Day four in China and I was finally getting used to the time difference; China is 13 hours ahead of Vancouver's time zone (I'm not really looking forward to the transition back). I don't think that I have mentioned the British rock stars who are touring around with us; they are some pretty sweet rockers from New Castle. The bands name is The Steels, their music is pop rock, worship type stuff. I think you can find them on Facebook.

We spent the night in Henyang, I was rather excited about sleeping in a room with windows, while Trevor pointed out that now we would be able to hear the constant burst of horns from vehicles crossing the nearby intersection. Today we would take the train back to Changsha to meet ICC staff and tour the facilities there.

Here is something you may not know about me, before this summer I had never left North America. This summer Kristi and I went to Iceland, and now I am on a plane in the air space over China.

Greeting from the future,

Hey all,

Hey Check out this article by Ed Stetzer, it's pretty swell, where are you on the context scale???

http://www.edstetzer.com/2010/09/calling-for-contextualization-5.html

Here is an encouragement from Eugene Peterson (again) on prayer!

Everything and every person has an interior. Prayer goes beneath the surface and penetrates to the heart of the matter. Unlike mere action, prayer is not subject to immediate evaluation or verification. If we are addicted to "results" we will quickly lost interest in prayer. When we pray we willingly participate in what God is doing, without knowing precisely what God is doing, how God is doing it, or when we will know what is going on - if ever.

I read this in Tell It Slant by Eugene Peterson (He is quoting Evagrius the Solitary from The Philokalia):

Hey all, I started reading the cost of discipleship the other day; after finishing the first chapter I realized that this book would be best read with others. I am wondering if anyone wants to read it with me/start a book club? We could meet up once every few weeks and talk about a chapter or two.

OK, I'll check back here in a few days to see if anyone is interested.

Derek

PS - I used html!!!

Here is a link to some thoughts of the prosperity gospel from some African thinkers and theologians!
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?id=86009

Cheers!

Derek

PS - Merry Christmas!