GlocalNet

This is Cardinal McCarrick speaking in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the top floor of the State Department building.

This is the forum of World leaders at Georgetown University

This is Tony Blair on stage at the Common Word Conference at Georgetown.  I’ll be posting more throughout the day!

Prime Minister Bondevik

Grand Mufti Ceric of Bosnia

Sunday was one of the greatest days in the History of NorthWood, not because of money or giving - don’t know those stats yet, but because of how what we do keeps coming full circle.  You could listen if you like on the northwoodchurch.org site to the sermon.  How do you speak of Jesus when other religions, governments, are present - it’s an example of how we do that at NorthWood.  I love these two pictures.  One is of my friend Mr. Kien who is the Vice-President of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations - he is swarmed by some of the youth from Hanoi that live with our members.  He did really good in our worship services by the way - along with the rest of the delegation that are here seated behind my desk. They ate BBQ in my home and we talked for hours on government, God, and development.  Contrary to what some would say - Vietnam is not an atheist country - 80% worship their ancestors - the General Secretary included - it’s just not that “Christian” and often there are misunderstandings of who Christians are and what they want - especially because of our past ties to them and Vietnam.  Another picture is my number one hero - Roy Fish.  He came just to see - sure it made me nervous preaching in front of someone great like him - but he came out and I think really enjoyed it. 

This is from the Special Education project in Vietnam that NorthWood is involved in.
I’ll be in Australia for the next 10 days leading in a couple of conferences.  I’ll write some blogs when I can.  Thanks for your prayers.

Special Ed Vietnam Trip 2009 from Glocalnetblog on Vimeo.

My friend Suhail Khan sent me this and it is incredible.  He’s a country western singer from Texas and emulates what I spoke on today in a conference by Leadership Network called the “9"s.  Listen to the words, it’s powerful.

My friend Dr. John Esposito writes a great article to help you understand - read it!!!!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6805750.ece

My daughter Jill is in Vietnam for the summer working at our NGO Glocal Ventures.  You can visit the site at glocalventures.org.  She’s having a blast.  We learned to do “SKYPE” and have been skyping and it’s just a blast.  There’ s something about seeing someone’s face when you talk to them. 

I was so proud of her.  Her flights were all screwed up but she made it, and, though a lot later than anticipated, she arrived and is settled in.  She called me “Hanoi” time Sunday morning - Saturday night here, to wish me happy Father’s Day.  She rocks!!!

It’s a pretty significant thing when, as a pastor, church members name their children after you.  I’ve never had that happen.  However, this past week, I had a goat named after me.  Kinda got to me if you know what I mean - I love them Byrd kids! 

Matt is right on.  This is what I was saying yesterday.  I’m always asked how did our church get so missional and global . . . where are your sermon series on that, etc., The answer is by doing it - it isn’t found in a class - it’s found in the field.  Matt ties this to his small group ministry and it’s really good.  Proud of you Matt - keep rockin’ little Texas bro!

THE SHOW - for May 19, 2009 - Guest Matt Carter from Todd Rhoades on Vimeo.

Whether you agree with his politics or not – no if ands or buts about it – President Jimmy Carter is a very, very sharp man.  He knows his stuff – so if you disagree with him – you’d better know yours.  He doesn’t speak from opinion or preference when it comes to international affairs, but history, accords, maps – all of it.  I was with him and a small group of people, of which Ron Sider was there, Lynne Hybels, Jim Wallis, Ambassador Andrew Young, Greg Khahil and others.  We were talking about the whole Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

Obviously, I was there because of domain engagement and what that can look like for churches in terms of people-to-people projects, etc.  I also met with some churches that want to work there and are trying to get our tracks laid so others can follow.  It’s exciting.  President Carter told me he’d like to come to our church and hear me preach – I told him “No way, I want you to come and preach.” 

Been thinking a lot about inter-faith – the word describing how we relate to other faiths.  I think there are three words that have described its evolution, and a fourth I would propose.  There were Muslims and Jews with us – and we spoke on interfaith. 

First, in reflecting since the meeting, historically people have focused on “My Faith.”  All the world is see through my personal faith, values, and worldview.  My agenda is to get every person to see life through my lens.  Even though people try that – it hasn’t happened in the history of humanity.

Second, “One Faith.”  This was the idea of universalists and liberals – we are all on the same path.  All roads lead to God.  This is still advanced by an older, declining group in interfaith circles.  The goal is minimize our differences, come around where we can agree, and hopefully build a kind of “human faith” that all religions subscribe to.

Third, “Inter-faith.”  Historically, as I’ve heard Eboo Patel talk about and others with his organization, it meant liberalism and syncretism.  Not anymore.  It’s beyond tolerance, and even respect, to collaboration.  How do we work together in this world?

Page 4 of 5 pages « First  <  2 3 4 5 >