iJourney

Beth & I got away for an extended week of vacation last week.  We hauled the camper all the way up to Copper Harbor, MI (about 10 hours).  Copper Harbor is one of our favorite places.  Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but it has one of the best restaurants we’ve ever been to (Harbor Haus), and best of all–we get no cell signal or Internet.  It can be difficult to cut the cell phone umbilical cord, but after a day or so, it is very freeing.

It was also nice to spend a few days with my parents who also hauled their camper up, and our daughter Caroline, who was part of a music festival in the Upper Peninsula for that week.   This was Caroline’s first visit to the UP, and we gave it our best effort to give her a good Yooper experience.

We also stayed at a campground in Mackinaw for a couple of days where we sat on a bench near the water’s edge and watched one of the nicest sunsets over the Mackinaw bridge.   The week flew by very quickly, but Beth & I enjoyed getting away together.

The writer’s strike may have shelved a lot of my favorite TV shows this spring, but all is not lost.  One TV show, that in my opinion hasn’t gotten a lot of press, piqued my interest when I found myself channel surfing–Eli Stone.  After the first episode I was hooked.  Hooked so much that i’ll go out on a limb and say Eli Stone may be the best show on TV this spring. 

If you’re interested in catching Eli Stone, make sure you go back and watch it from the pilot episode.   

What’s on TV that you like?

This week is considered to be a holy week for many people who embrace the way of the cross.  It represents that week in history when Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time in His brief human life on this planet.  Ironically, His brutal beatings would shortly follow His triumphal parade through the city gates.  This week in His life was the pinnacle of His mission.  Jesus, the Living God, was about to lay down His life to release the curse brought on by Adam & Eve.  Human history would now revolve around this central event.  His death, burial, and resurrection would become the nucleus of the Gospel message that would bring hope and healing to humanity.   With this in mind, let us enter this weekend with our eyes fixed on Jesus, who was, and is, and is to come!

I’m attaching an article from Harvester’s International Missions  about the current crisis in Kenya.  This is having a huge impact on the entire country, and reaching all the way to the Pokot.  Please pray for these heroes!

“The last month has been extremely difficult in Kenya. Accusations of vote rigging in the December 27th presidential election has spurred riots, killings and the explosion of tribal animosity between two of Kenya’s largest and most influential tribes. Mwai Kibaki, the incumbent president, is a member of the   Kikuyu tribe while Raila Odinga is a member of the Luo tribe.

Kenya, a bastion of stability in east Africa, has been brought to the edge of chaos. More than 700 people have lost their lives, buildings have been burnt with people inside and bandits have snatched people out of their cars on major roads.

Fear and anger has brought life in Kenya to a halt. Food and fuel are in short supply as shipments have all but ceased due to the danger present on the roads, making the supplies that are available increasingly expensive.  As the international community seeks an amicable solution to the situation, the violence continues.

The political unrest in Kenya has affected the ministry of Harvesters partners in Kenya. Thankfully, no one associated with Pokot Outreach Ministries (POM) or Grace Outreach Mission (GOM) has been hurt. We praise the Lord for this and ask for your prayers that they would remain so.

Much of the violence is occurring around the Kisumu area. GOM is located about two hours south of Kisumu and depends on supplies and communication from this area. GOM was in the process of bringing children back to the orphanage when the violence began. As a result of the situation, only ten children have returned to the home.

Food and fuel shortages have also affected POM. Located in the East and West Pokot Districts of Kenya, POM and its ministry activities have not seen increased violence in the region, but major supply routes have been extremely dangerous.

Usually very optimistic, Harvester representatives in Nairobi are beginning to sound discouraged and feel that the situation will become worse before it improves.  Despite the situation, ministry activities continue with increased purpose. Pastors and evangelists continue to share the Gospel and children are ministered to and cared for. “

At my men’s group last night, I read through John 3 and we discussed the implications of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus.  It occurred to me that what is recorded in these 15 verses is merely the highlights of what was no doubt a lengthier conversation that perhaps went long into the night.  Jesus was communicating to Nicodemus that a new kingdom had begun.  Not a kingdom exclusive to any one religion, but a kingdom carried by the Spirit (wind) to all humanity.  Jesus went further and described this new kingdom not only being carried by the Spirit, but also birthed by the Spirit.  In other words, those who entered into this new kingdom would need to experience a spiritual rebirth.  In essence, a transformation into something new, made possible by God’s divine Spirit. 

I wonder if, in our effort to carry the gospel message to others, we are translating the gospel into a language all humans can understand?