make my joy complete

New blog now easier to find!

Joel — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:42:02 +0000

Now my blog is even easier to find just go to www.joelhardman.com!

check it out!

I’ve moved blogs!

Joel — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:42:43 +0000

Check out my new blog at here! There you will find photos, videos, information about my ministry and of course, my blog.

A post from Luca….

Joel — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:30:23 +0000

Students have arrived for the summer! With all the planning for summer project I have not been very diligent in updating my blog, but when Chris came into the living room and told me I must read Luca’s latest post I was so encouraged that I had to share it all with you! Check out what he has to say…

Forgiveness is a dish best served warmly

Back online again (happy now, Chris?), and I’ve got a surprising story to tell. I was lurking around the Internet when I fell back on the AGAPE site. My eyes found the Italian section instantly and this thing came out of the blue – ehr, ’twas white, with colums in red and blue, but that’s just me being too precise.

The title of this story is “A Credit Card Thief’s Eternal Debt is Paid” (click here for the original) and that’s how it goes.

Forgiveness has stolen the heart of a thief.

Elena, an employee at Netgate, an Internet café in Florence, Italy, discovered a credit card left by a customer. After fraudulently charging nearly $1,000, she was wracked with guilt and called the cardholder, asking her to come by the café.

Gina Erickson, an American missionary with Campus Crusade, was relieved by the call. Sobbing, Elena confessed to Gina that she had used the credit card, promising to pay the charges. Anticipating anger, Elena was dumbfounded by Gina’s forgiveness.

Gina’s fellow missionaries at the University of Florence encouraged their teammate to initiate with Elena further. Reluctantly, Gina stopped by Netgate and invited Elena to lunch. She accepted immediately.

“I feel like my heart is an iceberg,” she told Gina. Recoiling from the recent loss of her father, Elena longed for relationships. Gina listened intently, but she didn’t anticipate the question that followed: “Do you have anything you’d like to share with me?”

Gina explained how God desired a personal relationship with her. Elena received the gift of salvation, and God paid the charge.

My jaws hit the floor for the astonishment. I mean, I have expected the missionary to explode in a sudden, uncontrollable outburst of (righteous?) anger towards the so-called thief. Instead, she forgave her. My eyes got wide open and I ejaculated, “Holy guacamole! That girl stole ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS from your credit card and you actually forgave her? Like, nothing ever happened? It was your money! How are you supposed to have it back?”.
If the story’s objective was to make me wallow in amazement, well, I guess it hit the spot real good. Then I thought: I am a very “negative” person – which means, I usually hold a grudge towards people who disrespect me and/or my immediate surroundings – and if I were her, I would have hold a personal grudge. It’s like a friend coming around, comes in, breaks stuff, steals your girlfriend, uses your pillow as an handkerchief and says “I’m sorry” in the end (Okay, that was a long and frustrating example, but I think you got the point). And all you do is “it’s okay, I forgive you”.
But who’s the one who got damaged in all this? Not him, that’s for sure.

My thoughts began to grind and I recalled an example that was in a book called “More Than A Carpenter” by Josh McDowell:

A young woman was picked up for speeding. She was ticketed and taken before the judge. The judge read off the citation and said, “Guilty or not guilty?” The woman replied, “Guilty.” The judge brought down the gavel and fined her $100 or ten days. Then an amazing thing took place. The judge stood up, took off his robe, walked down around in front, took out his billfold, and paid the fine. What’s the explanation of this? The judge was her father.

Not only I am damaged, but I am showing the other that I am granting him something far beyond any material instinct: the will to forgive.
Strike two for the amazement. And that was an example of forgiveness. And now I am struck with a strange feeling in my bowels. And I felt like my grudge was wrong. And “I feel my heart as an iceberg” (sic!). And I’ve used too many “ands”.
Which means: I’ve got to walk a looooooong path before I can call myself a Christian. Long and full of thorns is the way, I just hope the LORD is by my side every time. I wish I could be like Gina.

“Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.’” (Matthew 18:21-22)

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Can’t wait to talk about it with my AGAPE friends.
Wait a minute. I remember now. Amos already told me this story once…crap, my surprise effect just got ruined.

a talk in the piazza…

Joel — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:17:49 +0000

Last Tuesday I strolled down the street to Piazza Bologna to meet and chat with my friend Danilo. I had just come from my apartment where I had been spending time with the Lord and listening to the last of Tim Keller’s talks on Reasons for God. I arrived in the piazza and found Danilo amidst the hustle and bustle. Walking around a bit we found an empty park bench and took a seat.

