Josiah Venture recently published this video profiling Mel & Amy Ellenwood who have been missionaries with JV for the past 15 years. Mel and Amy lead the “Bteam” which our family will be joining when we move to Czech Republic. The video is very well done and helps communicate the heart and vision of JV as well give a short look at the kind of families that are part of this huge movement of God in Central and Eastern Europe. Please take a minute and watch it.
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For I Have More
I asked for the book The Best Poems of the English Language this past Christmas because I keep reading about how I should be reading more poetry. The book is a compilation of some of the best works of poetry “From Chaucer Through Robert Frost” and I’ve only picked it up a few times since December. A few nights ago I was finishing up some other reading and I saw my poetry book on the nightstand and said to myself, “There’s no better time than the present to start reading poetry,” so I dove in.
After looking at the appendix for some authors I recognized, John Donne seemed to stand out for some reason, so I began reading his poem “A Hymn to God the Father.” That’s when I realized I need to be reading more poetry. Poets have a way of saying things that make old truths new again. They can move the words in such a way that you begin to feel a certain way or see an old truth in a new light. That’s how I felt about Donne’s poem. It’s a poem about sin and I think it’s worth it for you to read. I’ve copied it below–enjoy.
Oh, one more thing. It just so happens that April is National Poetry Month. Reading this poem is not only helpful to your soul, but you can tell all your friends how cultured you are. You’re so cool–go you.
WILT Thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,
For I have more.Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sin their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallowed in a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,
For I have more.I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore ;
But swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore ;
And having done that, Thou hast done ;
I fear no more. -
Easter and Traditions
As our kids get older we’re trying to figure out what kind of traditions we want to have. I didn’t really grow up doing an egg hunt for Easter, but it’s definitely something Bethany remembers doing. I’ve seen 8mm video of Bethany with her Sunday best on and her basket when she was little, so I know it’s something her family really enjoyed.
This year we did a little egg hunt with our kids, and of course we had them all dressed up from church. We painted eggs on Saturday and had some fun hiding (I use that term loosely) them in the grass. We also opened up “resurrection eggs” which tell the Biblical account of Christ’s death and resurrection. There are 10 eggs that have a Bible verse and a visual reminder inside (e.g. a little rock to represent the stone that covered the tomb). Our kids are still really young and it’s hard for them to sit still as I read the passages, but we want to make sure they know what we’re celebrating and why Easter is so special. It was a fun time and I really appreciate the work that Bethany puts into making it so special for us.
Here’s a video and a few photos from our egg hunt.
Easter 2013 from Shay on Vimeo.
Titus and Avery with their baskets, ready to find some eggs!
Avery gets down low to find a blue egg in the grass.
Avery showing some excitement with an egg she found.
Avery dropping an egg in her basket.
This was our attempt at getting a smiling photo of the kids when we were all done. Didn’t quite work out.
Finally, a tripod photo of our family. Avery is going for the “Czech smile” (aka: no smile) and Titus is trying to figure out why daddy strapped a little baby doll to the tripod. Good times! -
Grace In Christian Growth
A book that I constantly talk about is Holiness By Grace written by Bryan Chapell. Honestly, I would say it’s in my top 5 favorite books. It has had such a great impact on my understanding of God’s grace and how it affects every aspect of my life (not to mention impacting the name of our family Web site). That’s why I got excited to see Bryan Chapell speaking on that very topic at the LIBERATE 2013 conference. They have made the video of the sermon available and it’s here for your your edification.
Liberate 2013 – Bryan Chapell from Coral Ridge | LIBERATE on Vimeo.
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The True Adam
I took some time this week to read over the written debates between the late, renowned atheist Christopher Hitchens and Christian pastor Douglas Wilson that were published on Christianity Today back in 2007. The aim of the discussion was to answer the questions “Is Christianity Good For the World?” and the discussion is very thought-provoking and helpful for Christians as we engage atheists around the world. There are 6 parts to the entire debate, but the conclusion was given by pastor Wilson and is so saturated with grace and care, not to mention beautiful imagery of comparing Christ and Adam, that I thought it would be worth it to reproduce it here:
Jesus was not just one more character in history, however important—rather, he was and is the founder of a new history, a new humanity, a new way of being human. He was the last and true Adam. But before this new humanity in Christ could be established and begin its task of filling the earth, the old way of being human had to die. Before the meek could inherit the earth, the proud had to be evicted and sent away empty. That is the meaning of the Cross, the whole point of it. The Cross is God’s merciful provision that executes autonomous pride and exalts humility. The first Adam received the fruit of death and disobedience from Eve in a garden of life; the true Adam bestowed the fruit of his life and resurrection on Mary Magdalene in a garden of death, a cemetery. The first Adam was put into the death of deep sleep and his wife was taken from his side; the true Adam died on the cross, a spear was thrust into his side, and his bride came forth in blood and water. The first Adam disobeyed at a tree; the true Adam obeyed on a tree. And everything is necessarily different.
Christ told His followers to tell everybody about this—about how the world is being moved from the old humanity to the new way of being human. Not only has the world been born again, so must we be born again. The Lord told us specifically to preach this Good News to every creature. He has established his great but welcoming household, and there is room enough for you. Nothing you have ever said or done will be held against you. Everything will be washed and forgiven. There is simple food—bread and wine—on the table. The door is open, and we’ll leave the light on for you.