Interesting facts about the Bible

Interesting facts about the Bible from Bibleplan.org Link - http://www.bibleplan.org/bible-reading-record.pdf At the bottom of the reading schedule someone wrote ... "The Bible contains 1189 chapters: 929 in the Old Testament and 260 in the New. Reading 3 chapters each day and 5 chapters on Sundays will cover the entire Bible in one year. Follow some plan. Even one chapter each day will cover the New Testament in only 9 months. God's Word is alive. The more you expose yourself to it, the more it will expose itself to you." Interesting facts. It breaks it down to manageable size - you can do it!

ESV Bible Reading Plans - RSS

http://www.esv.org/resources/reading-plans-devotions/

The Barna Group - New Research Explores How Different Generations View and Use the Bible

The Barna Group - New Research Explores How Different Generations View and Use the Bible: "New Research Explores How Different Generations View and Use the Bible"

Online Leadership Training with Lynn Anderson

Rob just posted the Lynn Anderson Leadership Training Video Sessions online. We are asking all leaders to watch these videos and complete the assignments in the participant’s guide prior to the discussion groups. Before Lynn arrives we will have read the texts, completed the first three assignments in the participant’s guide and the three videos. The videos will not be shown during the Wednesday evening discussion groups. We posted the videos online so that you can prepare for each of the three discussion groups. Complete one video training each week. Each video is numbered in the order it appears in the series. These videos can also be viewed on an iPhone or other smart phones using the same links. You will need to enter your password when prompted to view these videos. The user name and password will be sent to you via email.

Invited to Bob Russell's Mentoring Ministers Retreat (Small Group of 8 ministers)

Something great just happened - I thank the Lord! I get to spend March 7-11 with Bob Russell and a small group of 8 other ministers. I applied for this last year and forgot about it until surprise! I got an email that said "

"Congratulations! Bob would like for you to attend his March 7-10, 2011 retreat. The retreat is conducted at Country Lake Christian Retreat Center in Henryville, Indiana, 30 minutes north of Louisville."

I am excited!

Bob Russell is one of my heros.

Several years ago I called Southeast and asked his secretary for an appointment. I thought if I could could sit with him, face to face, by myself, for just 15 minutes ... that would be great. I was surprised when said "Let's go to lunch" and the appointment lasted longer than 15 minutes. He rode in the car with me to restaurant. We talked one-on-one in a quiet booth for more than an hour. It was like eating lunch with Jesus. He asked probing questions, challenged me, answered my questions - it was amazing!

website

http://www.bobrussellministries.org/content.asp?q_areaprimaryid=2 -

I included some pictures from Russell's Website below - I cannot wait to sit around that table with 8 men and Bob Russell. It's like It will be like having dinner with Billy Graham!

We will pick you up at the airport, provide all transportation during the retreat and take you back to the airport on Thursday. A typical retreat schedule is printed below. Bob requests that you schedule someone to preach on the weekend following the retreat so you won't be distracted during the retreat by pending sermon preparation."

Who is Bob Russell? I pasted part of his bio from his his website.

"Bob Russell enrolled in Cincinnati Bible Seminary where he graduated in 1965. At just twenty-two years of age, Bob became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church. Today that small congregation of 120 members has become one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006. Bob retired from Southeast in June 2006.

Bob and his wife Judy have been married forty-five years, May 29, 2010. They have two married sons, Rusty and Phil. Phil is a Louisville Metro Police Officer and a deacon at Southeast Christian Church. Rusty recently became Senior Minister in Port Charlotte, Florida after serving at Southeast for many years. Bob and Judy have seven grandchildren with whom they enjoy spending their time.

An accomplished author, Bob has written over one-dozen books. He also has a weekly column in The Lookout, a magazine printed by Standard Publishing. In his leisure time he enjoys playing golf and is an avid University of Louisville football and basketball fan."

