Regional Conference--700 students expected

Please be in prayer for the 700+ students that will be descending upon Portland for the annual Winter Conference Dec 28- Jan 1. Pray that God's spirit would move mightily in our midst. Pray for those who don't know the Lord who will be attending that they would make their decision for Jesus this week. Pray for those who have fallen asleep in their faith that God would awaken them to a life of unreserved committment to Christ. Pray also for those whom God will call into ministry as they are challenged to consider the needs in world missions. I will be leading the Moscow seminar and sharing about the needs there. Pray that God would raise up enough students to fill up all of our summer project and one-year missions teams. Oh, and Happy New Year Everybody around the world. We love you!!

Santa's On His Way

We'll, here he comes. I'm so glad NORAD takes care of this for us common folk. Not sure why he skipped Russia though...oh, I guess its because that territory belongs to Ded Moroz(Father Frost). But at least Ded Moroz could have allowed Santa to use Russian Airspace. I guess these guys have strict rules about how they do business with one another.

Don't Waste Your Life!!! Piper is one of my heros. This clip is just what we need to hear. It motivates my heart to continue to move against the strong current in our American culture to coast through life, pad ourselves with comfort as a generation slips silently into a Christless Eternity. This should not be. We all are in the fight for our lives. Don't let yourself become a dull edge. Keep yourself Sharp! Don't Waste Your Life!!

A visit with Santa...Seaside, Oregon

On Saturday the Krieg's went out to Seaside. We decided to refuse to allow the weather to dictate our activity for the day. We met Santa in the Carousel mall. The kids had a funny conversation with him that went like this.

Santa[to Madison}: Ho, Ho, Ho,..we'll little girl, what would you like for Christmas?
Madison: I want lot's of princess stuff!
Santa: Ho, ho, ho...that's wonderful [to Brennan] and what would you like for Christmas young man?
Brennan: bad guys
Santa: oh! uh, er. we'll ok.

Overheard in Portland (PDX)

Oh ya just gotta love this town. Here is an overheard conversation in Portland from the poplular blog "Overheard in PDX"...great stuff!

Man with White Box, on phone: "Hey, it's me. I just got off the plane from LA, and I've got your In and Out burgers. So I'll see you later, or I'll just break into your house and put them in the fridge.- On the 12-Barbur to Sherwood--

visit to Kaunas, Lithuania

Matt, Krista, and I visited Lithuania this past week and had a very productive time with the campus team there. We were so encouraged to see how the team boldly is proclaiming the gospel among students. Wednesday night several students turned out for the bi-monthly "Agape" night. The gospel was presented in a way that really impacted me. The four points of the gospel presentation were as follows 1) God created you, 2)God loves you, 3) God lost you (i.e. discussion of sin and its consequences), and 4) God wants you back. Point #4 really touched me and reminded me just how passionate Jesus pursued me and continues to pursue me today. His love is magnificent!

The Chocolate Soldier

In honor of Veteran's Day here is a sample of one of my favorite pieces of revolutionary Christian writings entitled "The Christian Soldier" by C.T. Studd...wow! What a man!

Heroism is the lost chord; the missing note of present-day Christianity!

Every true soldier is a hero!
A SOLDIER WITHOUT HEROISM IS A CHOCOLATE SOLDIER!
Who has not been stirred to scorn and mirth at the very thought of a Chocolate Soldier? In peace true soldiers are captive lions, fretting in their cages. War gives them their liberty and send them, like boys bounding out of school, to obtain their heart's desire or perish in the attempt. Battle is the soldier's vital breath! Peace turns him into a stooping asthmatic. War makes him a whole man again, and gives him the heart, strength, and vigor of a hero.

EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN IS A SOLDIER of Christ - a hero "par excellence"! Braver than the bravest - scorning the soft seductions of peace and her oft-repeated warnings against hardship, disease, danger, and death, whom he counts among his bosom friends.

THE OTHERWISE CHRISTIAN IS A CHOCOLATE CHRISTIAN! Dissolving in water and melting at the smell of fire. "Sweeties" they are! Bonbons, lollipops! Living their lives on a glass dish or in a cardboard box, each clad in his soft clothing, a little frilled white paper to preserve his dear little delicate constitution...