Faith In Practice

Why I'm A Christian Psalm 103

2012-02-01T14:30:00.000-05:00

What do you believe? What is your God like? I can tell you a lot about my God by pointing you to an awesome chapter in the book of Psalms. Please read it carefully.

Is your God like this? In verse 2, David writes, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits". He then goes on to point out benefit after benefit that the LORD offers to those who trust in Him.

[103:1] Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
[3] who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
[4] who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
[5] who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
[6] The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
[7] He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
[8] The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
[9] He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
[10] He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
[11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
[12] as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
[13] As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
[14] For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
[15] As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
[16] for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
[17] But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
[18] to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
[19] The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
[20] Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
[21] Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
[22] Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
(Psalm 103 ESV)

Here is a short list of some of the benefits mentioned in the Psalm.

forgives all your iniquity
heals all your diseases
redeems your life from the pit (death or hell)
shows you steadfast love and mercy
satisfies you
works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed
He is merciful and gracious
He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
He does not deal with us according to our sins or keep his anger forever
He keeps his covenant (promises)

If all of this is true (and it is), how should we respond to this God? Worship him and submit to his Lordship. He has accomplished all these benefits through his Son Jesus Christ who has suffered and died in our place. Why does he not remember our sins? It is because Jesus has paid for them. He suffered the wrath of God for our sin. God is Righteous and Just. That means that sin must be dealt with and paid for. Who will pay for your sin? If it is not Jesus than it will be YOU. Turn to Jesus. Ask for forgiveness. Trust in Him.

But to all who did receive him,

who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God,

(John 1:12 ESV)

Matt Chandler Makes Much of Christ with a Brain Tumor

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

I know many of you have probably seen this before, but occasionally we just all need a reminder. God is for us and sometimes that means that we have to go through difficulty and stress. For Pastor Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church, it means a brain tumor.

No matter what happens to you in your life, always remember that God is using that situation for good and his Glory. There is no trial that proves that God doesn't care or that he is not there. I know this personally, My wife has been struggling for 3 months with a constant migraine headache that has not let up. In the process of trying to figure out why this is happening, we discovered that she has a spot in her brain. We still don't know how it will workout for her but we are confident in our God.

The following videos were recorded, Matt was 35, married with 2 kids, and had been the pastor of his church for 7 years. Hear his amazing testimony of faith and joy through this great struggle.

Before the Surgery

After The Surgery

Nobody Dies Early

Dr. David Powlison - What is the process of healing after an abortion?

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

For the past few days, I've been focusing on how bad abortion is. One thing that could be easily overlooked is the suffering of those who have already gone through with the procedure. Many women struggle with significant emotional and psychological problems as a result of terminating their pregnancy.

Is abortion an unforgivable sin? What does God think of a woman who has had an abortion? Dr Powlison, a counslor with CCEF in Philadelphia Pa offers his take on the issue.

Exodus 34:6-7

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, butwho will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

The resource that he mentioned in the video can be found HERE.

Dr Powlison has written a booklet on recovering from an abortion. You can find out how to get a copy of the book HERE.

John Piper Offers Help For Those Living Under A Pro-Choice President

2012-01-24T05:30:00.000-05:00

Each year, Thousands of innocent children are murdered. They did nothing wrong. Our nation has the ability and responsibly to stop this tragedy but chose to allow it to continue. They say that they want to protect a woman's "right to choose". What are we to do?

What is the answer? What should we do?
Prayer is the answer, it's what we should be doing. We must acknowledge that action alone will change nothing. Only God can effect the great change that is needed in our nation. Abortion is a symptom of the problem. The real problem is apostasy. The problems we face "politically" in our country should be expected. Our prayer should be that God raises up families (our families) who will boldly proclaim Christ as the LORD. That they/we would submit to his Lordship and the whole world would see Jesus. That they would repent of their rebellion and turn to Him. This is the only hope! We can't do it, but it must be done! Lord will you do what we can't. Would you Save the World.

Matthew 6:9-10

“Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven."

I found the following 8 recommendations very helpful. We must acknowledge that our cation against mass murder is absolutely necessary. You can read the full article HERE. Below you will find a summary of his 8 points.

Eight Ways to Live as Pro-Life Christians Under a Pro-Choice President

Humbling ourselves by acknowledging our need for mercy and forgiveness (1 Peter 5:6)
Acknowledging that our president is made in God's image (James 3:9)
Acknowledging God has established the institution of Government (Romans 13:4)
Honoring laws not conflicting with Christ's lordship (1 Peter 2:13-16)
Not withdrawing into isolation (i.e. get involved, speak out) (1 Peter 2:15)
Opposing with non-violence (2 Corinthians 4:2)
Expecting straightforward answers to straightforward questions regarding a Babies Human Rights
Trusting the sovereign, loving purpose of God

Even so Lord, Come Now!!!

Obama's Crazy, Infuriating Comments on Roe v Wade

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I was checking out Facebook before going to bed when I came across a post about Obamas comments about Roe V Wade. I have always known that he was pro-abortion, but reading his comments really upset me. I'm furious at this statement.

As we mark the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right. While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue- no matter what our views, we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant woman and mothers, reduce the need for abortion, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption. And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams."

What a Fool! Ending life is not a private family matter! It's murder and evil. God has established Government to protect it's citizens. It is to protect FREEDOM. Since when do certain people have more right to "freedom" than others? We need a Change in the White House!!!!!

