Glocalnet Blog

John Esposito - and maybe his Wife - to Join us Nov. 11-14

2010-03-19T13:34:13Z

John Esposito from Glocalnetblog on Vimeo.

I’m really excited that John Esposito of Georgetown University in D.C. will be joining our Global Faith Forum November 11-14. He has written best seller books like Who Speaks for Islam and more recently The Future of Islam. He is the hands down global expert on Islam and it’s geopolitical place in the world - as well as how muslims and others relate to each other. This is what his books are about, this is what he lectures about . . . . BUT . . . . do you know what he is most passionate about? I do. How do you know a persons passion? You know it by what they talk about at the breaks, what naturally spills out when they are speaking, by what their eyes brighten about. He is passionate about . . . . . . . his WIFE!!!!

He really is! I’ve been around him, that’s what he always talks about. I’ve never met her - but I know her name. Jean. They have been married for 45 years. I love my wife as well. We sat in the airport at Istanbul and I began to ask him how they met, what their life was together, how they made it so long, and why he is so passionately in love today nearly 70 years of age. Here are my observations . . . . and good lessons for all of us . . . .

1. They work out together. John is an avid runner and so is his wife. He was a lazy slob in Istanbul and didn’t run - he also ate like a horse - but, it was because of traveling light so I’ll cut him some slack. Intense exercise deals with the endorphins and keeps your mind fresh.

2. They do fun stuff together. They go on dates, travel, they’re regular party animals.

3. They have a wide range of interest - they are always reading, learning, talking about stuff.

4. They both have had careers - and though at times that could be challenging they would celebrate one anothers success and took turns helping each other.

5. They’re loyalty is primarily to one another more than anything or anyone or any other family backgrounds.

6. They’re both spiritual people. Not sure how good a Catholic he is - he may be a great one just don’t know. But I know we talk about prayer and deep meaning, etc., a fair amount.

Prince Turqi would like to see a baptism when he comes to our church. I think John would be a great candidate!!!! Why would I write something like this? Because I meet a lot of people around the world and life is just more than work. If you have your life together your work is a joy filled with meaning, purpose, and direction. If your work is your life - you’re missing out on the best part - people.

Real Time Connections

QUESTIONS I AM ASKED

2010-03-18T00:55:39Z

If you heard the interview on my previous blog with Prince Turqi then you may recall that at the end he said, “Bring this camera along, I have many questions for you.” Our relationship started with questions and it will continue in them. I ask him just as many questions as he asks me - the same of my other friends like Shamil, Suhail, Zia, Long, Oliver (a real live Catholic!) and a host of others. I think one of the reasons people stay in their own sub-groups is because the more you get to know someone, the more vulnerable you are to their questions. There is a level of politeness that, if I don’t know you that well, then you shouldn’t ask me any potentially controversial question - and if you do - I don’t have to answer them.

How do you deal with all the questions? First, stay calm and listen to the whole question. Second, don’t feel like you have to give a dissertation. In the early days I gave way too much material way to fast. The simpler and more succinct the better. Third, don’t be afraid to say I don’t know, or I’m not sure but will get back to you on it. Fourth, be as prepared as you can be before you meet with people. If I’m going to a new part of the world, I read books and visit with people from that part. You’re never the first to meet with people - someone has already been where you are. If you can meet with them and ask them questions it helps. Fifth, have a spirit of adventure and a love of learning. It will not only give them answers, but you will grow as well in your own understanding. Finally - be honest in your answer - but also kind. Truth is known not in arrogance but in humility.

Here are some questions from the last week:

Do you really believe Jesus is the only way? from a Muslim friend

What do you Christians believe about the second coming? from a Muslim

Am I not worthy or have enough faith to see my daughter healed? from a mother

Can God really forgive someone like me who’s done so much bad? from a young man debating the question of Jesus

What is your opinion about the young man who became a Christian from a Muslim family whose father is a leader in Hamas? from an irish catholic

Why are so many evangelicals Christian Zionist? from a secular European

How would you start an American ethnic church planting network? from an Indian church planter

How can I pray for you? from an elder

What would you like to order? from a waiter

How do you do all you do? from a young pastor

What would you do differently if you were starting a church from scratch? from a young church planter

How do I explain the Trinity? from a new christian

What’s for dessert? from me to my wife!

Would you pray for me? from an older man seeking God

Do Americans get the world? from a Turkish driver

Did you pack your bags and have they been with you? from airport security

Why? you can finish the rest of the why did . . . . I get tons of those every week

Do you have hope? from a diplomat

What is your hope? from a diplomat

His Royal Highness Prince Turqi of Saudi Arabia Interview

2010-03-16T13:02:19Z

Prince Turqi of Saudi Arabia from Glocalnetblog on Vimeo.