A message to elders and ministering shepherds

The fall and spring are prime time for church growth and service. The winter and summer seasons are periods for prayer and planning typically mark by a predictable decrease in attendance. I call it the summertime lull - we don't worry about it because we expect and encourage families to spend time together - summer time is vacation time. The winter lull tends to be shorter and varies from year to year depending on the severity of weather. But fall and spring are prime times for church growth. That's why we do a spring campaign that climaxes with friend day on Easter and a Fall campaign that leads up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have been praying and planing and preparing for this fall. Our 40 day journey begins on Oct 17 and runs 6 weeks - Thanksgiving will mark the end of our 40 day journey and the beginning of the Christmas season. Paul said "be prepared in season and out of season" - and that's what we've tried to do. The 40 day team has been preparing for Oct 17 since last spring and we believe that God will bless our church family - He's been leading us to this point and we want to do everything with excellence because that is what Jesus deserves - our very best! Our vision and strategy is to build stronger relationships with Jesus and people through small groups. We're asking, encouraging, persuading every member to join a small group for six weeks. Which brings me to the point of this email. Your role as an elder and ministering shepherd is so important. Please contact your partner and let's revive our shepherding groups. Let's make sure no one falls through the cracks from now until Christmas. Working together enables us to care for our church family - whenever any member misses two weeks in a row - please contact them. You're familiar with the plan because you've done it. Yes, during the recent past we seemed to have lost some momentum - but you continued to work the assembling, greeting, caring for people and serving them in so many ways. I love to see you shepherd. Let's kick off the fall campaign by contacting and communicating with our partners. Each month, please hand your sheet to Jeanie or me and you'll receive new care callers. This current list has not been updated but we will take care of that with your help - write down the names of new comers - communicate and work together and assume responsibility for them. That seems like the best way to update the list - rather than arbitrarily assigning people, the elders and ministering shepherds can decide how new people are assimilated - with your help we can complete the update in one month or less. I am excited about this fall - I hope you are too. Pray for me and I'll pray for you as we all serve Jesus together. Grace and peace, Jeff

Phil and I at the Clapton and Daltery Concert

Going to see Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey tomorrow in Cinci with Phil

Going to see Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey tomorrow in Cinci with Phil

Home Six Mile (Jeff's song about growing up in Boone County WV)

Jake Copley's new church

Jake and Liz are doing great. I just talk to Jake. He's preaching for Artemus Christian Church in Barbourville KY - http://artemuschristianchurch.com/default.htm

Rob Durst is the Best!

Our AV man, Rob Durst, is the best! Rob stays ahead of the cutting edge of technology. When Jeanie and I walked into the Media Center for our Mac training this morning we were instantly blown away. I wish you could have walked in with us. I don't know how to describe it. Two Macs were sitting side by side on a rectangular table facing a big screen. The LCD projector is mounted on the ceiling projected the computer screen image on the big screen on the wall. He had prepared everything - it was perfect - when we walked in we both said "Wow!" Then he started to train us - which was even more impressive. He was so methodical and thorough. He explained the outter surface, the hidden speakers, hot keys, short cuts, magnetic power cords, and every single port - he knew it all. And everything he said was relevant - he could have went on for hours with technical information and high-tech jargon that neither one of us could understand. But he only talked about the things that were helpful and necessary. He showed us video clips. He demonstrated everything as he taught. It felt like we had hired a high priced consultant. Then, when he finished, he unwrapped a hard-cased she to put over my new Mac. All three of us smiled because we all knew that the reason for the hard-shell casing was to protect the machine from me! I am rough with machines even though I try to be careful. Now, the quality of the training he provided this morning is not any different - this was not a one-time- thing. The quality of Rob's work permeates everthing he does. He understand stage and lighting and audio and video equipment. He networks computers, maintains security and administrates systems. He measures outcomes and tracks hits on our website, the number of people who watch Norway live and tracks how many people download our podcasts. He works very closely with Matt and the Praise Band and mixes the sound for 3 guitars, a bass and electric drums and microphones for 5 singers. He understands me! He anticipates my needs - microphones, power point mix with video clips and on and on. He knows what I need before I asked him for it. And his work at the church is his part time job. His full time job is at First Sentury Bank. On top of this he does other things like church camp. That's where he had be the morning he trained us. Can you imagine that? No one gets any sleep at church camp. That was especially true for Rob. Because Thursday night he created the church camp DVD and all the campers took it home. Kids watch those church camp DVDs all year long. The church camp movie that Rob creates, edits and produces is the best advertisement for church camp. My children watch their church camp movies with their friends. So, I just needed to tell you about Rob Durst. He is the best! I never dreamed I would have the privilege of working with an AV guy of this caliber. I remember when my sermons were recorded on an old cassette deck that was stuck in a little room no bigger than a closet. I was grateful for the man who used to record my sermons in a previous church. The song before the sermon he walk back and push the button and record it. He used a high-speed recorder to make copies and I get a call once in a while from people who listen to my old cassette tapes. When I compare what Rob has done with digital recordings and the number of people that download sermons from Norway - Wow! I thank God for Rob! I feel really close to him and I appreciate his work so much - he makes me a better preacher and he makes everybody at Norway better. Rob is spreading the message of Jesus. We are so blessed to have him. The next time you see Rob show him that you appreciate him.

