Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Love, Love, Love...Love Is All You Need

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

We have three things to do...Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly [because He loves extravagantly]. And the best of the three is love.

For if we are in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but [the only thing that counts is] faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.





Taken from 1 John 4, 1 Corinthians 13 and Galatians 5

Africa needs God

I thought this article was interesting. It is by an atheist and runs counter to what I hear from other atheists who want to rid the world of religion, positing that it is of no value. Here are a few excerpts:


Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.


I used to avoid this truth by applauding - as you can - the practical work of mission churches in Africa. It's a pity, I would say, that salvation is part of the package...I would allow that if faith was needed to motivate missionaries to help, then, fine: but what counted was the help, not the faith.


But this doesn't fit the facts. Faith does more than support the missionary; it is also transferred to his flock. This is the effect that matters so immensely, and which I cannot help observing.


There is much more to the article. He makes some good observations, but misses the mark as to why the transformation takes place. I guess "the power of God" doesn't factor into his mindset.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Hunger

You called, You shouted, and You broke through my deafness. You flashed, You shone, and You dispelled my blindness. You breathed Your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for You. I have tasted You, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for Your peace.





Augustine of Hippo

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Evolution of Dance

I thought this was hilarious