Saturday, May 31, 2008

Plowshares and Pruning Hooks

Before departing for Cuba, I finished Brent Sandy's Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic. This book changed the way I read and interpret prophecy. I was especially challenged by Sandy's ideas on how we should go about interpreting the predictive elements of the Old Testament. Sandy is solidly conservative yet he takes conservatives to task in areas where some have resorted to academic laziness. Sandy writes well about difficult concepts without watering them down. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be a better student of the Bible.Want to purchase a copy? Click HERE.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Free at Last!






I'm back from my travels to the communist island to the south. God was good and everything I brought went through customs. A few reflections...

God is working in an amazing way. House churches that had just been started when I arrived a year ago had already multiplied. People are being saved and delivered out of witchcraft, idolatry and the cults. People are standing outside of the church, even during the Sunday night service, in order to see/hear through the windows and doors. Note the pictures immediately left and above. Twenty-two people crammed into one room of a house church where I preached. It was the bedroom of the host family. It was just big enough for a queen size bed a little room to walk around it. About five or six people actually sat on the bed and the others sat or stood against the wall while a few listened in from just outside!

In one small community an hour from Havanah with a population of only 70 people, there are four weddings scheduled on the same day around the first of July. The reason is that one of our missionaries began to evangelize this area and many of the people who accepted Christ were living with a boyfriend/girlfriend outside of marriage. Now that they are saved, they have decided to get married! (How often does a community of only 70 people have four weddings in one day? Hmmm)

During the week, I preached eight times (in Spanish). Six accepted Christ. This proves that God still works through burros.

Above left and left middle: Pictures from Pastor's Jorge's ordination. I had the blessing of participating in the laying on of hands.

Above right: Me with our six missionaries.

NOTE: Click on any of the pictures for a larger view.

This Sunday night I'll be reporting on the trip and sharing video messages from our missionaries.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Cuba Para Cristo!

Keep me in your prayers. I'll be in Cuba for seven days starting tomorrow (or technically today). I always look forward to ministering there. I'll have plenty of details when I get back!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

What Academics Really Mean

My friend Tim Wilkins sent out the following list of phrases you'll comonly hear from professors, statisticians and researchers, as well as what these phrases actually mean. They're pretty funny, perhaps because they ring of truth!

"It has long been known"... I didn't look up the original reference.

"A definite trend is evident"... These data are practically meaningless.

"While it has not been possible to provide definite answers to the questions"... An unsuccessful experiment, but I still hope my paper gets published.

"Three of the samples were chosen for detailed study"... The other results didn't make any sense.

"In my experience"... once

"In case after case"... twice

"In a series of cases"... thrice

"It is believed that"... I think.

"It is generally believed that"... A couple of others think so, too.

"According to statistical analysis"... Rumor has it.

"A statistically oriented projection of the significance of these findings"... A wild guess.

"A careful analysis of obtainable data"... Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a glass of Pepsi.

"It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding of this phenomenon occurs"... I don't understand it.

"After additional study by my colleagues"... They don't understand it either.

"Thanks are due to Joe Blotz for assistance with the experiment and to Cindy Adams for valuable discussions"... Mr. Blotz did the work and Ms. Adams explained to me what it meant.

"A highly significant area for exploratory study"... A totally useless topic selected by my committee.

"It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigation in this field"... I quit.