Testing New Podcast Stuff.... Ignore, Please :)

do.love.walk

According to the prophet Micah, these three verbs stand at the center of what God requires from us as believers. Do justice - be committed to other people's good; Love kindness - fall in love [be consumed, overtaken] with mercy and grace and sacrificial love; Walk humbly with your God - return God's affection for you with passionate and intense affection for him.

Over the next 90 days, a large group of us at Fc3 have made a commitment to do something tangible each day for our walk with Christ and our relationships with the people around us. For me, this looks like intentional prayer each day and a handful of pre-meditated acts of kindness. For others it will look different. Whether you go to Fc3 or you just should go to Fc3 (insert winky face here), you are welcome to join us.

What would happen if we stopped playing religious games and started living out a changed heart and life? We'll let you know over the next 90 days.

Video From Kenya!

I wanted to share with you guys a short clip of some of my students from Kenya. One day, between classes, we were messing around with my FlipCam and I decided to ask a few of them "If you could say one thing to America, what would it be?" I was surprised and amused by their answers. For one, they seemed to take it really seriously (I think they might have thought it could end up on MTV or something) and they also gave me a lot of praise (I promise it wasn't planned!). Enjoy!

Kenya Student Interview from Mike Skinner on Vimeo.

See My Post at HaMoreh

Friends,

I was privileged to be asked to write a blog post for my good friends at HaMoreh Ministries - you can read it by following this link: http://www.hamoreh.org/A-Living-Blessing

Enjoy! And comment on the HaMoreh page!!

Mike

Quick Thoughts From Limuru

Hello All! I am having an absolutely amazing time in Kenya. I have a jam-packed schedule for the next four days and then I will be on my way back to the States. I thought I would take a little break from writing/researching and give you a little update- bullet point style.

- Skinner: The Kenyans love saying my last name. Almost every time they see me they yell, "Mike Skiiiinnnnnaaaaa!!!" It's pretty amusing.

- Felix: This is the firstborn of Linus (see picture)- the deputy principal at Kenya Baptist Theological College.

- Students: I should say friends. I love them so much - and they are going to do big things in the world. We have had a blast digging into the General Epistles and I have been honored to have many meals and cups of tea with them.

- Tea: Kenyans drink as much tea as possible. Seriously. Every meal - and multiple tea times during the day. And let me tell you, it is amazing. I'm planning on bringing a bunch back to the States.

- Resources: They have very little. Most I have met are either in legitimate poverty or seriously struggling and barely making things work. We have so many - we must share and support.

- Sugar Cane: On the side of the road in

Limuru, they have wheelbarrows of sugar canes

(see picture) - you can buy one and they cut it up for you. You chew it like an apple, pure sugar comes out in liquid perfection, and you spit out the fibery, stringy remains. It is easily one of my favorite snacks ever. It is supposed to be good for you too. If not, don't tell me otherwise!

- Hollywood: Tomorrow (Monday), HaMoreh is hiring a camera-woman to follow me around as I teach and preach and to do an interview. I am told I will be given the footage.

Love you all! More soon!

Life in Kenya

Hello all! I arrived in Nairobi last night and found myself at the college around 10:30pm. The flights were long and cramped - but for the most part perfectly fine. I had a good nights sleep (no malaria meds nightmares... yet) and woke up this morning at 7:00 with lots of energy and enthusiasm. What exactly is jet-lag? I felt super human.

But, jet-lag is apparently how you feel after teaching for four hours with faux energy. I am exhausted. The day was very good - the people here are great and there is a very nice American center with great food right by my cottage. The classes went well - the language barrier is trying, but my students are great and are very passionate about applying the Word. Pray for me - I am teaching six hours a day for most days the rest of my trip, will be preaching Sunday at a church-plant, and might be doing one or two chapels during my stay.

I'll try to post a video soon!

Love,

Mike

Goodbye Texas, Hello Kenya!

My last great adventure of this summer will soon be upon me. As many of you know, Monday I will be heading to Limuru, Kenya to teach at Kenya Baptist Theological College and do some local preaching. I am going by myself but in partnership with HaMoreh Ministries. While there I will be teaching a course on the General Epistles and Revelation as well as preaching at local churches. Throughout my time there, I plan on blogging and posting pictures and videos on this site - so be looking out! I covet your prayers - and have included (by request) my itinerary below:

* All times are the correct time for location I will be in [Kenya time is 8 hours ahead of US time]

** I do not have any times for preaching, but I am expecting to do some chapels throughout the week (around 9:45 ish) and preaching at churches throughout the week (concentrated on Sunday)

Monday (7/19) - I fly out of Houston in the early afternoon.

Tuesday (7/20) - I will arrive in Amsterdam that morning, and after a short layover will take off for Kenya. I plan on arriving in Kenya late Tuesday night.

Wednesday (7/21) - Class from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Class from 4:30-6:30 PM.

Thursday (7/22) - Class from 7:30 - 9:30 AM. Class from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Class from 4:30 - 6:30 PM.

Friday (7/23) - No Class.

Saturday (7/24) - Class from 7:30 - 9:30 AM. Class from 10:30 - 12:30 (AM-PM). Class from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.

Sunday (7/25) - No Class. Probably lots of preaching.

Monday (7/26) through Thursday (7/29) - Class from 7:30 - 9:30 AM. Class from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Class from 4:30 - 6:30 PM. I am planning on flying out of Kenya late Thursday night.

Friday (7/30) - I am planning on arriving in Amsterdam early that morning, enjoying a layover, and then flying out to Texas where I plan on arriving back home that afternoon.

Again- I greatly appreciate your prayers and cannot wait to share with you all about what God does during my time with my soon-to-be new faith-family members.