Wednesday, June 11, 2008

J.B.C. Commencement speaker

When asked who they wanted as their Commencement Speaker, the 2008 Graduating Class of Jubilee Bible College asked to hear Pastor Dick Bernal for inspiration.

During his charge to the graduating students--I couldn't believe my ears!--Pastor intimated the exact idea that I wrote in Andrew Le's Hallmark graduation card: "...press-in; don't give up..."

Friday, May 09, 2008

Burma's cyclone | Some observations

The deadly cyclone, Nargis, swept through Burma last weekend and tens of thousands are missing; tens of thousands (probably many more) have died. A million people are homeless.

The worst hit area is the large Irrawaddy Delta (below, in dark blue). This is Burma's rice breadbasket. Burma's old capital, Rangoon, is also flooded.

I've noticed General Than Shwe, Burma's junta leader, and the rest of the military leadership have by and large stayed out of public view. (They're probably holed-up in the new capital, Naypyidaw, which may not have been affected by the cyclone.)

Mrs. Obregon and I have traveled extensively along the Burma/Thai frontier and served in the refugee camps that dot the frontier. *Sigh* I wish President Bush would dispatch us --we know our way around that area and have developed our own contacts with the KNLA and KNU (Karen National Liberation Army, and its political arm, Karen National Union.)This is the fundamental problem: Burma is a police state, their army and police are strictly designed for security functions. That's it. Disaster relief is left to the communities themselves, and, to brave NGO's (non-governmental organizations, like for instance, Regions Beyond-USA, World Aid, or Jubilee Christian Center, and the like).

The missionary inside us fears malaria, dengue fever, and hepatitis outbreaks that could be spread by mosquitoes, dirty water, and very, very poor sanitation conditions.

Burma's military junta needs to take off their military caps, humble themselves, accept Western expertise and begin to think like stewards of their country to make plans to help their masses of displaced people, and control outbreaks of disease.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Burma's cyclone path

Mrs. Obregon and I learned that Saturday's cyclone killed more than 22,000 Burmese. Indeed, the U.S.A., a Christian nation, is mobilizing to help a Buddhist nation. Our U.S. Navy, with its global omni-presence, is already in the Gulf of Thailand.

Geo & Virginia have many Christian friends in Burma's sprawling refugee camps along the Burma/Thai frontier.

Outside assistance is good but it will expose the full extent of the disaster and the inadequacy of the Burmese government's response.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Beautiful Moon; Beautiful Angel

Our two favourite daughters in Ho Chi Minh City, Beautiful Moon and Beautiful Angel (and we have a daughter in Nha Trang, too). Beautiful Moon just graduated with a degree in Landscape Design; Beautiful Angel is a micro business loan officer. Mrs. O and I are seated downstairs in a spare room of the A.G. church during a break in the Leadership Conference.Beautiful Moon was our assigned pointman for K-TEAM while in Ho Chi Minh City. Beautiful Angel, on the other hand, was assigned as pointman last year, on J-TEAM. When deployed overseas, God always assigns us the best help possible.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Feng Shui ("fung shway") | Jubilee Vietnam

For thousands of years the Chinese have studied the dynamic relationship between humans and the surrounding environment. It is called "Feng Shui" and it helps in making adjustments to our surroundings in order to create harmony........indeed this Jubilee hand-out photo shows, Caleb, Geo, and David Bui. We three have studied the dynamic relationship between humans and the surrounding environment: groups of humans fellowshipping downstairs in the Jubilee galley, --this is the art of perfect placement.

We are the ones we've been waiting for!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

R.I.P. Charlton Heston

On Sunday, Charlton Heston died. He was 84.

The man who played and epitomized Moses--and for whom Pastor Dick Bernal often alluded to from the pulpit on Sunday's and in the pages of his published books--was the last of the old school patriotic Hollywood actors. Lordy, he was a fine actor and a fine American. Charlton Heston was also terrific in the Sci-Fi classics like, Planet of the Apes and Soylent Green, --anyone remember those?I mourn the death of Heston. He was a good American, oh, yes, a consummate total actor: Heston could play any part, from Moses, John the Baptist, even a washed up NFL football player. I wish Heston could just once have declared in one of his movies:

"Aaron, give me my staff, that the Lord hath given me, so that I may smite those Leftists."

