Snow White With A Twist

Okay, maybe I just think this is hilarious because she is my kid, but I was laughing so hard I was in tears. It is totally Kaylie, so if you know her, you'll get it.  That being said, it is long and a little hard to follow, but I hope you enjoy.

One of us (all of us)

Not generally a chain, joke, fake hoax, or dire warning email forward-er, but got this one today and thought it was cute. 

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:
1. He called everyone brother
2. He liked Gospel
3. He didn't get a fair trial

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:
1. He went into His Father's business
2. He lived at home until he was 33
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:
1. He talked with His hands
2. He had wine with His meals
3. He used olive oil

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:
1. He never cut His hair
2. He walked around barefoot all the time
3. He started a new religion

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian:
1. He was at peace with nature
2. He ate a lot of fish
3. He talked about the Great Spirit

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:
1. He never got married..
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.

But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a woman:
1. He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was virtually no food
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it
3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do

God is always speaking...

I wanted to share with you this email from a co-worker whose husband was recently diagnosed with cancer.  It is an encouraging testimony of God's faithfulness, presence, and amazing timing.  How cool is it that God spoke to them right where they were with the encouragement they needed!  (Yesterday was the day they met with the doctors to find out if recent tests showed his cancer had spread.) 

Please forgive me for one more e-mail. But I am compelled to share with you the verses God has given us yesterday and today.


Yesterday morning on the Promises Calendar on my desk: I Peter 1:6 (TLB)
“So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down there."

This morning on our calendar in the workroom: Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

This morning on my Promises Calendar on my desk, this thought for today:
Add to your joy by counting your blessings.


We are looking for the wonderful joy ahead, waiting for the Lord, and counting our blessings.

My prayer is that you find these verses and thoughts encouraging for you with any trials you are facing or that you will use them to help others you know who are in need of encouragement.

Who enjoyed The Lads more, Tricia or the tweens?

Pre-Super Start I had never heard of the Lads.  Now I can't get their songs out of my head.  We bought the DVD of their TV show and it was like the Monkees meet the Wiggles meet Jesus meet a venti mocha with whip cream and a triple shot of espresso.  (Me and Kaylie were cracking up - she is so her mother's daughter!)  What is not to love about that??  Here is a video for you to enjoy...

Be Authentic

(I have Be Authentic in my to be read pile, but a number of these also sound good.  I'll post review when I finally get it read and then maybe I'll try to get some of the other ones.)

New Look at the legendary insights of Dr. Warren Wiersbe

David C Cook releases revised editions of Dr. Wiersbe’s trusted Bible commentaries—the “BE” Series

As pastors seek to make the Word of God more understandable in an age that is unfamiliar with the Bible and as growing disciples seek to discover the truth of Scripture in a skeptical culture, there is a great need for guidance in both the preaching and study of God’s Word. Whether you’re a pastor, a seminary student or a truth-seeking disciple, an understanding of the Bible can be made clear to you with the help of one of the most influential, in-depth and practical Bible scholars in modern history.

A man who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago and the author of more than 150 books. For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “Be” Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God’s Word with the goal of life transformation. Dubbed by many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe skillfully weaves Scripture with historical explanations and thought-provoking questions, communicating the Word in such a way that the masses grasp its relevance for today.

Easily accessible for both pastors and lay people alike, Wiersbe’s profound study guides can be used in personal Bible study or with a group. David C Cook’s third installment of eight revised “BE” series volumes each feature updated content for today’s readers, a new introduction by Ken Baugh and new study questions for each chapter. The 2009 expanded Bible commentaries will include the following studies:

· Be Diligent (A Study of Matthew) encourages us to follow Christ’s example and actively serve others and God. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6631-1/176 pages/softcover/$12.99/January 2010)

· Be Wise (A Study of 1 Corinthians) explores 1 Corinthians, Paul’s practical guide to seeking Godly wisdom. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6636-6/192 pages/softcover/$12.99/March 2010)

· Be Authentic (A Study of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph) shares how we can pursue authentic relationships with others and God. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6630-4/192 pages/softcover/$12.99/January 2010)

· Be Basic (A Study of Genesis) gives fundamental truths from the book of Genesis on relationships, faith, sin and spiritual fulfillment. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6635-9/176 pages/softcover/$12.99/January 2010)

· Be Obedient (A Study of Abraham) explores the remarkable life of Abraham and shows how we too can be obedient through faith. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6632-8/160 pages/softcover/$12.99/January 2010)

· Be Strong (A Study of Joshua) shares the need for strong believers of purpose, while encouraging us to lead victorious lives. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6637-3/176 pages/softcover/$12.99/March 2010)

· Be Decisive (A Study of Jeremiah) powerful insights for making the decisive, powerful choice to live by God’s absolute truth and values. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6634-2/204 pages/softcover/$12.99/March 2010)

· Be Encouraged (A Study of 2 Corinthians) is a lively commentary that will help you be encouraged no matter what challenges come your way. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6633-5/176 pages/softcover/$12.99/March 2010)

Acclaimed worldwide as a pastoral resource for international leaders, the “BE” series will soon include companion study guides—the Wiersbe Bible Study Series—with each study guide correlating with the appropriate “BE” book. David C Cook plans to release additional editions of the series over the next few years.

