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Time magazine's "Person of the Year" is You says it all. A culture focused on self and all that I feel, think, and do is good. Praying for the People of God to be light shining in a different direction this new year, modeling and articulating lives given in worship to God to the blessing of our neighbors and all of creation. No more important environment to address than the college campus, Facebook: A campus fad becomes a campus fact
Currently listening to Father Ben who has transformed the lives of 25,000 scavengers who live and work on Manila's Smokey Moutain, at one point the worldest garbage dump, over the past 28 years. His Parish of the Risen Christ is now an international model of environmental and financial sustainability as wel as a testimony of God's transforming power. His ministry has earned many honors, including World Vision's 1997 Robert W. Pierce Award for Christian Service.
(More)This is where God wants me to be. You can not be open for business, if your heart is closed to God. You can not be open for business, if you do not live a life worthy of the calling . . . We put our security in our credit cards . . . our mission is not profits . . . in the end everything will be taken away . . . our measure is Christ.
This morning, gifted IVCF evangelist York Moore challenged delegates not just to know about Jesus, but to follow Jesus in word and action. A number of delegates responded, including four in the row just in front of us. What a joy to have the opportunity to lay hands in prayer upon a new follower of Christ.
Pray for my conversations with Roger (Pitt) and Taehee (CMU) in the next several days, as they take significant steps in living a life worthy of the calling of Christ Jesus as expressed in vocational decision making and applied in vision for campus mission next spring.
Join over 22,250 in the St. Louis Rams stadium as they explore Living a life worthy of the calling and join us here for prayer updates for the Open for Business track. 
Click here for more pics. Already had the opportunity to connect with several CMU alum, can't wait to catch-up with the international students joining us for 'da Burgh. Pray for them to receive much as they prepare for a future life of mission.
Please join Ernie Frederick in prayer for Urbana 06.
Hi Tom!
YES, I'll stand with you and Theresa as you prepare and take part in the Urbana Open for Business (OFB) Prayer plan.
I took part in the Urbana '54 event, and committed my life to whatever, wherever, whenever God wanted for me. The next Summer God led me into youth ministry - eventually with Youth Guidance - at the IVCF missions Cedar Campus month in Michigan.
My first wife, Lita, became a Christian at the '54 Urbana also - on New Year's Eve when Billy Graham spoke.
I KNOW what God does at these Urbana conferences.
Blessings!
Ernie Frederick
Link over to Center for Parent & Youth Understanding to read Walt Mueller's reflections, here's a taste:
Christmas. Lately it’s been an occasion for me to consciously pursue some re-directed thinking. The problem is that I’ve spent so many years immersed in and pursuing the nostalgic, commercialized, feel-good Christmas that’s so much a part of the American experience, that the December 25th that exists in my mind sometimes looks more like a Norman Rockwell painting than anything else. What a tragedy.
Baby Eden has a new playmate :-) Marcy just gave us a call.
Ari Lucas Stehney
Born Friday, December 22nd
7lbs., 13 oz
21 inches
He's perfect. Came home today. Waiting for the link to the pics . . .
Can't wait to visit this spring :-)
Check out some video shot by Theresa's dad as we enjoyed a family dinner in our new house with Carl, Eunice, Scott, and Charles.
Also check out Eden eating breakfast with Carl at 1834 Cloverleaf.
PS. No Festivus for the rest of us . . . just moved in, boxes to unpack, basement to frame/drywall, but by the direction of the Father, dwelling in the Spirit in order for Christ to be incarnate in the mundane, insignificant part of Christmas with family and friends. See Christ of Christmas, more reflections and stories to come.
Nikki A Toyama writes in More Than Serving Tea: Asian American Women on Expections, Relationships, Leadership and Faith: Unhealthy perfectionism goes beyond striving for excellence. The ideal is the ultimate goal. Coming close doesn't count; there is no A for effort. Perfectionism sets unrealistically high standards. It is not unique to Asian culture; perfectionists live in every country of the world. But in many Asian communities there is a communal value for perfectionism. It's reinforced by how each group member functions and treats the others (p.52).
A chart on p.51 [taken from David Stoop, Hope for the Perfectionist (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1998)] contrasts Perfectionism and the Pursuit of Excellence:
Idealist vs. Realistic.
Strives for the impossible vs. Strives for the doable.
Fears failure vs. anticipates success.
Dwells on mistakes vs. learns from mistakes.
Values self by what they do vs. values self by who they are.
Tracey Gee wrote a powerful chapter on experiencing Jesus when we're going through painful times in IVP's new release More Than Serving Tea: Asian American Women on Expections, Relationships, Leadership and Faith. Based on Mary's response to Lazarus' death as recorded in John 11-12, we notice a pattern 1. Avoidance: staying in the house away from Jesus, 2. Telling the truth: speak honestly with Jesus, 3. Experiencing Jesus' compassion, 4. Experiencing Jesus' redemption, 5. Entering deep love and intimacy with Jesus. Leading to compassion for others and a vision with the end in sight as suffering is lived out in the Presence of God (pp.74-85). Amen.
