michigan and the whole USA the problems of our people are deep down, at the bottom of their hearts. They have to come to know you and trust you, to see you as a person with Christ's compassion and love, before their problems will emerge and you can help them. This takes a lot of time! Time for you to be people of prayer and time to give yourself to each of your people.
"There is always danger that we may become only social workers, or just do the work for the sake of the work. It is a danger if we forget for whom we are doing it. Our works are only an expression of our love for Christ. Our hearts need to be full of love for him, since we have to express that love in action, naturally then the poor are the means of expressing our love for God.
"A Hindu gentleman said that they and we are doing social work, and the difference between them and us is that they are doing it for something, and we are doing it for somebody.
"If there are people who feel that God wants them to change the structures of society, that is something between them and their God. We must serve him in whatever way we are called. I am called to help the individual; to love each poor person. Not to deal with institutions. I am in no position to judge."
Following the funeral and a luncheon people were asked to share any story about Roy and Evelyn ---- many people stood up and told stories. Five to seven "young" couples shared about their honeymoon at Willowbank, others talked about humor, insight, changed perspective on marriage, business, "the work", other individuals etc. etc. Roy and Evelyn cared about people and only rarely about institutions. For them each person really counted!
May that same spirit invade each of out lives.
Bill
"...in Michigan and the whole USA the problems of our people are deep down, at the bottom of their hearts. They have to come to know you and trust you, to see you as a person with Christ's compassion and love, before their problems will emerge and you can help them. This takes a lot of time! Time for you to be people of prayer and time to give yourself to each of your people.
"There is always danger that we may become only social workers, or just do the work for the sake of the work. It is a danger if we forget for whom we are doing it. Our works are only an expression of our love for Christ. Our hearts need to be full of love for him, since we have to express that love in action, naturally then the poor are the means of expressing our love for God.
"A Hindu gentleman said that they and we are doing social work, and the difference between them and us is that they are doing it for something, and we are doing it for somebody.
"If there are people who feel that God wants them to change the structures of society, that is something between them and their God. We must serve him in whatever way we are called. I am called to help the individual; to love each poor person. Not to deal with institutions. I am in no position to judge."
Following the funeral and a luncheon people were asked to share any story about Roy and Evelyn ---- many people stood up and told stories. Five to seven "young" couples shared about their honeymoon at Willowbank, others talked about humor, insight, changed perspective on marriage, business, "the work", other individuals etc. etc. Roy and Evelyn cared about people and only rarely about institutions. For them each person really counted!
May that same spirit invade each of out lives.
Bill
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Roy Cook
On Friday morning Wilma and I start a journey to Washington D.C. to attend the funeral of a person most of you have never heard about. Roy has been a part of my life since 1949 and I would like to tell you something about this man, about quiet behind the scenes influence, about service and about faithfulness.
In 1949 as a new believer in Jesus, having memorized at least 16 Bible verses under the care of the Navigators I set off to attend the summer conference of the Navigators at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA.(I still have the picture that they took of all of us!). In the registration line , by chance, I was next to another conference attender who was quite angry that the registration fee had been raised by $5.00. Not to be deterred, I suggested that the two of us go off and quote verses together - that is what we did in those days - over the course of the conference we must have hit it off because we pledged to work together, someday, for Jesus. That conferee was Doug Coe - whom thousands of people know.
Roy Cook was the person who brought Doug to the Navigator conference. Roy gave up his studies in college after hearing Daws Trotman give a talk about making disciples. He went back to Salem, Oregon for the express purpose of introducing his best friend to Jesus. Roy and Doug are two opposites, but good friends. Eventually Doug gave his life to Jesus and Roy brought him to the Nav conference that summer.