Healthy Church

This Sunday we begin our brand new summer series called "Healthy Church" - it's a study of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus. "Health" is is a major theme in the pastoral letters. Paul used the word "sound" e.g. "sound teaching", "sound faith," etc. The Greek word "sound" actually means "healthy". Jesus wants his church to be healthy, growing and full of love.

Let's get healthy this summer! OK? I'm ready are you? Diet and exercise improves your healthy. I am not talking about physical exercise. I am talking feeding on God's word and exercising spiritual disciplines.

Let's begin with a 30 minute exercise in God's word. Just follow the three simple steps below.

1. Say a short prayer - ask the Father to fill you with his Spirit so you can understand Him.

2. Read the 3 books (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus) before Sunday.

3. Say a short prayer and ask God help you live like Jesus.

See you Sunday Healthy Church!

Garrett Family Vacation (2010) Siesta Key Florida

We just returned from our family vacation. We spent a week with Bob, Susan and Heather and it was a great vacation. Kim, Tori, Shayna and I drove. Amber and mom took a direct flight. It was a refreshing, relaxing, memory-making vacation. Bob and Susan have a beautiful home in Siesta Key - just a block from the beach. A salt water canal weaves it's way through their neighborhood. They live in paradise. Below are a few video clips.------------------------------ At Bob & Susan's Jeff caught a Catfish Fun in the Sun White Sandy Beach (Bob, Susan, Kim and Jeff) Picking up Amber and Mom at St Pete Airport Tori and Dad at Gilligan's listening to the Blues

Todd's video

Cooper - some pics from hospital and home

Amazing Grace - 7yr old Rhema Marvanne

Evan's Rock and Roll Band Wins the Battle of the Bands

Last night Evan Shoemaker's Rock and Roll band won the battle of the bands. I love their style of music. They played John Mayer, Steve Miller, Foo Fighters, Matchbox Twenty and Skynyrd. Rock and roll. Evan looks like a rock! Take a look at those guns on his arms. He's a football star and a rock and roll star. All of the members of his band are great musicians - their music is tight, their singer is great - man, the are impressive - we've got to have them play some Friday night. They are awesome!