Hat Tip: Randy Alcorn

David and Daddy Racing down "Killer Hill"

2012-01-21T20:03:00.000-05:00

We had a great day today. Over night, we had a few inches of snow. The boys loved it. They have been waiting for this for a long time. We all spent some time outside in the snow this morning while I was getting my car cleaned up and unburied from the snow so that Christine could go to work.

Around mid day, I got a phone call from Rick, a man that I work with. He has been given the task of picking my parents up at the airport tonight. They are coming back from a week long vacation in St Lucia. He wanted me to help him shovel out my parents drive way so that he did not have to do it later tonight when they get in.

Personally, I think that it just serves them (my parents) right to have to come back to all this snow and dig out. But for Rich's sake, I took the boys along and helped him dig out.

The boys had an absolute blast. They loved the hill. We all had a good time. After we were done sledding, I through some rock salt down to melt the ice that we made.

Infinite Pleasure

2012-01-05T09:18:00.000-05:00

What does every person in the world really want? What drives us? Why do we do the things we do? These are penetrating questions. Questions that I dont often ask of myself.

I know of a couple. They had been married for many years, but in 2011 something happened and the husband kicked his wife out of the house. A few months later the husband took his own life. His widow asked some people to help her figure out what to do. Upon arriving at the home, they found that it was literally filled with stuff.

This man had spend every dollar that he had on things, trinkets and collections. For him, things were the source of his comfort and enjoyment. He lived for things. Nice things, new things. The picture below is one of the hundreds of model cars that he owned. Look at the picture. What do you notice?

The packaging promises the collector of this car "Infinite Pleasure." Really?! Infinite pleasure? I half believe that this man believed the promise. He lived for his stuff until he realized that what he lived for was nothing more than an empty promise. Now, I don't claim to know or understand what drove this man to make the tragic choice to end his life. I would not be surprised to find that it was the realization of the emptiness of his life's pursuit that informed his choice.

The truth is that we all seek the "Infinite Pleasure" promised by this toy. We may not amass stuff but we do seek it in family, friends, work, status, money, power, sex, food or anything else. The sad truth is that we are not too different than this man. We all seek our basic need for "Infinite Pleasure" from creation rather than from the Creator.

God offers this pleasure. Read Psalm 16. Verse 11 says, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Our desire for pleasure is not the problem. The problem is that we look to stuff rather than to God for fulfillment. His promise is not empty.

2011 - A Year in Review

2012-01-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

Well, 2011, I wont miss you. It has been a challenging year by all accounts. I am hoping that 2012 will be better. Regardless of how "good" or "bad" the year was or is, I am convinced that I have received better than I deserve. God is faithful and he will not give us more that we can handle. His grace is sufficient for all of life's situations.

Regardless of what 2012 brings, I will praise the Lord.

If you would like to see a not so brief review of what happened in our family in 2011, please click on the link below to read my wife's post. I love you honey.

Answering the Call: 2011 - A Year in Review: Well, 2011, I wont miss you. It has been a challenging year by all accounts. I am hoping that 2012 will be better. Regardless of how "goo...

Memory Verse Program - Fighter Verses

2011-12-15T11:29:00.001-05:00

I have been using (off and on) a scripture memory program from www.FighterVerses.com. My normal routine involves looking at the verse on my iPhone (they have an AWESOME app) but today I went to their website and read the short devotional that accompanies this weeks verse (Psalm 23:1-2). This is a very encouraging devotional and I would like you to take a minute to read it. Here is a short excerpt.

Psalms 23:1-2,

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”

The beginning of Psalm 23 sounds a lot different from the beginning of Psalm 22.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1)

Both are psalms of David placed beside each other with a purpose. We are struck in Psalm 22 with a cry of desperation. We are soothed in Psalm 23 with a declaration of the Lord‘s sufficiency. As the reader, we are supposed to feel this contrast. We are supposed to read them together, walking with the voice of each verse, being led to a confidence in the Lord that declares “I shall not want.”

Read the whole thing HERE | Fighter Verses

Davids Transfusion Update

2011-09-12T21:14:00.001-04:00

Well that went well. David did great. He was worried about the needle but after it was in and he realized that it was no big deal he was fine.

Here are some of the pictures from tonight.

David is chilling out watching a movie during the transfusion.

The process was fairly simple. David was not too excited about the needle. After it was in he felt better.

They had to keep checking his stats during the transfusion.

David turns the pump on.

So this is what it looks like in the skin.

The Pump

Still doing well...

The transfusion did not take away David's appetite.

Antibody blood transfusions for David

2011-09-11T20:33:00.001-04:00

So tomorrow is the first treatment for David's (just turned 5 yrs old) new antibody treatment. He has been diagnosed with Primary Immune Deficiency Disease - IgG Deficiency Disorder.

For the next 3 weeks we are going to have to give him 2 infusions a week. Each infusion should last about an hour. I expect that the first one may take 2 hours from start to finish just to learn the ropes.

The transfusions will take place at our home. We will numb the area first. Then prick him with an Subcutaneous needle. There will be a spring loaded pump used to slowly push the meds over an hour's time.

He will be able to walk around and do most normal things while the transfusion takes place. Well, I guess wrestling with his brother (Josh) wouldn't be such a good idea.

I think that we are going to watch a movie as a family while the first dose is administered. We will watch "Cheaper By The Dozen." It should be fun.

Our pastor, Bill Mayk, and his wife Renee have provided us with a meal too. (Update: I have learned that another family in our church, the Metricartis, have also provided a meal.) This was unexpected but greatly appreciated. It will be very nice not to have to worry about cooking while learning about how to work the meds.