Years of "walking" with Doug, teaching, training, praying with and for Doug, working off the rough edges (all of us need that)and seeing Doug become a "Tomothy" in the II Timothy 2:2 mode (Roy's faithfulness) later the two of them came to Washington D.C. Roy was then invited by men in Bermuda to lead Willowbank (a retreat center). He and Evelyn (Roy's wife)ran that center with great skill, humor, Bible studies, and financial success. After returning to D.C he and Evelyn have quietly kept the "Fellowship" and all of its related peoples and activities covered with prayer. Hundreds of people drive down 22nd street in Arlington, Va. to visit The Cedars - most pass by the lane that led to the home of the Cooks - most pass by the real power source, the quiet influence of The Cedars!
Roy died this week just 13 days after Evelyn died. They has a powerful influence on Doug and through Doug and hundreds of others, an influence around the world. If the author of the book THE FAMILY (widely read)wants to write about a true "power broker" in D.C. he should search out the hundreds of people Roy and Evelyn had influenced.
I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul wrote in II Timothy 1:16-18 when I think about Roy. Paul wrote, "The Lord have mercy on the household of Onesiphorus.. he has "refreshed me" meaning, " over and over again he allowed me to catch my breath!" Paul in chains in a Roman prison - allowed to catch his breath. Whom do we know that will allows us to catch our breath?
Onesiphorus - "was not ashamed of my chains.." Whom do we know that is not ashamed of us as we struggle with our "chains" what ever they are or how powerful is their influence?
Onesiphorous - "when he was in Rome he diligently "sought me out". Going to Rome from to Ephesus was not a journey of jumping on a jet for a 5 hour ride, it was a journey which took lots of time - and he did not even know where Paul was. Maybe it was like going to Los Angles to vist a friend and not knowing where they were. How would you start? No Goggle in those days. And, Paul wrote, "and found me!" How far would I go to find someone not even knowing where they were? And, what would happen even if I found them? "often he let me catch my breath"!
Timothy "you know well the service he gave to me while I was in Ephesus" Roy served many of us while he was in Oregon - Kent Hotaling, Bob Messing, Ken Rawlings, John Gilman, Bud Sharplnack, Jerry Menefie, Chuck Gil, Mark Hatfield and many more on and off the campus of Willamette University. He served many in Bermuda, Washington D.C, and even those who drove pass his driveway to go to the The Cedars.
Roys helped many of us "catch our breath" by praying for us when we went out to do "Jesus work" - some of which Jesus didn't care about anyway!
Roy (Onesiphorous)Cook - thank you!
Bill
In 1949 as a new believer in Jesus, having memorized at least 16 Bible verses under the care of the Navigators I set off to attend the summer conference of the Navigators at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA.(I still have the picture that they took of all of us!). In the registration line , by chance, I was next to another conference attender who was quite angry that the registration fee had been raised by $5.00. Not to be deterred, I suggested that the two of us go off and quote verses together - that is what we did in those days - over the course of the conference we must have hit it off because we pledged to work together, someday, for Jesus. That conferee was Doug Coe - whom thousands of people know.
Roy Cook was the person who brought Doug to the Navigator conference. Roy gave up his studies in college after hearing Daws Trotman give a talk about making disciples. He went back to Salem, Oregon for the express purpose of introducing his best friend to Jesus. Roy and Doug are two opposites, but good friends. Eventually Doug gave his life to Jesus and Roy brought him to the Nav conference that summer.
Years of "walking" with Doug, teaching, training, praying with and for Doug, working off the rough edges (all of us need that)and seeing Doug become a "Tomothy" in the II Timothy 2:2 mode (Roy's faithfulness) later the two of them came to Washington D.C. Roy was then invited by men in Bermuda to lead Willowbank (a retreat center). He and Evelyn (Roy's wife)ran that center with great skill, humor, Bible studies, and financial success. After returning to D.C he and Evelyn have quietly kept the "Fellowship" and all of its related peoples and activities covered with prayer. Hundreds of people drive down 22nd street in Arlington, Va. to visit The Cedars - most pass by the lane that led to the home of the Cooks - most pass by the real power source, the quiet influence of The Cedars!
