by Jason Joyner | Jul 13, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
There I was, sitting in the Fortress Salzburg, over looking this historic Austrian city, listening to a classical music recital with my wife. I was struck by the fact that the classic hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” was written by Martin Luther.
Germany is dotted with castles and fortress like buildings. The very room where we listened to the recital still had cannonball damage from fighting a peasants’ revolt in the 1500’s. This is a place where people can see the importance of having a fortress or refuge. Even as recently as 1989, where the East Germans were blocked by wall and barbed wire from escaping into the refuge of West Berlin, thez have had this in their history.
I’ve been in the Psalms lately, and they are full of references to God as “our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble”. David and the other psalm authors knew that life brings trials and troubles, but that God is ever faithful to meet us in these times. We just need to recognize where that shelter is.
I wouldn’t normally expect to be on German TV, but yesterday my German friend and I were stopped near the Brandenburg Tor (Gate), where the reporter stuck a microphone in my friend’s face and asked him about the resignation of Juergen Klinsmann, the German national coach. They talked in German, but when I asked about Klinsmann, the reporter was amazed that I as an American knew about him. He then put the microphone to me, and asked what I thought. I told him that I heard the rumor that he might coach the US national team sometime. The reporter pressed further, mentioning how people thought he was responsible for revival in Germany, as the successful World Cup has really boosted their national ego, which has suffered since WWII. I told him that Klinsmann was just a man, and that only a man of Martin Luther’s stature could cause something like a national revival in Germany. Little did the reporter know that I was here in Germany to see if I can help in some little way to spark such an event.
It was funny though, how they looked to someone as simple as a football (soccer) coach, when they have evidence all over of the true Refuge. Please pray as we seek God on behalf of Germany, Europe, and the world this Saturday. We want to see Jesus get His rightful due, and that a new wave of missions would launch from this. For those who have access, apparently you can watch this event I’m involved in here at God TV. Check it out if you can!
by Jason Joyner | Jul 13, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
There I was, sitting in the Fortress Salzburg, over looking this historic Austrian city, listening to a classical music recital with my wife. I was struck by the fact that the classic hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” was written by Martin Luther.
Germany is dotted with castles and fortress like buildings. The very room where we listened to the recital still had cannonball damage from fighting a peasants’ revolt in the 1500’s. This is a place where people can see the importance of having a fortress or refuge. Even as recently as 1989, where the East Germans were blocked by wall and barbed wire from escaping into the refuge of West Berlin, thez have had this in their history.
I’ve been in the Psalms lately, and they are full of references to God as “our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble”. David and the other psalm authors knew that life brings trials and troubles, but that God is ever faithful to meet us in these times. We just need to recognize where that shelter is.
I wouldn’t normally expect to be on German TV, but yesterday my German friend and I were stopped near the Brandenburg Tor (Gate), where the reporter stuck a microphone in my friend’s face and asked him about the resignation of Juergen Klinsmann, the German national coach. They talked in German, but when I asked about Klinsmann, the reporter was amazed that I as an American knew about him. He then put the microphone to me, and asked what I thought. I told him that I heard the rumor that he might coach the US national team sometime. The reporter pressed further, mentioning how people thought he was responsible for revival in Germany, as the successful World Cup has really boosted their national ego, which has suffered since WWII. I told him that Klinsmann was just a man, and that only a man of Martin Luther’s stature could cause something like a national revival in Germany. Little did the reporter know that I was here in Germany to see if I can help in some little way to spark such an event.
It was funny though, how they looked to someone as simple as a football (soccer) coach, when they have evidence all over of the true Refuge. Please pray as we seek God on behalf of Germany, Europe, and the world this Saturday. We want to see Jesus get His rightful due, and that a new wave of missions would launch from this. For those who have access, apparently you can watch this event I’m involved in here at God TV. Check it out if you can!
by Jason Joyner | Jul 8, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
In America, we have a weird game called “football”. It is curious, because in it the players rarely use their feet. They dress in armor, and play for maybe 10-20 seconds at a time before grouping up and taking a break to talk about what to do next.
Then there is FOOTBALL. Americans for some reason call it “soccer”. Now this is a game that can claim the name football. The players dance and spin with the ball like a ballet, yet they knock each other around to a bloody pulp sometimes. Onlz in football can a 1-0 game be exciting.
As the World Cup is going on in Germany as we are here, there is a fever among the people. World Series? Super Bowl? Pheh. Pretenders, all of them. Nothing matches the enthusiasm and devotion in sports like football does to Europeans, especially the Germans. Several times this week, at 9 pm things have closed as the game of the night comes on.
Germany was heartbroken this week as they lost to Italy. But tonight they are cheering again as Deutschland is up 1-0 on Portugal as I type. It is an infectious passion.