Screen Play

(Could I BE any further behind in my reading?  I was drawn to this book because it was about acting/theatre.  I haven't finished it yet, but what I have read so far is good.  The author writes with a lot of metaphors (or maybe they are similes) and lots of gratuitous adjectives, but once I was accustomed to his writing style, it stopped distracting me.)

Sometimes the person farthest away from you is the one who’s closest to your heart.

Author Chris Coppernoll explores Broadway, Hollywood, love and online dating in his latest novel, Screen Play

Screen Play (David C. Cook 2010), the third novel from author Chris Coppernoll is an inspiring story of friendship and faith set amidst the complexities of Hollywood and cleverly combined with an uplifting love story reminiscent of Sleepless in Seattle.

At thirty, Harper fears her chances for a thriving acting career and finding true love are both fading fast. After a devastating year of unemployment and isolation in Chicago, Harper is offered an unexpected role in a Broadway play—as understudy to New York’s biggest diva––and everything in Harper's world changes.

Harper also hopes to find love in NYC, but when it doesn't happen, she reluctantly signs up to an online matchmaking site. Frustration mounts when the only match Harper is even remotely interested in lives in a remote territory on the opposite coast, thousands of miles away. A faith conversation during her year in Chicago shapes how Harper sees everything. She wants to see God at work in her life, but His ways are mysterious, and she's faced with challenges in the secular world of Broadway. Harper feels like an actress who doesn’t act and a woman in love with someone she's never even seen, but God's about to change all that.

Linked through the contemporary, text message world of internet dating, Harper learns it's possible to care for someone outside her own universe, even when that someone can't be touched, and ultimately how to love. She reaches out through the impersonal world of cyberspace and becomes more aware than ever of God reaching out to her. Sometimes the person farthest away from you, she discovers, is the one who's closest to your heart.

“Screen Play is a story about believing that God can do great things, even when we’re at our weakest,” say Coppernoll. “I hope readers will be swept up in Harper’s story instantly and that their excitement won’t let up until the very last page.”

Romantic Times Online Magazine has given Screen Play 4 ½ stars and selected the novel as a “Top Pick”.

Theology Thursday on Friday

(No pun intended, but did I already mention this??)

A New Small Group Resource that includes the legendary insights of Dr. Warren Wiersbe

David C Cook releases four studies based on Dr. Wiersbe’s trusted Bible commentaries—the “BE” Series

Finding good small group material can be tricky. Some studies look slick on the outside but lack the kind of depth that can help the group move from a social gathering to a place of spiritual intimacy. Other studies focus so heavily on information and detail that relational connection is an afterthought. More than ever there is a need for a balanced study guide that combines community building with in-depth Bible knowledge. Thankfully, both of these priorities can be made clear to your group with the help of one of the most influential, in-depth, and relational Bible scholars in modern history.

A man who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher, former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, and the author of more than 150 books. For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “Be” Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God’s Word with the goal of life transformation. Dubbed by many as the “pastor’s pastor,” Dr. Wiersbe skillfully weaves Scripture with historical explanations and thought-provoking questions, communicating the Word in such a way that the masses grasp its relevance for today.

The Wiersbe Bible Study Series will incorporate material from Warren’s popular series of expositional commentaries (known as the “Be Books”) into a small group Bible study format, consisting of a Bible book introduction, tips for small group study, self-introspective questions, and practical application. The studies will be Bible book specific and follow along with certain topics respective of how they are presented in the “Be Books.” The studies will not overshadow the actual commentary but instead give the reader just enough of a sampling of Wiersbe’s enduring wisdom that he will want to go out and read the rest of what Wiersbe has written.


Available now:
· Galatians—Offers believers the alternative of exchanging legalism for true spirituality. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6509-3/softcover/128 pages/$8.99)
· Proverbs—A rich study of the fundamental truths from God’s guidebook on wise living. (ISBN: 978-4347-6511-6/softcover/144 pages/$8.99)
· 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon—Encouragement from the writings of Paul on what it means to press on and never give up. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6510-9/softcover/128 pages/$8.99)
· Matthew—An exploration of the remarkable life of Christ and wise teaching on what it means to follow the King of Kings. (ISBN: 978-1-4347-6512-3/softcover/144 pages/$8.99)

Acclaimed worldwide as a pastoral resource for international leaders, the “Be” series has inspired these companion study guides—The Wiersbe Bible Study Series—so that each study guide correlates with the appropriate “Be” book. David C Cook plans to release additional editions of the series over the next few years.

Watch out world, here I come!

I have an awesome opportunity that I am quite excited to tell you about.

I am going to Austria!

For several years our church has sent a team to Austria to serve Training Christians for Ministry (TCM) at the International Institute they hold just outside Vienna. TCM International Institute trains Evangelical Christians from Eastern Europe and Central Asia for ministry in their homelands. The work of TCM fills a gap by providing the necessary training without the financial cost that would typically come with this level of education. (I encourage you to visit http://www.tcmi.org/ and http://www.tcmi.edu/ to find out more.)

