Book Review: Tactics
Seth was recently given a copy of "Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions". The book is basically an apologetics manual, but it takes a unique approach. Instead of giving you the specific arguments defending Christianity, "Tactics" teaches you how to argue in a winsome way. It gives extremely practical advice on how to start conversations about spiritual things, how to listen to what other people are really saying, and how to respond in ways that get them to actually think through the issues. Most of the tactics are simple to remember and easy to use in any conversation, the book is short, and the price is low. What are you waiting for?
CrossWorld in Haiti
The organization we're with, CrossWorld, has had people in Haiti for many years. One of the primary ways they have worked in Haiti is in association with a seminary that was heavily damaged in the recent earthquake. Two students were killed when a classroom building collapsed. Right now there are around 2,000 people camping on the seminary grounds and there is a shortage of food and water (as there is in the entire area). Some aid has made it through, however, and it is encouraging to hear that there are many Haitians turning to God - several at the seminary have given their lives to God! If you would like more information or would be interested in supporting CrossWorld in their relief effort there, click here.
Website Malfunction
We recently realized that the form on our contact page isn't working. That means that if you have tried to contact us through it this year, we didn't get your message. Sorry!!! We're working to fix the problem, but if you want to get in touch with us, just email us at seth.lewis (at) crossworld.org.
Sunday
this morning we went to Midleton Evangelical Church, the church that is in the process of planting a new church in Youghal. The place was definitely crowded, with something like 75-80 folks there. Everyone was very nice to us, and most of the folks we met already know who we were and said they have been praying for us for some time! Right now we're in our apartment listening to one of our teammates host a program on the local Youghal radio station. It's an interesting story of God's providence about how he got the opportunity to do that - they actually asked him!
Our sea-view window gave us front row seats to some drama today as a rescue helicopter came through searching for something or somebody. Eventually they left, but I guess we'll have to ask around or get a paper later to find out what actually happened.
Discovery
while he was sorting through some old things to get them ready to donate to Goodwill, Seth found $100 in a pocket he had forgotten about inside an old computer case! That's fun!
New look
as you can see, the website has undergone a major renovation! The content is similar, but hopefully you'll find this version easier to use. Take a look around and let us know what you think!
Time is flying!
we are wrapping presents for Christmas and packing boxes for moving at the same time. And it seems like that time is going by awfully fast! It's hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner, then a visit to Alabama, a week to finish packing, and we're off to Ireland!
random news bits
Here's a few items of what's going on...
1) it looks like we may have a house to rent in Youghal! It's a nice place, and we've had a teammate check it out for us. Please pray that God would provide for us to be able to close the deal soon, or show us if He has somewhere else He'd like us to be. We'll keep you posted!
2) we're starting to pack boxes... crazy!
3) America's not the only place where some folks like to leave Christ out of Christmas. This story from the Irish Times shows the same trend in Ireland - against radio adds for Catholic bookstores!
details, details...
it seems a bit overwhelming to think of all the little (and big) things that need to be done in the coming weeks. With Christmas coming as well, it's a little crazy! Thank you for your prayers for us!
we're going to include video from time to time in the blog so that you can see and hear us say what we have to say instead of just reading it. Don't worry - if you're computer (or company) won't let you play videos, we'll be sure to write up a synopsis at the bottom so you'll know what's going on.
Fireproof
we went to see the movie "Fireproof" last night. It's made by the same folks who made "Facing the Giants", but where that movie was lacking (mostly in acting ability), this movie is strong. This time, they got Kirk Cameron to play the lead role, and that was a wonderful choice. The movie is well written and believable, presents the gospel clearly, and effectively shows how it's God's love that makes true love between people possible. We can't recommend it strongly enough - just go see it!
quotable
since we've been learning a lot lately about trusting God and resting in Him, I thought I'd share a quote with you that has been helpful:
"Go in simplicity; do not be anxious to win a quiet mind, and it will be all the quieter. Do not examine so closely into the progress of your soul. Do not crave so much to be perfect, but let your spiritual life be formed by your duties and by the actions which are called forth by circumstances. Do not take overmuch thought for tomorrow. God, who has led you safely on so far, will lead you on to the end. Be altogether at rest in the loving holy confidence which you ought to have in His heavenly providence."
The Landowner
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 20 about a landowner who hired workers at the beginning of the day. Then he went and found more workers in the middle of the day. When the day was almost over, he went and hired a few more folks who had been standing around all day waiting for work.