Hollywood now is forcing upon us lightweights like George Clooney and Brad Pitt. (Clooney has another bomb on his list of failed movies.) Why are these men "movie stars"?

Mr. Heston:
You were the best actor of two generations. Thank you for all your great performances over the years. As you walk through the pearly gates of heaven, please notice the gentleman sitting at the table to the right. Ronald Reagan frequents that table and meets new friends. Please tell him I say hello.

Well sir, Heaven just acquired another great film actor. And now you can see the Burning Bush in real life.

After-action (K-Team)

Vietnam's Assemblies of God Leader, Rev. S., was able to sit in on 2 of our 4 meetings. His wife is shown seated, above. Above, Samuel Lam introduces K-Team.

Do you see the metal door behind Rev. S. that is behind the orange curtains? On the last day of the Conference, Virginia and I had to climb and sneak into the sanctuary--thru that 3rd story door--in order to stay out of sight of the local policia who, from time to time, kept an eye out for foreigners at the front of the church.

The rest of K-Team was at another meeting location).

(All the while I was reminded of the American pop song, Secret Agent Man.)

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Christian faith & practice

Those familiar with Christianity, and Jubilee's missionary history realize that Christ is the greatest liberator of mankind.

Indeed, God's presence fills the hearts of people wherever Christian faith and practice meet.

Thank you! --for sending us.

Pastor of the sheep

We have 3 churches on our Silicon Valley campus: the JCC main Church, our Spanish Church, and our Vietnam Church. Whoever preaches to the masses on Sunday morning, the prime focus of the worship service is the sermon.

Each of us congregants is expected to encounter Jesus not only in the bread and wine, but in the spoken word. To this observer, the theology of the sermon is the word of God --a declaration of God's will, and it is received as such by those of us in the pews.

Therefore the sermon should not be flippant, or contain half-thoughts, or angry prejudices from one's mind.

It is a frightfully serious thing to mislead the people of God.

Your Pastor's sermons

When the sermons of your Pastor are turned into campaign ads by your opposition --your presidential campaign is on very rocky shoals, in grave danger of running aground.

~

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

While serving Christ in Vietnam

Imagine my surprise: that while serving Christ in Vietnam, I discovered that Prince Harry was serving his country in Afghanistan.

I couldn't believe it.

While waiting for the Hotel front desk to retrieve my room key, I glanced down at the nearby table and eyed a British newspaper, left by some Brit, apparently, and there was Prince Harry --in all his glory, wearing his distinctive British desert camo fatigues, holding an M-16, (not the later image above). His picture filled the entire first page of that British newspaper!

It was a revelation to this missionary that Prince Harry had been courageously serving in Afghanistan for 3 months. (When the British papers mistakenly released the news of his deployment, Harry had to return to England). Prince Harry should be applauded by all citizens who believe that the war against Islamo-terrorism is vital to our free world.

This is amazing to me. The last time I remember learning of Prince Harry in the news was when he was busted by his father (and the British media) for wearing a Nazi armband to a British nightclub. (Does anyone remember that?)

I can forgive youthful indiscretions. We've all done crazy things in our youth; but this Harry chap is a credit to his nation!

Harry's bravery reminds this grateful American citizen that the Briitish warrior spirit is still alive and well --because, my gosh, he must've been a bullet magnet to terrorists everywhere.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

I love the 80s

Hey, --the 1980s are back! -- Sylvester Stallone has prepped another Rambo movie. Not only that, Chuck Norris is an Internet icon and is donating his time for a presidential candidate, (and even Mr. T is doing commercials!)

I loved the decade of the 80s: Faith Bible College for Virginia and me, getting our Great Commission calling from God, Jubilee Christian Center's formative years, --and, stonewashed jeans!

And, think about it, even in the new millennium these tough-guy actors are still as ripped as they were 20 years ago!

