Road Trip Playlist 2014 #3

Review June 7...

Before I posted yesterday's update, I said that I was waiting to get into T-Mobile to get a US phone number.  After 2 hours, no luck; after checking out of the hotel, and picking up the rental car, I found an AT&T where I had he same bad luck.  For some crazy reason, my unlocked phone begins to accept a US signal, and then kicks it off as unsupported SIM card.  I'll try to get help Momday at the Fresno Mac store.

Well, that frustration chewed up a large part of the day, but I was able to get safely to Modesto where I had dinner with Pastor Brian Smith and a couple if the Evagelism & Outreach committee members of North Modesto ChoG.  Pastor Brian and I met years ago in Alabama, but I got to know him better after he allowed me to share with their leaders in December 2011.  In fact, their commitment on the next morning began a flood of support commitments within a few hours that put us over the top of our goal and enabled us to begin in Egypt in January 2012.  The congregation has been active I having me share by Skype and a video message in their last two Faith Promise events which have helped to support a lot of global and local outreach ministry.  North Modesto was also instrumental in generous giving to provide the way for a group of Egyptian young adults to go to last summer's Ana Terzo camp in Lebanon, which was a huge blessing last year.

So I'm excited for the opportunity to share with the congregation in person today, June 8--but before I get too far ahead, let's introduce today's playlist song...

Disclaimer: 

The views, opinions, antics, and behavior of <insert artist name here>

or those same represented within their song <insert song title here>

or of their record label, affiliates, or any other fan base

are NOT necessarily the views, opinions, antics or behavior of the Oldham Family,

Three Worlds, Church of God Ministries, Church of God doctrine,

or any other related Christian or organization;

it's merely a song, on a blog post, 

so read the rest of the post to find out what strange meaning Ken is drawing from it. :)

and now..., continuing with the 2014 Playlist...

Sundays on the Playlist will have a few of our favorite worship songs from the last year, and that list has to begin with Matt Redman and "10,000 Reasons".

We have tried to always be aware of our blessings, but we are ever more aware as we live and serve in throughout Europe & the Middle East.  This song gives us an opportunity to worship The Lord as we consider any number of them.

After worship with North Modesto, I'll head south to Fresno, where I will share with First ChoG--then I'll get to stay with good friends of Keli's parents.

I hope your day of worship is a day of blessing--no matter where you, or what you are singing. :)

Road Trip Playlist 2014 #2

Review of June 6:

fortunately, the only remarkable thing about the 30 hour marathon yesterday was what didn't happen.  I fully expected more of a questioning and search of luggage at US border control--this is what I experienced over a year ago.  I got pulled aside, all luggage searched, a million questions with every answer written down; including, 

"are you still married?" 

And, "are you going back to your family in Cairo?"

And, "have you associated with any known terrorists?"

But upon arrival yesterday, 2 or 3 questions, no search, no fuss. Weird.

Arriving in US I was overwhelmed.  The Minneapolis St Paul airport is a nice, mall-like environment--I was overwhelmed with sensory overload as I could understand everything around me. It was so loud.  Fortunately, there was a designated "quiet seating area" that I was able to find--no one around and I was able to fall asleep for over an hour in the comfy chairs while on a 5-hour layover.  Much needed.

I got to the hotel easily, after midnight pacific standard time.  I was able to fall asleep relatively quickly and woke up at 7am.  I found a t-mobile store within a half mile so I decided to shower and walk toward it.  I found a IHOP along the way and enjoyed a little breakfast.  The tmobile doesn't open till 10, but there was a Panera across the street - yay free wifi.  So this opportunity to post is sponsored in part by the late opening of tmobile and Panera. :)

But enough of the past--what's in store for today--and more importantly, what's the song of today...

Disclaimer: 

The views, opinions, antics, and behavior of <insert artist name here>

or those same represented within their song <insert song title here>

or of their record label, affiliates, or any other fan base

are NOT necessarily the views, opinions, antics or behavior of the Oldham Family,

Three Worlds, Church of God Ministries, Church of God doctrine,

or any other related Christian or organization;

it's merely a song, on a blog post, 

so read the rest of the post to find out what strange meaning Ken is drawing from it. :)

and now..., continuing with the 2014 Playlist...

