Eva in nursing practicum

what is he really all about?

Jesus and his words have never belonged to the categories of dogma or law, and to read them as if they did is simply to miss them. They are essentially subversive of established arrangements and ways of thinking. - Dallas Willard

Friends and family - I am posting a response to an email that Greg responded to - it is a good reminder to us all as we struggle with the current economic/political climate.


Dear friend

I know you and your friends are outraged by the things that our President is doing. I realize that you are afraid that America will be turned over to the Muslims. I understand the impulse to lash back. But as I read your email, scripture was flooding my mind and I was wondering what scripture was coming to mind to the people who sent it (maybe - an eye for an eye).
The fact is we are not living in the Theocracy of Israel. We live in a different kingdom. We do not pound tent stakes through the heads of our enemies anymore. In the kingdom we live in the King says to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute you, bless and do not curse, do not repay evil for evil but overcome evil with good.

I can not hate Muslims. Jesus died for them. Just like he died for you and me. Me, a reprobate, hedonist, foul mouthed, curser of God. He never told people to hate me - he told people that I was reachable, and redeemable, and not to give up but to keep praying for me. Finally his love broke through.

I live in the kingdom of Thailand physically but I live in the kingdom of God spiritually. Nearly every morning I go to a Muslim coffee shop and talk with the owners and their kids. We just talk about normal life but normal life also includes house church for me. Recently I told the wife owner about how awesome it was when the presence of Jesus showed up in our house church last Sunday and the incredible love we sense when he does that. I plant seeds. They are growing to trust me. We all look forward to the next time we get to talk and help each other with Thai language and English language. I pray for them. I ask my friends to pray for them. Last week five people joined me for coffee in their shop and with our eyes open we prayed for the presence of God to show up in that little shop.

I came here to work with Buddhist Thais - it is 95% Buddhist. Should I boycott their shops? I will starve if I do. We are to bring the light of Jesus to the people of the world. God is just saving you the time and expense of going somewhere else and is bringing them to you, piles of them, from every religion, every ethnic tribe. Some of them are searching for something that they can't figure out. Ask God to bring to you the people who are searching. Don't worry about the ones who are not searching. They are not ready to be harvested yet. Pray: Jesus raise up more workers for your harvest field - and those harvested will become the workers. Lord, just bring us to the ones who are ready for you. Then love them into the kingdom of God.
I understand your frustration. Nobody likes to see their country go wacky. Just pray about it. Read the sermon on the mount. Read Paul saying he becomes all things to all men so that he can save some. Ask God what he thinks about reaching people. Who knows what he might tell you.

God is ready to reveal himself through you - to touch one person at a time.
Bless you brother

Your brother,
Greg

Quote from Steve Covey on leadership

The goal of transformational leadership is to “transform” people and organizations in a literal sense – to change them in mind and heart; enlarge vision, insight, and understanding; clarify purposes; make behavior congruent with beliefs, principles, or values; and bring about changes that are permanent, self-perpetuating, and momentum building.”

Living in Thailand

It has been some time since I last wrote. Barb arrived in November after helping Eva settle at Seattle Pacific University. I love working at the Family Learning Center (check it out at flcschool.com) and living in our neighborhood. Greg is working with a campus ministry reaching out to students at Mae Fah Luang University north of Chiang Rai. Barb taught yesterday at church on 'what is Christian hospitality' and we had a wonderful discussion on the cultural difference and what the Christian culture is.

Greg spends much of his day studying Thai and studying Thai and studying Thai, prepping for teaching a Bible class at Caleb's school as well as whatever needs to be done with the campus ministry.

Caleb is riding a motorcycle now and loving the freedom, not liking academics, but loving Thailand.

Heading to Thailand

Greg and Caleb leave for Thailand on Sunday, August 26th. We are madly packing and trying to keep body parts from exploding from the stress.