This happens sometimes. 
HT: Andy Naselli
Another Big Transition
29 July 2009 By 4 Comments
Most readers probably have heard this by now, though it might be news to some. Maya and I are again in transition – this time a pretty big one. We have made the very difficult decision to remain in Florida and minister at the First Baptist Church of Geneva. In fact, earlier this week I officially accepted the call to serve as an Assistant Pastor on a full-time basis. It is a long story, and a bitter sweet one. It is bitter because we love the people and the work in Russia – and a part of our hearts will always be there. But it is sweet because we believe that this is what the Lord would have us to do now and we love the people and the ministry here, too.
We are in the process of working through the steps of resigning from our responsibilities with the mission agency that I’ve been a member of since 1996 (and trained with for four years before that!). That feels really strange. By the end of August, the full change over should be complete. Also, we are planning a month-long trip to Russia in the fall.
Thank you for your prayers for us during this transition.
The Glory of Morning
27 July 2009 By Leave a Comment
I’m in the front yard. The dawn is breaking. The sun is bursting forth with rays of pink and orange and blue. It is morning; glorious morning. And it is a perfect morning. The light is beautiful; the air is cool, and the bugs are still sleeping. I hear a dog bark off in the distance. A full choir of birds are chirping away at one another in the trees above. Even the crow’s caw is fitting in this wonderful tapestry of sound and light.
The Lord has created morning. It is his handiwork – and it is magnificent. The day is birthed in splendor. Whatever else the day might go on to be, it begins with a crescendo. Morning ends the night and without subtetly. The darkness gives way to a spring of glory in the same way a woman’s pangs give way to new life. The glory of morning is the Creator. Morning sings of the glory of God. Let the nations rejoice, for it is morning.
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. – Ps 59:16.
The Cranes Are Flying
22 July 2009 By 5 Comments
Last night, Maya and I watched the Soviet movie, Летят Журавли (The Cranes Are Flying). The movie reminded me how different American movies are from European movies (and especially Russian movies). A movie with a comprehensively tragic ending would never fly in Hollywood. And even if a rare American movie has an unfortunate twist at the end, there is always a redeeming flicker of goodness – something to make one smile with the hope that all was not lost. Not so with Russian movies; they usually end sad.
The Cranes Are Flying is case in point. It depicts the tragic story of a love between Boris and Veronica set at the start of WWII. Boris volunteers to fight the Germans and Veronica is left to wait in uncertainty. When Veronica’s parents are killed in Moscow air raids she moves in with Boris’ family. After a strange evening (which is purposely left vague and unclear), she is roped into marrying Boris’ cousin, Mark, who is an honor-less turkey that she wishes had never been born. The family thinks that she has betrayed Boris. The war gets hot and they flee to Siberia and she is miserable and depressed and holds out hope that Boris will come back to her (present marriage notwithstanding). Meanwhile, Boris is shot by the Germans.
Veronica learns how honor-less her hubby is and they split (and Mark is kicked out of the house by his more honorable uncle) and she finds and adopts a little boy named Boris. In the end, she finally realizes that the love of her life is dead, and she hands out a bunch of flowers to happy people being reunited with long-lost soldiers and watches a formation of cranes fly by.The end – roll credits.
What a sad and pathetic ending! While I was ranting about the injustice of a film like this and the many mean things that I wanted to do to the directors, Maya reminded me that the movie accurately depicts a tragic time in Russian history, when things like this really happened. The movie explored all the emotions well and with some depth. I never knew how to feel, but I hurt the whole time for Veronica. The cinematography was ahead of its day. The acting was classic and dignified. The plot was tragic at every turn. The Cranes Are Flying is an excellent Russian movie.
Happy 500th to John Calvin
10 July 2009 By Leave a Comment
Tributes are everywhere on the blogosphere today. Some varied and well written ones can be found in the list below. What’s all the fuss about? Well, 500 years ago, one of the most influential and important thinkers in church history was born. John Calvin impacted the church and theology like few people before or since. I made two important decisions today, in light of Calvin’s birthday. First, I will read through The Institutes this summer. Second, I will name my next son after him.
Here are four blogs and one static site that have articles, etc., about John Calvin’s birthday.
Our Judeo-Christian Nation
6 July 2009 By Leave a Comment
This is an excellent clip, well worth four minutes of your time.
Why I Think Seminary is Necessary
6 July 2009 By 3 Comments
As of this AM, all of my paperwork, course registrations, scholarship applications, etc. are complete and turned in for my third and final (Lord-willing) year of work on a Master of Divinity degree. Thankfully, I am past the proverbial summit and the only thing left is the descent. In the last two and a half years I have completed 22 courses (66 credits), so I have only 8 to go (24 credits). Four courses a semester will feel like driving 55mph after several hours at interstate speeds: slow and paced. I’m so excited about the year, I decided to write an essay about seminary studies, dealing with one foundational question: is a seminary education necessary for ministry?
Several times in the past two and a half years people have asked me why I decided to hit the books again. After all, I had been in ministry for almost 10 years with only a Bible College education and some inter-cultural training; and it seems that I got on well enough. Why sacrifice the extra time, money and energy on more training (not to mention the added stress)? With this essay, I have attempted a brief answer to that question. I’ll explain why I think that seminary is necessary for most ministry-candidates. I’ll start with a few words of personal experience, then give a few reasons why I think seminary is important. Finally, I’ll conclude in very general terms. [Read more...]
Fantastic Bible Giveaway Contest
3 July 2009 By 2 Comments
Logos Bible Software, which hosts http://bible.logos.com, has teamed up with publishers to give away several premium Bibles. Check out the links below to enter the contest.
Logos Bible Software is celebrating the launch of their new online Bible by giving away 72 ultra-premium print Bibles at a rate of 12 per month for six months. The Bible giveaway is being held at Bible.Logos.com and you can get up to five different entries each month! After you enter, be sure to check out Logos and see how it can revolutionize your Bible study.
