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posted by Donald on 10/31/07

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10).

This verse, the first part of it, is the second passage I’ve memorized in Mandarin. During a week when many in the world choose to celebrate death, Jesus’ words have been a powerful reminder and a refreshment to think over. I’ve noticed that when Jesus as God could have rebuked Satan with His own word, He relied, nonetheless on the words of God which had already been written, and the enemy was forced to flee.

Rather than ask for protection only, several of us prayed together that this week would be a time of seeing God’s kingdom prevail. The following day (October 30th) as I went out to teach at public school as I normally do every Tuesday, the Lord answered our prayer. Halloween was never mentioned, either by the students or the teachers. In it’s place was a hardy sense of God’s presence, love and light. I felt an enthusiasm for teaching and enjoyed each class. One of my highlights was seeing the 2nd-graders singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm, A-E-I-O-U”. They loved the animal parts and they crowed with particular volume each time we got to A-E-I-O-U. You should have seen them. They are really doing well.

In the midst of a fading generation, may we, as children, rely all the more upon the written words of our Heavenly Father and Teacher. “But My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath He dealt with us” (Zechariah 1:6).

3 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by James on 10/30/07

While doing some research today, I came across an interesting fact: in the process of electing a new president, only two states, Maine and Nebraska, assign electoral votes by congressional district. Every other state has a winner-take-all system. Upon looking into this a little deeper, a ran across a very recent yet concealed and heated topic concerning California’s method of electoral votes. Democrats vehemently oppose the initiative by claiming it as partisan and trickery. However Republicans attest to creating a more accurate way of reflecting the votes of Californians.

This article gives detail on the development as well as the pros and cons of the proposed legislation. And here is a recent update. I like this post on the subject.

I do not know the intentions on either side, but I do believe that whatever is decided should reflect the votes of the people. With California now generating nearly one fifth of the entire electoral college needed to win, it seems as though something needs to be changed. As the 2008 elections may very well hinge on this decision, we must seek God’s perspective on the issue by making it a matter of fervent prayer.

4 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by James on 10/26/07

From a glance at the Republican hopefuls for the 2008 primaries, there are obviously two distinct categories: nominal and conservative.

Ironically, the three frontrunners of the Republican ticket, Giuliani, McCain, and Romney, comprise the first category. During the 1970’s Giuliani switched from Democrat to Independent to Republican yet still holds to the same Democratic views in regards to abortion and sodomy. McCain is vague on where he stands and is known as a flip-flop. His divorce, lucrative re-marriage, and campaign collapse give evidence of a corrupt moral life. Romney, a Mormon and believer in intelligent design, is unreliable and desperate for the presidency.

Then there are the more conservative candidates: Brownback, Paul, Huckabee, Hunter and Thompson. The decision for Brownback is rather easy; he dropped out of the race last Friday, October 19. Hunter is qualified, but he does not yet have the roots or experience behind him to make it to the primaries this election. Thompson, though popular, just doesn’t have the vigor or foundation to be president, let alone run against the Democratic nominee. Recently, he admitted to belief in evolution. Though Paul is a creationist, true constitutionalist and strict conservative, he overemphasizes state sovereignty and has not been successful in his campaign.

I like Mike! Huckabee is competent and very frank on key issues and stands strong when it comes to social matters. In fact, he finished second in the Values Voter straw pole last week, less than 1% behind Romney, and 17% over Thompson. He has proven himself through solid leadership as Governer of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. However, as the black horse of this race, Huckabee has a long way to go before spelling success in the primaries. He has the momentum, but not the national recognition … yet.

Dobson has threatened the formation of a third party if Giuliani is the Republican nominee. Perhaps this risky move will not be necessary if Huckabee is nominated instead. Though he is basically being ignored by both the media and the Republican party, I believe that presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee can still succeed through the voice and support of grassroots Americans like ourselves! A passage of Scripture I have been memorizing recently, being in context to a citizens relationship to rulers, is more or less applicable to this world-influencing subject: “…it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:11-12)

12 Comments » | posted in Politics

posted by Donald on 10/25/07

“There’s a first time for everything.”

October 2 This marked another first day of school: public school teaching in Taiwan. It has been almost three and a half years since I taught public school in Russia but once again the same basic principles worked: patience, getting to know the students and assessing where they are in their English; foresight, visualizing where they can be; and more patience and thoroughness, walking them through the steps between. I have some excellent students from 6th-grade, 4th-grade and 2nd grade. Pray that I can be of special encouragement to the oldest class.

October 3 Wes worked out a time for the men on the team to spend an evening bowling and eating out. For me it was my first time bowling but I had a great first game. The score wasn’t the most important thing though as we had time to talk and get to know each other more.

October 10 On this day a few of us took a trip to the mountaintop overlooking Taoyuan. It was a good walk as well as a chance to see the city from a new perspective.

October 13 This marked the day of our first Saturday Classes. The students coming to these classes will enjoy a slower rotation through the village, spending one day focusing on each class. We took time for introductions last week and in future weeks we look forward to teaching at a new level since they are both more advanced and will be grouped in smaller numbers. Also, the evening before I accompanied seven others on a night ride to Taipei and went to Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building, for the first time. We enjoyed sandwiches from a Subway, took a look at the different stores and ended up spending most of our time at a huge bookstore.

October 14 First day at the small chuch which I will probably attend for the remainder of the time. It was truly a refreshment. I was also honored to meet two outstanding families there, one of which had lived in Canada for a while. Their little girl came through our two-day classes not long ago and remembered Lucas when he joined me at church last Sunday.

October 17 Our Chinese lessons were underway with this first pilot session. The curriculum is good for converstaional Chinese and NTUT provided a language teacher.

There is a lot to thank the Lord for and I can attest to the fact that it is worth the time and effort it takes to seek Him and work through the details of establishing a new work. Not only is the work prepared for future fruitfulness, but in the process the team is strengthened and matured.

7 Comments » | posted in Family News, Ministry Reports

posted by Robert on 10/21/07

Assisting Dr. Bill Gothard this year has been a huge blessing for me! I am so grateful for all of the many ways that he has invested in my life and for all of the priceless wisdom that he has shared from God’s Word.

Keeping up with all that is going on has been a challenge. This made me all the more grateful when Mr. Gothard started putting together a team of fellows to work closely with him. Chad Paine and David Waller have been working together with us for over a month now. Their enthusiastic service and contagious love for God has been an inspiration and motivation for me.

David has speedily picked up the technical side of the job, which has vastly lightened my load, and his humble spirit has been a unifying factor on the team.

Chad has a servant’s heart and will do anything and everything to be a blessing. His strong desire to disciple young men has encouraged me to want to do the same.

True fellowship takes place when those with the same goals are going in the same direction. I feel that oneness of spirit with the IBLP staff here in Chicago, especially as I’ve worked closely with David and Chad.

There is power when there is a unity of accord. Jesus said, “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20) What a promise!

6 Comments » | posted in Family News