Conservative men are cool.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Everytime the wind blows

In the coming weeks Americans will choose only 2 finalists in the job search for the most important CEO position on planet earth. Mrs. O and I believe that leadership/character traits are more important than technical knowledge of, say, foreign policy or economics. But these seem to get all the attention.

These and other things can distract us from the real issue of examining a candidate's fitness.

I remember a long time ago (when Jubilee was across the street in our old sanctuary) Virginia and I were in a Home Fellowship Group leader's meeting, and Pastor and Doug & Danae Roberts called a meeting to invite couples to become "captains" in the H.F.G. During the course of the meeting one of the cell leaders blurted out, "Pastor, I really love you brother, if you were running for President I'd vote for you."

We all chuckled profusely--and it happened to be during a presidential election season--nevertheless everyone in the room instinctively knew that Pastor had this intangible quality to inspire and lead people.

And later, when Pastor asked an older Jubelite (a dentist) to start a Home Fellowship Group, this individual hesitated and told Pastor that he wasn't a Bible scholar. Pastor replied that he wasn't looking for a student of the Bible, --he was looking for a leader to lead a Home Fellowship Group. This was very telling, and I remember this exchange as if it happened yesterday.

If you think about it selecting a President has little to do with their having academic skills. Presidents have to learn a lot on the job, and must surround themselves with advisors much smarter than themselves anyway.

The candidate we want to vote for --has he had some good robust life experiences, personally and professionally? The presidency is a job for a kind of generalist. We never know what crisis or emergency will come calling, nor from what direction it will hit us. A generalist type of President will know the correct actions to take that make sense in whatever context it appears.

Oh, sure, there's something to be said for a candidate's style, grace and charisma, but those things don't take you very far in a showdown...

...How does the presidential candidate view our country? Liberty is America's greatest national asset. Therefore a President must be ruthless in guarding our nation from foreign enemies. Christian citizens should recall how 20-something David of old ruthlessly protected his sheep from lions in the wilderness.

Of all presidential attributes, the American people must see a leader who loves this duty, because if our homeland is threatened or breached --nothing else matters.

They're all colorfull candidates! But would the front-runners make good presidential leaders? Everytime the wind blows can a leader stay the course on his convictions? Lone Wolf Liberties is reminded of two leaders, one in recent memory and one today, unchanged by the direction of continual fierce blowing winds: President Ronald Reagan and President George Bush the Younger.

I hope they still make 'em today.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Reagan; Merry Christmas!



Merry Christmas! During this Christian season, throughout our fruited plain, men and a woman are presidential candidates to be the Leader of the Free World.

They should stop and listen to America's exponent of the shining city on a hill.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Parabolic encounters

In the spring of 1999 Virginia and I posited an idea that, in nature, the parabola, has correspondence with the gospel of Christ. The idea bears repeating.

The roots of the word parabola can be traced to the Greek word pa-rab-o-le literally meaning, “a comparison or metaphor.”

Curiously, the New Testament word “parable” shares the same Greek meaning: also a comparison! (This was a eureka moment for me, and it occurred when I was coding documents into a database as a temp in a Silicon Valley I.P. law firm, Skjerven Morrill MacPherson Franklin & Friel, just off the 101.)

When a basketball is thrown, it first rises, and then begins to fall. The curve it follows is a parabola. A satellite dish is a parabola. Its curve causes signals to reflect to a central focus. Reflection is a great property of the parabola, and we benefit from it all the time without thinking much about it.

Now, as missionaries, when we transmit faith across a foreign culture we believe that spiritual encounters follow a parabola. It is often problematic sharing Christ in a world dominated by materialism, modernism, mammon and other belief systems, nevertheless...

Each ray in the diagram symbolizes an individual (or possibly even a community of individuals). A ray strikes the parabola and is reflected to the focus.
The parabola is a type of Christian believer. The focus is a type of Christ.I believe that at the point where a ray strikes the parabola, an encounter between the hearer and the missionary has occurred. Even more importantly, at the exact point where the ray is reflected to the focus—the hearer has understood the meaning of Christ.

