This is Joel's Old Blog

cousins

We returned from alabama last night and had a productive time of conversation and introducing ServLife to numerous individuals and church leaders -- I feel there will be good fruit come out of our time there --
Picture is of Zayd with his cousins here in Atlanta (my brother's kids) and they seem to click and play together well despite the several years in age difference - We are hosting some new friends today who are interested in working with us and ministering in Africa, they are driving down from Charlotte, NC -- This week a woman from Los Angeles is flying out to explore options with her future, life, and vocation - It is a real ministry we feel to minister and journey together with others looking to give it all and risk it all for the nations! I came away fom alabama being reminded how much more blesssed it is to give than receieve...giving of encouragement, conversation, a smile, a greeting --- no one on the earth doesn't desire these things, but we are just unsure whether to give them-

off to alabama

a few brief highlights in our lives since my last entry -
*a special hello to sue haynes for her faithful reading 'zayd's dad' blog - her and her husband, george, made it over last night for malaysian food at our temporary house --- good laughs, conversation
*my wife's friend, kristin, made it down from indiana last week for a few days -- they hit the town hard as i watched zayd -- she is wanting to lead a team from her church to see our work among the people of sudan
*met with a pastor and old friend, matt bullard, in west atlanta - a new AG church is interested in partering with us and it was a good time

we are off to alabama today to be at a big baptist conference - we are setting up a servlife booth and hope to talk to many folks about our work around the world! tomorrow is our 3 year marriage anniversery! We are going to an all day marriage enrichement seminar and looking forward to it -- hope to share some thoughts with you later in the week, if i can --

Run with Courage!

shoes

well zayd is doing many new things on his own these days..like finding my shoes and putting them on the right feet and walking around. he is a clever little 18 1/2 year old and seems to amaze us daily of how fast he is picking things up, saying his few little words with such confidence, and leading us around...I know it is only beginning. We are enjoying being at the missionary house at Second Ponce De Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta... We were able to be in their Sunday service yesterday and was encouraged by their authenticity in worship, style, and form. It was a reminder of my roots and the heritage of Baptist identity that has shaped me and planted many seeds as a young boy ---

gospel/culture

being back in atlanta and "the south" has made me reflect on gospel/culture issues. The cultures of this country alone are pretty diverse in their own right.

“The gospel always comes to people in cultural robes. There is no such thing as a ‘pure’ gospel, isolated from culture”-- (David J. Bosch. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. 1991:297)

I wonder the difference of culture of california vs. the midwest vs. new york?? then begin the international thought of the vastness of distinct cultures and languages around the world and the impact the gospel has not made or has made..this is a pretty vast thought --- The encouraging news is that the gospel (good news) of Jesus penetrates and lives and transforms in so many diverse cultures...

spirit of life

i read several online sites daily - One is the classic words by Oswald Chambers -- today his thoughts made me reflect how i need the penetration of the spirit of God into every part of who i am -

". . . and I will give you rest"— that is, "I will sustain you, causing you to stand firm." He is not saying, "I will put you to bed, hold your hand, and sing you to sleep." But, in essence, He is saying, "I will get you out of bed— out of your listlessness and exhaustion, and out of your condition of being half dead while you are still alive. I will penetrate you with the spirit of life, and you will be sustained by the perfection of vital activity." Yet we become so weak and pitiful and talk about "suffering" the will of the Lord! Where is the majestic vitality and the power of the Son of God in that?

marriage

my wife and i have been talking recently about marriage and the beauty of experiencing love within our marriage on different levels. The pace of our lifestyle does not lend to "stability" in any sense of the word. We are living in 5 cities this year alone in 3 countries with an 18 month old. The stress we experience is real and intense at times. Some ask us, "Why do you do this?" "Is this good for your child?" at times, we don't know how to respond. God has called us for now to have "shallow tent pegs" and be on the move for the sake of the Gospel and mission we serve. The companionship and love within our marriage is a "resting place" for us and we experience it in extreme ways on certain days. Yesterday was one of those days as it was our first day in atlanta and my parents were able to watch Zayd all day-- Our time together and the Love we showed each other seemed to dismiss all those worries and anxieties that seem to fill my time on other days -- THere is a real sense of peace in the love in marriage that makes the chaos of life disappear - In reflecting on this, i wondered why i don't experience God's love more that results in rest, peace, and a reality of being centered? Yes, at times I do but surely not often enough. I am sure that is how most people feel -- The beauty of marriage is God created it before the church and perhaps as a foretaste of the reality of heaven...with God, continusoly, present...being loved and loving him. We have so much to learn about marriage and i don't even feel I have scratched the service...but eager to experience more of the love of God through giving and receiving love with Elise.

made it to atlanta

we made it to atlanta about 5 am - thank you for your prayers- zayd did sleep most of the way and was awake gazing at the smoky mountains in Tennessee glowing from the full moon - my highlight of the drive was singing with him for 1 hour from 3:30 - 4:30 --- he has a pretty good singing voice at 18 months...
about 20 minutes before our arrival he did get car sick and threw up -- but began singing right after --- We ask for your continued prayers as we get adjusted and begin ministering and traveling in the region.

drive to atlanta tonight

we have packed up our things and drive through the night to move to atlanta for the summer! Hoping Zayd sleeps through the night... asking for prayers for the journey!