40 Days of Getting Real - Norway Ave Members are Writing a Book for our 2010 Fall Journey

This fall Norway Ave Church members are going to write a book for our 2010 Journey. Last year we used Saddleback resources (40 Days of Love) and bought boxes of Tom Holliday's book (The Relationship Principles of Jesus). God bless our church family with 27% growth! It was great - God blessed it and we know has has led us to take another journey this fall. It will begin Oct 17 and last 40 days. This year we're going to write the book. Freddy Peatros is going to work with me in order to get the book professionally published. Freddy has written several books and has connections to self-publishing companies. We really appreciate his help. I am going to meet with the writers this Sunday after church and give them the writer guidelines which are below. Writer’s Guidelines - The theme of our fall 2010 Journey is “40 Days of Getting Real.” We are asking you to help write the book. Jeanie put together a great list of possible topics on page 2. It’s not an exhaustive list but it gives you ideas for what you could write about. We want you to select one topic below and tell your story. Do not intellectualize or philosophize – keep it real. Describe your struggle and how God helped you. Once the manuscript is complete we’re going publish it. Yes, that’s right! Your story, along with 39 others will be published (very affordable packages are currently being offered (e.g. iUniverse and another self-publishers) and the church will read one story a day for 40 days during our 2010 fall journey. It’s going to be great! The book will contain 40 stories from 20 men and 20 women who “get real” for Jesus. The idea “Get Real” came from Matt. I believe God gave it to him. Read his email below. Matt captures to whole spirit of the journey in two paragraphs. Hey everybody, When the idea hit me, it reverberated in my soul as a member driven "from the heart" offering of personal testimonials that holds nothing back. Our fears, guilt, shame, betrayal, hate, anger, sadness, ... along with our triumphs, victories, renewals, times of refreshing, spontaneous praise, joy, peace ... basically everything and anything, all in black and white and totally surrendered to God. The concept is to "Get Real and Be Free!" To live to the calling of "life to the fullest" and to be completely and totally God's every day, every second. Free of the garbage and bondage of things in this life Satan uses to hinder us. There are so many amazing people in our church family with so many powerful life events that we are aware of. Think how many more are out there that we are unaware of! We get as many folks as possible to share their stories and agree to have them published in a book that our entire family can read and be challenged and encouraged by. Love you all, Matt Now that you understand the theme, please follow the writer’s guidelines. 1. Read and mediate on 2 Cor. 1:3-5. 2. Present your story in two parts 1) What it is like and 2) How Jesus helps. 3. Mention the name of Jesus at least 4 times (very important) 4. Refer to at least 4 Bible passages or verses. 5. End with 3 questions and a short prayer (aim your questions at reader reflections) 6. Manuscript length should be between 1000-1200 words (Times New Roman – 12pt) 7. Save your manuscript as “first draft” and email it as an attached document (with a digital picture of yourself) to Jeanie (secretary@norwayave.org) by June 1, 2010. 8. Receive constructive feedback from four editors and be willing to modify it. The editors are Susie May, Stephanie Hayes, Bill Wright and myself. Discouragement Worry - Loneliness - Depression - Dissatisfaction - Confusion - Temptation - Anger - Rebellion - Fear - Impatience - Grief Stricken - Lukewarmness - Doubting God - Pain Health Problems - Marital Problems - Addictions - Empty Nest - Trouble with Children - Aging Parents - Jealousy - Conflict - Mental Anguish - Job Loss - Guilt Death of a Family Member - Changes in life - Moving to nesw City - Abandoned - Anxiety - Divorce - Promiscuity - Interracial Marriage - Child with a disability - Loss of a child - Growing old - Spiritual stagnation - Pride - Gossip - Disobedience - Single in a Married World - Fear of failure - Arrogance - Losing a mate - Not able to have children, etc. Writer's will choose their topic, which may not be on the list above. Someone called me today and ask if they could write about "middle age rage" - it is perfect. The list is contains suggestions but the Holy Spirit will ultimately decide what goes in the book. Real stories. Real struggles. That's what Jesus wants - authenticity. We're going to stop pretending, take off our mask and get real for Jesus.

I want to share what I will be presenting at the conference in Pitt next week. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming - God is soooo good. My presentation was just posted on the American Counseling Association's (ACA) Website. I am a little nervous about it b/c very smart people will be in the audience. There are two links below. The first link is ACA's homepage - ACA is the mother association of the counseling profession w/ 19 national and international divisions - http://www.counseling.org - The second link takes you directly to my handout - if you have 5 minutes please skim it - http://www.counseling.org/handouts/2010/397.pdf This is an important score as I work toward tenure - for me, it's like a big touchdown b/c in may impact the counseling profession at two levels (accredation and licensure). Please pray I do a good job presenting, that I am able to answer all questions (the professors from Texas A&M and Seattle Pacific will not be able to copresent due). Then, please pray that God continues to open more doors of opportunity like this - I give him praise and I am so thankful for what he is doing for me! My passion and primary role is pastor but I enjoying being a professor on the side. Paul made tents, I teach.

Lynn Anderson Smells Like Sheep (a note I posted for Lynn on caringbridge)

