I love Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I have the luxury of being forgetful… and without a regular reminder, I would easily forget just how profound was the life of Dr. King. No, he was not perfect; but his life and message are challenging and his courage is inspiring. Below is a re-port from 2009,… [Read more…]
January 4, 2012
Here’s a great little video from Tom Wright on how to read scripture. Great insights! It’s very much worth your time. …which reminds me, I’m working towards reading through the entire Bible this year. Anyone care to join me? It’s not too late to start! Find a reading plan here (and let me know, I’d love… [Read more…]
November 14, 2011
I’m just digging into Tullian Tchividjian‘s latest book, Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Coming out of a dark and difficult season of ministry, Tchividjian experienced anew the power and freedom of the gospel. I loved this quote, and need reminded of it daily! Rediscovering the gospel enabled me to see that: because Jesus was strong… [Read more…]
August 1, 2011
Ramadan begins today. This is a holy month for Muslims around the world, a time marked by fasting and prayer. Many of our Muslim friends here in Athens will honor this holy month by not eating, drinking, or smoking during daylight hours. More importantly, it is seen as a time to seek God – seeking… [Read more…]
July 28, 2011
I read this prayer/poem from Watchman Nee this week: Let me love and not be respected; Let me serve and not be rewarded; Let me labor and not be remembered; Let me suffer and not be regarded. ‘Tis the pouring, not the drinking; ‘Tis the breaking, not the keeping. A life suff’ring to seek others… [Read more…]
April 11, 2011
What’s the Bible all about? Is the Bible basically about us and what we must do, or is it basically about Jesus and what He has done? While the Bible certainly talks about each, we misread the Bible if we imagine ourselves as the reference point of every story and symbol. The Bible is all… [Read more…]
April 4, 2011
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15). First, I believe that many, many Muslims are hungry to know about the hope that we have in Jesus. Yet unless Christians and… [Read more…]
February 3, 2011
“In a sermon Dick Lucas once preached, he recounted an imaginary conversation between an early Christian and her neighbor in Rome. “Ah,” the neighbor says. “I hear you are religious! Great! Religion is a good thing. Where is your temple or holy place?” “We don’t have a temple,” replies the Christian. “Jesus is our temple.”… [Read more…]
January 31, 2011
We’re constantly saying goodbye. Working with refugees, we see dear friends and new believers moving on from Athens nearly every week. This is one of the most difficult aspects of the ministry here. Working in a transient community, we’re constantly saying goodbye. There are so many fears… so many unanswered questions. Will he find other… [Read more…]
January 14, 2011
God is bringing the nations to Athens, Greece. There are well over half a million refugees and immigrants in Greece, the vast majority of which reside in greater Athens. Some estimate that in 2010 between 200 and 300 migrants cross the board from Turkey into Greece everyday! As a cultural, religious, and continental crossroads, Greece… [Read more…]
September 20, 2010
Would you join us in praying for our good friend “Z”? This is the Afghan woman that we wrote about last week (click here to catch up on her story). “Z” came over for dinner on Saturday night, giving us a chance to follow-up on the conversation that was started at Tea House: Could Jesus… [Read more…]
July 21, 2010
God measures our greatness not based on how many people serve us, but on how we serve others. I’ve been chewing on this quote all week. Powerful stuff. This is the upside down way of Jesus! The quote comes from a sermon that my good friend, Andy Fitzgibbon, preached earlier this month (check it out… [Read more…]
April 19, 2010
The Mars Hill Church (Seattle) recently offered these “Seven Ways to Be a Missionary in College.” I love it… but I want to broaden it, because I think that it is relevant (with a few word changes) to anyone seeking to live out the mission of Christ in their city. Here are a few of… [Read more…]
February 22, 2010
I don’t beg much, but PLEASE read this eye-opening reflection about the situation in Athens from our friends Tim and Rachel (who are now serving in Rome) after a recent visit to our ministry center. Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within… [Read more…]
December 30, 2009
Take five minutes today and make someone feel like an all-star! This scene was orchestrated by a group called Improv Everywhere, whose mission is to cause scenes of chaos and joy in public places. How will you spread joy today? I’m going to serve my wife by scrubbing the toilets and bathtub. I’m going to… [Read more…]
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January 16, 2012
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