Here I am, Lord.

Tonight an old sweet hymn came back in my mind. A hymn that spoke of the faith of generations past, of men of great faith, of God's blessing far stewn along the way and a desire to be found faithful amongst a cloud of unseen witnesses who represent generations gone by.

Our Father, by whose servants,
Our School was built of old,
Whose hand has crowned Thy children,
With blessings manifold;
For Thy unfailing mercies,
Far strewn along our way,
With all who passed before us,
We praise Thy name today.

They reaped not where they laboured,
We reap what they have sown;
Our harvest may be garnered,
By ages yet unknown.
The days of old have dowered us
With gifts beyond all praise,
Our Father make us faithful
To serve the coming days.

Before us and beside us,
Still holden by Thy hand,
A cloud of unseen witness,
Our elder comrades stand;
One family unbroken,
We join in one acclaim;
One heart, one voice uplifting
To glorify Thy name.

One family of Saints. in one acclaim and one voice uplifting pursuing a single vision of glorifying the name of God. Well, if you've rightly guessed, this is Saint Andrew's Junior College Hymn. Oh the height and the depth of meaning in this hymn. This hymn came to mind as I thought of the great cloud of witnesses of men and women of faith who have passed on to glory. As I'm studying the Kings and Prophets, I studied the unfaithful kings of Israel and some of the outstanding Kings of Judah who did right before the eyes of the Lord, who walked steadfast with the Lord, whose heart were entirely His and I cannot help but ask for a steadfast heart, boldness and courage to walk as the kings of Judah and not pursuing after things that seem right before mine own eyes.

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. -2 Chron 16:9

God is looking and calling. May we be constantly found saying the same words as many great men of faith.

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, " Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." -Gen 22:1

God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, " Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am."-Gen46:12

When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." -Exo3:4

that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, " Here I am."-1Sam3:4

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"-Isa6:8

"But if He should say thus, ' I have no delight in you,' behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him."-2Sam15:26 (David speaking concerning finding favour with the Lord)

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."- Acts9:10

"Here I am. Send me!"

Never Too Young

An article I read tonight that was encouraging. I hope we will aspire to do great things for God, regardless of our age. Don't wait til you're older, coz you'll probably be have missed out of all those years when you could have made a greater difference. Beginning to assume a conscious leadership now is the right time.

It's summertime here at the Atlanta office. And with summer comes the heat. With summer around the EQUIP office, come the interns. You should see them. About a dozen collegians with smiling faces and energy to burn, trying to learn more about leadership development in this unique ministry - birthed by John Maxwell less than five years ago.

One of the things I enjoy so much about daily working in a leadership culture like EQUIP, is the constant focus on mentoring young people in leadership. In fact, EQUIP's devoting a lot of time and resources these days to preparing tomorrow's leaders (from junior high to post graduate students) to be the best leaders they can be. Leadership mentors like Tim Elmore and Dick Wynn speak, write, and represent EQUIP all over North America pouring their experiences into the lives of students who want to be people of influence.

For cynics whom believe today's emerging leaders are categorically not leaders at all, or simply disrespectful, inept, or lacking poise, Tim Elmore is putting the brakes on that kind of thinking. In fact, Tim's research in his new book "Developing the Leader Within Your Child" (Thomas Nelson Publishers) uncovers a "millennial generation" of kids (born since 1984) that believe they can actually change the world. Tim says, "This is a generation of kids which has seen the selfishness of their parents, personally experienced the heartache of mom and dad getting divorced, the absence of their parents from home life, the short-term high of materialism, and generally fuzzy-headed ideas about life. The millennial have concluded, 'Their must be a better way.'

Tim and Dick are talking to kids all over North America. In fact, last year they spoke on dozens of high school and college campuses driving home one basic point: You can make a difference as a leader wherever you are! They tell me that the kids are responding positively representing a generation which thinks it can change the world!

Not too long ago, Dick gave me a list of what he called "emerging leader accomplishments." If anyone thinks, today's leaders can't make a difference tomorrow, they need only look back at some of history's handful of influencers who rolled up their sleeves, some even as teenagers, and made a difference. For instance:

- Einstein wrote his first paper on the theory of relativity when he was 16

- Mozart compose his first symphony at age 6

- Joan of Arc led 300 French knights in the Battle of Orleans when she was 17

- George Williams founded the YMCA when he was 23

- Lloyd Braille developed the Braille system for the blind at age 12

- George Whitfield drew thousands to the church he pastored at age 21

- J. Hudson Taylor started China Inland Mission when he was in his early thirties

- John Wesley birth Methodism at 17

- John Calvin started pastoring at age 17

- Josiah revitalized Israel at age 20

- David was anointed King of Israel when he was 15

Walking around the EQUIP office today are young interns who want to make a difference. They're hungry for leadership development. For them, the future is bright. But equally bright is the future of those of who will take the time to mentor and love them. Only God knows, but just a few feet outside my door today, is another emerging leader God's preparing to make a difference in this world.

I think I'll take a walk around today, find one, and offer them encouragement. It's what leaders do!

Dr. John D. Hull

President, EQUIP

4725 River Green Parkway

Duluth, GA 30096

678 225-3308 PH

678 225-3349 FX

John.Hull@equiporg.org

www.equiporg.org

Reflections on Sin

Sin in life is like a miry bog, a quick sand that threatens to devour me more completely the more I struggle. With each failed attempt, hope wanes dimmer as my heart is crushed in fatigue and paralysed in fear and worry.

Perhap akeen to being caught in a bog, unless someone comes along and offers a helping hand - there is no hope, not in my effort. Yet it takes great humility to accept such help. How often have I took the long route, fell til I am broken, before I was willing to take up the hand that is always there for me - ready to help. Such is sin and such is my pride.

Change my heart O, Lord
Make it ever true
Change my heart O, Lord
May I be like you.

You are the potter Lord
I am the clay
Make me and mold me
This is what I pray.

Sunrise Service 2007

have not blogged in a while since I started my own japanese journal.
僕の日本語が悪いのに、もう決めて書いた。頑張るつもりだ。

anyway, check out the new operation chiangmai blog, courtesy of Bro Nat who allowed us to be hosted on his gen12 site. There you'll find prayer updates and events in the days to come.

Operation Chiangmai Blog

This week looks to be terrible as the last week leading up to reading week. Tomorrow is my Japanese oral exam, Friday is my game design project due and presentation, also got a gaming essay due then. Followed by a Game Lab due next week. All relatively undone. Pray for strength, peace, courage and a sound mind.