Not a lot of time to write

Between my work schedule and soccer practices and job hunting I just don't have much time to write. I think of things regularly that I'd like to post, but just can't get time to write them down.

So here's an update:

• I'm working for an accounting firm in Annapolis as an office manager. It started as a ten day temp hire, then became a 4 week hire, then one more week, and now is something of an indefinite long-term, but temporary situation. All I know is I work hard and try to learn anything I can. I regularly impress them, and that seems to be what has bought me more time. I'm very grateful for the work.
• I'm coaching Sydney's soccer team on Monday and Wednesday's after work. Games are on Sundays and right now we're 1-0.
• I am applying for pastorates and Christian ministry all over the place and in all kinds of churches, though my interviews have proven that I don't speak the languages of some other denominations. I'm just looking for the open door.
• My son has started crawling and can cruise from the living room table to the couch and down the hall leaning against the wall.
• Sydney just turned six and it is ridiculous how fast time has gone.
• I'm preaching three times over the next month: This Sunday at Pasadena A/G, May 8 at Eastern A/G, and May 29 at Cedarville A/G in Brandywine, MD.

That's the news.

--Ben

Chinese Christians held at Easter service: church

Chinese Christians held at Easter service: church

(AFP) – 19 hours ago

BEIJING — Up to 30 members of a Chinese evangelical church were arrested on Sunday for trying to hold an Easter service in defiance of the officially atheist government, a member of the clergy said.

A large number of police began to gather early Sunday in the Zhongguancun area of Beijing where the Shouwang Church had said it would hold an outdoor service to mark the holiest day of the Christian calendar.

"Between 20 and 30 followers were taken away by police," senior pastor Jin Tianming told AFP by telephone from his home, where he is under house arrest. He said there were several police officers posted outside the building.

He added that the members of the congregation who were arrested had been taken to different police stations and that none had so far been released...Full Story

Prayer Request

If you're so inclined, please pray for Naomi. She is 2 years old and has brain cancer. Found out about her today from a coworker. --Ben

Jesus's Upside Down Kingdom

For the last week and a half I have been meditating on the Sermon On The Mount; a chapter a day. Today I read only Matthew 5:1-12:

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

Last year my father shared that as a new follower of Jesus he was questioned by an atheist related to Jesus's teaching. "Do you really believe the meek inherit the earth?" The meek don't inherit the earth. They get trampled by the galloping, brash hoard of those seeking power. Right!?! Not in Jesus' Kingdom. In fact, all of those that are "blessed" are people in circumstances everyone wanting to rise up to "success" avoids. We don't want to mourn or be poor in spirit. But the revelation of the Kingdom according to Jesus is among just such a people. Though it is counter-intuitive to the way we're taught to think, don't we find it true that when we have nothing to cheer for heaven seems closer and easier to talk to? When we mourn He's close to comfort us? When we're tired of the diet of unrighteousness He is there to fill our hunger and thirst for righteousness? This is where Jesus's Kingdom is. And when we're there, we're blessed. --Ben

Hands Free Driving

I don’t know if I’ve shared this before, but I hate phone calls. I like talking with people, but hate the idea of calling them. Coincidentally my job right now as an office manager requires a lot of phone calls. But it also requires a half-hour commute. So now each day I use my Bluetooth to call a different family member and talk for ten minutes or so just to catch up. And I enjoy it.

I’ve never been the kind of son that called mom to check in, or the kind of brother to call and check on my sisters. But thanks to my commute I am now in touch. Awww. I’ll probably only last this way until I no longer have a commute, but I’ll enjoy it while I can.

--Ben