Christine and I will be working all day so my mom has offered to help watch the boys after school. We hope to start the process some time around 5:15pm or so.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Where have I been?

2011-09-10T08:53:00.001-04:00

I am sorry that I have not been more active here on my blog. Life has kept me rather busy of late. Today is a nice lazy Saturday morning. The boys are still sleeping and Christine is at work. The boys should be sleeping too. They had us up for nearly an hour last night. Well I guess that this is just life.

Yesterday was Davids 5th birthday. It was wonderful to see him all excited about his "big day". We went to friendly's and ate too much.

I hope to be more active here over the coming months.

God bless.

Answering the Call: First Steps to Answering the Call

2011-02-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

So I talked my wife into starting a blog to share the story of our journey in Faith. We have been committed to Global Missions for most of our life. Christine and I are taking the first steps in becoming full time missionaries. This is a huge step of faith as we have many reasons why we should not go. In this new blog we will discuss our "Calling" and why we made the choice to walk down this road.

Check out her blog. Let me know what you think.

Answering the Call: First Steps to Answering the Call: "We invite you to join us as we walk the path to answering God's call. We've provided links to our story to give you a background to ho..."

The Skin Gun - This is AMAZING

2011-02-02T14:19:00.000-05:00

God is amazing. Pain and suffering are real. It is a part of living in a fallen world. But God has also given us scientists who want to learn how the human body works and how to heal it. Man this gun is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Please look at this video.

WOW!!!

The Lost and Unreached

2011-01-07T14:45:00.000-05:00

"The task of missions is not to find out where there are unreached people and then send missionaries. There are unsaved people EVERYWHERE! The task of missions is to find out where there are people groups that have not Christians at all and then to send missionaries." John Piper

“Unapproachable, inaccessible in location or situation, untouched, untouchable, disconnected, unable to be met or out of touch. These are all words and descriptions given for yet another word: Unreached.”

Lost from HistoryMaker on Vimeo.

HT: Justin Taylor

Merry Christmas from the Russell's

2010-12-23T14:05:00.000-05:00

Free digital greeting customized with Smilebox

The Joy of Stats - Global Health & Wealth 200 Countries, 200 Years

2010-11-30T13:42:00.000-05:00

Wow, this is such an interesting video. I recommend that you invest 4 min's to watch it. To whom much is given... much more shall be required!

Attack Ads, Circa 1800

2010-10-31T20:59:00.000-04:00

Classic!!! This is just too funny and just what I needed about now. I dont know about you but I can't wait for Tuesday to be over and all the political adds to stop running.

I Love the Fall

2010-10-31T17:07:00.000-04:00

I took this picture at a youth group retreat this weekend. It was a lot of fun. The weather was wonderful and the colors were brilliant.

PEOPLE ARE AWESOME.

2010-10-29T10:55:00.000-04:00

WOW! What can I say? This is an amazing video.

I know the title says "People are Awesome" but I think it is more accurate to say that people are CRAZY!!! Totally cool video.

Christmas Card 2010

2010-10-28T15:22:00.001-04:00

Full Of Love Christmas Card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Start using Mint.com to manage your money today!

2010-09-29T19:00:00.001-04:00

"I use mint.com. I love it. The iPhone app is great!!!"

With Mint, you can:

* Get set up in minutes
* See all your accounts in one place
* Set and track your budgets & achieve your goals
* Find hundreds of dollars in personalized savings
* Stay safe and secure...and it's free!

View >>

What Is a Generosity Theology?

2010-09-17T10:50:00.000-04:00

Another great interview between Mark Driscoll and Randy Alcorn.

Transforming the Hearts of a Generation of Givers

2010-09-17T10:47:00.000-04:00

This is so true!!! A great conversation between Randy Alcorn and Mark Driscoll.

How to get your prayers unanswered

2010-08-28T11:21:00.001-04:00

Proverbs 28:9

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,

even his prayer is an abomination.

Life has been very crazy for me these days. In the busyness of life it can be easy to skirt around the law. Today I was reading Proverbs 28 when I came across this text. It is striking that our lack of attention to detail (or more accurately our sinful arrogance) could cause our prayers to go unanswered by God.

Oh Lord, please help me to be faithful in all my actions. I want to please you. I want to be faithful. I need your help, I need sanctification.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Singin' in the Rain - Special Edition

2010-08-21T20:32:00.000-04:00

Sweet lightning

2010-08-16T23:26:00.001-04:00

A Mindblowing Photo Story Ad

2010-08-10T11:05:00.000-04:00

This is a very interesting video. I recommend that you take 3 minuets to watch it. Wow! I cant imagine how many photo prints it took to make the video.

Because He Is Good - Matt Chandler Sermon Jam

2010-08-04T12:24:00.000-04:00

I thought that this was a great "Sermon Jam". Chandler is right on. Thanks Matt.

Found at http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2010/08/chandler-sermon-jam.html

Veggies to go with our tacos

2010-07-26T18:09:00.001-04:00

Mmmmmmmm! Yummy!

Working on dinner.

Yummm

2010-07-19T09:19:00.001-04:00

Look tasty

Hot dog

Hot

It's hot work cooking your lunch

Limbo

Walk the plank

Plank

Frogs…

Look at this cool frog

Grrrrr

I'm a pirate

What a mess

David helping to make pancakes

2010-07-18T22:48:00.001-04:00

2010-07-18T22:33:00.001-04:00

"Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem

2010-07-05T13:39:00.000-04:00

I am on Hayek's side if you wanted to know.

Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration

2010-07-04T23:00:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July!!!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Official Traile...

2010-06-21T09:28:00.000-04:00

I'm really looking forward to this movie. I think I'll take my boys. They've become huge Narnia Fans. :-)

BP Spills Coffee

2010-06-14T11:21:00.000-04:00

BP to the rescue!!!

Very interesting talk - Smile or Die

2010-06-14T11:13:00.000-04:00

RSA Animate - Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

2010-06-01T13:18:00.000-04:00

Rend Collective Experiment - Worship on iPhone

2010-05-28T15:24:00.000-04:00

Matt Chandler demonstrates how impossible it is that Jesus never really died on the Cross

2010-04-09T09:55:00.003-04:00

This is an excellent point.

Jesus was all man. He was also all God.
Jesus did die.
Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
He was healed of the injuries that he received on the day of His Crucifixion while still bearing the marks of the trauma.

Jesus IS GOD! Worship Him!!

He controls all things. He is coming again to judge the world. God will forgive your sins for the sake of Jesus. Jesus already paid the penalty for all your sins.

He is calling you. Will you come?

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Lincoln Post Op Surgery Pictures

2010-04-08T15:32:00.000-04:00

Monday - Joel and Lincoln

Dr's drawing of Aorta defect

Dr's drawing of Aorta after the surgery

Lincoln Post Op

Lincoln's hand in Grampa's hand

Gramma and Grampa with Lincoln Post Op

Lincoln Surgery Report is Good! Also an update on Tyler, Allison and Laura- Thursday April 8 12:30 pm

2010-04-08T12:59:00.000-04:00

The following update comes from Joel's blog. Click here to read it directly from him.

Dr. Moulik is very pleased with the surgery on Lincoln today. They removed the narrow area and connected the lower portion of the artery in to make a large area for the blood to flow. I will upload a picture later tonight showing a drawing Dr. Stevens did of the before and after of the area the operated on.

They entire medical team is very happy with the results. Lincoln will now be hanging out in the Critical Care Unit instead of the NICU while he continues to recover from the surgery along with just being a small little guy. If they are satisfied over time that the heart is good, they may move him back to the NICU to just continue monitoring him as a preemie.

This is wonderful news and we are praising God for His answered prayers and continuing to rest in His care as we know that there will be recovery and then lifelong care and monitoring of his heart along with knowing that there will continue to be ups and downs over the next weeks/months with each of our three little ones.

Tyler and Allison remain in the NICU at Reading Hospital and are doing well. At times, they receive some machine assistance with their breathing, but this is not unusual for premature babies. Tyler may be able to begin trying to have some milk in the next day or so also.

Laura will likely be going home this afternoon. The current plan is for her to stay at her parents for a little bit with Jack and Emily there also. This will allow her some additional recovery time and also help while I am in Philly as she is not allowed to drive for at least 2 weeks.

My parents are driving up from NC this evening, so we are looking forward to seeing them as well and they are looking forward to meeting Tyler, Allison and Lincoln.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and prayers on our behalf. It is wonderful to have family and friends as well as people we do not even personally know supporting us during these eventful days.

Lincoln Praise - He's Out of Surgery

2010-04-08T10:36:00.000-04:00

I just heard from those at St Christophers Hospital that the surgery just ended. Lincoln is in recovery. As far as we can tell the surgery was sucsesful! Only time will tell. Thanks to everyone who has been praying. Keep it up!!! There is still a long road to recovery.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Location:Ben Franklin Hwy E,Amity,United States

Lincoln's Surgery starts in 15 mins (7:30am)

2010-04-08T07:23:00.001-04:00

Ok, the time has come. Please be in prayer for Lincoln as the surgery will start very soon. It will last for several hours. I'll post more as details become available.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Lincoln Brain Scan is Normal. The Surgery is on!!!!!!!

2010-04-07T21:31:00.001-04:00

Wow!!! God does answer prayer!!!! Joel just heard from the Drs that Lincoln's brain is fine and that there is no bleeding. He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30am. Keep praying!!!! He's not out of the woods yet.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Lincoln - New Concerns

2010-04-07T17:50:00.001-04:00

I just heard from Laura. There are some new issues facing Lincoln. It appears that the high blood pressure may have caused bleeding in the brain. The early tests are inconclusive and more tests are planned. If he does have these problems, it could pose great complication for tomorrow's surgery.

Please keep Lincoln and his parents in your prayers.

The other triplets are dealing with jaundise but are improving every day. Keep praying for their continued strengthening.

I'll post more as new details become available.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Facebook Updates from Joel

2010-04-07T14:56:00.000-04:00

Wed Apr 7 - 8:30 am update - I was able to speak with both surgeons Dr. Stevens and Dr. Moulick along with the anesthesiologist this morning. Dr. Moulick is the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery here at the hospital and will be performing the surgery himself. They currently plan to begin around 1:00pm today and that the surgery will be several hours in length. Thank you for your continued encouragements and prayers.

Wed Apr 7 - 2:00 pm update - Lincoln's surgery has been postponed until Thursday morning at 7:30. The morning surgery today on another patient was a more complicated case that has gone long and will not be completed until around 5:00pm. With Lincoln remaining stable at this point, the Doctors feel it will be better to have him hang out and be first on the docket for the morning.

Lincoln's Surgery Postponed

2010-04-07T14:28:00.001-04:00

I just found out that the surgery scheduled for 2pm today has been postponed. There was another surgery going on that took longer than expected. The plan is now to opperate in the morning. Please continue to pray!