Roy died this week just 13 days after Evelyn died. They has a powerful influence on Doug and through Doug and hundreds of others, an influence around the world. If the author of the book THE FAMILY (widely read)wants to write about a true "power broker" in D.C. he should search out the hundreds of people Roy and Evelyn had influenced.
I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul wrote in II Timothy 1:16-18 when I think about Roy. Paul wrote, "The Lord have mercy on the household of Onesiphorus.. he has "refreshed me" meaning, " over and over again he allowed me to catch my breath!" Paul in chains in a Roman prison - allowed to catch his breath. Whom do we know that will allows us to catch our breath?
Onesiphorus - "was not ashamed of my chains.." Whom do we know that is not ashamed of us as we struggle with our "chains" what ever they are or how powerful is their influence?
Onesiphorous - "when he was in Rome he diligently "sought me out". Going to Rome from to Ephesus was not a journey of jumping on a jet for a 5 hour ride, it was a journey which took lots of time - and he did not even know where Paul was. Maybe it was like going to Los Angles to vist a friend and not knowing where they were. How would you start? No Goggle in those days. And, Paul wrote, "and found me!" How far would I go to find someone not even knowing where they were? And, what would happen even if I found them? "often he let me catch my breath"!
Timothy "you know well the service he gave to me while I was in Ephesus" Roy served many of us while he was in Oregon - Kent Hotaling, Bob Messing, Ken Rawlings, John Gilman, Bud Sharplnack, Jerry Menefie, Chuck Gil, Mark Hatfield and many more on and off the campus of Willamette University. He served many in Bermuda, Washington D.C, and even those who drove pass his driveway to go to the The Cedars.
Roys helped many of us "catch our breath" by praying for us when we went out to do "Jesus work" - some of which Jesus didn't care about anyway!
Roy (Onesiphorous)Cook - thank you!
Bill
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Global Politics
Our oldest son asked, in a recent email, for my comments on the issues in the Middle East. Though I had studied in Pakistan during the years of 1956/57 and lived among dozens of Pakistani students, most of them Muslim by faith, I find that 50 years later I know even less about how the Muslim world thinks and works.
Keeping abreast of current times, even with modern communications abilities, would be a full time job. So much is unknown! So much of global thinking is hidden behind signs and demonstrations. Who is really calling for revolt? The mass media picks up a few demonstrators and that seems to create more demonstrators and more and more demonstrators. There are real issues, real needs that need to be addressed, political issues, labor issues, youth issues etc. etc. How is a person going to understand and decide - even here in the United States?
Being an "infant" in my understanding of Islam - I do not know Arabic and therefore cannot understand the Koran, according to some Muslims. I have read an English version of the Koran in an attempt to understand and make at least a modest response to the current global crises.
My fear is that the chaos will drag many into unwise actions from which there may be no way out of the chaos. Violence within Islam and its various sects and violence with other religions could easily become the norm. Some European nations have already declared that multicultural communities cannot coexist. Where will those positions lead those nations when and if Islam does not accept that position?
One last thought - none of us can neglect to understand Islam and the growing crises. At the battle of Tours in France the movement of Islam to capture Europe was stopped. Will expansion of Islam continue? According to Islamic doctine this current surge is only the beginning.
Bill
Keeping abreast of current times, even with modern communications abilities, would be a full time job. So much is unknown! So much of global thinking is hidden behind signs and demonstrations. Who is really calling for revolt? The mass media picks up a few demonstrators and that seems to create more demonstrators and more and more demonstrators. There are real issues, real needs that need to be addressed, political issues, labor issues, youth issues etc. etc. How is a person going to understand and decide - even here in the United States?
Being an "infant" in my understanding of Islam - I do not know Arabic and therefore cannot understand the Koran, according to some Muslims. I have read an English version of the Koran in an attempt to understand and make at least a modest response to the current global crises.
My fear is that the chaos will drag many into unwise actions from which there may be no way out of the chaos. Violence within Islam and its various sects and violence with other religions could easily become the norm. Some European nations have already declared that multicultural communities cannot coexist. Where will those positions lead those nations when and if Islam does not accept that position?
