I had a good phone conversation with Matthias yesterday afternoon
(late at night his time
Good news: the German Finance Ministry (equivalent of the U.S. IRS) has given pre-approval for Philosophia’s application as a tax-deductible charity! This means that another foundation stone is in place for the purchase of “House Nazareth”!

Ancient Israel was always connecting their experiences with God to things and places. God Himself ordered them to set up standing stones at different locations in their land to remind them of what He had done for them. Our modern evangelical connection to things and places is pretty fractured. I think the historical roots for this lie in the abuse of physical objects such as statues and relics in mediaeval society. And one must acknowledge that there are some kinds of objects that God definitely forbid Israel to associate with (graven images for worship, in particular). But objects (and places) can also be good reminders of how God has blessed. Even an object as simple as a button.

Our daughter Seanne gave Ann this button a while back and Ann put it on a picture frame in our bedroom. As I was walking by the other day, it caught my eye. (It’s so true of our lives right now!) But then my eye drifted farther. The frame itself holds a somewhat tattered sheet of typing paper. On it is the promise God gave Ann and me as we left Germany almost 3 years ago and began what we’ve called our “time of troubles”. It is the word from God to the children of Israel just before crossing into the promised land (I’ve shared this before):

“When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before… Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:3-5 (NIV)

I contemplated the road He has led: starting Philosophia International with committed friends and associates, teaching courses at Boise State University, linking together with German and American brothers and sisters to purchase “House Nazareth”… the list could go on. He certainly has led us on ways we had never been before. And you are such an important part of this adventure! Thank you a thousand times for your continued prayers for us, the Philosophia team in America and Germany, House Nazareth…