A Good Read

I found Dennis Prager's republishing his essay "Why I Am Not a Liberal" to be compelling reading. You may find it here at the Townhall website.

Russia vs. Georgia

The great Russian Bear has roused itself and now seeks once again to dominate the Crimea and thrust a finger in the eye of the West. As one trained in history and a one time instructor of the same for high school and community college students, the lack of a speedy and definitive response by the Bush administration is appalling. W is at the Olympics and Condi is on vacation. The presidents response this afternoon was wimpy. Having spent some time recently in Ukraine and having talked with Ukrainians, this crisis must be met head on and forcefully. Bush seems a day late and a dollar short on this one - perhaps a true lame duck?

The Olympics and the persecuted church

As the Olympic games in Beijing approach there has been increased harassment of Christian leaders. I'm joining with many of my fellow Christian bloggers by asking you to pray specifically for the persecuted church in China. The Chinese government is masking the real ugliness of not only its pollution but also its treatment of our Christian brothers and sisters. A program started by Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association asks Christians to wear arm bands and pray for the church during this time. You can request an arm band by following this link.

Consider this report:

"Some well meaning Christian leaders would like you to believe that Christians are no longer persecuted in China," the promotion says. "Chinese Christians like Anna would disagree. At the young age of 11, Anna has been persecuted for her faith. She has been run out of a Christian orphanage by the Communist authorities and refused admission to public school. She currently lives in hiding and attends an illegal underground Christian school. Anna, like many persecuted Christians in China, remains strong in her faith. She recently told The Voice of the Martyrs, 'I think God must really love me. He has taken such good care of me.'"

(A tip of the hat to Michele McGinty @ Reformed Chicks Blabbing and Voice of the Martyrs)

Ukraine Trip, part 2

Well, after the trip we enjoyed 10 days in beautiful Silver Bay, NY (on Lake George). We had our second son and his family with us. Now it is back to work. Here is a link to Lake Osborne PCA where you will find a brief narrative and pictures of the trip. Rev. Larry Roff, a pastor at LOPC, was the choir tour organizer. It was a truly wonderful and moving experience. I'm ready to do it again.

Ukraine trip

My wife and I are recovering from our 11 day trip to Ukraine. I was part of a 23 member PCA choir - from 6 states - that sang concerts in Kiev, Odessa and several other cities. We also participated in the dedication of the new building for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Belgorod-Dnestrovsky. It was a wonderful, exhilarating and tiring trip. I hope to be able to go again. I'll post some pictures and other links when I get them prepared. Thanks to those who prayed for us in the trip. Pray for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

The power of storms

We drove here to Lake George. Part of our trip took us through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana during the severe storms last Friday and Saturday. We were detoured by two closures on I-70 and remarked to each other about the power of the storms and the duration - 30+ hours. We even heard the tornado warning sirens go off as we passed through Rolla, Missouri. God in his grace brought us through. Some in Indiana were not so fortunate. In those storms I am always reminded of Psalm 29 as it speaks of "The voice of the Lord." I remember reading that the Israelites used to Psalm to calm their children during the thunderstorm. Thanks Lord for your sustaining grace.

A Brief Respite

I'm sitting on the shore of Silver Bay on Lake George (NY) enjoying the breeze and the view. We are trying to open the cabin and get ready to go to Ukraine as part of a PCA choir. I've been transcribing director notes to the music and practicing the various pieces of music. I'll not be blogging from Ukraine - too busy - but will post on my return.