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Here's a jewel I ran across watching Fox News: Jon Peter Lewis' Crazy Love.

Be sure to visit the Manila Book Fair!

Sept. 15-19, 2010, SMX Convention Center, Mall Of Asia Compound, Pasay City. 

Check out booths 96-100 to visit Church Strengthening Ministry (my publisher).  They will have a 99 peso sale. 

I'll make another announcement soon and let you know what day (or days) I'll be there.

PS:  I'm really proud to be an honorary member of the "gawang pinoy" group!*



*For my international readers, this banner roughly translates: "Made by Filipinos, for Filipinos." 

Let’s face it: ministry is hard work. Anyone who says otherwise hasn’t done much of it. Here are just a few of the challenges I can think of:

*Some are just not interested in God and flat out reject the gospel (and the messenger).

*Other endeavors become profitable as you succeed (business, for example). Ministry can be just the opposite—sometimes the more successful you are the more expensive it becomes (this is especially true of student ministry).

*The church/ministry is not immune from personality conflicts. This can be especially hurtful when it happens in a ministry context.

*Ministry doesn’t happen on a neat, convenient 9-5 schedule.

*Some of God’s children seem to think criticism is a spiritual gift (constructive criticism is necessary, but I’ve met people who criticize without an ounce of grace).

*Those who do God’s work are not immune from the normal challenges of life (sickness, family problems, etc).

What keeps people like me going? The power and presence of God!

But there’s something else that gives me great encouragement—celebrating victories. What is a “victory?” For me the answer is pretty simple: a victory is a changed life.

Paul was well aware of the hardships of ministry. But it seems he also knew how to celebrate victories—changed lives. Look at what he said about Timothy:

I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
–Philippians 2:20-22

Timothy was like a son to Paul. He was eventually entrusted with the task of pastoring the church at Ephesus.  He was one of the major victories in his life and ministry--what a source of encouragement!

Are you discouraged in ministry? Maybe you have forgotten to celebrate your victories. Look through some pictures from the past few years and remember what God did. Read an old email from someone who thanked you. You'll remember how God used you and receive great encouragement. 

God is at work! Celebrate what He has done!

Unleashing Courageous Faith: The Hidden Power of a Man's Soul by Paul Coughlin.

I became a big fan of Paul Coughlin after reading No More Christian Nice Guy.  I've had the privilege of reading his latest book, and I really enjoyed it. 

I don't want to do a long, drawn-out book review, so let me just give you a quick summary of this one.  Much of this book's content is dedicated to the concept of thumos.  I have to admit, I don't think I've ever heard of it before (or I've long-since forgotten it before reading this book).

What is thumos?  It was an important concept to the Greeks in understanding the human psyche--it could be described as "passion" or "spiritedness."  Logos (from which we get the word "logic") was the word used to describe man's rational capacity.  Eros (from which we get the word "erotic") was used to describe romantic/sentimental love.   Thumos, however, was more associated with bravery and courage--a man's passion to act upon or fight for something.

Thumos, Coughlin argues, is one of the gifts of manhood--a gift which must be exercised in order to live what Christ has called us to: lives of courage and valor.  This type of passion, if properly focused, will drive us to defend the helpless, fight injustice, and stop settling for the status quo.  

Here's a quote from one of the final chapters:

The main purpose of this book has been to help us do our part to forge and then unfetter a more courageous faith--which frees and empowers us to get to the good deeds the apostle James and others exhort us to complete--and to extol greater depth, strength, and staying power through this virtue that underpins all others.  

This book seemed to be the next logical step from No More Christian Nice Guy.  I found it both challenging and empowering.  Nice work, Paul!

Hey guys,

I know some of you have wondered what's happening with the radio show/podcast and why we haven't made any new episodes.

Erwin is having some health issues and really needs your prayers.  Usually I would just do solo episodes, but my schedule just hasn't really allowed for it. 

Just pray for Erwin and pray we'll be able to get back on track soon.

Thanks to all of our faithful listeners for your patience.

I just finished another TLW seminar at Philippine Normal University.  Thanks to all those who came and took part.   Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you are interested in Bible study.

This morning I had the opportunity to share the True Love Waits message at PUP Santo Tomas.

This was a big, great-looking crowd (600-700 students).   I'd like to thank the students for attending and asking so many great questions.

I'm especially thankful to the faculty and staff for inviting me (and for giving us a wonderful lunch after the seminar). 

Note to Students: Be sure to stop by the Youth Life Student Center located there near your campus.

More pictures are posted on my facebook page. 

This song puts me in a good mood :)

Youth Gig: this Friday at 6:00 p.m.!

We'll be discussing how to deal with loneliness.

Feel free to join us at the Youth Life Student Center, located at Morayta across from FEU (right next to McDonald's).

Here's Andrea Moredo covering Near To You.

We've been playing some of Andrea's music on our show.



Near To You (A Fine Frenzy)
Songwriters: Sample, Nicklas Joseph; Sudol, Alison Loren;
lyrics


He and I, it's somethin' beautiful
But so dysfunctional, it couldn't last
Loved him so but I let him go
Cause I knew he'd never love me back

Such pain as this
Shouldn't have to be experienced
I'm still reeling from the loss
Still a little bit delirious, yeah

Near to you, I am healin'
But it is takin' so long
Cause though he's gone and you are wonderful
It's hard to move on
Yeah, I'm better near to you

Well, you and I, it's somethin' different
And I'm enjoyin' it as cautiously
I'm battle scarred, I am workin' oh so hard
To get back to who I used to be

He's disappearin'
Fadin' steadily
When I'm so close to bein' yours
Won't you stay with me, please?

Cause near to you, I am healin'
But it is takin' so long
Cause though he's gone and you are wonderful
It's hard to move on
Yet I'm better near to you
Yeah, I'm better near to you

I only know that I am better where you are
I only know that I am better where you are
I only know that I belong where you are

Near to you, I am healin'
But it's takin' so long
Though he's gone and you are wonderful
It's hard to move on

Near to you, I am healin'
But it?s takin' so long
Cause though he's gone and you are wonderful
It's hard to move on
Yeah, I'm better near to you
Yeah, I'm better near to you


© AMPSTAR MUSIC; WB MUSIC CORP.;