One last thought - none of us can neglect to understand Islam and the growing crises. At the battle of Tours in France the movement of Islam to capture Europe was stopped. Will expansion of Islam continue? According to Islamic doctine this current surge is only the beginning.
Bill
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Hebrews 1:14
Today, and in the recent past, a number of issues have been shared asking for prayer. Two good friends have recently had surgery for brain tumors, another has been placed into a medical facility ( his family do not believe that he will ever leave that place). An email today told of a death of one of the young students in Yetebon etc. etc.
My response to these requests has been Heb.1:14. Years ago, while teaching the book of Hebrews, I asked the men if they had anything to do with Angels. The typical response was something like, "Billy Graham wrote a book about angels" or something like that. It seems that very few of us think about Angels except for the guardian verity. So the question that the first chapter of Hebrews answers may give us, at least a hint, of what an angel is and what they do.
The whole first chapter compares Angels and Jesus ... and in the 14th verse gives us some answers. First, no Angel compares in any way with Jesus! The Angels are not dismissed as being irrelevant, it is just that they have a place in OUR plans as well, a place where they rightly do what they are commissioned to do. The Phillips translation stated the verse in this way,"Angels are spirits in the service of God, whom God commissions to to serve those who obtain His salvation." Other translations, "Are they (angels)not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation."
The morning of that teaching I stop and said,"Jesus if you have a dozen Angels sitting up there waiting for an assignment would you send a dozen to serve______.
From that day to this that is how I have prayed for people, for situations, for healing etc. etc. Like everyone I don't know how to pray - really - I just ask Jesus to send Angles to serve -- they know the issues, Jesus knows whom and how many to send. Jesus commissions Angles - they don't come on their own, they are sent!!!
So, the answer for today's requests has been - Jesus will you send a dozen Angels to serve that person, those people, that doctor, those nurses, that pastor/teacher/mentor, that business man, that person who is studying for the Bar exam,etc.
"Angles are spirits in the service of God, whom He sends forth to serve..." what a terrific fact - even for your situation and concern.
Much love,
Bill
My response to these requests has been Heb.1:14. Years ago, while teaching the book of Hebrews, I asked the men if they had anything to do with Angels. The typical response was something like, "Billy Graham wrote a book about angels" or something like that. It seems that very few of us think about Angels except for the guardian verity. So the question that the first chapter of Hebrews answers may give us, at least a hint, of what an angel is and what they do.
The whole first chapter compares Angels and Jesus ... and in the 14th verse gives us some answers. First, no Angel compares in any way with Jesus! The Angels are not dismissed as being irrelevant, it is just that they have a place in OUR plans as well, a place where they rightly do what they are commissioned to do. The Phillips translation stated the verse in this way,"Angels are spirits in the service of God, whom God commissions to to serve those who obtain His salvation." Other translations, "Are they (angels)not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation."
The morning of that teaching I stop and said,"Jesus if you have a dozen Angels sitting up there waiting for an assignment would you send a dozen to serve______.
From that day to this that is how I have prayed for people, for situations, for healing etc. etc. Like everyone I don't know how to pray - really - I just ask Jesus to send Angles to serve -- they know the issues, Jesus knows whom and how many to send. Jesus commissions Angles - they don't come on their own, they are sent!!!
So, the answer for today's requests has been - Jesus will you send a dozen Angels to serve that person, those people, that doctor, those nurses, that pastor/teacher/mentor, that business man, that person who is studying for the Bar exam,etc.
"Angles are spirits in the service of God, whom He sends forth to serve..." what a terrific fact - even for your situation and concern.
Much love,
Bill
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Long silence
So easy to start a new idea and so difficult to continue when I don't truly know what is worth writing about, or even worth sharing. Early this morning a idea began to form itself in my head - I have done several things to keep from writing; bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, play a game of free cell as the computer warmed up, check my emails (not much), drank a cup of coffee etc. etc. and it is not early morning any more!