Below is a diagram showing the aorta. Lincoln has a narrowing that causes the blood not to flow to the body evenly. At it's base, where it emerges from the heart, the aorta is a normal size. At the top of the arch the aorta is narrowed by 50%. By the time the aorta straightens out there is a 75% narrowing.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Location:Ben Franklin Hwy E,Amity,United States

Quick Surgery Update

2010-04-07T12:55:00.002-04:00

I just heard that the surgery was pushed back a bit. Lincoln should have the surgery at 2pm today. Keep praying for him. He is currently in stable condition.

Here is a picture of my sister, Laura, with her 4 yr old son Jack.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Location:Ben Franklin Hwy E,Amity,United States

Babies: Pray for Lincoln and the Triplets

2010-04-07T07:02:00.001-04:00

Good Morning!!!

Some of you know that my sister, Laura, was pregnant with triplets. She and her husband Joel have 2 beautiful kids, Jack (4) and Emily (2). They were trying for their last child when the found out that they were going to have triplets.

My whole family got together on Easter and spent the day together. It was a wonderful time. Laura was 31 weeks along when we saw her. Everything seemed just fine and normal. We were all excited about the babies being born soon. None of us expected that it would be this soon.

On Monday Laura went for her bi-weekly OB checkup. She was 4 cm dilated and having contractions. Her Doctor sent her to the Hospital to try to stop the contractions. By the time she got there it was too late. The triplets were on their way.

At a little after 12 noon yesterday April 5, 2010, Laura delivered 3 beautiful babies.

Tyler Michael Hughes

Weight: 3 lb 15 oz

Length: 17.25 inches

Allison Joy Hughes

Weight: 3lb 13 oz

Length: 17 inches

Lincoln Christopher Hughes

Weight: 3 lb 11 oz

Length: 16.25 inches

Prayer!!!

General Lung Function: For the most part, the triplets are doing as well as can be expected. They all are struggling with their lung function and are on breathing tubes. Please pray that their lungs strengthen quickly.

The MAJOR concern is for Lincoln. He has been sent to St Christopher's Hospital in Philadelphia do to narrowing of the aorta. This is causing circulation to be diminished in his lower extremities. His blood pressure is very low in his legs and very high in his arms. There will be a surgery today some time afternoon to correct the narrowing. Joel is with him, and is staying at the Ronald McDonald house across the street. Please pray:

For the Surgeons: there will be 3 surgeons involved with the surgery. The lead surgeon is flying in tonight. Please pray that God would give the wisdom and skill repair the aorta.
For the Nursing Staff: that they would effectively assist in the care of Lincoln.
For the Intubation: Surgery for baby's this small is always risky. An additional concern is the process of intubation could cause problems. Pray that Lincoln comes through the intubation smoothly.
For Laura and Joel: that they would have faith and comfort as they watch their son go through this process.
For Grama and Grampa: they whey would have the energy needed to take care of Jack (4yrs old) and Emily (2yrs old) while Laura and Joel care for the triplets.
For Lincoln: that he would have a quick recovery. They currently expect that he will need to stay at St Christopher's for a week. After that, the hope is that he will be permitted to return to the Reading Hospital which is much closer to home and where his siblings are.

Laura's Healing: Keep Laura in prayer as she heals from the C-Section.

The Coming Months: Feeding and caring for three newborns will be a real challenge emotionally, physically and financially. They will need a lot of help and support during these next several months (and possibly years). Pray that their two older children will be patient and adapt well to the competition for attention.

Davids prayer

2010-03-25T21:16:00.001-04:00

What a sweet child I have. David loves to pray before meals. He prays before almost every one. They are so cute and thankful. We could all learn a lot from a child's prayer.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Hipocrit - 1 John 2:4,5

2010-03-23T07:21:00.001-04:00

1 John 2:4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

I was reading through 1 John this morning. I am reminded how much I like this book. It is a very straight forward book that doesn't pull it's punches. These two verses struck me. How often do I say good things. I sound like a very good Christian. My talk makes it seem like I've got it all together. But if you look at my life, I'm afraid that you will find something that looks a lot different then you hear. Am I a hypocrite? This is a very important question. Look at what 1 Jn 2:4 says about people like this. He says that they aren't even Christians. He calls them liars.

Oh Lord, please help my walk and my word to reflect a heart of devotion to you. May my life reflect the kind of high values that my words indicate that I hold. I know that you are not done with me yet. Keep refining me into the man you want me to be.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Finally an update

2010-03-17T07:11:00.001-04:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I last updated this blog. Several weeks ago I cut the very tip of my thumb. It was quite painful. With my thumb bandaged, it was imposable to type with any speed on my iPhone. Of course, the bandage eventually came off but I did not come back to the blog. Sorry about that.

Today I've been meditating on the last verses of Psa 1. There is a major difference between the Christian or blessed man and the Unsaved or wicked man. This has been discussed all through this psalm but now it reaches it's climax. The wicked will be judged and they will not be vindicated. Their judgment will lead to their eternal destruction.

The righteous, however, will be vindicated at the last judgment because of their faith. Not only will the stand in the judgment, but they have their very lives planned and prospered by God.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

This is my Prayer for Today

2010-02-21T07:22:00.001-05:00

Oh lord, I need you so much. I, even now, don't understand how much I need you. Please forgive my arrogance, pride, and self dependence. Please help me to rely on you for everything. Oh I am such a worm! I need you to help me grow. I need to be like Jesus. Please help me to want to be like him.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Psalm 1:3 - And what ever he does will prosper

2010-02-18T07:25:00.001-05:00

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Today I am meditating on Psalm 1:3-4. David compares the righteous to a tree and the wicked to chaff or dust. He says that the righteous man is fruitful and productive.