When it was time to pay them, he paid them each the same: a whole day's wages. Obviously, they reacted. Some were thankful, some resentful (you can guess who). The landowner had done something unfair: he had given to everyone according to their need, not according to their work.
expelled
We're not regulars at the movie theater, but last week we went to watch the new documentary "Expelled" and really enjoyed it. If you haven't heard, the film is about how the intelligent design movement is being censored in the scientific community. "Expelled" didn't try to disprove the theory of evolution or prove intelligent design (although it gave just enough evidence to show that both may be possible). Instead, the main point was that science should not be defined in a way that excludes legitimate theories. If there is strong evidence pointing to an intelligent designer, shouldn't the scientific community at least be willing to talk about it? We think Ben Stein did a great job presenting his case and we think you should watch the movie, too.
new look
So we've got our new website up. Seth has been working on it for a couple of months in his spare time (whatever that is). What do you think? Are there things that would help the site be more clear or informative? Are there problems with the web browser you are using? Let us know how you think we can improve it!
Jazz Notes
Seth just finished reading the short version of Blue Like Jazz which is appropriately called Jazz Notes. Seth likes short versions, because you get the major ideas without having to spend as much time reading. Seth is a slow reader.
Enough with the third person. Here's my initial reaction:
The book recognizes a problem we've had in the church: that a lot of Christians tend to keep their faith in their heads and never let it have any effect on their lives and hearts. True.
In response, Jazz Notes makes some great points about how Christianity (or, as the book calls it, "Christian Spirituality") is not something that can be explained - God is too big for that - and how being a Christian is all about falling in love with Jesus. True.
However, I think the book overreacts and swings the pendulum back too far. The author (Don Miller) bases his points (most of which are pretty good) on his own feelings, needs and random observations. In doing so, Miller does more than correct an unhealthy over-emphasis on our heads - he essentially denies reason a valid place in "Christian Spirituality".
But what if I feel that I need reason in my spirituality because I have observed that reason is a beautiful part of the human experience? What then?
"God is painting his grace on the canvas of human souls. One day we will stand with Him in glory and see that canvas completed, and we won't be able to do anthing but worship. What is our part in all of this? We are God's brushes. He wants to soak us on the palette of His grace and paint more of His goodness on yet another soul. The question is, 'Are we soft brushes in His hands?' A hard, dried-out brush doesn't pick up the paint well and mars the surface it was meant to beautify"
Movie Re-Do
After discovering that I had a fact wrong in the Vision: Ireland movie, I have re-worked it slightly to be more accurate. It won't look or sound much different, but at least it's all true as far as I know!
St. Patrick's Party!
If you're anywhere near Daleville, VA on March 22nd you need to be at the Daleville Baptist Church fellowship hall for our St. Paddy's Day Party!! Why?
1) because we'll have real Irish tea (and biscuits) 2) because there will be fun games and prizes (not to mention friends) 3) because it's good to celebrate God's work through people like Patrick 4) because God is still working in Ireland now, and that's good to celebrate, too! 5) because you'll learn how you can be involved in what God is doing in Ireland through our ministry there and in other ways, too!
The party will be from 2:00-5:30pm and it's a drop-in-whenever-stay-as-long-as-you-like kind of thing. Bring your friends!
For more information, call us at 540-598-7064, email at seth.lewis@crossworld.org or facebook us or just holler real loud and maybe we'll hear you.
Valentinus
The life we supposedly celebrate on February 14th every year was lived 200 years after Christ. Valentinus was a Christian leader who opposed the decision of the Roman emporer at the time (nicknamed "Claudius the Cruel") to ban all weddings so that he could recruit more soldiers to fight the barbarians. Kind of a strange rule, don't you think? Anyway, Valentinus believed marriage was ordained by God, so he continued to preform weddings - secretly. But not secretly enough, because he was soon arrested and brought before Claudius the Cruel. While Claudius was accusing him of treason, Valentinus presented the gospel. Clauduis actually stood and said "This man's words make sense! What is wrong with asking Jesus to save our souls?" but his officials soon convinced him of the political folly of becoming a Christian, so instead of accepting Christ, he had Valentinus put to death on February 14th. While he was awaiting execution, the chief prison guard Marcus and his family were saved after his daughter was healed of blindness because of the prayers of Valuntinus.
Trinitarian Theology
This is an article about the different views of theology that have come out of western countries as opposed to China. It's an intereresting read by a prof who taught us for a couple of days here:
Girly Angel Wings
How come almost every time you see a picture of an angel it looks like a girl (or sometimes a baby)? I haven't done an exhaustive study, but I don't remember any Bible passages that refer to female or baby angels. I know of a lot of places where they are described as looking like men - except a that usually they are way more scary than any man I've seen.
