What a surprise to check in to Christine Sine's blog (http://godspace.wordpress.com) and discover my own sweet, chubby, 'chops' smiling back. Thank you for introducing my blog to your space and world, Christine.
Christine and her husband Tom are good friends and fellow travellers through life contemplating Christ and engaging in mission. New to the Christian faith many moons ago I discovered Tom's book, 'Mustard Seed Conspiracy', and was convinced of the need for social engagement alongside verbal proclamation. It was a joy later in my life whilst working in Seattle, USA in establishing a global religious liberty commission that I discovered he lived there. Even more wonderful was meeting him and Christine over a Chinese lunch and a friendship was birthed.
Christine has worked missionally as a doctor and practitioner of spiritual rhythms in keeping with the church's year. Inspired by the Celtic monks who seeded the gospel throughout the British Islands. Only downside is that she is Australian which when we talk cricket is painful, but a pain that is eased when we turn to rugby world cups.
Their website presenting Mustard Seed Associates (www.msainfo.org) is brilliant and I am pleased to be closely involved. If you can turn up to the MSA conference on the first weekend of March in beautiful Seattle - I first met Shane Claibourne here a few years back - then do so. I shall be there..
It is good to have friends who stand the test of time. These guys have faced some tremendous challenges and always demonstrated grace and peace in their responses. I am humbled by this and have learnt much from them. And friendship is hard to find in today's competitive society and therefore the more precious for that. Think on who your true friends are and give thanks to God for them and pray for their success.