I continue to pray for you. When I read Carolyn's post today - well, how can I describe what I feel? I love you Lynn! Carolyn's faith is so strong. God has given you peace and strength to face the most difficult battle of your life. You both are amazing. I can't wait to see the video interview on the Oak Hills Church website. Three times, just this week, I told stories about you. You are so full of Jesus. You taught me, pastored me, guided me through stormy weather. And when the weather cleared, you taught me even more. You opened your heart to me and I'll never forget it - so affirming, encouraging - so wise and understanding - filled to the measure of the fullness of Christ! I will never pastor you like but I am a much better pastor because of you. I smell like sheep Lynn. I smell like you and I like it because you smell like Jesus. I esteem you so high. Paul said to esteem others higher than yourself - well, that's easy to do with you. You are so much better than me in every area. Your leadership, influence and preaching - man, you can preach! You've touched thousands and thousands. There are so many people who feel like I do. We look up to you, admire you and love you. Just look at your guest book - page after page of stories, expressions of love and warm affection. And why? Because you loved us with the love of Jesus. You preach like Apollos, write like Paul, lead like Moses, fight like David and love like Jesus. You are my hero. I knew you before you knew me. I read your books - I ordered your tapes - I guess I've listened to a 100 (no, far more). Whenever I had the privilege to hear you in person, I was on the front row hanging on every word. Then, I met you in CA. Nice restaurant, beautiful view of the Pacific sitting at a table with about 12 preachers. It was so fun. We laughed so hard I thought I would bust. Afterwards one guy said you and Lynn really hit it off. Yes, we sure did! I was so happy to know that it was ok to be normal in the presence of a great man like you. Since that time we've shared more than laughs. You've seen my tears. When I fell into sin and came back to the Lord, you hugged me and kissed me in front of everybody. I walked in five minutes late because I had just finished my session across campus and I rushed to yours. You had already started preaching but you stopped when I walked in. You motioned for me to come down front and hugged me and gave be a big holy kiss on the cheek. I felt like the prodigal son who came home. Then you smiled real big and turned me around to face your audience and introduced me. You told them that I had a story like Joe Beam and you said some other nice things that I remember well but I'm not going to share. But the Holy Spirit filled my heart with such joy and when I sit down I thought "Lord, how could you be so good to me after what I have done. I was ashamed to walk into room but Lynn showered me with your grace (tearful as I write). I've seen your tears too. I've seen them well up in your eyes when you talk about Jesus and God's awesome power. I've seen tears in your eyes when you talked about Carolyn and your children and the people you love. And in that San Antonio hospital where I visited you. I remember what you said about the big "C" word. You explained that the the big "C" was not cancer. The big C's were Christ, Carolyn and Children. God gave you that and I could see how it strengthened you. Right now my heart is so full. Full of pain as I think about your battle with the little "c". But full of faith as I think of your strength and courage and the way you fight. You inspire me. I pray God gives me courage like you. Now, please say a prayer tonight for me and our church. You would love our church Lynn. If you were able to come and preach I know they would love you. And you would love them. Pray that God will keep blessing us and that I will do a good job as I pass on to others what you gave me - Jesus. I love you brother! Jeff

Guilt is only good when it is real

Guilt is good when it is real. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. When I feel guilty for my sin the Holy Spirit convicts me and produces an urgent desire to repent. Paul explained the process in 2 Cor. 7:10-11 when he wrote "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So guilt is good when it is real because it makes you want to repent and turn to God. But, "worldly sorrow brings death." Excessive and inappropriate guilt kills you. Once you feel the pain and make the change you need to let it go. Why do you keep holding on to it? Why do you kill yourself with ongoing thoughts of regret? Did you notice what Paul said? He said "Godly sorry leads to salvation and leaves no regret." It's over. Guilt has served it's purpose and you're back on track - God has forgiven you, your guilt is gone so don't preoccupy your mind with regret - it will kill you! God said "I will remember your sins no more." Now, since God forgave you and promised not to remember it why do you keep dwelling on it? It's "unreal" guilt because it's gone. The blood of Jesus has washed all your sins away. Another kind of guilt that is "unreal" is when you blame yourself for things you didn't do. Some people automatically assume responsibility for other people's problems (e.g. parents are bad about this) and feel guilty for things they didn't do. Now if you you contributed to a problem, apologize and make amends. But remember, guilt is only good when it is real. Stop killing your self with false guilt. Stop beating yourself up for things you didn't do. That's not what God wants. You don't please God when you feel guilty for things you didn't do. And God does not want you to continue to beat yourself up for past sins. Jesus was sufficiently beaten for your transgression - don't beat yourself as if you have something to pay. He absorbed all your punishment. Your guilt is gone and you're making changes gradually by his transforming Spirit - so be free! Your guilt is gone! Blotted out! Totally righteous! That's what God wants you to accept by faith. That's it. Trust Christ! Jesus did not die on the cross to make you feel guilty. Jesus died and rose again to set you free.

