P.T. Barnum Reminisces About Christianity

In his book, The Humbugs of the World, the self-proclaimed Prince of Humbug himself holds up Christianity as an antidote to the worlds more harmful "humbug." He wrote:

Looked at on one side, the history of humbug is truly humiliating to intellectual pride, yet the long silly story is less absurd during the later ages of history and grows less and less so in proportion to the spread of real Christianity. This religion promotes good sense, actual knowledge, contentment with what we cannot help, and the exclusive use of intelligent means for increasing human happiness and decreasing human sorrow. And whenever the time shall come when men [and women] are kind and just and honest; when they only want what is fair and right, judge only on real and true evidence, and take nothing for granted, then there will be no place left for any humbugs, either harmless or hurtful. 

A Word for Congo Missionaries Glen and Rita Chapman

After three weeks in the States, we are back at Kikongo.
We arrived home yesterday, and we are already back in the classroom.
We went to the Santa Cruz area mid -December to help with the final
preparations for our daughter Elaina’s wedding.  Her lovely wedding
was on December 29.   Elaina is now Elaina Johnson.  Her husband Chris
is a Godly man who grew up in a family with strong Christian, and
mission values.   They will be living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.    Chris
works for Rockwell-Collins, and Elaina is studying physical therapy.
            It was very unusual for us to experience the US again so
soon after departing.  We had none of the normal returning to the
States difficulties, like remembering how to drive, or how to use the
ATM machines.
        It was fun to be able to pig out during the festive season, knowing
that I would soon be back to my Kikongo diet.    Our friends comment
about how “healthy” we have become.   In Congo,  “looking healthy” is
the same as looking fat!   We take the compliment with the culture.
              Here, the pastoral school opened a fish pond, so all the
students and staff had fish for Christmas.  That was such a hit, that
they opened up another one for New Years.
              I don’t have any trips scheduled at the moment.  I have
three places that Pastor Masala is eager to take me to.    I have a
functioning projector now, and oil for the flying machine, so I may
begin my flying adventures shortly.  I have way too much jet lag these
days to think about a trip right away, however.
              Kamiya, the otter, was happy to have Rita back for a
walk to the river.  Kamiya did just fine with our otter keepers during
our absence.  The hornbill (Bill) is getting quite ornery.  He gave me
two pecks on the head, with enough force that blood flowed freely.   I
think he gets angry when we don’t feed him.   His way of scolding me
for not feeding him for the past three weeks must be to strike me.  He
is free flying, so I am going to let him find his own food from now
on. 

Weekly Bible Verses: Isaiah 62:1-5: So Shall Your God Rejoice Over You

Isaiah 62: For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. ²The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. ³You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. ⁴You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. ⁵For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

Guidelines for Outreach on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day of Service and All Year Long

I recently received an email invite recently asking me to sign up to be involved in the Martin Luther King Day of Service on January 19. That made me curious about the possibilities. I found the National Service site http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/mlkday.asp had a whole section for planning events of your own, which might be found at:http://mlkday.gov/plan/actionguides/foundation.php

Among the possibilities are:

• Disaster Services: training neighbors to be prepared ... sounds very topical, especially for coastal and tornado zone people.
• Economic Opportunity: teaching financial literacy; promoting volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) and earned income tax credit; point in time count of people experiencing homelessness
• Education: organize a book and school supply drive; bring learning into service; organize a FAFSA training event
• Environmental stewardship: planting trees in your neighborhood
• Healthy Futures: organizing a fitness event; creating and expanding a community garden; educating your community about the new healthcare law; locating community health centers and sign-up for CHIP; teach healthy cooking and eating on a budget; helping kids make healthy food choices
• Veterans and Military Families: writing letters to the troops; holding a faith-based and community roundtable; hosting a stand down event for homeless veterans. 

Frankly, I'm pleased to see so much information on so many options. At each site you will receive information explaining what you need to do to prepare and launch your church's act of service. What a great way to plan to make a difference in your community each and every year ... while learning new information to pass along. 

I'd suggest starting to plan now for next year. Tip for churches and other service organizations: local newspapers and news outlets are always looking for local stories. Let them know well in advance what your team is planning to do ... and you may just get some coverage of your long planned and community beneficial event! Win-win for everyone. 

If you don't have time to plan ahead, you can find local opportunities to volunteer for at least part of the day and make a difference. For instance, for those who live in southeastern Pennsylvania near Valley Forge, you could participate in a volunteer activity from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. See: http://www.nps.gov/vafo/supportyourpark/groupops.htm

A message about gun violence in America

 An important message from the Executive Director of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. There is a challenging question for us all at the end.

Weekly Bible Verses: Matthew 2:1-12: They Were Overwhelmed with Joy

Matthew 2: In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born 

in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to 

Jerusalem, ²asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of 

the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to 

pay him homage.” ³When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, 

and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴and calling together all the chief 

priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where 

the Messiah was to be born. ⁵They told him, “In Bethlehem of 

Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ⁶‘And you, 

Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among 

the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to 

shepherd my people Israel.’” ⁷Then Herod secretly called for the 

wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star 

had appeared. ⁸Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go 

and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, 

bring me word so that I may also go and pay him 

homage.”

⁹When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, 

ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, 

until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they 

saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 

¹¹On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; 

and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their 

treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and 

myrrh. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to return to 

Herod, they left for their own country by 

another road.