Salvation may well follow.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Jubilee Vietnam Church

My wife is shown here with her fans--the JVC Youth--and enjoys fellowship and lunch down in the Jubilee galley following the 11:00 AM service.

California's help from Baghdad

After returning from my meeting at Jubilee Christian Center with Fellee, I was happy to learn of a story out of Iraq, --but boycotted by the media.

It seems that a group of Iraqi soldiers in a military camp east of Baghdad collected $1,000.00 last week to send to my neighbors in southern California, affected by the recent wildfires.

Iraqi soldiers risking their lives everyday, --and still find the time to raise money for charity!

These Iraqis have so much class.

Hmm, let's see, how much did the European Union send?

If American soldiers and Marines are washouts and misfits that they have been made out to be by the mainstream media --why would local Iraqis dig into their pockets to assist American civilians?

Iraqis are indeed working with the finest America has to offer.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

A huge differential

This year Islam and Judaism's holiest holidays overlapped for 10 days.

But the differential between them was huge: Muslims racked up 397 dead bodies across 10 countries during Ramadan...while the Hebrews quietly worked on their 159th Nobel Prize.

~natural exponent

Friday, September 21, 2007

If mothers ruled the world

While catching up on world events on FOX News, I saw FOX's report on Sally Field's Emmy award acceptance speech. But FOX News had to bleep parts of it!

In her bleeped Emmy acceptance speech Sunday night, Sally Field said:

Let's face it, if mothers ruled the world, there would be no god_ _ _ n wars in the firstplace.

Wow; I could almost see fire coming out of her eyes.

But this is such false premise. Have you ever seen a mother's reaction when someone tries to come between her and her children? War comes to mind.

Natural Exponent would like to remind Sally Field that there have been female heads of state, mothers, who have waged war. This can be found in any High School history book:

Israel's Golda Meir, India's Indira Gandhi, and Britain's Maggie Thatcher. These 3 mothers waged war in defense of their nation's sovereignty.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Battle dogs

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Hornsby and his special security dog Lisa are hoisted into a helicopter during a canine-hoist training mission near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on July 15, 2007.

Lisa is attached to the 101st Air Assault Division.

Dogs - they truly do like us, don't they? I'm trying to imagine how poorer man would be without dogs.

.

Friday, July 20, 2007

An exponent of liberty

Edmund Burke
"I flatter myself that I love a manly, moral, regulated liberty as well as any gentleman... It is one of the gifts of Providence."

Monday, June 25, 2007

Long Live The Queen!

A firestorm has been sweeping across the Muslim world because H.M. Queen Elizabeth knighted the "infidel" Salman Rushdie.

Happily, free speech is a heritage of English-speaking nations.

I think that by knighting Rushdie, the Queen is honoring the freedom of conscience (and speech) that English-speaking nations love. That makes her a symbol of free thought. Indeed this is how one comes to Christ --through the free-speech efforts of the evangelist.

Long live the Queen!

Saturday, June 23, 2007

The Genuine Article II

Ho Chi Minh City: A pastor explains to me that his friend (at right, with his wife) has been jailed 6 times because of his Christian faith.

This underscored a hard reality to me: I do not know what it means to be a Christian, --and suffer its consequences. (He is the genuine article.)

(J-Team Vietnam::May 2007)

Friday, June 22, 2007

Solution to Illegal Immigration

If illegal aliens are here to do the jobs Americans won't do, maybe more could come to Jubilee Christian Center --George & Virginia could use more missionary candidates.

The Genuine Article

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Mrs. Obregon with a woman (left) who lives somewhere in the 10/40 drop zone.

This woman has had to live without her husband for 15 years—that’s how long he’s been imprisoned for his Christian faith. She sells cloth to make a living.

“I am uneducated, but God uses me,” she informs Virginia and me.

She goes on to inform us of the most astonishing fact—150 people worship at her house each Sunday. This woman has also seen minority tribesmen come to Christ in her country.

Her husband’s previous evangelistic efforts have resulted in 21 churches planted throughout her area.

(She is the genuine article.)

