This is Joel's Old Blog

I am back in Indiana

I am back in Indiana and thankful to Common Grounds Church for providing me an office and a long DSL cable to get wired - Great community here -- I preached here a year or so ago. Zayd got an ear infection and is on anti-biotic- i leave next week to take a group from Crossing Church in Costa Mesa, CA to Nepal/India to see our work there - I am really thinking on the issue of STORY and how all the stories of people's lives that are never told that should be --- I think of all the people's lives I have met in far corners of the world and how I have said to myself on many occasions, "wow! this story of this person should be told!" We are looking to move to Atlanta this summer- A church has offered a house for us to live in - If you are in Atlanta, drop me a line! Further, been thinking about the SOCIAL CAUSES that people are drawn to -- I was reminded that people are not really interested in organizations but issues/causes and want to see social change ultimately- what are issues that are close to people? i also ask myself 'why' these issues are a concern to a certain individual? how have they been influenced to care for the poor, environment, hunger, animals, or whatever cause-- when we learn from Jesus, we see his concerns were holistic in nature and practice- he cared for those who were neglected and forgotten, he acted on their behalf by healing them/loving them, no matter their poliitical alignment, economic position, or cultural identity - he cared for their bodies and souls...

i am in philadelphia for

i am in philadelphia for a few days of a conference --- very different crowd than i am use to being around --- it is a conference on non-profit organizations & technology and how the two relate together-- a few vendors trying to sell their goods to charities and many other non-profits of all sizes and causes: "Save wild dogs in Alaska" & "Preserving Gay marriages" are 2 groups that are very interesting to talk with. Asking them why they believe in the cause they do/ seeing them get passionate about it/ etc -- learning some interesting things and meeting some people -- i think i represent the only faith based organization here from reading the list - It is good to be light in places like this -- most of the folks here were surprised when I told them what I do / ServLife does...they were excited, though.

I have realized it has been a while since I posted photos here, so wanted you to be able to see the family --
In the heat in Thailand & In the cold in Korea (Feb '04)

zayd and mom getting some lovin' and attention in korea!

we are in atlanta and

we are in atlanta and have realized i have only posted 1 time this month thus far -- much going on / God is really speaking to me these days and I welcome this "spiritual awakening" within my soul, of sorts - I am so desperate for God and hungry for Him on levels I have not in years - It was great to be able to spend a brief moment with Louie giglio who speaks at a huge young adult bible study here - got to introduce him to my wife -- he asked very engaging questions that only someone would know to ask if they read my emails or our newsletters (which was very encouraging) -- louie encouraged me a lot in my ealry years in college in texas and i actually was moved to tears seeing him last week -- he prayed over elise and I and we were both very encouraged --

i was thinking of the issue of pride and how i read once how it is really pride when you walk into a room and feel that no one is recognizing you or paying attention to you -- b/c in reality, you are thinking of the need to be praised and applauded - i was thinking through this as elise and i spoke two times on Sunday -- i enjoy so much having a wife to minister with- Elise keeps telling people when they ask us, "where is your home?' she replies, "our home is in Heaven!" i am so touched when she says this as a woman and not having what most woman and new mothers have (a house) -- She is remarkable and my love for her flows deep.

off to philedelphia this week for a conference! hope to add some more things that God is speaking to me and showing me.....

i felt i was going

i felt i was going back to my roots speaking at castleview baptist church in indianapolis, IN this morning -- baptist churches have a feeling of "home" for me and it was nice to be there - they hosted a lunch for us as well after the service --- zayd walked up to me while i was speaking at the luncheon and stood wrapping his arms around my legs --- i think no one heard was i was saying after that point, they just all looked at him -

i am around many younger american church leaders who cynicism comes natural when looking at the north american church landscape. They surely would have been critical and cynical this morning at the service this morning, I admit i would have a year ago - But that chip on my shoulder has seemed to have fallen off...i welcome it and i guess that is what living in one of the poorest nation on earth will do to you --- allow you to come together under Christ, with other issues aside: politically, cultural, ideologies, etc. it is sad what divides us -- in heaven, we will all will be shocked who is there...Hindus, Muslims, Homosexuals, communists, democrats, republicans who have repented and trusted in Jesus as lord!

we fly to atlanta tomorrow..anyone reading this from atlanta, give me an email and we would love to see you- i was reminded today how blessed a man I am... health, an amazing wife, a beautiful baby, freedom to worship....indeed, God is good!