I have wanted to serve TCM by participating in their Short-Term Worker program for many years and am so fortunate to have this desire finally fulfilled! I will be working alongside the full-time staff, serving the Christians who have come to Haus Edelweiss to study and grow. Short-term workers perform a variety of tasks on-site such as cooking, cleaning and grounds keeping. I have been told that it is long days of hard work, but extremely rewarding.

I was drawn to this opportunity because I will be doing physical work in service to Christians in Eastern Europe. I have long had a heart for the Christians in this area of the world who have faced much turmoil and persecution while spreading the name of and answering the call of Christ. Our church sponsors several missionaries serving in this area and it is always encouraging to hear what God is doing in these countries. The specific trip I am taking (May 12-21) is an especially opportune time to visit TCM, as we will be serving at graduation time. We will be privileged to sit in on graduation ceremonies and hear updates from all the participating countries on what God is doing there. (How cool is that going to be?!)

The trip has always seemed out of reach to me due to cost, but when we were blessed to be able to send both Jim and Kaylie to serve in Mexico last year, I realized it probably wasn’t so impossible after all! We have been very fortunate to come up with much of the funding for the $1200 trip, but we still could use help if you are able to provide it.

More important than your financial support is your prayer support. Please pray for the men and women training at Haus Edelweiss – that God would provide for them, strengthen them, encourage them, protect and bless them. Pray also for the staff of TCM, and the other short-term workers. (A prayer calendar for TCMI can be viewed here.)

For me personally, I would appreciate your prayers for health, safety, and a steadfast frame of mind. As you know, I have chronic migraines. Please join me in praying that, despite the traveling, time zone changes, and other conditions, I will remain headache free during the trip so I may serve to my fullest ability. As many of you also know, I will be leaving my full-time job effective June 1 (just a few short days after we return!) and I pray that preparation for that life change will not take away from preparation for or focus on the trip.

Thank you for the privilege of your support, love, and friendship. I will keep you all updated on the trip and when I return I’ll send you a nice long report of all I experienced.

Check out this DVD set

If, like me, you enjoy Discovery Channel specials, here is something that might appeal to you...

Discovering the Surprising History of the First Christians

New DVD series examines Christianity’s global roots.

Click here to view the trailer!

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—There are two billion Christians in the world today, a third of humanity—Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and many more. Though Christians, by definition, are well-versed in the story of Christ and the apostles, many have given little thought to the details of their Christian heritage—the miraculous transferring of their faith from the first Christians huddled at Golgotha, across two centuries worth of cultures and languages, wars, and the rising and falling of empires. How did this small, obscure Jewish sect that preached humility and personal sacrifice become the biggest religion in the world? The answer will surprise you.

A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years is a six-part series co-produced by the BBC, the Open University, and Jerusalem Productions and presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch, one of the world’s leading historians and Professor of History of the Church and Fellow at St. Cross College, Oxford. As MacCulloch reveals the true history of Christianity, he explores the question, “What does it really mean to be a Christian?”

While most Christian histories start with St. Paul’s mission to Rome, MacCulloch asserts that the Christianity stayed much closer to its Middle-Eastern roots and that, in fact, the first Christians actually took the eastern road from Jerusalem, spreading their faith across Asia, even to parts of China.

“Today, Christianity is seen as a Western faith. Indeed, many in the Muslim world would see Western lifestyles as Christian lifestyles. But Christianity is not by origin a Western religion,” MacCulloch says. “Its beginnings are in the Middle East, where there still exist churches which have been Eastern since the earliest Christian era. The story of the first Christianity tells us the Christian faith is, in fact, hugely diverse with many identities.”

MacCulloch is one of the most widely traveled Christian historians, and A History of Christianity is the first retelling of the Christian story that is truly global in scope. Filmed in high definition, A History of Christianity takes viewers on a 2,000-year odyssey that reaches the farthest corners of the world, from Palestine in the first century to India in the third, from Damascus to China in the seventh century, and from San Francisco to Korea in the twentieth.

A scholar whose fascination with Christian history was cultivated at an early age, Diarmaid MacCulloch is the last in three generations of Anglican clergy. That personal connection enriches the storytelling, as he describes not only the main ideas and personalities of Christian history, its organization, and spirituality, but how it has changed our views on politics, sex, and human society.

“Religious belief can transform us for good or ill. It has brought human beings to acts of criminal folly as well as the highest achievements of goodness and creativity. I tell the story of both extremes,” MacCulloch says.

The twentieth century brought what many perceive to be the greatest threat to Christianity—skepticism and spiritual apathy. Still, MacCulloch contends that the future of Christianity is filled with possibilities.

The DVD set will arrive in stores, including Sam’s Club, in time for the Easter Season. The series will also be available on Amazon.com.

A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years 6 DVD Set presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch

March 2010

http://www.ambrosevideo.com/