Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Power of Pictures
I love Mark Batterson's recent post on the importance of painting pictures. A picture, he says, is word ten million words.
He notes: Nothing is more powerful than a picture. It can move in ways that words cannot. It bypasses defense mechanisms. It gets past the mind and invades the soul. A well-painted picture changes minds in ways that words cannot. That's one reason why the parables are so powerful. Jesus painted pictures.
Batterson, whose church meets in movie theaters sees the movie theater screens as postmodern stained glass.
The modern church was very wordy. And there is nothing wrong with words. But we also need pictures! And if the gospel is going to capture the imagination of our generation I think it'll be worth words AND pictures!
He notes: Nothing is more powerful than a picture. It can move in ways that words cannot. It bypasses defense mechanisms. It gets past the mind and invades the soul. A well-painted picture changes minds in ways that words cannot. That's one reason why the parables are so powerful. Jesus painted pictures.
Batterson, whose church meets in movie theaters sees the movie theater screens as postmodern stained glass.
The modern church was very wordy. And there is nothing wrong with words. But we also need pictures! And if the gospel is going to capture the imagination of our generation I think it'll be worth words AND pictures!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Teaching Opportunities in Thailand
We just received a newsletter from our friends Malcolm and Sandy Potter who are based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They are from Cromwell in New Zealand and have been serving in Thailand for more than 10 years now. They are a fantastic couple who have had a focus on helping to establish Baan Fai Mai Tribal Youth Centre in Mae Chaem, about 3 hours from Chiang Mai. When I first visited the original Youth Centre about 12 years ago it was in a rundown building offering not much more than a shelter for Tribal Children. Through foul means this property was effectively stolen and the funds pocketed by a ‘trusted’ national worker. Now, under the work of the potters they have established a new, wonderful property to serve the needs of Tribal Children who are sent to be educated in the local High School. It has also becoming a missions centre as the students go back to their previous unreached villages to share the gospel.
In their newsletter the Potters describe the needs of the school that they have sent their children to on Chiang Mai. Grace International School serves the children of missionaries from more than 26 different nations. More than one third of the world's population is within 3 hours flight Chiang Mai so it has become a strategic centre in Asia for missionaries.
The school occupies it purchased 11 years ago that use to house a popular athletic club. While the school has enjoyed the gymnasium, athletic courts, weight and racquetball courts and Olympic-sized swimming pool for more than a decade, the Nittibukon, an association representing the surrounding neighborhood, recently sued to regain control of the property.
The court case concluded in August with the judge ruling in favor of the association, meaning, in effect, that Grace International School will have to restore the property to its original condition and turn it over to the association
The schools is halfway to raising finds to purchase a new property. You can check out the Saving Grace website for details on how you can help.
Also, Grace School is looking for teachers to come an serve at the school. In order to provide quality, low cost education to the children of Christian workers in Southeast Asia teachers and other foreign staff come as volunteers through sending agencies and raise 100% of their own financial support. Teachers serve the same way as missionary does, with support from back home. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers to serve overseas in an English speaking environment. Grace is looking for teachers for the 2011/2012 year.
So if you are a teacher, and after an adventure for a couple of years or more, than why not consider this? I have visited Chiang Mai 9 or 10 times and love it. It is a great, inexpensive city with all your modern conveniences as well as the charm of 'real' Asia. It is the close to stunning mountains, rivers and waterfalls. You can find out more information about serving there on the schools website.
In their newsletter the Potters describe the needs of the school that they have sent their children to on Chiang Mai. Grace International School serves the children of missionaries from more than 26 different nations. More than one third of the world's population is within 3 hours flight Chiang Mai so it has become a strategic centre in Asia for missionaries.
The school occupies it purchased 11 years ago that use to house a popular athletic club. While the school has enjoyed the gymnasium, athletic courts, weight and racquetball courts and Olympic-sized swimming pool for more than a decade, the Nittibukon, an association representing the surrounding neighborhood, recently sued to regain control of the property.
The court case concluded in August with the judge ruling in favor of the association, meaning, in effect, that Grace International School will have to restore the property to its original condition and turn it over to the association
The schools is halfway to raising finds to purchase a new property. You can check out the Saving Grace website for details on how you can help.
Also, Grace School is looking for teachers to come an serve at the school. In order to provide quality, low cost education to the children of Christian workers in Southeast Asia teachers and other foreign staff come as volunteers through sending agencies and raise 100% of their own financial support. Teachers serve the same way as missionary does, with support from back home. This is an exciting opportunity for teachers to serve overseas in an English speaking environment. Grace is looking for teachers for the 2011/2012 year.
So if you are a teacher, and after an adventure for a couple of years or more, than why not consider this? I have visited Chiang Mai 9 or 10 times and love it. It is a great, inexpensive city with all your modern conveniences as well as the charm of 'real' Asia. It is the close to stunning mountains, rivers and waterfalls. You can find out more information about serving there on the schools website.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Christmas Gift Ideas
We received our first Christmas present today!! From Andrea’s brother and fiancé, it was an Unwrapped Gift from Oxfam which gave education to a child in a devloping nation. The funny thing was Andrea and I were look at the catalogue to buy some gifts like this as well!
The idea is to give gifts that change a future Oxfam points out that when it comes to buying a great present, another pair of novelty socks or more bubble bath just won't do! Instead you can choose from their catalogue of items which lists things from a couple of chickens, to a goat, sending people to school, or training a birth attendant. This means you you’re giving someone living in poverty in the developing world the chance of a better life, while your loved ones will receive a card detailing the present you bought them.
Tearfund offers vouchers as a gift that the recipient is able to donate to certain causes in various parts of the world.
If you are struggling for gift ideas for someone this year, don’t rush down to the Warehouse or $2 on Christmas Eve, consider giving a gift that makes a difference.
Here is some more thoughts on this gift giving from the Sydney Morning Herald.
The idea is to give gifts that change a future Oxfam points out that when it comes to buying a great present, another pair of novelty socks or more bubble bath just won't do! Instead you can choose from their catalogue of items which lists things from a couple of chickens, to a goat, sending people to school, or training a birth attendant. This means you you’re giving someone living in poverty in the developing world the chance of a better life, while your loved ones will receive a card detailing the present you bought them.
Tearfund offers vouchers as a gift that the recipient is able to donate to certain causes in various parts of the world.
If you are struggling for gift ideas for someone this year, don’t rush down to the Warehouse or $2 on Christmas Eve, consider giving a gift that makes a difference.
Here is some more thoughts on this gift giving from the Sydney Morning Herald.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Italy from Space
This is an image taken from the international Space Station at night. Pretty Cool view of Italy. Our apartment added to lights in the photo! You can read about it at BBC online.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sacreligious
A song with some interesting thoughts. Apparently Christofer wrote this in reference to when he was kicked out of church for opening up his home to homeless people.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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