It so happened to be less than a week before the upcoming Italian elections (which ended today with Silvio Berlusconi regaining power for a third term). Surrounded by all things political, shooting the breeze with Danilo did not prove to be difficult. I asked Danilo, a modern history major, to shed a little light on political life in Italy. Trust me when I say that Italian politics are more complicated than you would believe.

As we sat and talked, the conversation naturally steered from politics to more important things. Danilo had been talking to a guy in his dorm who happened to be an atheist. They had been talking and Danilo had asked him why he was an atheist and what had led him to that point in his life where he believed that there was no possible way for God to exist. He said that there are two types of thinking in the world: faith and reason, which are diametrically opposed to one another. He said that he could not believe in God because when it came to believing in faith or trusting reason, reason won out.

Often I am not able to see how God is moving or working directly through me, but when I am able to see Him work it is something that makes me get really excited. This was one such case. That morning, the Tim Keller sermon I had listened to was titled Doubt: What should I do with my doubts? He talked about how as believers we all are on a continuum of doubt. Somedays we have great faith and other days we experience doubt. What is amazing about faith is that the strength is found in the object of our faith (Christ) and not in our ability to cling to that faith.

Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and an atheist, writes in his bestseller The God Delusion that the major battle of our generation is not creationism vs. evolution but rather naturalism vs. supernaturalism. As I listened to Tim Keller explain it, he made it clear that this creates a false dichotomy, that it is not naturalism (reason) vs. supernaturalism (faith) but rather a faith in naturalism vs. faith in supernaturalism or to put it in other words, faith vs. faith or belief vs. belief.

Talking to Danilo that day, I was able to explain to him what I had just learned in a talk that morning. He could then go back to his friend and explain to him that it was not in fact faith vs. reason, but rather his faith a naturalistic worldview vs. faith in a supernaturalistic worldview. This week I hope to be able to go to dinner with Danilo and his friend and explain more what it means to believe in God.

On a side note, check out this article on the upcoming Ben Stein movie called Expelled from Relevant Magazine. Ben interviewed a professor in the movie and asks him to explain the origins of the universe. Apparently the professor had a hard time convincing Ben that matter arrived “on the back of crystals” and got quite frustrated. The movie is a critique of the scientific world and their intolerance to anyone who questions evolution and believes in intelligent design.

A Knife Named Jesus (Agape Italia Update)

Joel — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:11:24 +0000

“Okay. Say this piece of pizza is you. And this other slice is God.”

This was the beginning of the Gospel story Marco heard in the mensa at the University of Florence this past summer. As he listened patiently to the explanation that the knife that could bridge the gap between the two slices of pizza was Jesus Christ, he was moved to tears.

We all know the Gospel is powerful. It has affected each of us in a profound way. But when the contents of a lunch tray can portray the message of salvation to a willing heart—the glory of God feels new and fresh again.

Marco’s journey isn’t over, in fact, that fateful mensa meeting was just the beginning.

Ryan Turner has been walking with Marco through his tangled web of questions and doubts about Christianity. Marco is reserved, thoughtful, and on a serious search. Sometimes they talk about computers, other times about Marco’s thesis on economics, but mostly they discuss Christ.

In the fall, as we all read through Acts and saw the apostles center their message on Jesus and His resurrection, Ryan was prompted to follow suit. He asked Marco the following questions:
Do you think Jesus was a real man who walked the earth?
Do you believe He said He was God?
Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead?

Marco’s answers were not unlike many Italians. He didn’t think Jesus was God. But more importantly, Marco didn’t think that Jesus ever claimed to be God.

Over the Christmas break, Ryan challenged Marco to work through a Bible study on what Jesus said about Himself in Scripture. Marco not only read it on his own, but when he came back he told Ryan, “ Ishould be more careful about what I say and think about Jesus in the future.”

Two pieces of pizza and a knife might not seem like anything special, but for Marco they were the beginning– the first steps on the most important journey of his life. He has taken steps toward that knife named Jesus.

Please pray for Marco as he continues to take steps toward the cross. Pray for Ryan as he guides conversations and leads Marco to confront Truth. Pray for Marco to see Jesus Christ as Savior and recognize his need for Him.

Thanks Sarah for this article from Agape Italia monthly update!

Check out my latest update letter!

Joel — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:38:44 +0000

It’s that time again. As promised, here is the March edition of Foro Romano. Click on the link below to read about Luca (a friend of mine featured in the video found in the previous post), a spring break update, spiritual multiplication and how you can be praying for me and the ministry here in Rome!click here to read the latest edition of Foro Romano, my monthly update letter!

