Beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning...the beauty does not make the ashes non-existent and the joy doesn't negate the tears shed. Redemption doesn't mean everything is rosy, rather, it means that the prickly thorn is a part of the rose's beauty, not an ugly deformity that must be explained away or made excuses for.Here is the first listen to my new project Voices: the nomad chronicles, vol. 2. It is also part 2 to my song Regarding Elijah

“Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning and is coming back tomorrow.” – Martin Luther I was overwhelmed in my time with the Lord this morning. From thinking of the devastating events in Japan, to the tensions found in ministry, and even the annoyance of financial situations, the prayer uttered was “Jesus I need you.” From big to small - things are just tough. Will the Church step up? Will it pray? Will it fast? Will it go and give, not only aid but also rehabilitation and development? Will we merely go and do what it takes to sleep better at night, or will we do what it takes for them to sleep better [...]

I’m learning how to serve. I believe the western church needs to learn how to serve. As the ministry that we work for is getting ready for summer work teams to come out, I am helping to prepare training materials for hosting those groups. As I reminisce of experiences of different groups, I have to admit, some memories make my stomach turn. One short-term mission group that was in Seattle after spending time on the Yakima reservation was approached by a homeless man begging for money, and one of the leaders grilled him in a way that really tore at his dignity. Or there was a group that came to the rez and one of the [...]