Another thing: I know there are creatures in Heaven that have wings. But they also have zillions of eyes. And more than one face. I can't find a single reference to human-looking angels with big white wings.
So where did that girl with the long dress and feathery wings on our tree come from?
Serving a Missionary
Last night at Ruby Tuesday Seth served a missionary to Russia. She was probably in her 70s and has lived in Moscow for quite some time. Evidently she forgot about retiring! She did say, though, that she might be moving soon to a warmer place because the winters are getting to be a bit too much for her. By the way, she left a great tip!
Diamonds and Babies
This Sunday we had a bit of excitement: one of our friends asked his girlfriend to marry him in front of the whole church! She said "yes", and the crowd went wild :) Also, our new youth pastor announced that he and his wife are expecting! That's the fifth baby this year for our church of just over 100! Soon we'll take over the world...
Oh, Deer
On the way back from Alabama we had a close encounter with a deer. At 70 mph. I don't think the deer got out of it very well, but we didn't do too badly. After the adrenalin started wearing off (I think I had bionic hearing for a minute there...), we pulled over to survey the damage and found that the front bumper was broken and dragging the ground, so I pulled a third of it off with my bare hands (there are more than just super hearing powers around here!) and what I couldn't pull off I tied up with Jessica's shoelaces. There was no other damage, thankfully! I bought her new shoelaces today.
Karma
The other day somebody mentioned how every religion has the concept of Karma in it - that if you do good things than good things will happen to you, but if you don't, they won't. It's true that basically every religion uses this kind of system with different names. But there is one glaring exception: Christianity. Yes, Christianity acknowledges that there are consequences to our bad actions, but only Christianity says that there is nothing good enough that we can do to make up for the bad - instead, the good was done for us by God's Son and the punishment for the bad was taken by Him on the cross. How freeing to know that we don't have to please some impersonal measuring system - we can actually be the adopted children of the King!
sold!
Thankfully our old Saturn sold for a good price and we are very happy that it is out of the driveway! It's wonderful to have cars that are reliable and not be constantly worried about when they are going to break down! God is good!
"No Reservations"
Thanks to Grandma day care, Jessie and I got to have a date Friday night and actually go out to dinner and a movie (I was under the impression new parents were not allowed to do such things, but I'm glad I was wrong!) Anyhow, we saw a chick-flick about girl and guy chefs who fight and make up and end up together. I say "together" even though I wish I could say "married", but I can't, so we'll just say they got "together". It was cute, clean, and we had fun. It wasn't real realistic about how relationships with no commitment actually work, but okay. oh, and at one point the girl chef had a conversation with her psychiatrist and said: "I wish there was a cookbook for life" to which he replied, "you know better than anyone: it's the recipes you make up yourself that are the best". I wanted to scream "NO! I'VE GOT YOUR 'COOKBOOK' RIGHT HERE!" but I didn't, and anyhow, we had a great night.
Fixin's
Due to changes on the CrossWorld website, some of our links did not work. Now they do. Also, commenting has been fixed so that you don't have to be a Google member to do it. Now isn't that nice?
A Life Well Lived
Not many folks have had bigger visions or accomplished as much as the late Jerry Falwell. He certainly has impacted our lives in a big way, and we are greatly indebted to him. What strikes me about his life is not only that he accomplished so much, but that he did it with integrity that never failed, faith that never faultered and passion that never diminished. Plenty of people hated him because he was so open about his opinions. They said he should keep his Christianity as a private matter and not speak to culture. But if Christianity is true, it effects everything, and Jerry was right to act like it. We'll miss him.
Posting Problems
Several people have mentioned that they have had trouble posting on our blog. I am very sorry about that but I am happy to report that the problem should be fixed now. If you still have trouble, please let me know!
Your Insights Wanted!
While we are taking everything in on our vision trip, we will be updating this Logbook as often as possible for two reasons:
1) so you can pray for us 2) so you can tell us what you think
We would appreciate it so much if you would help us as we make some life-defining decisions by giving us your wise counsel! Here's how: 1) post a comment on our Logbook posts - this can be done by clicking on the title of the post, then clicking on "post a comment" (or you can click on comments directly below the post). This is a good option, because it will allow others to see your wisdom and take it into consideration as they give their wisdom. 2) e-mail us at seth.lewis@crossworld.org
Good Day
Today I am finishing up this website, and I also picked up about 500 of our first prayer cards! A good day for us! We'll be sending out our Christmas newsletter soon, which is probably already out if you are reading this, 'coz that's where we'll announce the website... alright, well, Merry Christmas to you!
