Just a bit of what I'm enjoying in my study time today. Looking forward to Sunday Morning's sermon on where our Joy should be centered, and next week in the Doctrine series talking about Creation.

I Love My Job:)

I've been staring at this picture for the last 20 minutes. I've been studying for Sunday's sermon on Our Pursuit of Happiness Over God, and this smile keeps speaking to me.

His happiness found in a little trophy, in 6 mere games of t-ball, and the accomplishment of a child, but most importantly the fun of doing something with his dad.

I too am filled with Joy at this picture, and pray that it flows from the place in my heart that recognizes that every breath I take is a gift, and every moment I get with my family is filled with Joy that first flows to the creator.
I pray that Eli learns earlier than his daddy, that all Joy comes from God, and that "He is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him."

In my cursory research, most of the $700 billion bank bailout money has been given out, and spread around quite broadly. I understand the need for rescuing the economy, but we could have given about $2 BILLION to EVERY breathing American for that amount of tax dollars. Of course, it would have been taxed at a rate of at least the standard 37%, so my little family of four would have ONLY gotten $4 billion.

Yes, I know, our consumer economy would have shut down, but would that really have been a bad thing?

(Author: Jonathan Parnell)

John Newton was born 285 years ago today. To express our gratitude to God for this man, may we be encouraged by the testimony of God's grace in his life.

In his biographical message at the 2001 Desiring God Pastor's Conference, Pastor John described John Newton as a man who exemplified the traits of a pastor he dreams about and longs to be.

So why am I interested in this man? Because one of my great desires is to see Christian pastors be as strong and durable as redwood trees, and as tender and fragrant as a field of clover—unshakably rugged in the "defense and confirmation" of the truth (Philippians 1:7), and relentlessly humble and patient and merciful in dealing with people.

Ever since I came to Bethlehem in 1980 this vision of ministry has beckoned me because, soon after I came, I read through Matthew and Mark and put in the margin of my Greek New Testament a "to" (for tough) and a "te" (for tender) beside all of Jesus' words and deeds that fit one category or the other. What a mixture he was! No one ever spoke like this man.

It seems to me that we are always falling off the horse on one side or the other in this matter of being tough and tender—wimping out on truth when we ought to be lion-hearted, or wrangling with anger when we ought to be weeping. I know it's a risk to take up this topic and John Newton in a setting like this, where some of you need a good (tender!) kick in the pants to be more courageous, and others of you confuse courage with what William Cowper called "a furious and abusive zeal." Oh how rare are the pastors who speak with a tender heart and have a theological backbone of steel.

I dream of such pastors. I would like to be one someday. A pastor whose might in the truth is matched by his meekness. Whose theological acumen is matched by his manifest contrition. Whose heights of intellect are matched by his depths of humility. Yes, and the other way around! A pastor whose relational warmth is matched by his rigor of study, whose bent toward mercy is matched by the vigilance of his biblical discernment, and whose sense of humor is exceeded by the seriousness of his calling.

I dream of great defenders of true doctrine who are mainly known for the delight they have in God and the joy in God that they bring to the people of God—who enter controversy, when necessary, not because they love ideas and arguments, but because they love Christ and the church.

May the LORD be pleased to lavish upon his Church pastors in the stock of John Newton!

[From A Pastor Like John Newton]

I was doing some research for a class I'm taking came across this quote. I thought it was a good confirmation of the previous post's content.

Without a belief in an absolute truth, which can be synonymous or at least the foundation of GOOD, then we are reduced to immoral animals. Without truth, there is no logical reason to follow any societal or moral codes. The streets would be in chaos and filled with violence poured out on the weak.

I guess what I'm trying to get across is that deep down we all know that their is an absolute truth/good in this created world. The problem is that once we acknowledge that, then we must do something with God, the author of this truth.

The one we watched was about articulating the gospel, and Chuck Colson asked the question, "do we even know what we believe?" He challenged the audience to have a true understanding of bible, and not just a sound bite knowledge from merely attending church.

He presented some amazing statistics and research about crime and the gospel's impact.

As we begin our series on Doctrine this weekend, Do You Get It? Do you realized the power of the Gospel in all areas of your life? Do you long for the word of God to dig deep into you faith?

I hope you will join us.

As always, fire away with any questions.

Maybe you can help.... Anything you'd like me to write about or question to answer?

We also went to the city pool, where Eli and Savannah both showed off their Daredevil spirit!!!