I ask myself, what causes his fruitful productivity? The answer, I believe, is found in verses 1 & 2. First, he does not drink from the "wisdom" of the wicked (Psa 1:1). Secondly, he does drink deeply from the "WISDOM" of God by meditating on the Bible.

My next question is, what is the nature of his prosperity? Is he materially prosperous? Does everything that he sets his hand to at work succeed? Is he just "spiritually" prosperous? This is more difficult to to understand. After meditating on these questions I think that at a minimum it refers to spiritual prosperity. As we feast on the Bible, God changes our desires. He causes us to have a greater hunger for Him, a hunger which He is pleased to satisfy.

It has broader implication too. This righteouss man becomes who God wants him to be. He becomes a curse reverser. He, through Gods help, can and does help to bring the kingdom of God to have dominion in various aspects of his world (Gen 1:26-30). This text should not be taken as a prosperity Gospel. God does not prosper us just for our own benefit. He does it in a way that is consistent with his plans and purposes for our life and His world.

God may you give me a deeper hunger for you, not just your benefits.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and grammatical blunders.

Psa 1:3-4 - The righteous vs the wicked

2010-02-15T07:16:00.001-05:00

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

I love the way the Psalms compare and contrast ideas. In these verses David compares the righteous and the wicked.

The Righteous
- deeply rooted
- spiritually well fed
- regularly fruitful
- spiritually prosperous

The Wicked
- malnourished
- not rooted
- gets driven by the wind

Lord please help me to be deeply rooted in you, meditating on your word. I want to be fruitful. I want to be productive. I need you.

My Sick Boys…

2010-02-09T06:54:00.001-05:00

So David (3) has his 8th sinus infection since September. We have had him on more rounds of antibiotics than I care to recount. Now the Doctors say that he needs his Adenoids out. While this is a fairly simple procedure, it will require general anaesthesia. Needless to say, Christine is concerned about his health and the surgery. We have
scheduled the surgery for February 19.

Josh (5) has pneumonia. He is coughing all the time and feels miserable. We have him on an antibiotic and some nebulizer meds. Josh has been very emotional lately. Diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome last spring, he struggles to make friends and relate with his peers. He is in kindergarten and is often made fun of for being different. Last night, after we put him in bed he came down stairs to talk to us about how difficult his day was. We are very watchful for any signs of depression and anxiety. it looks like we are starting to see them. Christine had a really good talk with Josh about making friends hand that seemed to get him through. we will see how things go today.

Please keep my dear boys with their issues in you prayers. Also remember Christine and me as we try to help them.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and gramatical blunders.

Psa 1:2 - meditation

2010-01-29T07:01:00.001-05:00

So I figured something out this morning. Psa 1:2 says that the blessed man "meditates" on his word "day and night". This can sound overwhelming because who has the time to do devotions all day long? I sure don't.

But I have been working on Psa 1 for long enough that I have it memorized. As I start my day, like many others, I get a quick shower. It has been my habit to review the chapter in my mind as I do this. That's where it hit me. God does not expect us to go through life in a constant stats of devotions per se. But he does expect us to bath our minds in his word so that as we go through life's ups and downs we can us memorized scriptures to guard our heart from sinning, keep our mind on him, and encourage those who need to hear from God through his word.

Memorization (Psa 1:2) is the key to obeying this Psalm. How well do you know your bible? As trials come up, do you think about what Gods word says about you struggles? Can you relate Biblical stories to your own? Meditation is necessary to avoid walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scoffer (Psa 1:1)

To continue the Psalm we also find out that meditation on the Word of God connects us to all that we need for fruitfulness. Our permanence (compare Psa 1:4) or strength as a Christian is directly connected to our ability to meditate.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and gramatical blunders.

Psalm 1:2 - Meditate day and night

2010-01-28T07:03:00.001-05:00

Psalm 1:2-3: 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Before I begin, I should note that it is extremely difficult to keep up with this routine when you have two sick boys and one of them refuses to sleep past 6 am. I am pleased to say that they are for the most part better and David is not up yet. :-)

Lord, the key to my walk with you is in verse two (Psa 1:2). How can I be who you have made me to be if I never delight in your word? delight!!! this really is not about "trying" to get excited about your word or even sometimes being encouraged by it. I think what you mean is that my love for you word ("law of the Lord") should be the great fascination of my life.

(6:50 am - David just woke up. here is his picture. Now I have to wrap this post up.)

I think that my life's fascination is everything but Gods word. I am fascinated by technology, family, sometimes sports, food, fun, and people. This is my area of meditation. But Lord, your man meditates on you word "day and night". What does this look like?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and gramatical blunders.

Help for Haiti A Message, A Plea, A Hope

2010-01-27T14:08:00.001-05:00

Here is a sermon by Pastor Mark Driscol about his trip to Haiti.

The faith of babes

2010-01-23T21:48:00.002-05:00

The following post is from my wife, Christine.

The Faith of Babes

Kindergarten class singing a song for us

Tonight, we spent some time reminiscing times of old. The boys were enjoying looking through photo albums from when they were babies and of times before they had life. They asked to look at a photo album from our missions trip to Togo and Ghana, West Africa in 2001. One of the ministries we had a chance to be a part of was a blind school where children were taught to read and write Braille and where blind children and adults were trained to weave amazing furniture and bags, carve wood, and make clothing. We shared with the boys how the children could not see. They wanted to know why the kids couldn't see if they had eyes, so we had to explain that their eyes didn't work.