One of the people that I’ve come to know the past couple of years and thoroughly enjoy being around Is Prince Turqi of Saudi Arabia. He is a very engaging man to talk to - he is incredibly sharp and quick. We have had some fascinating conversations. The first time we met - he asked me why some Christians viewed him and his family as the anti-Christ. We wound up spending that first meeting with him asking me questions about what evangelicals believe about the second coming of Christ. He is living proof of someone who has been wounded by speculative theology on the second coming. To personalize aberrant views by putting modern names to metaphorical figures does massive damage to the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - NOVEBMER 11-14—he, and a host of other high ranking global leaders that are Muslim, Atheist, Communist, representing domains of government, business, media, and other domains along with religious leaders will all be converging at NorthWood. I’ve been asked by many people to do this for years - it will be a conference on globalization and faith. In a sense a “missions conference” for Christians with non-Christian speakers that get the world. It will be for Christians to be able to get a picture of the world and visit with many of the gatekeepers. Don’t know what we’ll call it yet - keep your calendar open and watch glocal.net for more info.

Real-Time Connections Group Blogging Project - Closing Thoughts from Bob

2010-03-15T13:07:43Z

Concluding this group blogging project, Bob gives his thoughts on what Real Time Connections is about, his thoughts on the book, and his insights into why he wrote it when he did. You can go HERE to read Bob’s closing remarks.

Real-Time Connections Group Blogging Project - Chapter 10

2010-03-12T15:49:07Z

Today Mike Kress writes his thoughts on Chapter 10 “Stop Subverting the Message” of Bob’s Book Real Time Connections.

Real-Time Connections Group Blogging Project - Chapter 9

2010-03-11T13:49:23Z

Today, we take a look at Chapter 9 “Making Space for Everyone” where Laura Boggess says,

“Bob Roberts, Jr. was thinking these concepts too, just from a slightly different angle. I was thinking of accepting differences inside the church–or at least showing love to people with differences. Roberts had a bigger picture in mind. Well, duh. The title of the book we are reading is Real-Time Connections: Linking Your Job with God’s Global Work. So small-minded me gets a lesson in Big Picture thinking, and I’m all the better for it.”

Take a look.

Real-Time Connections Group Blogging Project - Chapter 8

2010-03-10T21:20:20Z

The group blogging project on http://www.bibledude.net continues! Today, Bradley J. Moore takes on Chapter 8 “Sweating the Work”

Real-Time Connections Group Blogging Project - Chapter 7

2010-03-09T20:14:39Z

Bonnie Irving takes on Chapter 7 of Bob’s newest book, Real Time Connections - “Serving Together”

Real-Time Connections Group Blogging Project - Chapter 6

2010-03-08T15:57:26Z

The group blogging project continues on Real Time Connections. Here is Bryant Neal’s take on Chapter 6 “Engaging Society”

Real-Time Connections Group Blogging Project - Chapter 5

2010-03-05T15:52:14Z

Continuing the group blogging project on Bob’s latest book, Real Time Connections, Scott Rogers offers a great look at chapter five “Living As A Disciple”

May 3rd Global Church Symposium

2010-03-04T19:53:20Z

A few weeks ago, Bob mentioned that on May 3rd, we would be having several pastors from around the world coming to NorthWood. After that blog post, we received email after email from all of you asking about this event. Well, we have a few details ironed out and we are glad to say this is a free and public event to anyone who would like to attend! All we ask is that you take a minute to register HERE to let us know you are coming.

Here are a few of the speakers who will be here:

Eddy Leo

Dion Robert

Jossy Chacko

Real-Time Connections Group Blogging Project - Chapter 4

2010-03-04T15:25:10Z

The fourth chapter of Real-Time Connections by Bob Roberts Jr. focuses on “Linking to the World.”

The first several chapters laid out his vision – that we would make disciples not through increased ‘church-based’ activity, but by being obedient in our every day lives.

Robert’s does have a disadvantage in writing about how to get Christians to engage in the world through their daily work. After all, he is a professional pastor paid to minister, so how can he possibly relate? What does he know about my cubicle? What does he know about my workplace struggles? What can he say to me?

That being said, he gets it. He’s not all about building another church-based ministry. He engages in unleashing his church for the kingdom through their daily pursuits.

Group Blogging Project - Real Time Connections - Chapter 3

2010-03-03T14:25:49Z

Continuing the group blogging project on Bob’s latest book, Real Time Connections, Sam Van Eman offers a great look at chapter three “Your Job IS Your Ministry”

Group Blogging Project - Real Time Connections - Chapter 2

2010-03-02T14:41:36Z

Marcus Goodyear does a great job giving his thoughts on Chapter 2 of Real Time Connections! Go read it HERE!

Group blogging project - Real Time Connections - Ch. 1

2010-03-02T11:13:46Z

Over the next 10 days, 10 authors will be posting their thoughts on each chapter of Bob’s new book, “Real Time Connections - Linking your Job with God’s Global Work”

Here is Chapter One.