Originally uploaded by traqair57

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit
that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me O Holy Spirit
that my works, too, may be holy;
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit
that I love but what is holy;
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit
to defend that is holy;
Guard me then O Holy Spirit
that I always may be holy.

HT: Faith and Worship

From the Foreword

“You are holding a hard-won treasure.  This book is peppered with the kind of missiological insights that only an apostolically inclined leader can bring.  JR has developed an excellent heuristic for leaders to actually make Eph. 4 a living reality in the local churches.”

- Alan Hirsch, Coauthor of The Shaping of Things to Come, Author of The Forgotten Ways and The Permanent Revolution

Other Endorsements

“JR Woodward reads widely, writes deftly and lives deeply.  His book Creating a Missional Culture reflects all of that.  Read it and explore what leading can be in the strange new worlds of mission in North America.”

- David Fitch, B.R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology, Northern Seminary, author of The End of Evangelicalism?

“Woodward’s remarkable book defies categorization.  To ‘create a missional culture’ requires disciplined biblical and theological formation, discerning engagement with contemporary cultures, appreciative interaction with diverse resources, and the courage to experiment and to innovate.  Woodward does all that, and more in this book.  The growing exploration of the theology and practice of the missional church is enriched by this volume.  Its authority rests in the author’s tested and validated experience as an equipper ‘of the missional church for the sake of the world.’”

-  Darrell Guder, Winters Luce Professor of Missional and Ecumenical Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, editor and co-author of The Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America

If you want to keep up with the lastest news about the book, you can go to the author page that IVP set up for me and like it.

The Statue of Jesus Christ on the Cross in 798 Art Zone Beijing

Originally uploaded by rickihuang

“The Christian gospel has sometimes been made the tool of an imperialism, and of that we have to repent. But at its heart it is the denial of all imperialisms, for at its center there is the cross where all imperialisms are humbled and we are invited to find the center of human unity in the One who was made nothing so that all might be one. The very heart of the biblical vision for the unity of humankind is that its center is not an imperial power but a slain Lamb.” - Lesslie Newbigin (The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, p. 159).

The Spirit of God is like our breath.  God’s spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves.  We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a ‘spiritual life.’   It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy.  It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy.  Let us always pray:  ‘Come, Holy Spirit, come.’” - Henri Nouwen

Originally uploaded by tschritter

One dark night, a young woman was walking home from work. Her path took her through the cemetery. As she approached the cemetery gates, she began to tremble. Suddenly, she saw a man walking along the road. The woman stopped him and asked him to escort her home. He agreed and as they passed through the cemetery, the woman clung to him and trembled.

“Why are you trembling?”, asked the man.

“It is terrible”, said the woman. “I am very afraid of the dead.”

The man was surprised and replied, “Why be afraid of us?”

HT: SFK

Empty cross_9169

Originally uploaded by jhorine

O Lord, you know the world in which we live.
You dwelt among us and lived the suffering of the human condition.
You took upon yourself the weight of injustice and evil.
You see the entire world in this moment and no instance of pain escapes your attention.

We consider your cross, Jesus, and how hopeless it once appeared,
And we rejoice in your transforming power that brought about victory and new life from such a moment of darkness and despair.
We will say, “Jesus has triumphed! Jesus is exalted!”
We trust in your everlasting triumph and look to you with hope.
Teach us to live in a world so torn apart.
May your kingdom come in the midst of our suffering and pain.

Take some time to pray for those who suffer throughout the world and for those ministering to them in Christ’s name.

Top 10 Cities Visiting this Blog in April 2012
1. Los Angeles
2. London
3. New York
4. Lansing
5. Washington D.C.
6. Redmond
7. Dallas
8. San Diego
9. Chicago
10. Ann Arbor

Top 10 Countries Visiting this Blog in April 2012
1. United States
2. United Kingdom
3. Canada
4. Australia
5. Philippines
6. India
7. Netherlands
8. Indonesia
9. Germany
10. South Africa

Friends cannot replace God.  They have limitations and weaknesses like we have.  Their love is never faultless, never complete.  But in their limitations they can be signposts on our journey towards the unlimited and unconditional love of God.  Let’s enjoy the friends whom God has sent on our way.” - Henri Nouwen