After a 30 hour day of traveling across multiple timezones from Cairo to Sacramento, I'm enjoyin my iced vanilla coffee at Panera while battling waves of tiredness.  I've messaged Keli and they're well into early evening back home.  I need to wake up quickly to be ready to start sharing tonight with the North Modesto Church of God Outreach Committee, and then with their congregation tomorrow morning.

So, the song, "Wake Me Up" by Avicii, seems appropriate.  It's a fun tune that expresses a popular sentiment--the idea of getting passed the moment we're in and being able to look back with greater appreciation or wisdom of whatever we're going through.  I'm looking forward to looking back on all the miles and visits by myself and being with my family again--but until then, The Lord is with me in the moment and there is adventure, and life, and opportunity around me if I but open my heart to Him and my eyes to the world around me.

What plans are there for your weekend?

Road Trip Playlist 2014 #1

Over a year ago, I had to return to the States for a Heart for Lebanon Board of Directors meeting--going back to the US from Cairo is not cheap nor easy, and to make the most of the journey, I added time to see as many of our support churches as I could.  In two weeks, I think I logged over 2000 miles from the Midwest into the Southeast and back again.

As I begin our family's first home assignment, I get a head start, seeing support churches in California and Arizona (and a little preview trip to Oregon) before seeing my wife in Oklahoma City for the annual North American Convention (NAC) of the Church of God (ChoG); that will be 18 days without family, and a lot of miles on the road and in the air.  It will be several more days before I see my kids again.  That's tough to take because I love my family and love having them near--I worry about them and wonder what they're doing constantly.

In 2013, to help keep a record of my journey, as well as to give my mind a break from worrying about my family, I posted a daily playlist post, highlighting a song that related to something about my journey.  Okay, sometimes it doesn't relate to the road trip at all--and shame on me, not all the songs are from "Christian" artists, nor do all contain "Christian" lyrics or themes--so, it's appropriate to add this disclaimer...

Disclaimer: 

The views, opinions, antics, and behavior of <insert artist name here>

or those same represented within their song <insert song title here>

or of their record label, affiliates, or any other fan base

are NOT necessarily the views, opinions, antics or behavior of the Oldham Family,

Three Worlds, Church of God Ministries, Church of God doctrine,

or any other related Christian or organization;

it's merely a song, on a blog post, 

so read the rest of the post to find out what strange meaning Ken is drawing from it. :)

and now..., without any further delay, the 2014 Playlist...

One of my favorite songs of the past year has been "Counting Stars" by One Republic -- it begins with this line, "Lately I've been losing sleep..."  This is appropriate for today's marathon journey which will be nearly 30 hours or more from the time I leave home and arrive ready to crash onto a hotel bed.

But one reason I'm drawn to this song is in the line, "we'll be counting stars."  In Revelation 1, John's vision of the Risen Christ is One who holds seven stars in his hand, among seven lamp stands; in verse 20, it is revealed that these seven stars are the angels or messengers of the seven churches.  As a pastor, I have always found a bit of comfort in the possibility that the One who calls us also holds us in His hand as He ministers His Word through us.  

As we have ministered for nearly 20 years, one of the things God has been doing through us from the beginning is inspiring and equipping young ministers.  We're not world class evangelists or leaders, but God has called many to His Kingdom service through us.  That's part of the call that was issued to us to come work in this region, that we would help raise up more young pastors and leaders in this part of the world.  We're not out here making "dollars," but I like to think--we pray--that we'll be "counting stars" held in the hands of the Risen Christ who will be great evangelists and leaders for the Kingdom.

That may sound pretty cheesy--probably has some bad theology in there too--but that thought inspires me when I hear this song.  This song is full of layered personal meaning for me; like I said, one of my favorites from the last year.  If you don't like my personal inspiration--what do you take away from it?

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, support, and interest in what we're doing.  Check back each day to see the next song in this Playlist.  Please pray for all of us--for traveling mercy, and for wisdom in sharing with each of you we meet along the way...and, don't forget to...

#PrayForEgypt

#PrayForLebanon