This is Joel's Old Blog

The Kingdom of God and numbers

I was reflecting on the post yesterday and the whole idea of "numbers" in Kingdom living and work.  I know there are some of the persuasion that numbers have to be there to have "fruitful" ministry.  We measure success in the terms of numbers like in the business world (i.e "how many accepted Christ?" "how many churches did you plant? how many were there?")   I have heard of missionaries being taken off the field because they did not "produce" the numbers that the executive office wanted.  Yes, numbers do tell us something but should not be the sole indication that we are doing good and effective ministry.  In Acts, 3000 were baptized and added to the church in 1 day (acts 2:41) but on the other hand there are people who labor 10, 20 years in parts of the world and do not see anyone come to Jesus.  The soil must be softened perhaps over a long period of time (maybe several generations) before people's hearts can hear and receive and embrace Jesus.  Jesus taught that the Kingdom was like a mustard seed that when it was planted in the ground became a large tree. That process is not overnight.    Indeed, faithfulness to God is a higher value than fruitfulness.  So perhaps being faithful to the gospel and service is what we should use as an indication of fruit and not numbers.  The numbers that I wrote about yesterday were reported from THE BANGKOK POST, not a Christian journalism article or our mission.  That is very significant. They are noticing the power of the gospel that is touching people's lives. Perhaps if we left the number counting only to those outside the church instead of us inside the church it would be much better.

Bangkok Post tells of people coming to Christ

Read full story here - The national media of Thailand has written a report on what ServLife was able to make happen through a few local Thai churches we approached just days after the tsunami and asked them to help us distribute aid.  People in Thailand are hearing about Jesus Christ for the first time not merely with words but actions as well.   The Thai media reports that 150 have come to Christ (only God knows the real figure)   3 new churches have been started.  This is all a result of God working through our relationships and partnerships and us stepping out in faith and desiring to help the victims.   Missionaries came to Thailand over 200 years ago, yet Thailand remains under 1% Christian.   There has been little breakthrough through the decades as Thai people stay strongly loyal to their Buddhist heritage and beliefs.   This is unprecedented of this kind of numbers coming to Christ in this part of southern Thailand. Most of the Christian church are in northern Thailand.   God is at work.   Please do pray.  A portion of the article:

"Wassana Ditracha from Ban Namkhem village is one of the reportedly 150 Thai tsunami victims in the area who have converted from Buddhism to Christianity. She explained what had made her change her faith: "I was running away from the approaching wave, which hurled me 10 metres above the ground, right on top of a large tree. I was safe but I lost everything and I was in shock and I didn't know what to do." It was then that she met some people from the Hope of Takuapa Church who helped her and many others to overcome the trauma.According to Pastor Chatchawan and Pastor Jujit from the Hope of Takuapa Church, "At this moment we have five people helping, but we have joined with some foundations and received assistance from Hope of Bangkok Church, ServLife in America and Christians from California to distribute necessary items for daily life to tsunami victims."    Said another new devotee: "People from the Hope of Takuapa Church came to Ban Namkhem village and helped many people. We were impressed by their generosity and decided to join the church and to become Christians. Since the tsunami struck, they have opened three new churches in Phang Nga province."

Thailand Tsunami efforts in the media

This email came to me today.  "My name is Watcharaporn Taithongchai from Associated Press Television
News in Bangkok. I am currently working on a story about how Christian groups providing aides in Thailand's tsunami hit areas, especially in Phang Nga. I found out about Servlife foundation in the National papers and would like to get in touch with you or any local representatives
from your organization in the area. I am particularly interested in the story of Kamolthip Sridaskoal who is working with the church in the south of Thailand. Her story is posted on Servlife official website..."   

Now this is amazing. A 99% Budhist nation wanted to report on a Christian organization that is helping Tsunami victims.  What a platform of telling why we do what we do.   Where there are open doors to show compassion and mercy to those in need in the world, we must walk through them quickly. Not always knowing what we will do but always knowing why it is that we do it:  To demonstrate and display the love of Christ before others-

is billy graham a republican or democrat?

I watched an hour long biography on graham today. I have seen many through the years and always inspired. Of course, his crusade in new york this weekend is monumental (his last in the USA) say he may do another one in London. Seeing his relationship with US presidents since Truman is always very intriguing.  Of course, his lesson was learned with Nixon as he realized he was a political pawn.  The temptation to power & money must have been intense through the 7 decades he has been in the spotlight.  The choices he made and could have made to position himself to run for political office, be a Hollywood star, success in business, etc.  One thing I learned that I never knew was Graham is a democrat-  Read here - This is something that you do not hear much about in the evangelical world who often says to follow Jesus you must be republican.   FAITHFUL:  The most inspiration to me is Graham's faithfulness to the gospel alone, proclaiming it without fear or timidity and being single minded in letting others know of the love of God.  May we all follow his example.

Zayd is having so much fun!

It can't get any better than this!

What a meal!

Now tell me, does this look like a meal or what? This was my lunch coming back from our evening down in southern Indiana in some little town's square restaurant. I had to take a photo of this meal, it was so good. I actually took leftovers home and had it again for dinner. Our anniversary trip was short but sweet.  I learned that the resort we were at is about to get a $100 mill plus makeover and become the casino mecca for the midwest - Sorry, not many photos of anything else.   

4th Year Anniversary

Four years ago today Elise and I got married in Monument, CO.  At this moment I am typing this exactly 4 years ago, I was going rafting down the Colorado river with some of my closest buddies on earth (what a day!)   So much has happened in the past 4 years of marriage: We have lived in Denver, CO; Kathmandu, Nepal; Phuket, Thaiand, Atlanta, GA;  Indianapolis, IN. Have 2 children (one we have not met face to face yet)  We have had times of hardship and trial. We have laughed and enjoyed each other.  We have traveled to many places, have made many new friends, enjoyed many exquisite meals together, and the list could on and on.  Today we take a short trip to some resort that Larry Bird owns, thanks to our friends Todd & Michelle Howell in Denver for this special gift to us!    Marriage is not easy at times nor simple; yet, the companionship, transformation, intimacy, and love that is created and nurtured cannot be done in any other kind of relationship.  God created marriage before the church. Indeed, it is a pretty important institution to Him and should be to us.   I love you today and forever, mi amor! Happy Anniversary. 

ServLife Tsunami Relief in Thailand continues

New images just sent to me of our continued efforts in southern Thailand among Tsunami survivors.   DONATE NOW.

G8 cuts $40 billion in 3rd world debt

The world's wealthiest countries agreed on Saturday to write off more than $40 billion of impoverished nations' debts in a drive to free Africa from hunger and disease.  The deal was struck by finance ministers from the Group of Eight industrialized nations in London after months of tense negotiations and leaves leaders to consider proposals for doubling aid at a summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, next month. The debt of 18 mainly African countries' to multinational lenders would be canceled immediately. More nations would qualify in the months and years to come. "We are conscious of the abject poverty that so many countries and individuals face. We're being driven forward by the urgent need to act. We've found ourselves united with a shared purpose," British finance minister Gordon Brown told a news conference:  Read more

volunteers in thailand

Ryan and Holly Sharp from southern California have returned to southern Thailand and brought along their friends  ben & chara along. They are helping do some painting of the Tsunami relief center that ServLife bought and other volunteer efforts.  They both have some good photos and stories of their adventures!