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Two Orchids of Vietnam

Above, First Lady Mrs. Lan Bui and First Lady Mrs. Virginia Obregon of J-Team, relax before our hectic back-to-back Prophetic Seminars in Ho Chi Minh City.

Our 5-man J-Team was composed of all Jubelites from Jubilee Christian Center, rare, since Virginia and I have always deployed to Vietnam with missionaries from different churches.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Love is in the Air

Upon returning from Vietnam on Tactical Team-J, Virginia and I shared with Jubilee Vietnam the same ideas that we delivered to Vietnam's church leaders, i.e., the love of our Father God.

Indeed, Mrs. Obregon is all too aware of the kinetic energy of a moving mass:

Therefore she sought help from me, Andrew Le, and Kevin Danh as the congregants melted under God's hand.

Love is in the air.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Greenpeace is building a god!


Environmental activists are building a replica of Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat--where the biblical vessel landed after the Great Flood.

According to AP from Istanbul:

Turkish and German volunteer carpenters are making the wooden ship on the mountain in eastern Turkey, bordering Iran. The ark will be revealed in a ceremony on May 31, a day after Greenpeace activists climb the mountain and call on world leaders to take action to tackle climate change.


~ Hmmm, does anyone doubt that global warming is a substitute religion?

Saturday, April 21, 2007

The data on mass murder


Virginia Tech Shooter
Originally uploaded by Geo & VO.
Mass murder is often the first serious crime unbalanced individuals are caught committing --this is the case of the Virginia Tech shooter.

But since the Fall of Adam there have always been deranged individuals. If someone is determined to commit mass murder there is usually very little that can be done to prevent it.

(Curious: NBC must be the network of choice for homocidal maniacs.)

Most of the time these creatures can't be locked up, until it's too late. You see, in the USA it's not against the law to be crazy. It's certainly
not against the law to be an unsociable loner.

Wait, he mailed a package? What? --on his way to murder as many people as he could he dropped off a package at the Post Office?

My head is spinning.

But another thing, if you study history general purpose sociopaths don't issue manifestos, --there is some sort of ideology involved here. I need more data on this creature.

But this is the experimental data we do have:

32 are dead at Virginia Tech...50 million dead from Roe v. Wade...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Young Laotian delegate, Bangkok

Virginia is seen here giving a wristwatch to a young Laotian, who was a delegate to the Missionary Symposium in Bangkok; March 2007.

We always take California-donated gifts on every deployment so that we may bless others with whom we meet and interact.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Assemblies of God school--Bangladesh


Virginia and I found the source of the tiny pitter-patter at the AGE Center in Bangladesh: children who are attending class served by the Assemblies of God.

We were surprised to learn that Muslim parents also send their children to this Christian school. They enroll their children because of the quality of education, even though Christian principles and the gospel are taught to all students.

The AGE Center contains a triad: a Christian school, a Bible college, and an A.G. Church.

This campus is a little larger than our Jubilee Christian Center admin campus in San Jose, California.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Easter at Jubilee Vietnam


Andrew Le >> JUBILEE VIETNAM
Originally uploaded by Geo & VO.
An amazing interpretation by Jubilee Bible College student, Andrew Le, of a folk song in the Vietnamese language that gave glory to the risen Christ --on Easter Sunday.

I was amazed that this young man knew and could sing the old school traditional Vietnamese folk music style.

Andrew delighted the Vietnamese senior citizens seated in the sanctuary.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Tactical Team-I in Bangladesh

Happy to report that our 4-man I-Team were guests at the Women's Ministry Dept. at the large Assemblies of God campus in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

During a break from our seminar Arise Deborah! I-TEAM sampled the curry chicken & rice served us; yum!

(About 40 women delegates were in attendance, some with their babies!)

Pastors Dennis & Martha Das had our delicious food prepared.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Arise Deborah! (I-Team)


In Dhaka, Bangladesh, our 4-man I-Team was attached to Ethnos Asia during the times that we ministered. Our womenfolk conducted a Deborah Seminar for Bangladeshi women at a local A.G. church.

