2008-12-26

Yesterday
We started out the day with trying to get back some things that were taken from our old apartment. Someone came into the apartment in the summer and took stuff that we had intended to give to our school's new teachers. We were quite frustrated with this, as we did what we were told, we made a list and gave it to the appropriate people. Apparently it became a shopping list.

Ms. Bai came over after I sent her a message that some things needed repairing or replacing in our old apartment, then I told her all that was missing.

We then walked over to John & Megan's apartment for some brunchy breakfast, movies, stocking exchange, and Settlers of Catan. It was a fun time for all.

We walked back to Zhi Zhou Wei to have dinner with Alex Wang. Then back to our apartment where a few old friends and students dropped in.

We went to bed around 9:30pm. Kelly (Jaime's sis) called around midnight. Diane was there and I think Joe was too. They talked for a while as I dozed in and out. My brother John called sometime around 5 or 6 am, it was dark, there were no watches or clocks nearby. He'll call back sometime when we are awake.

Acts 4-7
The early church was fabulously bold. They spoke out with passion, while doing acts of compassion. They preached to the religious leaders of the day, the opposition that wanted to kill them (and did at times), and definitely flogged the followers of Jesus. To speak out for the truth when others agree is simple, joyful, and without much risk. To speak out when many oppose the truth and are willing to harm others to protect their position, power, and prestige, that is altogether different.

Today in America there are many who oppose the truth. They want to remove God from all areas of life, relegate the truth to the privacy of your own personal closet. These folks are suggesting that it even be illegal to teach your children the truth. I find this to be just crazy. It is a little too much like the place I am now living. America is the land of the free. Here in the Middle Kingdom one is not allowed to teach another the Gospel until their above the age of 18. Is America going to so deny the creator, are people of faith going to surrender their God given duty to teach their children the truth, that we cannot proclaim the message to our own children? It is possible for this to happen... in one or two lifetimes.

Now there is increasing weakening in morality, many believers are continuing to loosen the foundation of faith. Many people are dismissing (a little at a time) the truths presented in God's Word, when they should be boldly proclaiming the Word of God.

Power of a Praying Husband - Work
Praying for God's blessings to abound in Jaime's work, compensation, devotion to family, and God's continuing revelation of Jaime's developing talents and abilities. May God guard her heart against pride and competition, may God be glorified in all that she does!

Prayer
God bless this world to know you. Bless your workers to have greater boldness in sharing the Gospel no matter their culture, comfort, or critics.