Below are some thoughts I shared at last Sunday's Questioning Evangelism Adult Elective at Elizabethtown Brethren-in-Christ.
Around what will your family gather this Christmas? Our local congregation, by the power of Spirit seeks as a particular people of God called to the particular place of Elizabethtown at the particular day/time of 10am on December 16, 2006 to reproduce the likeness of Jesus in our world.
But as many of us have experienced, centering Christmas around Christ in the context of one's family, local congregation, neighborhood, or workplace, and institutions of education can be quite challenging. Why? Because to extol the Rock of our Salvation with music and song is out of place in many of our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and institutions of education. In Psalm 95 we are called to bow down in worship, to kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture. It's never been easy. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts about something as simple as food and water . . . how could it be that the Israelites in the desert, confronted with the daily physical Presence and provision of God choose another direction again and again? Such is the human heart as we continually seek our own self-focused purpose and direction guided by self-righteousness, materialism, and the abuse of power, as noted by Pastor David Hall this morning.
(More)Pray for us as we prepare to lead (and engage in leading) a prayer team for participants in Urbana's Open For Business Track (OFB):
a specialized track for those who have a passion or growing interest in business and global missions. It will build, mobilize, and equip a multi-generational network of business practitioners who seek to harness the potential of business to contribute to the global advance of God's kingdom around the world.
Theresa and I will be praying for track leaders/presenters and those which are in need of prayer during the track time (dark blue sections of the schedule of the conference which runs from December 27-31). Pray for strength, stamina and focus as we lead one of the prayer teams. Pray us not to be distracted by leaving Hayley, Ellen, and Eden in the care of Grandma/Grandpa Ginder. Pray for both sets of grandparents to have the strenght, stamina and focus in their time with the girls while we're away. Pray for us to be ready to jump back into family life when we return. Track specific requests are below.
(More)for, praying for, and taking action on behalf of those caught in prostitution and sexual slavery in Asian countries. No longer satisfied with shipping off their women as picture brides, Camboida, the Philippines and Thailand have become the places to visit for those seeking sex with minors and teenage girls, according to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University. The presence of U.S. military bases helped build these industries in the Philippines, Thailand and South Korea. In 2002:
Of the 41 U.S. military camps in Korea, the 12 biggest are served by nearby "camptowns," where bar owners licensed by the Korean government sell tax-free alchohol to G.I.s (Korean civilians are not allowed in the bars.) Some 2 million customers visited the camptowns in 2000, the last year for which figures are available, according to Korea's Cutlure and Tourism Ministry. Troops at all the military installations in Korea are briefed on the consequences of engaging in illegal acticities, including the one-year jail term that paying for sex can bring under U.S. military law (Donald MacIntyre, Base Instincts: Filipina and Russian Women Are Being Sold into Sexual Slavery in the Seedy Bars and Nightclubs That Serve U.S. Military Bases in South Korea, Time Asia, August 12, 2002).
(More)We may have to wait until next Christmas to nestle together as a family to walk alongside the The Virgin Mary as a Teenager With Worries as travels to O Little Town. I did page through a beautiful movie book the other day with only pictures and their related Scripture texts and read Christianity Today's Review, both were in encouraging. Looking forward to live performances of the Nativity story as Hayley and Ellen take part in the Children's Christmas at our local congregation tomorrow night (just played Joseph alongside Ellen as Mary and Hayley as the audience). Pictures, memories, dress-up, songs, and the good news of Jesus Christ incarnated. Enjoy your time with family and friends as you offer the true Christmas story.
Update: We took the opportunity to in 2007 to share The Nativity Story with the whole family. It was a helpful tool to discuss the coming of Christ. I commend it to your family's consideration of what to put into the VCR/DVD player on Christmas Day when lots of family come and visit.
Theresa picked up our occupancy permit and set-up trash hauling pick-up this afternoon when returning from volunteering in Hayley and Ellen's first grade class at Donegal Springs Elementary. In addition to the various essentials which need to be moved across the lawn, there are a lot of loose ends . . .
the cable line subcontractor came to install the line but didn't finish off the service installation, our basement windows have finally been delivered but they're not installed, our well caved in and had to be re-dug this morning, the washing machine is sitting around waiting to be hooked up, the girls' bunkbeds requires 1 piece to be finished off to be assembled, waiting for 2 door replacements by the factory (1 closet, 1 screen), basement framing/drywalling begins on tomorrow with Becky and Peter helping out, and its Christmas (thank-you for the wreath Jen) with Urbana the next day (note: prayer partner invitation to be posted shortly, praise God for an international student who contacted me this evening about participating in the conference).
