The Ethiopian Church Journal Blog

The Olympics: Why Run If There Is No Starting Line…? Abebe Bikila, winning barefoot Rome 1960 marathon Why Run If There Is No Starting Line…? Or Finish Line … Or a Prize … Or the road is rough and there is no strength left to run? Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize … Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly.     I Cor. 9:24, 26 If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Tim 2:5 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the tas

How Much Would You Take For Your Prayer Book? By Mitiku Adisu A 14-Century Ethiopian Psalm book in Amharic was auctioned off in London for £32,000. The auctioneer, Mr Humbert said: We are absolutely delighted. In a world where we hear nothing but financial doom and gloom it's nice to see items finding their true value. Well, we cannot say we are delighted when someone is busy frittering away our national treasure. We contend the book should quickly be restored to its true home (Ethiopia) and its rightful owners (Ethiopians). PRAYERS ARE NOT FOR SALE!!

Pray and You Shall Prevail Here is an uplifting story about an Ethiopian who went through much adversity but remained focused. Ato Bekele Geleta, the new chief of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), ascribes his successes to his mother’s prayers. Indeed, All true trophies of the ages Are from mother-love impearled; For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. [Wm. Ross Wallace, 1865] and More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. [Tennyson, 1869] Ask Bekele Geleta how he’s doing in his new job and he laughs. “How am I doing? Not bad – for a beginner.” Bekele is many things, but he is not a beginner. The new secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has more depth of experience than most of us can claim. Behind his friendly, self-effacing manner is a seasoned strategist who has spent more than 14 years travelling the globe to organise relief in the

Short-term Missions May Not Be As Bad As You Think By Mitiku Adisu Summers are for travel and beaches. Here in the U.S. summers are also the season for intense missionary activity. The term “short-term missions” (STMs) is now become so versatile that it incorporates every age group from all walks of life migrating South (namely, Africa, Latin America, and Asia) for what could last days, weeks or even months. Selection is based on availability of funds, connections and, of course, interest. Some destinations are favored over others. Repeating the same destination disallows a chance to experience exotic cultures and cuisines. Doing something (anything) is preferred to doing nothing, and so on. Cancellation of student loan is the incentive for some and for others sightseeing and building resumes for jobs or entrance to graduate school. For (youth) pastors STMs provide an opportunity to be creative about budgetary expenditures that ultimately benefit their respective churches. In

By What Authority? Einstein is truly a great scientist. There is no question about that. But he is also human like any of us. He had his doubts and opinion on matters big and small. The problem arises when some take as normative his authority in physics and mathematics and seek to transfer it to the lofty realms of God, the Bible, and man. Read on... Einstein: Bible Is 'Primitive, Pretty Childish' The Associated Press Tuesday , May 13, 2008   LONDON — Albert Einstein: arch rationalist or scientist with a spiritual core? A letter being auctioned in London this week adds more fuel to the long-simmering debate about the Nobel prize-winning physicist's religious views. In the note, written the year before his death, Einstein dismissed the idea of God as the product of human weakness and the Bible as "pretty childish."The letter, handwritten in German, is being sold by Bloomsbury Auctions on Thursday and is expected to fetch between $12,000 and $16,000. Einstein, wh