1st Grade class "reading" their French Braille textbook.

Both boys were greatly affected by this, and Joshua immediately asked if he could pray that God would heal their eyes. I was so touched by his compassion and his BIG heart for those children. Tonight, after we had our family devotions and prayed with the boys and tucked them in to bed, Joshua asked if he could pray again for the blind children. He then prayed an amazing prayer: "God please heal the eyes of those children. Help them to be able to see. Please tell them to put clay on their eyes, go down to the river, and wash their eyes so that they can see. Will you tell them that? Thank you. Amen."

David (3) then began to pray totally unprompted: "God, thank you for the children. Please give them batteries for their eyes so their eyes will work. Amen." It was all we could do to cover our faces and keep from laughing out loud! In our house, batteries are a fix-for-all, so it's not surprising he would make the connection that when something doesn't work, it needs batteries!

Oh, to have the heart of compassion and then faith of a child! A great lesson learned!

Kindergarten boy writing his French alphabet in Braille

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and gramatical blunders.

Psalm 1:2 - Blessed is the Man who Delights in You Law

2010-01-20T06:57:00.001-05:00

Psalm 1:1-2: 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Lord, you bless those who delight in you law (word). I want to be that blessed man. I want to delight in you word and your ways. but I am so sinful and weak. I delight in myself. truth be known, I am the man who walks in the way of sinners and sits in the seat of the scoffer. everything that I do is about me. all I search is my own comfort. I want something different. I want you! my selfish life is no fun. my joy is not complete. So Lord, please help me to change and to love you ways. help me to feast on you word. please help me to meditate on scripture rather then on me.

I agree with Paul when he said, "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." (Romans 7:15-19)

So where does this leave me? Here I am, at your thrown asking for the grace to grow in my faith. I want to be your man. I want to be a successful Christian. I can't do this on my own. I need you!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and gramatical blunders.

Location:Oak St,Pottstown,United States

The state of my new years resolution address

2010-01-20T06:39:00.001-05:00

I wanted to give a quick update on the state on my new years resolution to blog my devotional thoughts and prayers. Today is the 20th day of January, 2010. Up to now I have had a consistent schedule every morning and have been able to keep up my routine. Today is Christine's first day back at school (nursing clinicals) and I am going to have to constantly adjust my routine for the days she is and isn't here in the AM. please pray that I am able to keep up my routine and still get my boys off to school and day care on time.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and gramatical blunders.

Location:May St,Pottstown,United States

Psalm 1:1 - blessed is the man

2010-01-19T07:03:00.001-05:00

Psalm 1
1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water thatt yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all thatt he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff thatt the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psa 1 will be my new text to think and pray through. I trust thatt you will take some time to pray through it yourself. for the next week or so, I hope thatt this passage will help to transform us more into the image of God. let's begin.

oh Lord, you are so abundant in the way thatt you bless mankind. I am so dull in mind and heart to see all the ways thatt you are blessing me each day. Lord, please forgive my hard-heart and open my eyes so thatt I can be more thatnkful to you, so thatt I can honor you as God. even the most sinful human is upheld by you mercy and grace. you poor our you blessings even on them.

Yet, Lord, you bless those who "delight in you law" in a more profound way then you bless the "wicked", "sinner", and "scoffer". Lord, I need and want to be blessed by you. I need your grace to learn to delight myself in your ways. Lord, please bless me with wisdom to manage my life in such a way as to be able to fulfill all the tasks and obligations thatt you have given me. help me to provide for my family (1 Tim 5:8), love my wife (Eph 5:25), to proclaim your name to the nations.

Please open my eyes to the ways that I am compromising with the world. Help me to stop the downward spiral into sin and misery. Lord, I need you now more thatn ever (or as much as ever).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and gramatical blunders.

Location:May St,Pottstown,United States

What are Spiritual Gifts?

2010-01-17T11:30:00.001-05:00

These observations are from yesterdays sermon. Here is a corrected version of my post from church.

What is a Spiritual Gift? A Spiritual Gift is talent spiritually infused and enabled. This is something that you can do to help others.

Romans 12:4-9 talks about them.
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness

Here is his list of Spiritual Gifts. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list but it does help it give us an idea of the kinds of gifts out there.
Prophecy
Service
Teaching
Exhortation
Generosity
Acts of mercy

How do you know what your Spiritual Gift is? Here's a hint, it is not for you own edification. It is given to bless others.

1 Cor 1:7 "so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ". None of us have all the Spiritual Gift's but together we have them all. I need all the Spiritual Gift's to grow in Godliness, therefore, I need the whole body of Christ.

Location:Benjamin Franklin Hwy,North Coventry,United States

Mark Driscoll On Planning and Proverbs

2010-01-14T15:19:00.000-05:00

As I Financial Planner, the verses on "planning" from the Bible are very interesting to me. I have watched this video several time and really enjoys the message of Mark Driscoll, Sr Pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle WA. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Psalm 23:6 - Goodness and Mercy

2010-01-14T07:10:00.001-05:00

Psa 23:6 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Lord, I am doing much better than I deserve. As difficult as my life may be, it is still marked with your goodness and mercy. In every trial there your goodness is there to sustain me. In every failure your mercy for Christ's sake is there to provide mercy. How undeserving I am!!!

