Father, let me burn with passion for Christ!!

"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems. Ill tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study, hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever. I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here. Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible, they were bored with it---while these never heard of such a thing as writing." - Jim Elliot

Kind of makes some of the things American Christians bicker about look really dumb. I pray that in all my endeavors I would pursue the supremecy of Christ, keeping the gospel at the core and letting the superficial things fall by the wayside.

Capitol Hill Baptist Church

Jule forgot to mention one of the most enjoyable experiences of our anniversary trip to Washington DC. We were able to participate in the worship service Sunday morning at Capitol Hill Baptist Church - home of 9 Marks and pastored by Mark Dever.

I am thankful to our God for the opportunity to fellowship and sit under the ministries of fellow-ministers in the body of Christ. Pastor Dever was not preaching the Sunday of July 1st when we were there. Michael Lawrence, the associate pastor is currently preaching a series out of 2 Timothy. It was both encouraging and convicting to hear Pastor Lawrence admonish the people out of 2 Tim 1:1-14 to joyfully suffer for the sake of the gospel. He concluded:

"On the cross, Jesus destroyed death by suffering on the cross for us. Jesus paid the penalties we owe by dying on the cross. He got up from death and revealed eternal life. This is the source of Paul’s confidence. This is why Paul is joyful and invites Timothy to join him, and us too. What are a few years of suffering for eternal life?

"Elders in the church, consider carefully the high and noble calling we have been given. We are guarding the message that brings eternal life. Let us carry this message with love and faith.
Members of CHBC, we are known as a deliberate church. Paul challenges us to live by faith, and not by our own skills and righteousness. Can people see the fruits of our ministry?

"Thinking about Paul’s vision for the future invites us to have a similar vision. What will we have passed on to the next generation when it comes time for us to pass the message on? I hope we will say, “come and suffer with us.

What a challenge! I pray that God will enable us to joyfully suffer for Christ.

Anniversary Trip to DC

We had a fantastic trip to DC for our second wedding anniversary. Praise God for two wonderful years!

We enjoyed staying at a great Bed and Breakfast a couple miles outside the downtown area. We were given a coupon for a free bike tour of the monuments and that was really fun. We also enjoyed dinner at I Ricchi - a gourmet Italian restaurant. There is so much to see in DC that we hardly got started, so we look forward to our next trip!