If you look at the future it changes and that changes everything else

I just heard a good line from a man - I can't remember his name but what he said captured my attention. He said, "Here's the thing about the future. If you look at the future it changes and that changes everything else." I like it. It's true. When look ahead and change your plans it changes your future. And that changes everything else. You can avoid many problems by looking ahead. Maybe now, as you read this post, is a good time to look at your future. Ask yourself this question: "If I keep heading down the road I am on where am I going to be when I get there?" If you are on the high road following Jesus, stay on it. If not, take the next exit and change directions. When you do this, it may change everything else (relationships, your "station" or place in life, etc) because you do not life in isolation - what you decide affects your family and friends - changing one part changes the whole. I think it could also apply to the past - not that looking at your past changes it but that the linear logic used in blaming all your problems on one event (or person) is a mistake - it's not true. The cause was not the one bad thing, it was many things and that changed everthing, including your reaction to it. The S-R model you learned in Psychology 101 does not fit. It's not billiard ball world. You can't find cause using linear thinking. It's circular, complex and multidiminisional and accepting responsibility for how you think, feel and behave in reaction to the bad thing that happened may be the most important factor. OK. Enough.I need to think about it later. It has captured my attention for too long - I need to get back to reviewing and rehearsing my sermon for Lord's Day morning. But all of the above is related to God. David said "we are fearfully and wonderly made" and that's certainly true of everything he created. All of creation - time, space, everything - all of it is so wonderfully complex. Who can understand it? Who has ever known the mind of God? His thoughts and ways are so high and lofty. When I look up it makes me bow low and worship him.

Medical Team in Haiti (Susan Wright)

Dr. Susan Wright from Norway Ave is serving the suffering people of Haiti. Here is a message from the medical team in Haiti: "We were preparing to open the clinic this morning when we noticed a mother holding a very malnurished child...it was a 3 year old boy in the end stages of AIDS...it was a tough start to the day. The clinic is crowded today. We are seeing the second wave of problems, many severely infected wounds that are a result of th...e unsterile operating environments in the city. Keep praying!"

Without a King (A Study in the Book of Judges)

This Sunday I begin a new series in the book of Judges. The series title is called "Without a King" and the theme Verse: Judges 17:5 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.

Bible Study Resources

If you enjoy Bible Study and are looking for online resources click on the links I have listed on the front page of this blog. I love to study God's word and the resources that I have listed under links have been helpful to me - perhaps you will find them helpful also. If you know of other Bible study resources I hope you will share them with me - please send me your favorite links.

His Sovereignty in Election

God chose you in advance. He predestined before you before he created anything. You have faith in Christ because God gave it to you. You repented of your sins because God granted repentance. Faith and repentance are gifts from God. Why did you accept the Lord Jesus? Jesus said “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” You are not saved because you are intelligent or spiritually sensitive or morally good. You are saved because of God’s sovereign grace. No one can ever boast before God because he did it all. God has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses. It’s true. You can see it clearly when you read the Bible. He hardened Pharaoh’s heart so he could display his power and make his Name known throughout the world. He opened Lydia's heart to spread the gospel of Jesus throughout Europe. He hardened Israel's heart to bring Gentiles into his family. And when the full number of Gentiles come it all Israel will be saved. You may think it's unfair because who can resist his will. Be careful. You are not God's critic. Don't argue with the Almighty about his sovereignty. He may overwhelm you with a storm. You may hear him say "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man while I question you - since you know so much. Where were you when I created the foundations of the earth?" You, like Job, would cover your mouth with your hand and realize that he is the potter and we are the clay. Clay never protests - why did you make me this way. He knows what he's doing. He is God and you are not. Just accept the fact that he is totally righteous and all his decisions are just - even when you can't understand - even when it looks unfair. The secret things belong to God - the reveal things are available for us to read - most of what God has revealed is easy to understand but some things are perplexing and seem irreconcilable. I do not think it is impossible to reconcile God's sovereignty in election with human freewill. But both are clearly and repeatedly taught in scripture. When you read those sections you can hardly keep from asking questions. Just make sure that, when you ask such questions, you maintain a humble, submissive tone and let go of the illusion that you could ever comprehend the incomprehensible. Remember, "we know in part". Perhaps he will explain it in the question and answer room in heaven. Until then accept both doctrines (God's total sovereignty and human free will) and learn to live with the dissonance. Some believers can't stand it so they embrace one at the expense of the other. Don't make that mistake. You'll miss out on the blessing. What blessing? Security for you and praise for God - I'll explain the blessing in a minute. My point here is to encourage you to say "God is sovereign and we are free - I believe it even though I can't understand it" and let the tension it creates remain. Don't focus on freewill at the expense of sovereignty. Don't ignore or explain away passages that emphasize his sovereign will. How can you? I can't escape it because it keeps jumping off the page and hitting me in the face. To me, it is so clear and emphatic. Strong statements with stories that illustrate. Remember Rebekah? God spoke to her while she was still pregnant. Before Rebekah’s twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” It does not depend on our desire or effort it depends on God’s mercy. Mercy! That's what you need to focus on. His sovereign mercy. His love and grace. The truth of God's sovereignty in election was not revealed to perplex us. Why did he reveal it? For his own glory. To display his awesom power and absolute control. He also wanted to make us to feel secure. To reassures us of his love and mercy. The world will never spin out of his control. God gave us a little glimpse is scripture so we would understand that everything will conform to HIS will - not our will. He planned everything before it began. Christ was crucified before the creation of the world. He knew you, predestined you, called you, justified you and glorified you. Romans 8:30 takes my breath away. The entire scheme of human redemption in one verse - breathtaking! Read it carefully and notice that it is stated in the past tense. How can that be? God knows the future - even more, everything conforms to his eternal purpose. He can see the end from the beginning because he is the alpha and omega. The first and the last. He is the beginning and the end and everything in between. You died and your life is NOW hidden with God in Christ. God has ALREADY raised you and seated you with Christ in the heavenlies. What do you have to worry about? It's done - it's complete - in the mind of God you are with Jesus. You are saved and secure. Now, when you think about all these things that are too wonderful to understand - let it fill you with awe and wonder and say with Paul "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been his counselor? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever and ever! Amen!

