There's A Hole In Our Gospel

There are several books worthy of reading on the shelves these days (and several not worth reading!), probably too many. Actually, each time I find myself in a bookstore (which use to be often) I would find myself overwhelemed for I wanted to read several of the books I was scimming through, but knew I would be unable to due to time restraints.

Nevertheless, there is one book I read during the week following Isaiah's birth which has left quite the indelible impression upon my life: Richard Stearns' The Hole In Our Gospel.

Stearns' (MBA, Wharton School of Business) was a CEO at 2 premier companies. In light of Stearns' distinctive business career, he had quite the skill set, so much so that God saw him fit to become the current president of World Vision (One of the leading Christian humanitarian organizations).  

This is a dangerous book. Dangerous in a good sort of way. It's dangerous in the sense that in reading it, you may discover that the gospel you may be living your life by is a gospel with a gapping hole in it, and thus, not the complete and true good news Christ exemplifies and calls us to embrace. I no of no one who has read this book who hasn't been moved to take action upon serving others, investing in God's work locally and or around the world in some way, or learning more about what it means to biblically seek justice.

I am now reading through it again for the second time and am hoping to walk through portions of the book through a series of blog posts. Feel free to comment regarding anything I share regarding Stearns' understanding of the gospel and what it means to live and share the whole gospel in our world today.

My hope in discussing some areas of this book will be that we will learn that the good news of Christ Jesus is an ongoing story in which we have a great role to play. Part of our role is magnifying the main character of that story - Jesus - but doing it of course in word, while not forgetting to do it in deed.

Seeking Justice Through Music

For those of you who enjoy Third Day, Tenth Avenue North, Sarah Groves, and other artists, AND if you have a heart for those suffering from forms on injustice such as sex trafficking and modern day slavery, here is a great way for you to benefit from some soul satiating music, as well as help seek justice on behalf of the oppressed: IJM's FREEDOM CD

International Justice Mission (IJM) has collaborated with several of Christian musics most noted artist to raise awareness of the injustice in our world today by way of producing the Freedom CD. In purchasing it, you receive 2 CDs with 26 songs total, and a bonus DVD with a documentary of IJM's work. 

The cost of the CD is $5.00 - Three discs for $5.00! Not merely are the songs encouraging, but the proceeds go to support IJM's work! So, if you want to become involved in the cause of seeking justice, here's one way you can! You can find the Freedom CD at any Family Christian Bookstore.

My Baby Boy Got a Passport!

So, I'm a little excited about what came in the mail yesterday: Isaiah's passport! I'm so proud of my baby boy! Only six months old and he already has a passport. =) He's already way ahead of where his mom and dad were at his age! Oh, and did I mention that the passport contains an absolutely adorable picture of him? Hair in a comb-over, chubby kissable cheeks, and bright blue eyes... of course I'm a little biased but I do think he looks pretty darn cute in that photo. Can't wait to hand the officials Isaiah's passport as we make our way through the airport from Michigan to Uganda. Who wouldn't think he's just the cutest baby ever? ;) (Maybe they'll bump us up to first class when they see it????)

Let's Do This

Let's get to Uganda! Raising support is undoubtedly no mere task. It takes quite a bit of prep work and if I could offer something to compare it to, I would say opening a small business or running a campaign may have several similarities (though I've attempted neither!).

We have been working a great deal on our budget and this would entail talking often with folks who are currently in Uganda in order to hear a current rate on the daily cost of living.

If you would like to join with in us in prayer regarding anything, please pray we finish the several things we need to accomplished so that we can begin support raising!

Also, please join with us in praying for Uganda on a regular basis. We are looking to the Lord to do a great work through a variety of means while we are in Uganda. We don't know all he has in store for us while we are there, but of course we want to see Ugandans trust Christ and be discipled, as well as plant seeds wherever we go and amongst whoever we interact with daily.

Another way in which we would appreciate prayer is regarding adoption. Amber and I both have felt led for quite some time now (even before we knew one another) to adopt. This will not happen overnight, but will be a process and potentially, a rather lengthy process. Specific ways in which to pray for this is praying that we come in contact with the right lawyer, go before the right judge, and meet the Ugandan requirements for adoption.

Lastly, we believe the Lord has called us to Uganda by no later than January of 2012. We look forward to watching the Lord get us there. When it comes to doing the necessary work on our end to make our way to Uganda, I say, let's do it!

The Road to Uganda

As you can imagine, Amber and I are daily praying, daily working, and daily awaiting in anticipation of arriving in Uganda to do the work God is calling us to do.

As of now, we are in the beginning stages of doing what we need to do in order to support raise. We undoubtedly have our work cut out for us, but we are entrusting each day to the Lord, to watch him work wondrously in ways he alone is known to do.

A wonderful verse which has been coming to mind often is actually one of Am's favorite verses, Psalm 5:3

"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
   in the morning I lay my requests before you
   and wait expectantly."

We are yielding our days and hours in the months ahead to the Lord, with the expectation of watching him do a great work in getting us to Uganda, as well as watching him do an even greater work through his gospel while there!

We look forward to continually updating you on how things are going with support raising and different ways in which you could join with us in prayer. We will probably also post several other things on here from encouraging thoughts, to family updates, and probably some fun and humorous pictures of Isaiah and how things are going with him! He's begun eating now! (I can't believe it, he's growing like a weed!) And, as messy as he is while eating, we believe he may have received some of his father's genes!