Guitar test [audio blog]
Click below to hear the latest audioblog about upcoming ministry. Includes prayer requests.
Jim
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CAM’s new vision statement
Looking to further define where we’re heading, our mission hammered out a vision statement which was recently approved by the CAM board.
Now everyone on our support team (those who pray for us, or give of their time or money, or encourage us, etc) are familiar with CAM’s mission statement from our Ministry Vision Brochure:
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And of course the motto of CAM Mexico, which is:
Change the Nation
Reach the World
These remain the same, and I think they say a lot about who CAM is and what CAM has been for the past 115 years. The vision statement is something different – a more specific view of the direction CAM is headed. Here it is:
Those of you who have seen our “target” presentation will already have an idea how our team in Mexico fits in to the big picture. In areas like Central Mexico and Spain, where there are very few believers, church planting must remain a priority. These are some of the less-reached areas of the world. But the end goal is not simply to make churches. Jesus told us to make disciples – and disciples by their very nature are reproducing.
The missions vision among Mexican Christians and Christians throughout Central America is growing. Multi-national teams are already being sent to reach those peoples who otherwise would never hear the Gospel in their lifetime. Our passion must extend beyond Mexico to other countries and peoples who need to be reached. Those at CAM, and other missions and churches around the world are working together to reach a common goal.
Considering our use of the target in our presentation, it’s interesting that the leadership at CAM chose an arrow to express our new vision statement. How cool is that? Here it is:
The diagram shows how God’s power (the bow string) is released through the help of the larger team – those who pray, who provide resources, and so on. The feathers on the arrow are those who support the actual disciple-makers (of course we’re all disciple makers, but some do this in a more direct way). These people may teach missionary kids or do administration or provide leadership. The shaft of the arrow shows all the things that are needed in Kingdom building, leading to that “reproduction” – sending out more missionaries who can reach those who don’t know the Lord.
This arrow would hit the centre of our target – that one individual or family that needs to know the truth. All of us who know the Lord are a part of it. The Spirit gives us the power and direction. May we let Him use us today!
A missionary vlogs
One of the current bloggers in our list of Missionary Blogs has achieved fame and fortune. Well, at least 15 minutes of fame.
Dennis and Janell Poulette are youth workers in Mexico City. They have two seperate blogs – one is specifically a video blog (a vlog). The Tampa Bay Times featured them in an article entitled Be a vlog star. Check out the Poulette’s blog on the matter here. Dennis and Janell have a new baby – talk about prime vlogging material! 😉
Kingdom of Heaven
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Many of you have heard about or have seen the new movie Kingdom of Heaven, starring Orlando Bloom. I haven’t seen it, and have no plans to at this point, but I did want to briefly mention it here. In the 2000 Years of Missions Seminar that we offer to churches, I do talk a little about the Crusades. It is a challenge to understand what really went on, and why many devout Christians were swept into the kind of thinking that led to this non-missionary venture.
Having not seen the film, I’ll leave the commentary to others. Christian History magazine put out an article entitled In Search of the Real Balian, which can give you some information on who the movie’s main character really was, and what he might have really thought.
David Wayne, a fellow blogger (actually, a fellow jolly blogger) has some helpful thoughts on the movie here. One of the things he discusses is the portrayal of Christians in Hollywood movies. He argues that Hollywood actually has this in common with the Bible, which often shows the “people of God” at their very worst.
The problem comes I think when what we would consider good qualities are still portrayed as outmoded or silly. The feeling comes across that Christians are always this way, or that by their very nature they’re stupid and generally against what any thinking person would be for.
Not that we should expect the world to portray Christians in a good light, of course! Remember John 15:19 – we’re not of the world, so it’s natural for the world to hate us. When honest criticism comes from the world, we still should listen, and take what they have to say seriously. When they hate us just because we belong to Christ, because we obey Him or because we try to show love – that’s when we should praise the Lord, that we can suffer as He did.
But I’m getting away from the movie itself. I’m sure there’s lots more to say – the Crusades are such a hot topic. Feel free to leave your comments about the movie or about anything else that I’ve said.
Walking with confidence
I’ve been meditating on the Psalms lately, and this is one passage that struck me yesterday, from Psalm 7: Oh LORD My God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands, if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, or have plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue and overtake me; yes, let him trample my life to the earth, and lay my honour in the dust.
There are many passages like this in the Psalms, where David comes to God with so much confidence when he’s in trouble. It’s obvious that he doesn’t just ignore God until he’s in trouble. He is constantly talking to God, looking for guidance, looking for direction. There’s no emergency confessions that need to be done when he needs help – it’s all been dealt with. He knows that he’s right with God. Why do we so often wait until we’re in trouble to talk to God? If He really is God, we should know that He’s at our side every day. Keep the bond strong, let’s let Him be a part of our everyday lives.
Injury report [audio blog]
In this audioblog, a report on my injuries 😉 and an update on what I’ve been up to today. Includes prayer requests.