the accidental missionary

the accidental missionary http://smurrell.multiply.com/ my wife & i came to the philippines in 1984 for a "one month summer mission trip" - that never ended. longest month in the history of time. besides being an "accidental missionary" and a "reluctant leader" i am also the husband of one wife, the father of 3 sons, a pastor at victory christian fellowship (1 church with 14 congregations in metro manila), a director of the real life foundation and a co-founder of every nation churches & ministries and ENLI. everything on "the accidental missionary" is my personal opinion. my opinions tend to change from time to time, usually when i realize i am wrong. my opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of EN, ENLI, RLF, CNN, BBC, ESPN, NBA, PBA, NRA, NCAA, AA, AAA, CIA, RCA, USA, WKYA or any other org i am associated with. if you want the official opinion of EN, ENLI or RLF, visit their websites. Sat, 5 Jul 2008 13:07:37 -0000 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 16:21:50 -0000 the accidental missionary http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/logo http://smurrell.multiply.com 100 100 "Our Lives, Our Fortunes, Our Sacred Honor..." <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SG5K@woKCE0AADEJCfs1/images.jpeg?et=bnHwR0NTCtumN8%2BVBDQ%2Bqw&nmid=0" border="0">4th of July thoughts... - got this txt from Michael Swain, this AM: "The Queen (God bless her) announced this morning that if the President makes a suitably humble apology, she may consider taking America back as one of her colonies. Bush is seriously considering her gracious offer." - Michael is an Englishman, a <a href="http://www.libertybellmuseum.com/MuseumShop/britishredcoatadultcostume.htm">Redcoat</a>. One more txt and i'm reporting him to the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) for deportation. - now watching Nadal destroy 50 year old German Rainer Schuettler in Wimbledon semis, while i wait for the biggest sporting event of the 4th, <a href="Takeru%20Kobayashi,%20left,%20of%20Japan%20poses%20for%20photographs%20with%20last%20years%20hot%20dog%20eating%20champion%20Joey%20Chestnut,%20of%20San%20Jose,%20Calif.%20during%20the%20weigh%20in%20news%20conference%20for%20the%20Nathan%27s%20Famous%20International%20Hot%20Dog%20Eating%20Contest%20Thursday,%20July%203,%202008%20in%20New%20York.%20The%20contest%20will%20take%20place%20Friday%20July%204,%202008%20in%20the%20Coney%20Island%20section%20of%20the%20Brooklyn%20borough%20of%20New%20York.%20%28AP%20Photo/Frank%20Franklin%20II%29"></a><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288046,00.html">Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. </a> <a href="Takeru%20Kobayashi,%20left,%20of%20Japan%20poses%20for%20photographs%20with%20last%20years%20hot%20dog%20eating%20champion%20Joey%20Chestnut,%20of%20San%20Jose,%20Calif.%20during%20the%20weigh%20in%20news%20conference%20for%20the%20Nathan%27s%20Famous%20International%20Hot%20Dog%20Eating%20Contest%20Thursday,%20July%203,%202008%20in%20New%20York.%20The%20contest%20will%20take%20place%20Friday%20July%204,%202008%20in%20the%20Coney%20Island%20section%20of%20the%20Brooklyn%20borough%20of%20New%20York.%20%28AP%20Photo/Frank%20Franklin%20II%29"> </a> - Rumor - Michelle Obama was referring to Chestnut's epic victory over Kobyoshi in the '07 Nathan's hot dog eating contest when she said she is <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,331288,00.html">finally proud to be an American</a>. - Nathan's hot dog eating contest is such an Amr 4th of July institution that i blogged twice about it last year:         blog #1 - <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/59/American_Athletic_Superiority_">American Athletic Superiority</a> &nb... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/215/Our_Lives_Our_Fortunes_Our_Sacred_Honor... Fri, 4 Jul 2008 16:21:50 -0000 Chinese Generosity <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SGvzfAoKCE0AAArXCiM1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SGvzfAoKCE0AAArXCiM1/b_01_zheng_114_reuters_a_pierdomenico.jpg?et=V%2CE2uiMEazg0heSuLGy3Gg&nmid=0" border="0"></a>Yesterday I posted a blog about how the Chinese government continues to persecute the Church. While their government is brutal, the Chinese people are a different story. For some reason Chinese people are stereotyped as being tight-fisted, but not the Chinese I know - my Chinese friends are some of the most gracious and generous people I know.  