In the midst of all of this, drywall's being delivered, there are runs to Lowe's, paint is being spread, our storage unit was unpacked (thank-you to Peter for his help in Middletown and to the moving team from E-town Brethren-in-Christ for help in Mount Joy), unpacking continues full steam ahead, the girls are being entertained (thank-you Mom and Dad, enjoy the American Girl Doll party) and Lord willing, we'll be occupy tomorrow evening.
Day by day only by the grace of God
P.S. Did I mention the heat pump system is 'top of the line.' Thanks Dad! Way to go J&H Mechanical.
P.P.S. Did I mention we love our new house adventure. Can't wait to have you over sometime. If you live outside the area, let us know when you'll be in the area.
Here's links to more Advent & Christmas worhsip quotes from WQOTW. May they be a rich blessing to you.
O Come, O Come, Immanuel
C. S. Lewis
Ambrose and Luther
Dutch Carol
Ulrich Shaffer
Dudley-Smith
O Source of all good,
What shall I render to thee for the gift of gifts,
thine own dear Son, begotten, not created,
my Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,
his self-emptying incomprehensible,
his infinity of love beyond the heart's grasp . . .
has become a rich conversation in our house as Ellen and Hayley have naturally sought to share their lives and faith with other first graders at Donegal Spring Elementary. The past couple days we have talked about why public schools do not recognize a Christ-centered Christmas. Pray for courage, insight, and openness as they allow the Spirit, by the direction of the Father, to spill the love of Christ onto their classmates through them.
Pray for us Theresa and myself as we address the questions and tensions which arise from reproducing the likeness of Christ in the world. By-the-way, we've found Christianity Today's holiday resource page particularly helpful as we discuss the various traditions of Christmas. And we are looking forward joining the Real St Nicholas in the celebration of a Christ-centered Christmas now and through eternity.
Last week I had the opportunity to take a Spiritual Formation Seminar on Early Christian Spirituality at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with Dale Allison and Martha Robbins. Lots to share regarding this time.
During my fast, I gave up to God the need to justify time away for renewal in the midst of building a house, preparations for an Adult Education series, pioneering a new ministry, etc. God met me again and again during silence, reflection, and prayer during the beginning of Advent.
(More)Good and bad signage on the information superhighway caught my attention as I began to prep for another powerpoint presentation for an Adult Elective on Questioning Evangelism Related, you might also have interest in an earlier piece by Alan Jacobs, Goodbye, Blog.
PS. to my science and engineering friends, let me know your thoughts on PowerPoint Does Rocket Science--and Better Techniques for Technical Reports.
On Friday, I (Tom) returned from a Spiritual Formation Seminar on Early Christian Spirituality at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary by pulling into our new stone driveway. A new house, which we should by occupying by the end of the week . . . by God's grace a new home to bless family, friends, neighbors, the People of God.
A big thank-you to brothers-in-Christ from Elizabethtown Brethren-in-Christ (the specific local incarnation of our home, i.e., the People of God, into which we'll be adopted later this morning) for helping us unpack the storage unit and set-up the dining room table on Saturday.
A few minor updates on the house: first floor painting finished, dryer installed, furniture mostly in place (except for the bunk beds which need the final touches of paint). Looking forward to having conversation with you over tea sped along by our hot water tap :-)
Only have the basement, which includes my office and books desiring to be freed from the bondage of boxes, framing/drywalling, some loose ends of HVAC, the basement windows, and a variety of little things to go (e.g., install washer, replacement back screen door, replacement hall closet door). Should just take a few hours when Peter and Becky visit next weekend, but if you'd also like to help out let me know.
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
Welcomed me into Urbana 03. As we reflect upon the incarnation, the Holy Spirit's gift of music to Charles Wesley is hard to forget. Soon we'll all be joining in
(More)in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among the nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then we will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory... (Luke 21:25-36).
"There is a part of me that wants to avoid the uncomfortable realities represented here -- especially during this blessed season that falls between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But the truth is, the scenario described in Luke 21 is much closer to real life than the dreamy images of beautiful angels, lowing cattle and a gentle mother nursing the Christ-child that we often associate with the Christmas season. At the global level, our days and nights are filled with images of the very dynamics described here: the unresolved tensions of clashing nations, violent interpersonal conflict, the roaring of sea and tsunami waves and hurricane flooding. At a more personal level, we are plagued by our own confusion and distress about conflicts we can't resolve, questions we can't answer, failures among ourselves and others that cause us to question the very Gospel message that we proclaim." -- excerpted from Ruth Hayley Barton's Light for our Darkness.
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