GlocalNet

Wow, what a morning.  Here at the World Islamic Forum sponsored by Brookings and the Sheikh of Doha—they brought us as together as faith leaders.  I met an Egyptian Muslim who views development and engagement much like I do.  He’s the equivalent of a “televangelist” yet he’s Muslim.  I explained what we’d done in Afghanistan and asked how he would feel partnering on different projects—he was very open.  We ate lunch together and really connected.  I’m convinced the future will not be us showing up doing our thing, but living the life of Jesus as we connect to see radical transformation in the world.  We will not do it apart from other religions, but respectful all the while not compromising who and what we believe.  This was illustrated by an Assembly of God pastor and an Imam from Nigeria who used to literally fight one another.  God convicted the pastor; they started a ministry of reconciliation.  It reflects Jesus and is good for the church.  Globalization, communication, all of this has, for good or bad, put us in the same playing field.  We need not fear the power of the Gospel to stand strong on its feet around other “religions” - it was born out of Judaism, in a polytheistic Roman empire.  The Grand Mufti of Bosnia was in our meeting.  He said he was so tired of meetings and inter-faith dialogue.  It was time to move beyond that to moving to doing some projects together.  Sweat equity is what we need.

I got to visit with Ambassador Zalmay Khalilizad—one of my heroes.  He’s an American Afghan who is now is the Ambassador to the UN.  President Karzai speaks tonight.  Last year’s conference was good, but this one is even better. 

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Rabbi Peter Knobel—he also would like to partner in some type of ministry.  All of us agreed, our faith should be active and we should be at the forefront of leading out in peace.  Can you imagine it, Jew, Muslim, Christian, African, Egyptian, Palestinian, and American—all of us wanting to do something together.  None of us wanting to be Universalist—all of us committed to our faith—every one of us willing to try to make a difference. 

I’ll write as I can - those of you who know me well know how hard it is for me to sit still . . . but so far so good. 

HEY YOU GUYS WHO GOT FREE BOOKS LAST WEEK - GIMME SOME GOOD REVIEWS ON THE MULTIPLYING CHURCH!!!!!!