I Want

Ok, I agree with my wife and kids. I may be a bit hard to shop for.  It’s not that I have risen above materialism, but I can’t really think of much that I desire from the mall. So for those curious about my “wants” on this my 58th birthday, here is a partial list (off the top of my head) –

I want my children and grandchildren to know how much God loves them and how beautiful and gifted they are.

I want everyone in my family – near and far – to become more radically committed to Jesus and his mission of love in the world. This includes me.

I want to pray with someone today as they say yes to Jesus and enter the family of God.

I want churches in Orlando, Birmingham, Starkville, Oxford, Tallahassee, Charlotte, Hattiesburg, Lexington, Nashville, Knoxville and Tampa to begin transforming hospitality ministries to the Chinese scholars God is bringing to their communities.

I want to laugh more.

I want to be a better lover of people.

I want peace and deliverance from pain and worry for my dear mom and other family members.

I want my “son” Runner (China) to find the love of his life and continue to grow as a mighty man of God.

I want to go to heaven, and to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

I want to dance… probably just in heaven.

And I want my fellow June 17-birthday-buddies to have a wonderful day.

• Rivers Rutherford, my favorite country music writer/performer and dear brother in Christ
• Mitch Schrenk, my Orlando buddy and a source of great encouragement and laughter
• Larissa Lam Chiu, my sister in California that is one of my favorite worship leaders/song-writers

Thanks for all the birthday greetings. Pray that all my wishes will be fulfilled.

Back to School

If you are a parent, a grandparent, or a student (or if you ever fit into one of those categories) the words “back to school” are full of emotion and memories.

In my family, there is only one active student right now - sweet Meme (19). Our 3 grandkids are too young, and Ash and Jonathan have already passed that chapter of their lives. Meme is a sophmore at Mississippi State. This past week has been sorority ”rush,” but Meme came down with the flu along with two dozen KD sisters. Pray for her and them. 

There are over 150,000 Chinese “students” in the USA today (Mainland Chinese and family members that are involved in some type of academic or research program). Over the past week universities have started assimilating thousands of new international guests. ’Bama, for example, received over 80 new Chinese scholars.

Tonight Carolyn and I will have 30 or so Chinese at our home for a back - to - school party (University of Central FL). These international friends continue to shock us with their intelligence and kindness. Our relationship with these emerging leaders brings us encouragement about the future of China and the world. It will be an honor to have them in our home again. Pray that they will experience the type of love and hospitality that can only be explained by the existence of a loving and all-powerful God.