And not Wimbledon simi-finalist, Zheng Jie. Zheng got into Wimbledon as a “wild card” because her 133 world rank was not good enough to qualify for the tournament. Before her first match she pledged to donate her prize money to help the relief efforts in <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/asia_pacific/2008/china_quake/default.stm">Sichuan province, the epicenter of the earthquake </a>that claimed 70,000 lives. Wild cards are not supposed to beat seeded players in Grand Slam events, they are not supposed to beat the #1 player in the world, and they aren't supposed make it to the semis and earn a half million dollars. But Zheng did. And she’s not keeping any of the money. You have to cheer for someone like that. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/articles/2008-07-01/200807011214941390625.html">Her... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/214/Chinese_Generosity Wed, 2 Jul 2008 21:27:47 -0000 Persecution Update: China <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SGt35QoKCE0AAFQY2tU1/images.jpeg?et=%2Bg8qvgFpdqLCYAyULjXasQ&nmid=0" border="0">Lately I've been <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/204/38_Days_in_Jail_and_Counting">posting reminders to pray</a> for my friend who was arrested and others believers who are being persecuted in the Middle East. Don;t forget to pray for our friends who are being persecuted in China. <a href="http://yokosukachurch.multiply.com/journal">Ray Mercer</a> posted a link to a Chicago Tribune report about the underground church in China that contained a 5 min vid featuring some of our friends. Here's the link: <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/video/?slug=chi-jesusinchinaexcerpt-wn">http://www.chicagotribune.com/video/?slug=chi-jesusinchinaexcerpt-wn</a> It is worth the 5 minutes. Watch & pray. http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/213/Persecution_Update_China Wed, 2 Jul 2008 12:44:11 -0000 Tuesday's Top 10 List - Influential Books <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SGoc1QoKCE0AAAHsC0s1/images-1.jpeg?et=MtT8YP0IqPxw9ClumhGSdQ&nmid=0" border="0">Last week i said my second edition of <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/207/Tuesdays_Top_10_List_Eating_in_Nashville">Tuesday's Top 10 List</a> would be about my top 10 fav sports movies. But, <a href="http://www.paulbarker.org/biography.html">Paul Barker</a> was compiling a reading list for our campus ministry students, and he asked me to send him a list of "the top 10 books that have most influenced my life and ministry." Some books influenced me simply b/c of WHEN I read them - as a new believer or during a uniquely challenging church situation – other books are classics.   Here’s the list I sent to Paul: 1. Knowing God - J.I. Packer - helped me understand and know God better 2. The Pursuit of God - A. W. Tozer - helped me love God more 3. Church on the Way - Jack Hayford - taught me that a church can be big and healthy 4. The Master Plan of Evangelism - Robert Coleman - introduced me to discipleship as a lifestyle 5. Preachers & Preaching - D Martin Lloyd Jones - helped me learn to preach 6. Shepherding Your Child's Heart - Tedd Tripp - best book on child-training ever 7. The Holiness of God - R.C. Sproul - see co... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/212/Tuesdays_Top_10_List_-_Influential_Books Tue, 1 Jul 2008 12:04:56 -0000 Inside Steve's Brain#6 - MANNY PACQUIAO!!! <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SGjU8AoKCE0AADJ0lhg1/images.jpeg?et=93AOwFFQYSD1BGV12hTlTQ&nmid=0" border="0">-  "Get Smart" made me laugh. Worth the $8.00. Most movies aren't. - The NBA has completely lost my interest. I didn't care who won the finals and i don;t care who got drafted. Not sure why. - Too many people feel that way about church. - <a href="http://www.mannypacquiao.ph/">MANNY PACQUIAO</a>             4 world titles in 4 divisions.             <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/173/Too_Strong._Too_Fast._Too_Tough.">To Strong! Too Fast! Too Tough! Again. </a>             A national treasure.             Endorses every product sold in the Philippines.             <a href="http://mvn.com/boxing/2008/06/29/meet-the-new-best-boxer-alive-manny-pacquiao/">Best boxer in the world.</a> - Sore muscles. Blisters. Played tennis Sat. Now i remember why in only do that once a year. i feel like i went 1 round with manny. - Bethel youth band led worship yesterday at church. It was loud. - Always great to see young people participate in church. - It was Bethel's monthly mission SUnday and <a href="http://ricebroocks.multiply.com/">Ri... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/210/Inside_Steves_Brain6_-_MANNY_PACQUIAO Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:53:36 -0000 Is Democracy on God's Agenda for the Nations? <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SGZRbAoKCE0AAA6EtxQ1/images-1.jpeg?et=ev8BQonym1r206nxLU5LMg&nmid=0" border="0">Being in the States the past few weeks I've noticed that many famous TV preachers seem to make no distinction btw American foreign policy and God's will for the nations. When i hear American Christians praying that specific Middle Eastern nations would become democratic, I wonder where they find democracy in the Bible and why they assume that democracy is God's will. They seem to be confusing Pres Bush's agenda with God's. I know that America wants democracy (or at least friendly dictatorships) in the Middle East, but is exporting Western-styled democracy really on God's agenda, and should it be on the church's? I don't think so. But i could be wrong. I often am. I do know that cross-cultural missions and church planting is on His agenda for all nations. PS: I love my country, i'm just not so sure all other governments are supposed to be made in our image. What do you think? now showing on the reluctant leader blog:<a style="font-weight: bold;font-style: italic;" href="http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/how-not-to-enga.html"> how NOT to engage your community</a> http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/209/Is_Democracy_on_Gods_Agenda_for_the_Nations Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:06:37 -0000 Father's Day Gift '08 For father's day, my sons bought tickets to the local AAA minor league baseball game. Nashville Sounds vs Memphis Red Birds. We won 8-4. Great idea. Great game. Great time together. Can;t wait to do it http://smurrell.multiply.com/photos/album/48/Fathers_Day_Gift_08 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:00:52 -0000 Tuesday's Top 10 List: Eating in Nashville <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SGBqswoKCE0AAAoLe2M1/images.jpeg?et=PYHWH%2BQVI7Y02QdrkQCvXg&nmid=0" border="0">To balance the recent intense political, preaching and revival blogs on my accidental missionary and <a href="http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/">reluctant leader</a> sites, I'm adding a new weekly feature called Tuesday's Top Ten List. Here's the first installment: My Top 10 Favorite Places to Eat in Nashville (and near Nash): 10.  Joey's Pizza – No Southern holpitality here. Jpey's is totally NY style, complete with yelling and shouting. A real cross-cultural experience. 9. Ruth's Chris – with all due respect to Stoney River, Ruth serves the best red meat around. 8. <a href="http://www.jacksbarbque.com/">Jack's</a> – more meat! the best BBQ in Nash 7. <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/photos/album/24/Nashville_Summer_07#45">Santa Fe Diner</a> -  fried catfish! (southern health food) 6. Baja Burrito - huge & cheap. 5. Mediterranean Cuisine - Not quite Dubai, but the best Middle Eastern food in Tennessee. I've taken so many people here, i should be a partner. 4. The <a href="http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=465">Pancake Pantry</a> – A Nashville institution. Always a long line. Always worth the wait. 3. <a href="http://www.thestandardnashville.com/">The Standard</a> - My newest fav place. Across the street from the new Global Cafe. 2. Cool Caf... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/207/Tuesdays_Top_10_List_Eating_in_Nashville Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:35:25 -0000 Lake Pix some pix of my fam with the Ball's at Jeff & Courtney's lake house in TN a few weeks ago. great day off. thx, jeff! http://smurrell.multiply.com/photos/album/47/Lake_Pix Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:56:43 -0000 Inside Steve's Brain #5 - I'm already sick of politics <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SF0N1goKCE0AAFH9g541/images.jpeg?et=FYAHiIsoZW4asWLoPqx42w&nmid=0" border="0">- Sat morning here in Nash. in MNL i'd be @ Gloria Jean's talking and laughing with paulo, ferdie, LA, dennis, carlos, gilbert, rico and other great preachers - discussing how we will preach Sunday's sermon. - i love <a href="http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/simple-preachin.html">team sermon prep</a>. - posting my mind dump, brain drain, inside steve brain, random blog on Saturday seems weird. but here in Nash Sat is my day off. In MNL i take MOnday off. - when the 'kids' are 22, 20 and 18 - it's rare that we are all at home at the same time. but it happened last night, so we watched a movie on tv together.  "great debaters." great movie. made me want to argue with someone. i guess that explains why i keep commenting on all the <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/205/I_Wish_I_Could_Support_Obama_But...">comments on my last blog</a>. - i'm already really sick of Amr politics. - i miss Philippine politics b/c it is not nearly as nasty and being a foreigner i don't have to get involved and take sides. can't stay neutral here. the burden of citizenship. - my sons gave me an interesting fathers day gift. i'll redeem it tonight. stay... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/206/Inside_Steves_Brain_5_-_Im_already_sick_of_politics Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:20:46 -0000 I Wish I Could Support Obama, But... <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SFvBNAoKCE0AAF-VOMU1/images.jpeg?et=GURPVLFGgmvnmmQOWnHwSw&nmid=0" border="0">WARNING: this blog contains a political rant and links to political rants. Barak H Obama. Great communicator. Likable guy. Energetic. Positive. Youthful. Passionate. Smart. Never mind his weird and scary friends. I wish I could support Obama. I really do. But I can't. Here are 2 of my many reasons: 1. OBAMA THINKS KILLING UNBORN BABIES IS OK Obama remains radically and un-apologetically pro-abortion. This is a political deal-breaker for me. As i mentioned on this blog a few months ago, (<a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/154/Why_I_Will_Not_Vote_For_Obama_or_Hillary_">Why I Will Not Vote For Hillary or Obama</a>), he thinks killing unborn children is a right, protected by the US Constitution. I don't understand how preachers who are supposed to be "watchmen on the walls" can support pro-abortion candidates when there is an alternative. How many more American babies will die because of this "right to privacy" insanity? And please don't give me the tired old "what about rape" response. We are talking about 40 MILLION dead babies since Roe v. Wade. A tiny fraction of those... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/205/I_Wish_I_Could_Support_Obama_But... Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:34:40 -0000 Pres Library - Little Rock '08 USTA Southern regional tennis tournament. Little Rock, ARK. Father's Day. Clinton Presidential Library. http://smurrell.multiply.com/photos/album/46/Pres_Library_-_Little_Rock_08 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:20:04 -0000 38 Days in Jail, and Counting <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SFgBEgoKCE0AADK4gZQ1/images-1.jpeg?et=XYS96U%2CeunugwnRueFQjuA&nmid=0" border="0">Just got an update about our friend who was arrested 38 days ago in Iran. He's still in jail and has a hearing tomorrow that will determine his fate. Here's <a href="http://www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?article=371">more info</a> about the political and religious climate in Iran and the proposed death penalty for apostasy/conversion. <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/198/27_Days_in_an_Iranian_Jail_and_Counting...">Here's my last post</a> about this. Please pray, now. http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/204/38_Days_in_Jail_and_Counting Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:23:32 -0000 Dan in Real Life father's day in little rock, arkansas at a tennis tournament for the 3rd consecutive year. after jonathan's match, we went back to the hotel and watched a movie. my 2 thoughts about "dan": 1. steve carell does awkward better than any actor alive. dan is not quite as socially awkward as michael scott, but he's uncomfortably awkward. 