Wash me and I will be whiter than snow

Snow is just beginning to fall - again. Yesterday's snow covered the ground and now, weather.com is calling for several inches more. I am watching snow fall out my office window. It is beautiful. The ground is covered with white snow. It reminds me of God's forgiveness. I am thinking of two passages - Psalm 51 and Isaiah 1. After David's sin with Bathsheba he wrote Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Years later God spoke to Israel through the prophet Isaiah and said in Isaiah 1:16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. 1 Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. 18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Today, by the grace of God, I want to stop doing wrong and learn to do right. But you have to help me Lord. I am powerless without you. Fill me with your Spirit! Make me. Move me. I am willing to be obedient and nothing in me (at this time) wants to resist you. Lord, my sins are like scarlet - they are red as crimson - wash me now - make me white as the snow falling outside my window. Lead me in your path forever - keep me white and pure and strong.

Try The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

I use online resources for Bible study most of the time. I began preaching twenty years ago when nearly all my resources were in printed books - large, thick volumes. I remember doing word studies - thumbing through those large volumes, referencing and recording, etc. It used to take a long time to find what you were looking for - Not anymore! The availability of (free) online Bible resources and tools makes a huge differencee! Here's one of them. Try The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE). I use it a lot. I have several Bible tools and go-to resources - this is one of them. Here's a little summary of the ISBE from Studylight.org - "Welcome to the The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on StudyLight.org! Containing 9448 entries cross-referenced and cross-linked to other resources on StudyLight.org, this encyclopedia can be classified as a required reference book for any good study library. This practical, authoritative, and complete classic reference encyclopedia explains every significant word in the Bible and Apocrypha. It gives detailed information on the language and literature of Bible lands, and the historical and religious environments of the people of the Bible in articles by nearly 200 scholars. All scripture references and reference to other entries within the text have been linked. To use this encyclopedia to it's full potential, follow all the links presented within the text of the entry you are reading." Ready to try it? Just visit http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb/

New look

I gave my blog a new look. Still haven't figured out all the available gadgets - in the process of adopting the new look I apparently deleted links and followers - sorry about that. I added a few links - the new controls on blogger are more user-friendly. But I still don't know how create breaks - blogger doesn't recognize them -that's why my post are w/o paragraphs - I don't like it but I don't know how to fix it.

