Bohemian Wonderings

Getting a Grip on Spiritual Formation

Brno - Sounds a little mystical doesn't it? Maybe a little too mystical for conservative evangelicals. When I set out to study spiritual formation this year there were mixed feelings. Something within me resonated with the inner workings of the Holy Spirit in my life. Another part of me said "Don't be a kook!" In the past year I have read about 3,000 pages and taken a two-week residency devoted to spiritual formation. After all that I found it difficult to write a "spiritual theology" to inform and influence my life and ministry. Now what is up with that? I consider myself to possess at least average intelligence but couldn't get a grip on spiritual formation?

Early Snow

Brno - We had our first real snow this morning. I've heard the Eskimos have many words for snow but my snow vocabulary is limited. Hey, I am an adopted Floridian after all! Our snow began with a light rain. By mid-morning the flakes were large and lazy, plummeting to the ground in clumps. As the air temperature warmed the snow abated.

The Word of God

Brno - Readability or elegance? Words or thoughts? Translation or interpretation? God's Word or man's? Literalness or contemporaneity? It really is a hard choice to make.

Are you ever overwhelmed and confused by the proliferation of translations and versions of the Bible available? I am and I have an undergraduate degree in biblical studies, an M.Div. (the standard professional degree for pastors), an advanced research degree in New Testament (Th.M.). Plus I have done post-graduate work at a few of North America's finest evangelical seminaries. Now I'm half way through a professional doctoral program (D.Min.) at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. By most standards I would say that I'm fairly well trained for what I do.

Vanity, Absurdity and Contentment

Brno (Evangelical Fellowship) - It is my privilege, from time to time, to preach at our "home base" church. Though it fills me with joy on the one hand because this is the first church we helped Czechs to establish and we have a sense that we are parents in Christ to them, it fills me with dread on the other because I know, even after fifteen years, my Czech imperfections will be on public display for all to see (and listen to on MP3 for the next generation). Now you must know that I take teaching and preaching very seriously, much more so now that I am older than I did when I was younger.

As a young preacher I often had "Saturday night sweats" because of a looming date with the pulpit.

Designing the Plane in Flight

Vranov, CZ -- Sometimes we feel like we are designing an airplane in mid-flight. Why? Because, there is no step-by-step instruction manual for "How to Launch a National Church Planting Movement." Thankfully, there are others throughout Central and Eastern Europe helping to facilitate church multiplication and movements leading to saturation church planting. So, it is important for us to meet together regularly.

Spirit of Summer

Brno - Ah! We did enjoy time with our family in Florida this June. The highlight for me was helping Jack, our eldest grandson (age 31/2), learn to swim. Once, sequestered in our bedroom, trying to complete reading assignments for an upcoming doctoral seminar, Jack pops into the room, jumps around on the bed, settles in beside me and asks "So, Pop Pop, what do you want to talk about?" Thinking quickly, I offer to share my pretzel snacks with him. Thus begins our special time of interaction we called "Boy Club Time." Jack's favorite boy club activity is cleaning out the garage with Pop Pop.

God's Finger Prints

Litomerice - We are in Litomerice, The Garden of Bohemia, with Pavel Kalous and the Ichthys congregation. With us are the members of the English Camp team from Wichita, KS. I have to say my heart is full of joy for their ministry partnership. God is working in them and through them to do something special here in this small town north of Prague. You know, God sometimes gets more credit than he deserves. Let me try to explain. For example, something bad happens and people say "Why did God allow this to happen?" He didn't do it but he gets the blame. All to often we fail to see what God is really up to. Well, let me tell you, God is up to something in the ministry here.

24h Results

Brno - Since I posted the notice of "24 Hours the Tough Way" I thought you would be interested in the results. Here is an update on what happened and how God worked through your prayers and their service. I trust it will thrill your hearts as it does mine.

24 Hours The Tough Way

Brno - Friends, I have some heros in the Czech Republic. If you have heard me speak then you have heard me mention the student ministry among university students. This ministry actively and aggressively shares the good news about Jesus in four different cities on multiple campuses. Starting this evening they are hosting a creative, evangelistic adventure. I thought you may want to read and pray for them and the men who will participate. Following is a description of the event in the words of Josef Pavlinak, director of Christian Education and Life (KVZ).

My Three Radkas

Brno - My three friends Radka. Yes, Radka is a common name here in the Czech Republic. I’ve already introduced you to my one friend named Radka. Radka #1 and I mostly work out together at the gym a couple times a week after her workday is finished. Sometimes we stay afterwards for a cup of coffee, not that I want the caffeine that late in the day but because it gives me a chance to talk to Radka without the loud music of the gym and the other distractions associated with working out . . . like breathing heavy and sweating. Although we have discussed spiritual issues, we mostly have talked about moral issues – lying to your husband, being a faithful wife (husband), abortion, etc.