Yet we pray that these fine people hear recognize the true Champion, and will turn their powerful devotion to Him. That is our heart as we head toward Berlin to worship the King of kings in Olymipic stadium with 25,000 Christians from 25 nations on July 15th. We anticipate a time of heaven opening up over the formerly divided city, to shine Glory down. Please pray that He will be lifted up, and that a fresh move of God will sweep from Berlin to Germany throughout Europe and around the world!!!
Until next time (I must go, as Germany just scored again and I’m missing it).
by Jason Joyner | Jul 8, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
In America, we have a weird game called “football”. It is curious, because in it the players rarely use their feet. They dress in armor, and play for maybe 10-20 seconds at a time before grouping up and taking a break to talk about what to do next.
Then there is FOOTBALL. Americans for some reason call it “soccer”. Now this is a game that can claim the name football. The players dance and spin with the ball like a ballet, yet they knock each other around to a bloody pulp sometimes. Onlz in football can a 1-0 game be exciting.
As the World Cup is going on in Germany as we are here, there is a fever among the people. World Series? Super Bowl? Pheh. Pretenders, all of them. Nothing matches the enthusiasm and devotion in sports like football does to Europeans, especially the Germans. Several times this week, at 9 pm things have closed as the game of the night comes on.
Germany was heartbroken this week as they lost to Italy. But tonight they are cheering again as Deutschland is up 1-0 on Portugal as I type. It is an infectious passion.
Yet we pray that these fine people hear recognize the true Champion, and will turn their powerful devotion to Him. That is our heart as we head toward Berlin to worship the King of kings in Olymipic stadium with 25,000 Christians from 25 nations on July 15th. We anticipate a time of heaven opening up over the formerly divided city, to shine Glory down. Please pray that He will be lifted up, and that a fresh move of God will sweep from Berlin to Germany throughout Europe and around the world!!!
Until next time (I must go, as Germany just scored again and I’m missing it).
by Jason Joyner | Jul 6, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Hello all! Here I am in an internet cafe in Sonthofen Germany. This is in Bavaria, at the base of the Alps. It is right at the border of Austria, if you’re looking for it on a map.
We are having a wonderful time so far. We have been very blessed by God and by our host Linda. (By the way, I’M on a German keyboard, so if something is weird, blame my hands, as they donät know German).
We have 3 apartments for our team in a wonderfully quaint little village nearby called Allstäden. It looks just like you would imagine Bavaria – flowerboxes in every window, narrow streets, and frequent cobblestone walks. Many people bike around. We have language adventures everytime we go to the grocer or bakery, but we’ve managed to eat well despite ourselves.
We notice that there are crucifixes every where we go. We’ve seen numerous ones on the side of the road, in seemingly out of the way places. Our host explains that this is from their Christian heritage. Many, many people have this slight connection, but it is not a heart relationship for them. They know a form, but they do not know the Person. We are just praying about this whenever we encounter it.
We have the opportunity to do worship for a small church in Füssen this Sunday! They have many songs that we do in English and they do in German, so they are happy to have us. We are blessed and humbled, wondering what we can offer. All we can offer, is a drink from Living Water, by His power. If you think about us, pray for us this Sunday, that we can share a little blessing with these wonderful people!
Our team member who was going to bring a laptop wasn’t able to, so right now I can’t post a picture. Maybe later!
We miss all of you back home. Hope all is well. I hope to be back in a few days, maybe after our church time.
Check out Psalm 46. God IS our refuge and strength!
by Jason Joyner | Jul 6, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Hello all! Here I am in an internet cafe in Sonthofen Germany. This is in Bavaria, at the base of the Alps. It is right at the border of Austria, if you’re looking for it on a map.
We are having a wonderful time so far. We have been very blessed by God and by our host Linda. (By the way, I’M on a German keyboard, so if something is weird, blame my hands, as they donät know German).
We have 3 apartments for our team in a wonderfully quaint little village nearby called Allstäden. It looks just like you would imagine Bavaria – flowerboxes in every window, narrow streets, and frequent cobblestone walks. Many people bike around. We have language adventures everytime we go to the grocer or bakery, but we’ve managed to eat well despite ourselves.
We notice that there are crucifixes every where we go. We’ve seen numerous ones on the side of the road, in seemingly out of the way places. Our host explains that this is from their Christian heritage. Many, many people have this slight connection, but it is not a heart relationship for them. They know a form, but they do not know the Person. We are just praying about this whenever we encounter it.
We have the opportunity to do worship for a small church in Füssen this Sunday! They have many songs that we do in English and they do in German, so they are happy to have us. We are blessed and humbled, wondering what we can offer. All we can offer, is a drink from Living Water, by His power. If you think about us, pray for us this Sunday, that we can share a little blessing with these wonderful people!
Our team member who was going to bring a laptop wasn’t able to, so right now I can’t post a picture. Maybe later!
We miss all of you back home. Hope all is well. I hope to be back in a few days, maybe after our church time.
Check out Psalm 46. God IS our refuge and strength!