A breath of fresh air…

Joel — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:41:31 +0000

Spring breakers have come and gone…

What a blast this last month has been with students from Ole Miss, Kent State, Ohio State, Miami, Wright State, Otterbein, Southern California and Denison came to share the gospel with students here in Rome! It was so exciting to see so many students on campus sharing their faith. I hope to be able to tell you all about it in my prayer letter before this weekend when we are taking a short vacation to Calabria (Southern Italy) for a few days to recover.

Student spotlight: Luca [w/video]

In the mean time, check out this entry from Luca, a student I met three months ago. He found my blog and asked me to check his out. I couldn’t understand much of it because it was in Italian, so he decided to to write another blog in English. This blog post he wrote in a response to our weekly meeting where we talked about power. Please check his blog out and leave him comments. [click here] Also, Luca is featured in this video that we made.

Also, if you would like to be informed even more, join The *Official* Agape Roma Page on facebook!

Bristol Student Conference Update

Joel — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:21:51 +0000

Bristol, England Student^ConferenceUpdate!

Praise the Lord for bringing seven students from Rome to Bristol for the European Student Conference! Considering that we had not even heard about the conference until after the registration had passed, it is amazing that any of the students were able to go. For many of them, it was their first time to England, first time to try Starbucks and their first time to try beans for breakfast!

Our students were able to join about 200 other students from all over Europe to hear more about what Agape Europe is all about. I think for some it was good for them to see that the Lord is moving all over Europe and that Agape Italia is a part of something bigger.

While sleeping on the floor at night, trying to understand Brits with their funny accent, or even learning to drink tea instead of espresso, these students took some great things away from the conference. Some things were a bit of a shock for them, mainly the style of worship was nothing like they were use to, but other things were priceless for them to come away with, like a since of community. Our students were cracking jokes together, exchanging phone numbers and becoming friends!

I think students were able to gain a better understanding of the heart behind what we do here in Rome and even understanding the need to share the gospel with those around them. I am so excited to see what the Lord continues to do in their lives and teach them from this conference.

Thank you so much for praying and partnering with me to impact eternity in the eternal city!

check out my latest update letter!

Joel — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:30:32 +0000

In this issue:

Impacting Eternity in the Eternal City (Let the Spring Breaks Begin)

The Idiot & Me

Looking Forward (What is God’s Will for My Life and How Do I Discern God’s Will?)

Also Coming Soon to My Blog: Bristol Student Conference Update and The First Ever Malawi, Africa Summer Missions Project for Italian Students

Click here to read the latest edition of Foro Romano, my monthly update letter!

Agape Italia update

Joel — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:18:22 +0000

Individuality vs. Community

As Simona entered my apartment the other night for our bi-weekly Bible study she didn’t even bother to take her jacket off before she made the obligatory round of baci to everyone present. If she didn’t know someone, she took time to introduce herself and after about five minutes she was able to unwind from her scarf and settle into the evening—now that the introductions were finished.As I watch her go through this same routine every other Tuesday I have started to wonder, “Is there more to Simona’s behavior than just being polite?”As we learned from Elfi last month, Americans tend to value individuality more than Italians. This affects us in a wide range of areas–from our outlook on life down to our clothes. To take this thought one step further this month, we wanted to look at how our independence can affect relationships.Do we end up disregarding community because we value individuality?The more I think about it, Simona is not only honestly sweet to everyone-even strangers- but when she enters our full apartment she isn’t thinking about herself. Her focus is on the group.Examples of this community-centered mindset abound in Italy. In the education system, the success of the whole class is of utmost importance. The teacher pairs up kids who are struggling with the kids who understand the lesson so that everyone can learn. The Galloways witnessed Italian community in a unique way in the hospital. Shared rooms, families caring for the other patients, and an overall sense that it is more enjoyable to share the experience with others.Marti Sanders learned a lesson about community on a recent train ride. The elderly woman across from her pulled out a bag of cookies and before eating one herself, promptly offered her snack to the three strangers sitting around her. Marti appreciated this thoughtful and yummy gesture, but didn’t think too much about it. Later, she was traveling with a group of Italian friends and bought a snack for herself. After eating the entire helping, her Italian friends kindly told her how strange it was that she never offered what she had to the others. After slight embarrassment, Marti now understands. It’s not about the food, it’s about being aware of those around you. “Even if it’s as little as offering each person in my train car a piece of gum or a cracker. It communications a wealth of caring to those around me,” she says.As we try to build movements everywhere they will take place in community. It is vital for us to understand what community means to our Italians friends.So, the next time you enter a large group, don’t stand in the corner only talking to the people you know. Embrace the Italian perspective. Get to know everyone there. Not only will it kill that wallflower image, it will express genuine friendship and care.Oh, and share any snacks you may have on you. It can’t hurt.

Special thanks to Sarah Verling for this article. To read more about what God is doing in Italy, check out the latest Agape Italia update.