Indeed, I requested to sit in on it to see how it went. Arise Deborah! is designed to educate Bangladeshi women to their rightful place in society, in their community, even in national life --as Christians.

Here, Virginia befriends a few of the 40 delegates who were interested in getting a closer look at an American woman who personifies the spirit of Deborah.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Religion of Piece(s)


Bangkok --our 2nd Home
Originally uploaded by Geo & VO.
An ice cream vendor was beheaded in Thai Muslim south.

As we prepare to deploy to Thailand on Tactical Team-I, I've learned that a Buddhist ice cream vendor was killed and his headless body left sitting on the bicycle seat of his cart in Thailand’s Muslim south.

The vendor, a 45-year-old Buddhist originally from the country’s north east, was shot three times in the back of his head while riding his cart into a Muslim village in Pattani.

They chopped his head off and walked away with it, leaving his body sitting on the ice cream bike’s seat.

How can there be a fatwa against ice cream?

No one in Arabia could make ice cream in Mohammed's day!

Happily, our Team will be lodging far north in Bangkok prior to our departure to Bangladesh.
~

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Full of oneself

“God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.”
—Dwight L. Moody

“Deflate yourselves.” —Dwight L. Obregon

Thursday, January 25, 2007

The mind of God


A Cathedral of God
Originally uploaded by Geo & VO.
II Timothy 2:15
"Study to show thyself approved unto God...a workman...rightly dividing the word of truth."

"But now bring me a man who deploys to God's mission frontier. And, when the man arrives he becomes an exponent of Christ."
~ 1 George 1:1

Global outlook



~

Monday, January 22, 2007

Imminent deployment >>Tactical Team-I

The Bangladesh Consulate in L.A. returned our passports with our Bangladesh VISAs affixed inside.

The evolutionary process of one's Christian life ends with the happy contentment of serving Christ on the mission frontier.

Indeed, for Jubilee Christian Center missionaries, faith without works is dead.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Power


Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. --Lord Acton

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Tuesday, January 02, 2007

New Year's Resolutions


A Pensive Mood
Originally uploaded by Geo & VO.
After reading Pas. Adam Bernal's article in the December issue of Jubilee Life, I began to feel inspired regarding New Year's resolutions:

"Maybe it's time to start a list of possible New Year's resolutions..."

"Hmm, lose 20 lbs... Stop being a jerk... Buy stronger mouthwash... Read the occasional book... Bathe more often..."


Okey, Dokey; that takes care of my co-workers; better think up one for me now.

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Somewhere in the future


The colorful prophet, Kim Clement, was in the house tonight (Jubilee Christian Center) on the last day of A.D. 2006.

It was appropriate that with the passing into eternity of 3 world famous people just days ago, Godfather of Soul James Brown, President Gerald Ford, and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, Prophet Clement and singers Miranda and Brittany sung and declared this continual refrain: “I’m somewhere in the future and I look much better than I look right now; I’m somewhere in the future and I look much better than I look right now…”

Is that telling or what?

The future will reveal whether that is true for each of us. But Clement is no lightweight; this refrain could be understood as a means of building our faith. Yes, it can be understood as a statement of faith, i.e., prophesy to things, and that when one prophesies things are brought to life: ”I’m somewhere in the future and I look much better than I look right now.”

That is why Clement could also declare, I have a reason to celebrate!

One of the more unusual prophecies given tonight was that the day of United Nations disarray is over. Another welcomed prophecy was that rap was going to be used by the black community to glorify God –I believe the implication was regarding the major players in the American rap culture. (In the morning service, a prophecy was declared that Ted Haggard would one day minister to the homosexual community.)

We’ll have to see what unfolds.

Finally, this evening the prophet encouraged us to welcome the appearance of God in our lives for our shortcomings in 2006:
“I am welcoming You to forgive.”
“I am welcoming You to restore.”
“I am welcoming You to provide.”

If the Lord tarries, 2007 will indeed reveal a little bit more of each of our futures.

~

A hanging in Iraq


We have learned, as everyone else has by this time, that Saddam Hussein has been executed for the capital crimes he committed against the Iraqi people.

