Been trying for an hour to think of something profound to say.  Old habits die slowly.  The past few days have been bouncy.  I’ve had some wonderful connections with God and with people, and one major incident that left me hurt and confused.  (Wish I could tell you about it, but I’m afraid it would only add to the confusion.)

Martin Luther said, “Where God builds a church, the enemy soon builds a chapel.”   That’s probably the case.  Bobo spent yesterday with me.  I’ve known him since he was a ten year old kid, and now at nineteen he’s a gifted musician and worship leader with the tender heart of a servant.   I’ll bet God sent him my way just to encourage me.   He does things like that.

Last night we had a farewell party for Laura, a small gathering of old friends who have worked and played together since 1998. We’ve been through thick and thin, heaven and hell, and become like a family in the process. And this particular gathering felt especially sweet as we laughed and cried over the shared stories.

I can’t imagine the comraderie of soldiers in battle being any sweeter and tighter than the love among missionaries who serve together over the long haul. It’s one of the great rewards of serving the Kingdom in uncharted territory. And it’s sad to think of leaving such wonderful companions so soon.

Jenny, Merle, Dani, Laura, (Me), and Carolyn

“First you own things, and then things own you.” I started packing up my apartment this week, picking through letters, keepsakes, and balls of string while my friends are in town visiting over coffee. I REALLY want to be free from the tyranny of this stuff.

“Take care to keep yourselves free from the desire for property; for a man’s life is not made up of the number of things which he has.” (Luke 12:15)

I just did a little re-write of “Random Thoughts” (August 10). Too much attitude in the original post, and I’m not sure how accurately it portrayed the Father. Old stereotypes die slowly, and I suppose I’ll always be wrestling with that prideful know-it-all who’s forever trying to take over my body.

Some new and old friends at the dinner table.

Been thinking about these global-warming-catastophic-weather-change-disasters, and wondering if we’re not approaching it from exactly the wrong direction. Obviously God has commissioned us to care for the earth, and abusing it will inevitably invite disaster. But in generations past these sorts of things would lead us to examine ourselves and ask God, “Why?”

Today’s media, and most of our global warming gurus have removed God from the picture entirely. And I’m afraid many of us in the Christian community are likely to fall into one of two errors: Either we become discipled by media and pass over the fact that our tender, yet almighty Father is intimately involved in His universe. Or we take the religious bail-out and presume that global warming is just another inevitable sign of the times: why should we care about these things when Jesus will surely be returning in the next couple of years, anyway?

Hopefully we’ll find a better, more Biblical approach.

Clay, Graham, and I launched a guys discipleship group this week. Five Bosnian believers, three of us Americans, and Terry (a dear Brit friend), in attendance. And it was a great kick-off. Lots of good discussion, prayer, and Spirit-life running through the group. I’m very hopeful, and ever encouraged with the growth I see in Alen, Alen, (remember there are two of them), Ahmed, George, and Kenan.

It’s probably not too soon to mention that I’ll be leaving Sarajevo the beginning of October, and possibly not returning. I’m still committed to missions and making disciples of the nations, but I’ll be spending six months in the States on a furlough of sorts while I ask the Lord to talk to me about the next step. It won’t be easy to leave so many dear friends, nor to give up the small apartment that’s become home for me. So your prayers will be appreciated.