As you probably know already, we’re planning a little move (to Cambodia!) sometime this January.  You’ll find all the other details (like ”Why in the world?!”) on this site.  If you want the latest news, be sure to check out our most recent Newsletter.  

Thanks for dropping in, and may God bless you as you live all for One…

                                       Jonathan, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Isaac, Hannah, & Faith

Check out www.fireworksforfreedom.com for more info…

I posted my theme for the year – Listen — around my house.  So I’m on the watch for what God wants to teach me, and He seems to be drawing me to His Spirit.  I know He lives in me, and I’ve had an ongoing conversation with Him for years.  I ask for guidance, He guides. I ask for comfort, He comforts.  But I’m learning He is more than merely a candy machine, dispensing money or answers or happiness when I input some prayers.  He is Holy.  The Almighty God of the universe lives in us.  Sometimes I have forgotten what a big deal this actually is.  Let me also say that my education in the Spirit has been very humbling.  I’ve learned to reverence Him so much more – a powerful God who is not a toy to be played with.

God has always been there for me over the years, as a counselor Who I can trust, Who handles my emotions, and Who heals my soul.  But my relationship with Him as a person was rather emotion-less.  These past few months I’ve been on a journey to fall more in love with God.  I’ve gained this ridiculous longing for Heaven I’ve never had before.  Sure, I knew Heaven was perfect.  It was going to be fun.  But now, I see it differently.  God is there.  And I want to be with Him so much.  This world is so broken, but Heaven is whole.  God is there — that’s why it’s whole.  So I do feel I’m falling more in love with the Lord.  I am so grateful for all He’s done in my heart my entire life, and especially in this new year.  I hope to fall more in love with Him not just the rest of this year but all the years of my life.

P.S.  Some of what I’m learning I read in Francis Chan’s Forgotten God.

What do you think of using this slogan for a developing movement? A movement aimed at raising awareness and funds to combat sex slavery in Cambodia and Thailand? The idea would be to encourage folks to divert their 4th of July money, investing it in something that won’t end in a pile of burnt trash…

See Rapha House or the International Justice Mission for detailed discussions of the issues.

Meeting Khmer Family – Thank you for praying for a Khmer language tutor.  I’m not exactly sure how he got my number, but an older Khmer gentlemen contact me last week and is interested in serving as a language tutor!  He’s in his 60s, lived through the Khmer Rouge, came to Kansas City, and stayed.    He invited us over for lunch this weekend, stating this his wife is an excellent cook.  (I told him we had 4 little kids and might find babysitting for some, he said, “No, no, you bring whole family, it is good.”  So, we’ve got our first family meal with them on Saturday!  Again, thanks so much for praying for this contact.

Germany –  I’ll be traveling to northern Germany in the near future, along with one of my teens.  We’ll be visiting with the Bratchers (a family Red Bridge supports), visiting and speaking in schools, etc.  I’ll also be sharing some devotional thoughts with the teenagers at the church there in Hildesheim.  And I’ve already warned the Bratchers: I will be picking their brains about moving a family across cultures.  What’s it like?  Struggles?  Things to watch out for?  

Name Your Kid Haggai – Of all the books in the Bible, God’s recently been using Haggai to get my attention.  I know, right?  Anyways, I recently had the opportunity to preach at Red Bridge on Haggai.  If you’re interested, the message can be downloaded from the Media section of our website. 

Teenagers – Please pray for Red Bridge as we continue to ponder options.  I’ve recently begun spending time in and around the Marlborough neighborhood, hanging out at the Marlborough Center (talk about cross-cultural!), meeting other believers in the community.  Please pray that God will pave the way for the planting of a strong worshipping community right there in the heart of Marlborough.  He never moved out of the neighborhood, and I know he wants the hearts of people. 

Thank you all for your continued encouragement and prayers, and may God richly bless you as you find your role in obedience to the Great Call.

all for ONE,

Jonathan T.