This execution is an interesting marker for the world, and I think for the USA in particular.

Indeed, in the USA, executing convicted murderers is carried out only after a very, very, long appeals process--taking many, many years. As a result, the death penalty is no longer a deterrent against capital crimes in my country.

Methinks there is no people, rude or learned, who are not awakened by this swift execution.

~

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Our brightest ornament


"I think that I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself!" --HANDEL upon completing The Messiah in just 25 days.

On behalf of Virginia and I, Merry Christmas!

The Christian faith of our Founders, and upon which our Declaration of Independence and Constitution were conceived, is indeed our brightest ornament.

~

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Casting call for recruits

We are making preparations to deploy overseas beginning February 2007.

It is a long process to prepare for a dual-deployment: Philippines and Bangladesh.

We put out the casting call for recruits, and have found some good actors (12 in total) for the mission field --to serve God in the 10/40 drop zone.

Kasey, Cynthia, and Lisa, shown above at Jubilee Christian Center, will serve in the Philippines. Afterwards, Cynthia will depart with us and we will make our way to Bangladesh, via Bangkok; the rest will return home to California.
.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Progress, a definition


"The reasonable missionary tries to adapt the mission frontier to himself...


the unreasonable missionary adapts himself to the mission frontier;

--therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable."

.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Natural selection at Jubilee Vietnam Church

While young Cassandra plays, Geo. and Dr. Bui demonstrate the biology of natural selection.

Natural selection is a process by which individual organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive than those with unfavorable traits. Indeed...

...so long as Geo & Dr. Bui secure a steady supply of food their Jubilee Vietnam kinship group should survive. Here, their edible plants and animals included flank steak, chicken, and all manner of rice and noodles.

Modern biology is fun!

JVC ECOSYSTEM :: SILICON VALLEY, CALIFORNIA USA
.

Wildlife missionary


Crocodile Hunter and wife Terri
Originally uploaded by Geo & VO.
I am saddened by the death of Steve Irwin, the Croc Hunter.

I looked upon Irwin as a wildlife missionary, spreading the
gospel of love for animals.

Steve loved life, loved animals, loved and married an American,
boy I loved that guy!

But the ocean can be a dangerous place. As soon as you set foot in
the water, you enter the food chain. Steve knew the risks and
he played the odds with intelligence --but died nevertheless. Irwin
left us a legacy as a real wildlife evangelist.

Knowing what our pop-culture tries to pass off as role models
nowadays: "Survivor" rejects and "Paris Hilton", I'd be pleased
if my nieces and nephews took their inspiration from the
likes of Steve Irwin.

And Terri, well her soulmate is gone and she's still so young...

Godspeed, Steve....

.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Virginia's surprise birthday party at Jubilee Vietnamese

A week and a half ago, we had a surprise birthday party for Virginia following the Jubilee Vietnamese service.

In this picture, while Lisa Rich helps cut the cake, Pas. Nguyen Bui explains that it is not impolite in Vietnamese culture to ask someone their age.

However, Pas. Bui was unsuccessful in getting Virginia's cooperation.

Nice try Pastor!

~

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Nuclear restraint


Kim Jong il
Originally uploaded by Geo & VO.
I admire Condie Rice as Sect'y of State, but her call for Hezbollah and Israel to show restraint during a time of war, is odd.

If Hezbollah had nuclear weapons, --does anyone think they would hesitate to use them against Israel?

Israel has nuclear weapons; they do not use them.

The irony is that Israel is demonstrating restraint.

And speaking of lethal things flying through the air, I predict North Korea will get so impatient by the worldwide attention focused on this war that they'll fire off more missiles into the Sea of Japan very soon.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Homo Sapien Brain-power


Jubilee Vietnamese
Originally uploaded by Geo & VO.
As expert hunter-gatherers, Early Man was able to bring down large game using his superior intellect.

Today however, modern man uses his brain power for other things, and so, has his game brought to him by other members of his tribe.

(Here, Pas. Bui & Geo enjoy the generosity of Jubilee Vietnamese wives who prepare edibles every Sunday afternoon. Caramba!