Can life get any better? I submit that it can not!

Story:

***I apologize if I have told this story 2 or 3 times to you in person, but I just can’t get over it***

A few weeks ago I went with Brian to Target. He needed fly traps.  I needed icecream sandwiches.  I was going to buy 6 sandwiches for $4 ($0.67 each), but Brian couldn’t find his fly traps and we went to Walmart instead. 

At Walmart, not only did Brian get his fly traps, but I bought 24 icecream sandwiches for $5 ($0.21 each). Despite it’s ghettoness, Walmart really stepped it up on this one.

Thought:

When I delivered pizzas for Pizzas Hut I used to listen to am radio.  It always interested me how Sean Hannity, Ray Appleton, and Rush were able to advertise whichever products they wanted.  I used to wonder, “If I were famous what product would I advertise for?”  I could never answer that question…until now…

I would sponsor “Great Value Ice Cream Sandwiches” as sold at Walmart.  In fact, I will do that now…

If you would like to purchase pure happiness then buy Great Value Ice Cream Sandiwches at Walmart.com

Lightening, Fire, and Insects

Story: I went on a hike in the San Bernadino Mountains on Saturday.  Along the way I had three seperate interesting and unfortunate experiences.  All I wanted a quiet day in the mountains…this is what I got.

1) What started off as a beautiful day in the mountains quickly turned into a thunderstorm.  Long story short…I ended up four miles from my car lying on my belly in the mud for 20 minutes with rain, hail, and lightening pouring down all around me. 

2) After making it back to my car I drove down the mountain only end up having to take a 10 mile detour around a wildfire.  One minute: hail.  Next minute: 100+ degree weather and a wildfire.  Gotta love California.

3) When I made it home I went to pick up my backpack and got stung my a bee.   Perfect ending to a perfect day. 

Thought: Between the thunderstorm and wildfire I stopped at a diner for a warm meal and hot cup of coffee.  While sipping my coffee I read these verses:

The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
they sank into sleep;
all the men of war
were unable to use their hands.

At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both rider and horse lay stunned.

 But you, you are to be feared!
 Who can stand before you
 when once your anger is roused?
Psalm 76:5-7

There is nothing like a good thunderstorm to remind me that God is to be feared and that I am helpless before him.

A Chinese Brother

http://www.freegao.com/

July in China

The following was in my indox this morning from Voice of the Martrys:

Chinese officials have raided house church meetings and arrested believers throughout the country in recent weeks, according to reports from ChinaAid.

A house church was raided and eight Christians arrested in the A’Ler Tai area of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on July 3. Two of the arrested believers have been released. At last report, four remained detained in an undisclosed location and the whereabouts of two arrested Chinese American missionaries were unknown.

On July 5, officials raided a house church worship service in Dongyong city, Shandong province. Believers were accused of “disturbing social order” for organizing a religious service for more than 40 people in a home. The house church was abolished by the authorities.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on July 13, local police and security officers surrounded a youth camp in Hubin town, Tengzhou city, Shandong province and arrested 32 Christians, including youth and adult church workers. Property was confiscated from the Christians, including electronic equipment, Bibles and cell phones. Police told the Christian leaders, “It is forbidden for those under 18 to believe Christianity, and even those above 18 years old are not allowed to organize or participate in religious activities without permission.” The Christian youth were taken to the police station where they were interrogated, threatened and beaten before they were released. The five Christians who organized the camp, including a 16-year-old, remained in detention at last report. They were without food or water for two days. On July 14, the five were given administrative detention sentences of up to 15 days for “engaging in illegal activities.”

Really doin’ it

The team leaves for South East Asia tonight. 

I was going to post a picture of the South East Asian flag, but I couldn’t find one. 

Please pray for…

• Unity
• Effectiveness in fullfilling the Great Commission
• Team memebers to have a greater understanding of how their lives fit into God’s global purpose

“A flock of goosen”-Brian Regan

Story: The automatic locks on my car make a squealing noise every time I use them, thus the following conversation:

     Ashley Rotter: Your car sounds like a geese.

     Ethan: A what?

     Ashley: A geese!

     Ethan: A what?

     Ashley: I mean a goose.

Thought: Plurals can be hard…even for the brightest among us.

Psalm 25:14

Last week I read this verse:

“The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.” Psalm 25:14

It is unfortunate that the idea of friendship with God has been cheapened by a segment of “Christian” culture that would limit God to a mere friend (a good friend, but a mere friend nonetheless).  To call God “friend” with out calling him”Lord” is a dangerous thing to do.

Reading Psalm 25:14 caused me to realize that I have allowed myself to become soured on the idea that my God and Redeemer has also made himself my friend (John 15:15).  It is with a somber joy that I am reminded of this humbling truth. 

As we reflect on our friendship with you, may our fear of you increase.  As our fear of you increases, may we more greatly cherish our friendship with you.  Thank you for making your covenant known to us.

“Mexico?”

Story: Last night I walked into the cottage at around midnight after some pizza, NBA playoffs, and UFC with Jon and Carson.   I had left my phone in my room all night so I went to see what communication I had missed out on.  There was one text message .  It was from Keith.  It read…

“Mexico?”

With that one word our plans for the night were sealed.   I found Keith, and in 10 minutes we had piled into “the egg” (Keith’s Ford Aspire) and were barrelin’ down the road for Mexico.

Overall, our trip was a success.  Keith got to go to Mexico for the first time, and I added a new scoop of dirt to my increasingly impressive “dirt from the places I’ve been” collection. 

Thought: Random road trips provide the perfect environment for relationships to be strengthened.  This has proved true for me with Charlie, Ryan, Alicia, Merrick, Brian, Eryn, Tessa, Carly, Kyle, Jon, Jordan, Justin, and now Keith.  All some of my favorite people.