Invitation to the release of VINEYARD GANDA

Well, Vineyard Ganda is the name my church will take from September 8th on, as we join the Vineyard network of Churches. We have planned a very nice celebration that day, when we will step forward into what we believe God has called to. Many representatives of other Vineyard Churches in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg will be present, together with the Pastors and representatives of many of our local friend churches in Gent.

The celebration will be led by Jan Bernard Struik, the Vineyard Benelux Director.

Small comment about the name: I recently found that the first written mention of Ghent is on Roman maps where it was callen Gandium. Ganda is the celtic word that is the origin for the name and in the middle ages the spelling differed from Gend, Gand (in French), Ghent, Gendt to finally Gent.

Finally, all Korean hostages are free!

Praise the Lord!

According to the last press releases, all the remaining 7 Korean hostages have been released "safe 'n sound". Thanks Jesus for your amazing answer to prayer! The full report can be found at the BBC site, and David has also blogged about.

The BBC vide can be watched here.

Luke 11.10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Starbucks spirituality?

During my stage at the University of Athens in 2003, I met a group of international Christians (most of them students and missionaries), who use to gather at the Starbucks cafe in Panepistimio. All of them were also involved in Christian activities (such as giving free meals, shower and medical care to the refugees from Iraq, or feeding the illegals from Russia). Young and old people were putting their efforts to reach the unreached with the Gospel, and they did so in practical ways. Funny, there was a group of poor Greeks that would attend all the meals for the refugees or the illegals, always arguing about faith (as their forefathers did when Apostle Paul went to Athens).

Back to my ponint, the Christian crowd loved Starbucks. And today i found the article entitles "starbucks spirituality" that reminded me of those nice days with the International Christians in Athens. But of course, the article itself goes much further, being highly recommended to read.

Twelve already free!

According to a press realease of the International Committee of the Red Cross, yesterday 12 of the 19 Korean hostages have been set free (10 women and 2 men). The Red Cross has been mediating between the Talibans and the Officials to arrive to such a result.

My friend David has pictures on his blog.

The story can be read also at the BBC or a the New York Times.

I keep praising God, and believing in the power of prayer.

The Bible in Pictures

As a Christian believer and scientist, I do not always endorse specific controversial teachings. Ceci dit, I found the site of Creationism, where they have quite some good offer of materials. What was most important to me, was the fact that they provide for free The Bible in Pictures. As an example, the picture above refers to the final verses of Matthew 11, an invitation to those burdened and tired to come to Jesus. I like the "old" style.

In the present days, it seems that the Bible isn't that popular anymore, and the world is flooded by "alternative spiritualities" (think of Harry Potter). However, the richness of the Bible cannot be compared, and as for me, it remains one of the most interesting and life giving readings available. So, if you like old fashioned "religious art", this resource is for you!

Be blessed,

Hilarious stupidity ...

not all blondes are so stupid, believe me!

BTW, this was posted previously in other blog.

How do you know is God?

Blogging instead of working, yes, shame on me, but it is still soon after my midday break, i found the blog of the pastor of a young Church in the US, who made a list of several points why he believes God is doing the work in his church and not themselves. It made me think of the revivals of the 70's and 80's in Latin America: young men and women full of passion for Jesus, preaching the gospel, the Holy Spirit moving powerfully and several churches planted and growing fast and steadily. But it made me think of my own Church, that will become Vineyard on September 8th, and the similarities between both. They were amazing. I strongly believe that God is moving here ...

Living Waters in Bolivia

From September 20th to 22nd, my Bolivian friend Ximena Rojas, the Director of Libertad Ministries in Bolivia is hosting Andy Comiskey to speak of inner, relational and sexual healing for Christians. Worth to attend. Highly recommended.

Venue: Iglesia Peniel en la Avenida Barranca, calle Severo Vasquez No. 50, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
For more info: ximelan@hotmail.com or minlibertad@yahoo.com

The foodometer (energy of producing food)

although this focuses only in the US, it applies mostly to all developped and some developing countries.
Have fun.

Old song: Mary's Boy Child - Oh My Lord (Boney M)

Those days, it was still possible for secular groups to sing of faith! The message remains however! Enjoy it. Christmas is not to be celebrated or thought about only in December eh?

Praise the Lord, 2 Korean hostages freed, 19 still to go

As David reported on his blog, our Church has been praying for the release of the Korean Evangelical aid workers that were kidnaped by the Talibans in Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago. Part of the answer is yesterday's release of two of them. Thanks Jesus! we will keep praying for the safe release of all the 19 remaining hostages, our brothers and sisters!

This is another blog that is following day by day what's going on with the hostages, worth to read!

Scary what some Christians are into ...

This is a video on how US Evangelicals influence their international policy. It's scary because instead of basing their theology and political action on the Bible, they are based on the fables of the dispensationalist rapture, and even worse they believe they have to keep their army in the Middle East. Scary.

I dream of the day when Bible based Kingdom Theology will guide political decisions.

Drink skimmed milk, gain muscle and lose fat!

During breakfast I was listening to one of the local FM stations. They reported that a considerable proportion of youngsters (mainly male adolescents) have been taking different substances in order to improve their physical appearence (their look). Isn't that typical for adolescents and even young adults? All have a personal idea of what "superman" means ... But the point made by the reporter was that most of these young peopple were consuming illegal substances provided by the fitness centres, though they did not mention any.

By coincidence, while blogging, if found this post, that compelled me to read the last issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, I found an article (Am J Clin Nutr 2007; 86:373– 81)on a dietary trial on actual muscle gain and fat loss in weightlifters. They compared three groups, all "novel" weightlifters in their late teens or early 20's, all healthy. They were allocated to three different groups (one control and two interventions). One group received fat-free milk inmediately after the exercise and again one hour later. The second group received a soy drink instead, and the control group received a flavoured drink. The results were very simple: men in the group drinking low fat milk gained more fat and bone free mass (muscles) and lost fat tissue.

Isn't it better to be more 'natural'? I wonder about the pressure of adolescents and young people to improve their 'look', by consumption of hormones and other substances, without even considering the long term effects it may cause. We believe as Christians, that our bodies are indeed the temple of the Holy Spirit, so we should take care of our bodies properly.

Can we extend the Kingdom of God? Do we have answers to those who think they need to 'improve' their looks to be 'acceptable'? Do we have alternatives to the use of substances?

The film: Amazing Grace

I still did not have the opportunity to watch this film, but the trailer gives already a full account of what it's all about! This story tells exactly what I meant in my previous post of what stewardship is!

Human stewardship, dolphins & other thoughts

I was reading a post about a very rare kind of river dolphins in China. Aparently, this kind of freshwater dolphin found only in China is now "likely to be extinct", a team of scientists has concluded.

The full article can be found here.

This story made me think of the original commission made to humanity: to take care of creation, not to destroy it. The Message paraphrase of the Bible is very good when giving a refreshed approach to very well known passages of the Scripture. I believe that our command, as Kingdom Agents, is to "really" take care of creation, be it in scientific research or political action.

Often I wonder why there are so few voices of Christians pleading for the earth, which is actually our inheritance. Christians should have a say, best if it's a qualified one! I hope that the new generations of Christians in Europe will devote some of their years to go to University, to study and research on topics that will enable them to support their calling of creation stewardship with proved eveidence. Am i dreaming?

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
God created human beings; he created them godlike,
Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female.
God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." Genesis 26-28 (The Message)