Biblioburro

Now, if you're much of a linguist at all, you've cleverly discerned that the title of this post can be translated as "book donkey." And that's exactly what it is. I ran across a delightful story of a man in Colombia who hauls library books around on two donkeys (named Alfa and Beto) so that children can have the chance to read. You can watch a video about the Biblioburro below. Then, when you're finished watching, would you consider a couple of simple questions I've asked at the end of the post?

Of interest while watching: At 4:04, you understand that Luis Soriano's purposes are deep and intentional and altruistic, and at 4:55, you see his heart shine through.


Now isn't that fantastic? A simple passion, a simple - almost silly! - idea, and lives are changed. Wow. So, what is it that you love? What is it that you can do? How can you, out of simple love for Jesus and for people, enrich their lives and bring glory to God? It's the heart that counts; there's no need to do something shiny, flashy, loud or large - just strap some books on a donkey and get going!

A Few of the Most Powerful Songs I Know

If I fail to celebrate over the next few days, I'm a miserable Christian indeed. Let's all be reminded...(thanks, Chris, for bringing the first one to my attention!)

Caleb the Studmuffin

I'm sure you heard about Jack Lalanne passing away earlier this year. What a guy! Pumping iron and towing boats to the very last. I admit he's one of the people that has motivated me in my own fitness regimen. Granted, these bodies we have right now won't last forever, but I believe you can feel good and be strong right up to the end. Besides that, exercise reduces stress, helps you sleep better, and allows you to sweat out some toxins.

I've also been inspired by the proclamation made by Caleb in Joshua 14:11...

"I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming."

I preach to teenagers. Often I encourage them to picture themselves as old people, still serving the Lord and loving Jesus just like so many older saints in our congregation that they admire. Before he left earth to be with the Lord, one man from our church that pretty much ALL our young people looked up to was Eldon. They thought he was the coolest guy ever. And he was. He loved God, he loved the teens, and he loved to eat. He was awesome because he finished strong.

For my part, I want to finish well, and I want to finish strong . . . like Jack Lalanne, like Caleb, like Eldon, and like Paul.

Two Friends Down Under

Facebook reminded me this weekend of two friends of mine that live in Australia. Both live in Sydney.

One graduated from high school with me in 1988; the other graduated from that same high school in 2006.

One of them used to wonder why I carried my Bible to school; the other spent time in the youth group I lead learning how beautiful God's Word is.

One lives a lifestyle that is far, far from God; the other loves Jesus dearly and is letting his life be shaped by God.

One lives in wealth and comfort and takes exciting and extravagant holidays; the other lives on a shoestring while he attends school at Hillsong.

Both men are often on my heart when I pray.

My heart is heavy as I weep and plead for the soul of one man; I weep with joy when I see how Christ is shining through the life of the other.

How it is that two men from a little town in the middle of America end up in the same city on the other side of the planet is a mystery. Their paths may never actually cross, but I sure hope the first one is captured by God the way the second one has been.

On Stealing Menus

Do you think that Christians sometimes confuse microcosmic mores with morality? I do. And sometimes it's me doing the confusing. However, as I grow older and (mercifully) wiser, I'm learning to discern Truth from trivialities. Below I've linked to a post I read recently that illustrates pretty nicely what I'm talking about:

Loving God In The Pub

Oh Lord, Please Send Someone Else!

Yes, now that's more like it. That's more the way we're likely to react to God's calling, and even to simple everyday obedience. It's really easy to get stirred up (and well we should!) by Isaiah's bold response when, face to face with a fantastic vision of God's presence and given a challenge to deliver His message, he proclaims "Here am I! Send me!" But consider Moses for a moment, who, when confronted with a conscious manifestation of Divine power (with signs to accompany) and a mandate to challenge Pharaoh, responded insipidly, "Oh my Lord, please send someone else."

Ha! I chuckle when I read that. It makes me laugh because I'm so much like Moses in this respect, and I would imagine that most of us are. "Oh Lord, you're making a mistake. A much better choice would be (insert name of more competent Christian)." But nope. God isn't worried one bit about your weaknesses. The crazy thing is that He redeemed you in the first place; it's not so outlandish that He would subsequently ask you to do something with your life.

So, maybe we can be bold enough to speak more like Isaiah and less like Moses. Maybe we can get our eyes off of our weaknesses and fix them squarely on the Lord and His provision for the task.

None Beside You

Travelling...no time to write...enjoy some music!

Completely Unrelated...

With over 29 million hits, it's got to be good, right??? Go full screen, turn on your smell-o-vision and buckle in for some fun...and take special note of the bumper sticker on the Segway at 2:30...:)

The Need For Preaching

Quoting Christopher Ash in The Priority of Preaching (Have I mentioned what a great little book this is? Have you clicked and bought yourself a copy yet?) : "We need repeated preaching, because by nature we will never repent and believe. We will 'move on' from the simple gospel of daily repentance, daily taking up the cross, daily faith, to a supposed higher life, a more sophisticated life, some kind of super-spiritual life in which repentance and faith are too ordinary and simple to be practised."

It's true. We don't need pep talks and motivational speeches; we don't even need to leave church feeling better than when we came! What we need is preaching - good and true preaching that faithfully reminds us of the simple truths that save.