Would you take this man into your home?

A pastor in Chicester, NH thinks that it is his Christian duty to try and help this man, even though the man is a convicted criminal who has committed horrendous crimes in the past.

You can read about the furor this missional act is stirring up up HERE.

I take it as a given that this kind of hospitality is not possible or even desirable for everyone. However, radical examples sometimes get our attention and cause us to think.

• Is this pastor just being naive and idealistic?
• What responsibilities does he have toward his other neighbors in a situation like this?
• What part should his church (which, according to the article, is in another town) and the local churches in this town play?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

President Obama

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. ³This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, ⁴who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2.1-3)

PRAY FOR GAZA'S CHRISTIANS

Source: NY Times

Lost in the news stories about Israel's bombing of Hamas targets in Gaza is the fact that there are many minority groups caught in the crossfire. The Christian community in Gaza is one such group. There are about 3,000 Christians in Gaza, and they are unwelcome in either the Muslim majority of their own communities or in Israel. They are trapped in the midst of the violence, and we should pray for them.

For more information, read this Mission Network News piece, which quotes Carl Moeller of Open Doors...

"It's remarkable how much that the church is facing there," Moeller said. "And yet the Christians continue to pray; they continue to cry out to God; and when they can, reach out to their neighbors with comfort."

Let us continue to cry out to God for them.

TUESDAY TRAVELS: Earthquake in Kyrgyzstan

UPDATE: Video report from the BBC.

Click HERE for the NYTimes report on Sunday's earthquake in Kyryzstan that, as of this report, killed 72 people and leveled the mountain village of Nura.

And here is an UPDATE about the rescue effort that is underway.

Kyrgyzstan is a small country in Central Asia that was once a Soviet Republic. It is a poor country of mountains, horses, and shepherds. The people are nominally Muslim, but adhere mainly to their own folk religion.

I had the opportunity to visit there in 2001. Dear friends were serving in mission with an international team that was working on educational and agricultural development, as well as encouraging the small Christian community in Naryn, a town in the middle of the country.

I ask us to pray for the people affected by this latest earthquake, especially those in and around Nura. And lift up the Christ-followers there, that they will have God's strength to love and serve those in need.

Franklin Flooding...

We had 8 inches of rain in a 4-hour period this morning. And this after severe weather on several other occasions recently. This led to the worst flooding anyone can remember in Franklin and other communities throughout central Indiana south of Indianapolis. We will be looking for opportunities to show practical love to our neighbors in days to come.

Stormy Weather...

Some local news shots of the damage caused by storms and tornadoes over the past few days in and around Indianapolis. A couple of the shots are from Camp Atterbury, about 25 miles south of Indy, where 40 buildings were destroyed and millions of dollars of damage done.

PRAYING FOR KENYA...

We are praying these days for the people of Kenya, who are in the midst of violent strife after recent elections. A humanitarian crisis is looming if circumstances do not begin improving soon.

News We're Following...

Pakistan in turmoil after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.