How to cope with your self - die and stay dead

One of life’s most difficult challenges is coping with our self – sin, insecurity, guilt and anxiety - I call them the big four – sinful addictions, nagging insecurities, crippling guilt, and paralyzing anxieties. Everybody deals with them. Where do they come from? Inside. Nothing good lives in me i.e. in my sinful nature. Jesus said “For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' " (Mark 7:21-23). C.S. Lewis was right when he wrote "Look for yourself and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin and decay." Does that sound strange? It contradicts nearly every philosophy and theory of psychology about the self. I am familiar with the humanistic approaches because I have been teaching current psychotherapies to counselors in training for several years. The humanistic theories assume that human nature is good and the answer to problems with addictions, insecurity, guilt/depression, anxiety/stress lies within. They emphasize self-acceptance, self-fulfillment, self-actualization, etc. These ideas are so popular in mainstream culture some Christians accept it as true and even superimpose these notions on Christianity. But Jesus never taught such things. Jesus taught us to die to self and the older I get the more I understand why I need to die to myself. I am becoming increasingly aware of two things simultaneously – my own depravity and God’s amazing grace. When I look inside I see a heart that is desperately wicked – the cravings and desires of my sinful nature frighten me. I am capable of anything. At the same time, I am totally amazed by God’s grace and love. The blackness of my depravity is the backdrop of God’s grace and love. As my awareness of sin abounds, God’s grace super-abounds. That’s the best way I know to cope with myself - die and stay dead. The more I realize who I am the more I want to die and let Jesus live my life. If you don’t know who you really are you may not want to die. Luther wrote that man must come to a knowledge of himself, be terrified of himself, and be crushed as a prelude to receiving and appreciating God’s grace, forgiveness, and new life in Christ. I was crucified with Christ. I died with him and I want to stay dead. Staying dead is the most difficult part for me. I really don't know the best way to stay dead. Denying myself - it works sometimes. Avoiding triggers - yeah, sometimes. But my old man doesn't need a trigger to surface - he is stronger than me - I cannot control him or tame him or domesticate him - he wears me out! He's too much for me - I wish Jesus would just kill him or take him completely out of me so there would be no more struggle - O, I long for that day. Until then, I try to do what Paul said in Romans 6, 7, and 8. To "reckon" or "consider" myself dead - this way I don't respond because dead men don't lust - they aren't proud or rude or self-seeking - they are just dead. How can we cope with our self and the big four - sinful addictions, nagging insecurities, crippling guilt, and paralyzing anxieties? Jesus is the answer. My part is to die and stay dead. That's my prayer. I pray that I can just think of myself as a dead man. Dead to sin. Dead to law. Dead to the lure of the world system. One thing for sure - the answer does not reside in me - just sin. I want to die so Christ live my life.

How to confront

God sometimes prompts us to restore a friend who is trapped in glaring flagrant sin and he gives us instruction on how to do it. Galatians 5:1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Today I read a story writen by Chuck Smith (pastor of Calvary Chapel)that illustrates the passage above. Chuck Smith writes "Years ago a close friend operated a delivery business to grocery stores. During his rounds he met the wife of a man who owned a small market. They began to kid around with one another and, before long, they were meeting regularly to drink coffee and to talk. They soon fancied themselves in love, left their families, and moved in together. That's when this man's wife, also a dear friend, called us and asked if we would pray for him. Meanwhile, the minister of the church where our friends had been attending paid a visit to the man. The pastor told him that he had a vision of a black hearse and if the man didn't leave this woman and go back to his wife, they were going to carry him out of that room feetfirst. This heavy-handed approach only made the man more angry and entrenched him in his immoral decision. His wife then called me and asked if I would talk to him. I agreed to go and found my friend living in a shabby garage apartment on the bad side of town. When I saw his filthy little home, I was struck by how much he had lost. His wife and daughters were beautiful people. His home was in a wonderful area. This man had sold his soul for a crust of bread. As he came to the door, a look of shame covered his face. He was very polite and invited me to come in and sit down. As I looked around at my friend's new life I thought, Oh, God! How could he give up so much for so little? My heart was breaking because I loved this man. The sight of what he had fallen into tore me apart. I found myself unable to conceal my feelings, and much to my embarrassment I began to weep. I was overcome with grief, and when his lover emerged from the kitchen all I could do was sob. I finally got so embarrassed I said, "I'm very sorry. I know I came over to see you, but I just can't talk right now." I got up, left, and went home feeling like a fool. Here my good friend's wife wanted me to visit him and make an appeal for reconciliation, and all I could do was sit there and cry. The next morning I received a phone call with news that left me in shock. My friend had returned to his wife and family just hours after my visit. What did God use to achieve this miraculous healing of a fractured relationship? Not a holier-than-thou attitude, to be certain. His Spirit had created in me a spirit of meekness and brokenness that led to a joyful reconciliation. I thought I had blundered terribly - but I discovered that whenever we choose to walk in the Spirit, God delights to work powerfully In stunning and unexpected ways. Walking in the Spirit is an amazingly practical proposition. It doesn't mean that we float through life with a halo over our head and an angelic smile on our face. We can be spiritually minded and still relate to people about earthly things. Some believers react so strongly against the pervasive worldliness of our culture that they lose the ability to communicate with their friends, relatives, and neighbors. Walking in the Spirit doesn't take us out of reality; it allows us to function in reality with optimum effectiveness."

Long time no see

It has been a long time since I posted anything. My schedule has been heavy. It still is.