2. all dan's three-daughter-drama made me really thankful to have three sons. http://smurrell.multiply.com/reviews/item/4 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:59:27 -0000 Father's Day Mssg: 'Thanks Dad, See You in Heaven' <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SFGG1AoKCE0AAGI8Obg1/images.jpeg?et=yS20Pm16FK7zpc9V2I3lrA&nmid=0" border="0">Here's my annual Father's Day post. It was originally published in Evangelicals Today magazine. I am also posting it on my '<a href="http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/">reluctant leader'</a> site. On January 28, 2002 at 9 PM, my dad breathed his last breath and slipped from time into eternity. He was seventy-four years old. He had been in and out of the hospital several times since August of 2001. His tired lungs just stopped working. He died peacefully because he finally was at peace with God, after a lifetime of resisting the gospel. His journey to God hit warp speed when his heart stopped on October 11, 2001. The doctors were able to revive him, but more importantly, the Lord visited him. While laying on his back in the emergency room, he came face to face with the God of eternity and lived to tell about it. In fact, he later told my younger brother that when his heart stopped, he had a vision that God was giving him one last chance. In the vision, as he watched the doctors frantically trying to revive him, he suddenly saw a whis... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/202/Fathers_Day_Mssg_Thanks_Dad_See_You_in_Heaven Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:30:34 -0000 Inside Steve's Brain #4: I Told You So... <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SFAZKQoKCE0AAGmXd2w1/images-2.jpeg?et=GIDx2Urk3Zj5GNI9KJKs8w&nmid=0" border="0">- "Twice as fast, half the price." The <a href="http://www.apple.com/">new iPhone!</a> - Stumbled on a blog written by someone named Kelly who describes herself as a “reluctant pastor’s wife.” Not sure which part of her title she is reluctant about – the wife part or the pastor part. Nevertheless, she posted a couple  blogs that made me smile, and almost laugh. Check ‘em out, leave her a comment, & tell her the <a href="http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/">reluctant leader</a> sent  you. <a href="http://kepiad.blogspot.com/2008/06/ministry-men-what-your-wives-wish-you.html">“Ministry Men: What Your Wives Wish You Knew”</a>  and <a href="http://kepiad.blogspot.com/2008/05/open-letter-to-church-hopper.html">“An Open Letter to Church Hoppers”</a> <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SFAYcgoKCE0AAGS-Za81/images-1.jpeg?et=0l%2CIjCQ5Kiniz6wWUrgHmw&nmid=0" border="0"> - I knew it! The <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=DonaghyStern-080611">NBA is rigged</a>, and you <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/197/Inside_Steves_Brain_3_Indy_Jones_was_Lousy">heard it here first</a>! - Here's what I reported (actually, made up while trying to be funny) a week before ESPN broke the news: Latest conspiracy theory: The NBA is rigged, just like WWF. For proof, look no further than the '08 finals. All conspiracy theorists know the Lakers vs Celtics finals was pre-planned and manipulated by David Stern, bigshot TV execs, Nike, Vegas odds makers, the illuminati, Dan Brown, Danding, Democrats, North Korea and the... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/201/Inside_Steves_Brain_4_I_Told_You_So... Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:25:26 -0000 'If I Had Millions, I'd Be Generous' <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SE8IIwoKCE0AAETtMP01/images-1.jpeg?et=PWUBcqa9zOtXm8zPdygPIw&nmid=0" border="0">Just read on the Fox News website that actor <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000056/">Paul Newman</a> gave <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,365221,00.html">$120 million dollars to charity</a>. $120,000,000! He's 80, he's dying of cancer and he wants to make sure his money is put to good use. But his giving did not start when he realized he was dying. In 2006, he gave away over $8 million to a variety of charities including hurricane relief on the Gulf Coast, education foundations, African children's programs. Some say, "if i had millions i'd be generous too."  Probably not, unless you are generous now with what you have. It's really easy to be generous with money we might have some day. it's harder to be generous with what we actually have. Jesus said if we are faithful with a little, we will be faithful with a lot. i think that if we are generous with a little, we will be generous with a lot. Remember the boy with the fish and bread. He didn't have enough to the feed the crowd, so what did he do with his little? He gave it to Jesus. And what did Jesus do with it? Gave tha... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/200/If_I_Had_Millions_Id_Be_Generous Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:19:23 -0000 A Few Good Blogs <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SEmy8woKCE0AAGDFUFk1/images.jpeg?et=zckehwGCCKstTu9QG9t%2CSg&nmid=0" border="0">Nothing to blog about today, so i thought i'd send you to a few good blogs i've read lately... Steven Mansfield's March 18 blog called <a href="http://www.mansfieldgroup.com/">"A Lesson from Obama."</a> (click "blog" and scroll down to the Obama entry. SM has an archaic blog site, but some good blogs.) "Frank the Tank" on <a href="http://beingfrank.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/05/com--passionwith-passion.html">compassion and apathy.</a> Dennis Sy on friendship and the <a href="http://cluelesschurch.blogspot.com/2008/06/for-sanitys-sake.html">"Cure to Burnout"</a> <a href="http://jeffbullock.multiply.com/journal/item/43/Over_the_Hedges_">Jeff Bullock (and his earring)</a> on reaching the unchurched. All pastors should read this one. Joey B on <a href="http://joeybonifacio.multiply.com/journal/item/350/Turning_Poverty_Around">"Turning Poverty Around"</a>  with before & after pix of our new Pasig center. Mike Watkins <a href="http://michaelwwatkins.blogspot.com/2008/06/pastor-candidate-endorsements.html">“I had no idea that I held those views!”</a>  line about pastors and politics made me laugh. Thx, Mike, i needed that. Garry Lamb on <a href="http://www.garylamb.org/2008/06/06/people-hear-what-they-want-to-hear/">"People Hear what they Want to Hear."</a><a href="http://www.garylamb.org/2008/06/06/people-hear-what-they-want-to-hear/"></a> After a month off, i finally reluctantly posted a <a style="font-weight: bold; " href="http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/leadership-livi.html">new blog on my reluctant leader site.</a> http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/199/A_Few_Good_Blogs Fri, 6 Jun 2008 16:42:32 -0000 27 Days in an Iranian Jail, and Counting... <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SEgGvgoKCE0AAE002l01/images.jpeg?et=epzYbGnIYmR8%2C5iv7jkrnA&nmid=0" border="0">Got the following update from one of our leaders in the Middle East. Thank you for continuously praying for "Pastor M", his family, and the church in Iran. It's been more than 20 days since the time "M" was arrested in Shiraz, and up to now, we have not heard anything from him.  Please pray for M's wife and eldest daughter as they will visit the police station where "M" and "A" are being kept. They'll be going before the end of the week. Imagine for a moment, that your husband, father, brother or friend was suddenly arrested and has been held and possibly tortured in an Iranian jail for a month... Now, with that thought in mind, please pray for our Iranian friends who are being persecuted and unjustly imprisoned. Some Iranian believers have lost their jobs and others have been threatened by officials. Also, please pray for "M's" wife and children who are obviously deeply concerned for his life. <a href="http://www.secretbelievers.org/resources_news_detail.aspx?id=5404">Here's a news report</a> about the arrest that mentions our friends by name. <a href="http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&lang=en&length=long&idelement=5386&backpage=archives&critere=&countryname=&rowcur=0">Here's</a> ... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/198/27_Days_in_an_Iranian_Jail_and_Counting... Thu, 5 Jun 2008 15:32:01 -0000 Inside Steve's Brain #3: Indy Jones was Lousy <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SEJ-@woKCE0AAGgnCVM1/images.jpeg?et=XbpPfs9jpS7rWsWjStLj%2BA&nmid=0" border="0">CHURCH - we received an offering today to help with the <a href="http://www.everynation.org/en/top/media/every-nation-myanmar-cyclone-relief.html">Myanmar relief effort.</a> Hope it was huge. Thx for giving. - In case you missed our Jonah series in Metro Manila, <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=QT9jx-jh7Tw&feature=related">here's a 39 second video summary </a>of all 4 weeks and all 4 chapters of Jonah. - It has been a fun series. I wish we could stay in Jonah for 4 months instead of 4 weeks. So much in those 4 short chapters. Remember these big ideas:     CH 1 - When We Run From God, We Run into Trouble     CH 2 - We are Never Too Far from God to Cry Out for His Help     CH 3 - God Gives 2nd Chances so We can Fulfill His Purpose     CH 4 - God is More Compassionate than We Are (nxt week) TRAVEL - Next trip in a few hours. Leave Manila Sunday night and land in H<img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SEJIKAoKCE0AADp0aWU1/images.jpeg?et=LHfVjjLnPlyR5K3dZl84Vg&nmid=0" border="0">awaii Sunday afternoon. How does that work? After meeting with pastors in Hawaii, i fly to Nash for a few months. - Lunch at Zong for my "last supper" in Asia before returning to "southern food." Zong is still the best Chin... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/197/Inside_Steves_Brain_3_Indy_Jones_was_Lousy Sun, 1 Jun 2008 07:12:14 -0000 This is Really Sad <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SEAlFQoKCE0AACdzFYc1/images.jpeg?et=8Fk%2B7%2BBMc69yZuxWhDv21Q&nmid=0" border="0">Here's the latest report from Mang, our pastor in Myanmar, about the disaster and our relief effort...   “The church went to Kun Gyan Gon (one of the hard hit place) on May 19 with the offerings we got on the previous Sunday. We were about 24. We could bless 1 whole village. They were about 50 people. The church members also went to Nargis Victims ( Orphans ), some of them are affected WITH hiv POSITIVE in North Dagon. There are about 17 children. And we could bless them some money (50,000 Ks = $ 50) and a sack of rice and some clothes, donated by students and friends. We were about 26 people.   Future Plans are to visit the Nargis Victims plus orphans who live in and around the Yangon areas. Also, to co-orperate with people living in the areas of the cyclone hit, and send them help and assist their needs from Yangon. While we are showing our love and compassion to the poor and needy in action, we are also building relationship with students those who are going with us.   So t... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/196/This_is_Really_Sad Fri, 30 May 2008 16:02:54 -0000 Sunday Sermon Preview: "A Second Chance" <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SD9NpQoKCE0AAHgiDZM1/findingjonah.jpg?et=xOVULdOTLx0LQWpR4I9FHA&nmid=0" border="0">Week three of our "Finding Jonah" series. Chapter 3 of the Book of Jonah. My sermon will camp out in verse 1 of ch 3: "The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time." Series review: Week 1/Jonah 1 When we run from God, we run into trouble Week 2/Jonah 2 We are never too far from God to cry out for His help Week 3/Jonah3 summary: God gave Jonah a second chance, after Jonah ran the first time. God also gave the city of Nineveh a second change, after all their rebellion and idolatry. But why? God gives second chances - that's good news to me and you! But that is not the WHOLE mesage of Jonah 3. If we embrace the idea of the second chance, but miss the reason for the second chance we might simply continue our self-centered lifestyles that caused us to run from God in the first place. So, why does God give second chances (and 3rd, 4th, 5th,,,chances)? That's what Sunday is all about. Here's my sermon in 10 words: God gives second chances, so we can fulfill His plan. If you know anyone who thin... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/195/Sunday_Sermon_Preview_A_Second_Chance Fri, 30 May 2008 00:56:27 -0000 Xenophobic Violence <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SD7BugoKCE0AAHyIB-c1/images.jpeg?et=P3cpF4H6HEusNNTW5QLPpw&nmid=0" border="0">I received the following email from my friend, Bill Bennot, about the crisis in South Africa and how the Church is responding. You may have already seen in the international news about the Xenophobia that has recently hit South Africa. It started in Johannesburg over three weeks ago and has recently spread to Cape Town. The bottom line is, immigrants from other African nations are being attacked and tens of thousands of men, women and children have been dispossessed. Our churches in both Cities have stepped up to the plate to provide shelter and sustenance.   Women and children have been forced on to the street in fear for their lives.  The government was in no position to provide for the need so over the weekend we turned <a href="http://www.capetown.hispeople.org/capetown/index.htm">our Cape Town Church</a> venue into a refugee center. We now have over 500 men, woman and children living in our building. We also have 2000 more we are providing for at a caravan park. Although this will only be an interim measure, we have no idea how lon... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/194/Xenophobic_Violence Thu, 29 May 2008 14:55:29 -0000 Inside Steve's Brain #2 <img class="alignright" src="http://images.smurrell.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SDtZlQoKCE0AAHYmWO41/images.jpeg?et=9tWgLkz6CsmkealMwtBckw&nmid=0" border="0">- i used to call my random X blogs "monday mind dump" or "brain drain" or "random thoughts" - now, inspired by the <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/reviews/item/3">new book abt the Apple king</a> - i am calling them "inside steve's brain" - here's a 2nd look inside my brain... - Seems like all my friends are getting old, real old. glad i'm still in my 40's. - Rey C's 50th b'day party last night. Not only 1 of the Philippine's greatest preachers (Eng & Tagalog) but also one if the finest men i know. Rey & Menchie will move to the Middle East next month to establish a new chch that will reach the unreached in the region. Still a pioneer at 50! And with endless energy. - <a href="http://eauj.multiply.com/">Eauj</a> danced last night @ his Dad's party. The guy's mazing! Most bodies can't move like that. How do you do it? - Happy B'day <a href="http://joeybonifacio.com/">Joey</a>! Another living legend i get to work with. - Campus Harvest is over. Pix, podcasts, vids, memories... <a href="http://everynation.org/campusharvestmanila/">HERE</a>. - My fav CH'08 pix <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/photos/album/45/Campus_Harvest_Manila_08">HERE</a>. - Raul Boncan <a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20080525-138749/Animators-form-holy-alliance">in the news</a>. - Please keep on praying for <a href="http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/191/Our_Friend_is_Still_in_an_Iranian_Jail">our friend in the Iranian jail</a>, and for his famil... http://smurrell.multiply.com/journal/item/193/Inside_Steves_Brain_2 Tue, 27 May 2008 01:01:59 -0000 Campus Harvest Manila '08 Campus Harvest Manila '08 3 days 4000++ delegates 1 theme: "Life to the Full" Here are some pix. (Thx, Orly.) especial bonus pix - i've included some of the pix from the old days that sneaked into my sermon. enjoy, and comment. http://smurrell.multiply.com/photos/album/45/Campus_Harvest_Manila_08 Mon, 26 May 2008 09:00:46 -0000 South Africa '08 Pix Cape Town, South Africa. One of my fav places & some of my fav people. The 2008 Every Nation Southern Africa Regional Conference. Delegates from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Congo. http://smurrell.multiply.com/photos/album/44/South_Africa_08_Pix Fri, 16 May 2008 21:18:11 -0000