But, I do have something to write about, something that has been a part of my thinking for almost a year. Year ago, good friend Bobb Biehl said, " Nothing has meaning without a context." Others have added to that quotation, "or a comparison".
Context and a little bit of comparison for this blog is the following:
As I was preparing to go to Ethiopia last February I was getting a haircut and the barber(Jim)asked about my next trip. As we talked about Ethiopia a man walked in the barber shop and took a seat in front of Jim and became engaged in the talk about Ethiopia. Juan is a Ford Motor Company retiree, a gifted, thoughtful, creative person who has served Ford for over 30 years - illustration, opened the Ford Monterey, Mexico plant etc. In the barber shop conversation Juan began to share a dream that he has had for over 30 years - inexpensive housing using natural fiber (sisal).
Since my trip to Ethiopia Juan and I have meet many times, have learned to dream together, think together, visit other together, work in my garage together to put his ideas into a practical working model - to meet the needs for housing where in the world sisal (natural fiber) is grown. In Ethiopia I kept my camera busy photographing every plant I could see. We found out from Sam (Marta and Deme's son) that Ethiopia was, at one time, a major exporter of sisal. We have also found out that Haiti was, at one time, a major exporter of sisal. Around the whole world sisal has been grown and usually used for backing for rugs, wall hangings ets. But Juan has shown that sisal can be used for building material.
Juan, working with Lawerence Technical University, in Detroit has tested sisal as a building material. The development of fiberglass has replaced natural fiber. Many sisal plantations (Haiti, Ethiopia, others) have been abandoned so that sisal is now used for rope etc. Along with Juan I now believe that the tremendous housing needs of people around the world can be meet by using natural fiber.
One metric ton of processed sisal is enough raw material, combines with the binding agent, to make 51/2 30' by 20' houses. Natural fiber pressed into this material will allow local people to build their own houses, or start a small business, or begin to build homes that will not fall apart like cement blocks etc.
As I have watch the TV reports on Haiti, have seen the housing needs in Ethiopia and elsewhere, I have been struck with the number of NGO's in Haiti, as an example, throw buildings into that chaos (not a bad thing) but not solve the problem. Billions of dollars are being wasted, local people are jobless, plastic covered building have a day time temputure reaching 120 degrees. etc. etc. THERE IS A BETTER WAY, AT A MUCH LOWER COST, THAT WILL BEING DIGNITY AND JOBS AND USE LOCAL MATERIALS FOR BASIC HOUSING NEEDS. Buildings much lead to permanent homes, built by local people for themselves and their neighbors.
Juan knows the details. Juan has the heart for needy people. Juan has proven the process (a dream of over 30 years) could be a reality for these times. My concern is, how can I help Juan's dreams of making money 30 years ago become a dream of helping people without a thought of making money out of his dream?
Even if you had to buy a press and import the binding agent, the cost of a house would so much less than, for example, what Samaritans Purse, the Red Cross, and any number of NGO's have offered. The waste of money in Haiti has been well documented! There are other answers that will not keep a people dependent on outside sources for ever. We all need, and can do better for ourselves and for others.
Should the Red Cross, Samaritans Purse, World Vision, The Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, the Mormon Church etc. etc. want more information, want to help, want to address long term needs, I know some people who are on that road. Lets get together.
A barber chair in a small community in Michigan can become a beginning place. Strangers can come together and not have to form another organization - lets just have those already in existence run with the idea.
Let me know if you want to get in touch with Juan. I don't want to swamp him without his permission.
DREAMS CAN BECOME A REALITY, IF PLACED IN THE RIGHT HANDS.
Bill
But, I do have something to write about, something that has been a part of my thinking for almost a year. Year ago, good friend Bobb Biehl said, " Nothing has meaning without a context." Others have added to that quotation, "or a comparison".
