Moody Thinking

Reminder: I am writing a running blog for the Montgomery Advertiser at: http://runjeffmoody.blogspot.com. Please come and take a look.

I am traveling to India in a little under a month. In preparation for the trip, my pastor loaned me a book to introduce me to Indian culture (as much as a book can).

Planet India, by Mira Kamdar, aims to describe the enormous potential of India’s future and the enormous role it will play in Global society. At the same time, she reveals the issues that can lead to India’s demise. She unpacks facts that show that India stands at a tremendous crossroads as one of the largest populated countries with tremendous wealth and tremendous abject poverty.

Americans are for a large part self-centered. We only see other cultures insomuch as they impact us directly. Even then, we make broad generalizations based on our experiences or the media’s influence.

My introduction to India? Apu on the Simpson’s. I wonder how many of us have been wrongly influenced by Hank Azaria’s character on that show. It is time, at least for me, to expand my horizons and know the people who make up the group.

Do not forget that not too long ago, America was defined by a single class of people. The same transitions that continue to happen here are happening elsewhere as we move to a more global economy.

I will be writing my thoughts on India as I travel to the country and God’s continuing work in that nation. If it is true that India will drastically impact the future of the world, how essential is it that the gospel grow there? You can read about the work of God that my friend Alan and our church have been participating in over the last several years at: http://www.downshoredrift.com.

I hope that this blog will be an avenue for you to be introduced to another culture and that you will begin to think globally. You will be better for it. I will also be writing a feature article for Montgomery’s Journey Magazine, a local Christian publication in Montgomery, AL.

Please pray for me as I go on this trip. My aim is for this trip to not be a one time experience, but an opportunity to build relationships that will be a conduit for God to continue to work for the rest of my life.

The Hyundai Half Marathon is fast approaching. I will be blogging my training notes for the Montgomery Advertiser. Check out http://runjeffmoody.blogspot.com.

Thanks.