Archive for January, 2006
Power, poise, and penitence
Jan 26th
People look to leaders in times of trial and trouble, sometimes for direction, sometimes for comfort. Common knowledge says that a leader who is strong and fearless is the one to follow. After all, would people support President Bush if he were unsure and indecisive?
My struggle is this: is this the same in God’s kingdom? The televangelist types who always appear to have it together; these folks say nothing to me. I’ve met followers of Christ who seem to be the most self effacing, humble persons alive. They are the ones that I am drawn to. A man who can say like Job, “Tho He slay me, yet will I praise Him.”
The balance seems to lie in who do you place your trust in? If your trust is in God, you have no reason to boast about yourself. If it’s in yourself, then maybe you do have to act like you’re in charge.
I’d rather trust in God…. Better track record, if you know what I mean.
Power, poise, and penitence
Jan 26th
People look to leaders in times of trial and trouble, sometimes for direction, sometimes for comfort. Common knowledge says that a leader who is strong and fearless is the one to follow. After all, would people support President Bush if he were unsure and indecisive?
My struggle is this: is this the same in God’s kingdom? The televangelist types who always appear to have it together; these folks say nothing to me. I’ve met followers of Christ who seem to be the most self effacing, humble persons alive. They are the ones that I am drawn to. A man who can say like Job, “Tho He slay me, yet will I praise Him.”
The balance seems to lie in who do you place your trust in? If your trust is in God, you have no reason to boast about yourself. If it’s in yourself, then maybe you do have to act like you’re in charge.
I’d rather trust in God…. Better track record, if you know what I mean.
Heading to Cebu, Philippines
Jan 5th
Well folks, today is my last day in Manila. Our meetings preparing for the Metro Manila Franklin Graham Festival have gone well. I’m getting a little homesick, but have one more stop to make before coming home.
Les and Saralee Tilka are friends from university, and they have been working in Cebu since 1993. Their ministry is called Mission Philippines, and they do some wonderful work with prison inmates and their families, plus a whole lot more. Les is also involved in Operation Christmas Child in the Philippines. I’m really looking forward to my visit there. Look for the next post to have some pictures as well.
Pictures galore. ENJOY!
Jan 2nd
Thanks to my good friend, Nick Ciske, he turned me on to flickr.com, a great photo sharing app. If you look to the right hand side of my blog, you’ll see a link for “Photo Gallery” or “stevievanphotos”. I’ve uploaded a few pictures w/ a great upload feature that integrates right into my iPhoto app on my Mac. So, I’ll try and label them while I’m in Manila.
but until then, enjoy my family!
Manila, version 2
Jan 2nd
Well, I’m back in Manila again; this time, until January 9. Having some meetings to prepare for the Franklin Graham Festival that is taking place here in February. Just got online in my hotel room; it’s 1:00am here, and I’m wide awake.
Tired, sweaty, but safe. Time to go to bed. More tomorrow.