February 18, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
***I tried video upload into YouTube, and it didn't work.***
So for those who prefer sign language, you can enjoy the ASL version of this letter. Of course, I would have to keep it under 10 minutes out of respect of YouTube. I haven't found any other website that wouldn't have any limitations. I have posted many pictures on www.pimpandhost.com, and I removed them, because they are not categorized. I am working on it, and I should have it done by now. Instead of playing games, I should be doing something like that. I will try to do better from now on.
One problem I have with this Gmail is that it don't adjust to the margins like you can in Google Documents or any other document programs like Microsoft Word or Open Office. I wish it would do better, but in video version, it won't bother me. Maybe someday there will be improvement.
I really enjoyed the mission conference. I really wish I would have attended the last time they had it, because Frank Thiessen, Reynold Koop, and Dwight Stevens were there. And Rachel Raber were there too. It is mind-boggling to think about all the unsaved in the world, and it really make me feel the time is short and there are so much work to be done.
Even I am so strong on missions, I don't feel the mission calling. I mean, not into some unchartered wilderness. I only felt the calling to Belize, at least that is how I felt right now. I encourage and bless others who felt the need to go where there are no gospel preached. I have always thought that those who are so strong on going into some place where there were never a gospel preached before are bit forgetful about that established churches need someone there to give it stability and growth. True, we wouldn't want too much salt on one pile, like Lancaster County is prone of being. Yet, if we are the light of the world, the more light put together, the brighter it shines.
It is interesting to see Muslims in a fresh way. Ishmael means "God hears". Jacob was renamed "Israel" because as a prince, he has power with God and with men and prevailed. Isaac means "laughter". And another thing I learn was that there are only four times in the Bible God named a baby before it was born. Ishmael, Isaac, John, and Jesus. To think that Muslims don't call their Allah, or God, their Father. Emanuel Esh explained that could be the case that Ishmael had a good relationship with Abraham until he was cast out as a slave. To think you felt like a son and then suddenly one day you felt like a slave. That fresh perspective help me to see that Muslims do have a connections that can easily win them back to God, much the same way that Chinese do with their writings.
It is very interesting, and I am sorry that you miss it, if you didn't attend. There are slide shows emphasizing few mission outreaches. What I wish is a interdenominational mission conference which includes Charity Missions, CAM, VOM, and others. We can go to CAM open house in November, as far as I know, usually the first weekend. I have went and would like to go again. I also would like to see if VOM (Voice of the Martyrs, www.persecutions.com) have anything like that. I admit I do wonder if there is something for Gospel for Asia, Asian Harvest, MCC (Mennonite Central Committee), and...are there any others?
John Dan Burkholder are bringing his friends to visit me on February 28. I am looking forward to it.
I am still wishing to go to Belize and visit. And recently, my pressing bills came in mail. I am starting to feel like I need to pray for a job I can do at home and ways to pay off my debt as well as to provide my needs.
I watch the movie, Fireproof, at Leon's house. I really love that movie. I admire a man who work on restoring his marriage, because I believe as a man we are called to be a head of a home. Being a head of a home means that everything that happens in our home is our responsibility. We must guard our marriage with care and train up our children the way they should go. What I also like about that movie is that it ends up that woman have their job too. I am a man, so I must think about my responsibility, not my wife's. But for some woman who want to restore their marriage, when their husband have no interest in it, she can do her part too. Really, when a Christian man surrender his will for the sake of his wife, and when that wife surrender her will for the sake of that man, think how wonderful and heavenly that marriage union would be! Both sides just communicate their love in different ways and both forget themselves, how rich is that union!
And another thing about that movie, I noticed different ways man need to do to woo and win back his wife. While he has romantic intentions, there are same basic ideas we can do to win our friends and seek forgiveness in breached relationships. I also noticed the spirit of selflessness. I thought there are lessons in that movie that can apply more than just in marriage, but it can be used to win souls for Jesus.
For Christians who enjoy watching a good Christian movie, I strongly encourage all of you to watch Fireproof.
The second night I was sleeping at Leon's house, I noticed the glow on the wall. Upon closer scrutiny, I saw the writing in glow: "Freak Rules" I didn't know or thought there are ways you can write on the wall, invisible by day, but visible in night after the lights are turned off. Of course, I got an idea to pull a prank on someone and write on their wall in glow!
One thing, though, where can I find something like that?
I almost thought of going to Library to send and receive emails before breakfast at 7:30, but decided against it. Let me snooze a bit this morning, as I want to feel awake for Bible Study tonight.
--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"
