This is Joel's Old Blog

Christian art in China

I recently met Dr. He Qiin Alabama, a chinese artists from mainland China.

On his web site, his vision is

He has been committed to the artistic creation of modern Chinese Christian Art since 1983. He hopes to help change the "foreign image" of Christianity in China by using artistic language, and at the same time, to supplement Chinese Art the way Buddhist art did in ancient times. In his works, He Qi has blended together Chinese folk customs and traditional Chinese painting techniques with the western art of the Middle and Modern Ages, and has created an artistic style of color-on-paper painting

. The painting listed here is called, "the Risen Lord" - I love the images on his web site reflecting an eastern view - But is this the same mistake western artists have done with depicting Jesus as blonde hair and blue eyes? However, most Chinese view Christianity as a "western" religion, is Qi's approach valid for the Chinese audience to see Jesus relevant to the eastern culture? (specifically China) This raises several issues of gospel and culture, but I do applaud his work and think it is masterful. Perhaps Chinese will see these images and see the gospel relevant for the Chinese culture -- I encourage you to visit his web site and see for yourself- I would welcome what any of you think.

MY COMMENTS SECTION SHOULD BE WORKING NOW - TRY IT OUT!

19 day road trip

yepeee! we survived our road trip of 19 days to indiana and texas! zayd was a real trooper! we were in a total of 5 different sleeping venues - - it was beautiful to be with a korean church in houston, mosaic church in austin and see my good friend, ty denney, in waco, tx - my grandmother turned 80 and we got to celebrate togeher (27 of us) in central texas - She is a hero to us all! more thoughts from our short journey and possible photos!

free wireless for the first time

there will be a day where wireless internet access will be available everywhere - I am sure my grandkids will say, "You actually had to hook up a phone line to your computer to get on the internet?" O.k. maybe Zayd will say this to me when he is grown.. I am at a Bagel dive in Indiana where a sign that read "FREE WIRELESS" caught my eye - It is pretty amazing to be able to do my first entry through a wireless connection --- I like it.

We fly to Austin, TX tomorrow where we will be with 30 or so of my family - My grandmother turns 80 and we are all meeting up to celebrate her life and influence on us all. We will be with my old college buddy Don Vandersilce at Mosaic Church in Austin this Sunday night to preach and share what all is going on. Had Thai lunch with a new friend, Jon Kuzmic, here in Indianapolis...sharing about life, faith, and the joy in following Jesus!

How do you like the updates to the page here? ANy comments are welcomed. I added some friends that blog and thought I could introduce you to them -- Also, added some links that I visit. Stay tuned for more photos soon!

The American Dream Lie

I have been really thinking about the lie that has captivated Christians in our country. SECURITY, SAVINGS, RETIREMENT, SAFETY, PLEASURE to name a few. The church in America is a sleeping giant desperately needing to be awakened to God's global heart and passion for all the world to know and worship him. The Great Commission cannot be taken seriously b/c millions bathe in the pool of luxury and safety while billions die without Christ and live in poverty without basic neccesities of life. What is God going to say to us on judgement day?

I am greatly disturbed of how Christians feel that our political process will save our society and the world. It is time for us to stand and declare as the prophets in the Bible that , "It is not by might, nor power, but my Spirit says the Lord!" As election year is upon us, we need this reminder...

Living Fully

Thomas Merton writes,

If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair; but ask me what I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for.

What is it that most live for? Career? Retirment? I have trying to undertand what it means to truly live for God's Glory among all nations. I do know it is worth living for and longing for Jesus to return one day. We leave today for a 18 day "tour" - We will speaking in Indianapolis, Austin, & Houston - Seeing a lot of friends and family as well. Your prayers are requested. Oh, this new format I am using allows you to leave comments. Just click on the 'comments' below and have at it!

july 4

"The love of one's country is a natural thing. But why should love stop at the border?" were the words of Pablo Casals - They express my thoughts this fourth of July. We worshiped today and heard a great sermon on freedom (Gal 5:1) - Not your traditional God & Country Sermon, where they often are preached for equal loyality- I do share a sense of pride of being American, although there is much baggage with our nation around the world. We have done wonferful things and other things I am not so sure about -- SO DEAR TO ME, BELOVED HOMELAND, a hymn I found that I liked reading (change of pace from the Star Spangled Banner)

We were out at the Peachtree road race in Atlanta at 7 am and saw 55,000 plus runners -- My wife passed out water to the runers and got a free T-shirt as I played with Zayd and a baloon and frisbees and other items the runners threw towards us. It was a quite a sight! THe group of runners at the front (All looking African) were indeed sprinting at the 2 mile mark where we were standing --

Without a Home

We are reminded daily of life without our own HOME - We have been staying all year in different places (in-laws, missionary houses, and hotels) At times it is very liberating and other times stressful - Wishing I had my "own" space to store, stack things, and not worry about. Many women often talk to my wife and say things like, "I have to have my home, I don't see how you do it as a woman.." I realize what they are trying to say but it doesn't make my wife feel very swell -- Although, at times I think she likes it.

Steve and Amy Nicholsonstopped by on Monday and we had a good day of conversation, eating my grandmother's left over soup, and chasing Zayd around the basketball court- They are in south Africa now exploring possibilites of ministry and service. You can read about their ventures by clicking here