Context and a little bit of comparison for this blog is the following:
As I was preparing to go to Ethiopia last February I was getting a haircut and the barber(Jim)asked about my next trip. As we talked about Ethiopia a man walked in the barber shop and took a seat in front of Jim and became engaged in the talk about Ethiopia. Juan is a Ford Motor Company retiree, a gifted, thoughtful, creative person who has served Ford for over 30 years - illustration, opened the Ford Monterey, Mexico plant etc. In the barber shop conversation Juan began to share a dream that he has had for over 30 years - inexpensive housing using natural fiber (sisal).
Since my trip to Ethiopia Juan and I have meet many times, have learned to dream together, think together, visit other together, work in my garage together to put his ideas into a practical working model - to meet the needs for housing where in the world sisal (natural fiber) is grown. In Ethiopia I kept my camera busy photographing every plant I could see. We found out from Sam (Marta and Deme's son) that Ethiopia was, at one time, a major exporter of sisal. We have also found out that Haiti was, at one time, a major exporter of sisal. Around the whole world sisal has been grown and usually used for backing for rugs, wall hangings ets. But Juan has shown that sisal can be used for building material.
Juan, working with Lawerence Technical University, in Detroit has tested sisal as a building material. The development of fiberglass has replaced natural fiber. Many sisal plantations (Haiti, Ethiopia, others) have been abandoned so that sisal is now used for rope etc. Along with Juan I now believe that the tremendous housing needs of people around the world can be meet by using natural fiber.
One metric ton of processed sisal is enough raw material, combines with the binding agent, to make 51/2 30' by 20' houses. Natural fiber pressed into this material will allow local people to build their own houses, or start a small business, or begin to build homes that will not fall apart like cement blocks etc.
As I have watch the TV reports on Haiti, have seen the housing needs in Ethiopia and elsewhere, I have been struck with the number of NGO's in Haiti, as an example, throw buildings into that chaos (not a bad thing) but not solve the problem. Billions of dollars are being wasted, local people are jobless, plastic covered building have a day time temputure reaching 120 degrees. etc. etc. THERE IS A BETTER WAY, AT A MUCH LOWER COST, THAT WILL BEING DIGNITY AND JOBS AND USE LOCAL MATERIALS FOR BASIC HOUSING NEEDS. Buildings much lead to permanent homes, built by local people for themselves and their neighbors.
Juan knows the details. Juan has the heart for needy people. Juan has proven the process (a dream of over 30 years) could be a reality for these times. My concern is, how can I help Juan's dreams of making money 30 years ago become a dream of helping people without a thought of making money out of his dream?
Even if you had to buy a press and import the binding agent, the cost of a house would so much less than, for example, what Samaritans Purse, the Red Cross, and any number of NGO's have offered. The waste of money in Haiti has been well documented! There are other answers that will not keep a people dependent on outside sources for ever. We all need, and can do better for ourselves and for others.
Should the Red Cross, Samaritans Purse, World Vision, The Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, the Mormon Church etc. etc. want more information, want to help, want to address long term needs, I know some people who are on that road. Lets get together.
A barber chair in a small community in Michigan can become a beginning place. Strangers can come together and not have to form another organization - lets just have those already in existence run with the idea.
Let me know if you want to get in touch with Juan. I don't want to swamp him without his permission.
DREAMS CAN BECOME A REALITY, IF PLACED IN THE RIGHT HANDS.
Bill
Friday, January 7, 2011
AaronandAndrea.com
This young couple were volunteer teacher in Yetebon, Ethiopia for 9 months. There website is loaded with pictures, comments, insights, about Project Mercy and its school, hospital, local people etc. Please give the website a look and long study - you will be blessed and blessed.
Twenty years of walking with the local peoples has given thousands of young people a real hope along with real change for their whole community. Aaron and Andrea are just a small, but truly great. part of this whole development.
My 10 days in Ethiopia was hardly a bump for the locals but a big bump for my heart and mind.
Bill
Twenty years of walking with the local peoples has given thousands of young people a real hope along with real change for their whole community. Aaron and Andrea are just a small, but truly great. part of this whole development.
My 10 days in Ethiopia was hardly a bump for the locals but a big bump for my heart and mind.
Bill
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