My God, you not only provide these blessings but you also call me to be with you. ME, the failure! Oh that I could dwell with you forever right now!!! But I can. Heaven on earth is in the fellowship of fellow Christians.

My heart is prone to wondering. My memory is short. How like a lamb I am. You are always my shepard even when I forget about you, when I sin against you, when I forsake you for all the blood-thirsty wolves who would promise my pleasue but bring me harm.

"Prone to wonder, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the one I love. So here's my heart. Oh take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above."

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone. Please forgive my many spelling and gramatical blunders.

Location:May St,Pottstown,United States

Psalm 23:5 - the Lord provides richly for his own

2010-01-13T06:57:00.001-05:00

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Lords, I do not understand your ways. At times it feels like I'm on a mountian top and the there are other times that I feel like I am all alone in the deepest, darkest valley. I wish that life would be more consistant. I wish that life would be easier.

And yet I come to you word and find that you never promice ease or consistancy. What you do promise is provision. In my verse today I see that. You are preparing a feast for all those who follow you through the good times and the bad.

Thank you for being my provider. Today, help me to keep in mind you provision. Help me not to waist my time on foolish thing. Help me to be the kind of Christian that you call me to be. I love you, my good and faithful shepard.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:May St,Pottstown,United States

Psa 23:4 - The shadow of death

2010-01-12T07:01:00.001-05:00

Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Oh Lord, forgive my foolishness. I assume that you will always lead me by green pastures and still water. But there are many dark valleys thet you lead me through to get to verse 3. Please help me be content with where you have me. Teach me To wait for you to lead me through. Help me to trust your sovereign plan for me in every difficult place of life.

As certain as the green pastures are, so too are the valleys of the shadow of death. But you will not let me stay there forever. You have lessons for me to learn and growth that you want to take place in my life. As nessecary as the green pastures are to the Christian so too are these valleys.

One more thought, notice how the psalmist switches from 3rd person (he) to 2nd person (you) in this verse. It is in these dark valleys that the closeness of the Lord is most clearly felt. We feel the shepard in the valley when we are scared rather than on the mountian top when we are at peace.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:N Franklin St,Pottstown,United States

Psalm 23

2010-01-11T06:46:00.001-05:00

I have been looking at James Montgomery Boice's commentary on Psalm 23. Wow, Jim was an amazing preacher/pastor. His thoughts are golden. I would recommend to anyone regardless of which flavor of Christian you are to pick up and read it.

Here is how he broke down this Psalm. (page 206-212 Psalms Volume I: An expositional commentary [ps 1-41])

The Lord is my Shepard therefor… I shall not want
1.) I shall not lack rest (Psa 23:2)
2.) I shall not lack life (Psa 23:2)
3.) I shall not lack guidance (Psa 23:3)
4.) I shall not lack safety (Psa 23:4)
5.) I shall not lack provision (Psa 23:5)
6.) I shall not lack a heavenly home (Psa 23:6)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:19464

Never give up

2010-01-07T21:47:00.000-05:00

So my new years resolution isn't going that great so far. I've missed two days. It's frustrating. Note to self - don't forget to set your alarm. If you over sleep you may miss you oppertunity for quiet time with God, your Bible, and prayer.

Don't let failure stop you from keeping at what you know is right. Tomorrow is another opportunity to get it done.

Good night. Sleep well. And get up when the alarm goes off. Don't hit the snooze button!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Home

Psalm 23:3 - Restore my soul

2010-01-06T07:28:00.000-05:00

Psalm 23:3

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Lord, this morning I feel like I need restoration. I am such a screw-up. On the outside I look like such a good Christian, but inside my soul is distressed. Please help me to be a good Christian. It is not for my sake that you do this but for yours. For the sake of your own name, oh Lord, would you lead me in the paths of righteousness. Would you cause me to cling to you and forsake empty promises of the world.

Yet, as I pray for these things, I see that you are doing it. You are restoring my soul. Each week at church, through fellowship, reading my Bible, partaking in the Lords Supper you are leading me in righteous paths.

Help me not to be a rebel and abuse this grace.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:May St,Pottstown,United States

Psalm 23: Green Pastures? Still Waters? You’ve got to be joking.

2010-01-04T10:01:00.000-05:00

Text:
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Green Pastures? Still Waters? This does not sound like my life right now, Lord. Where are the green pastures? Where are the still waters? I could really use them right now. My life seems chaotic and out of control. The house is a wreck, my car is having expensive problems, my boys seem wild and untamed at times and it is really cold outside.

Lord, would you please make this Psalm true for me? I believe you. I believe that you do these things. I believe that you are doing these things for me today. Help me to see it. Help me to know your care in this wonderful way.

Oh Lord, You are making my lie down in green pastures and leading me beside still waters. When I realize that my life, as difficult as it is, it much better then I deserve, I am grateful. Your grace is so unmerited. Thank you for my life. Thank you for my problems. Thank you for the way that you are drawing me to yourself and teaching me patience.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Ben Franklin Hwy E,Amity,United States

PS 23: the Lord is my Shepard

2010-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

If the Lord is my shepherd then He knows where I am going. He knows the way and the obstacles. He has planned each one. Why do I doubt, why do I second-guess your plan? Oh what a wretched man I am.

Lord I don't want you as my copilot. I need you as the only pilot. Lead me Lord. Subdue my distrusting heart.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Palmer Cir,Carbondale,United States

PS 23: He restores my soul

2010-01-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

Dear God. Thank you for restoring my soul. Thank you for days like today when I can be with family. Thank you for sleep and rest. Thank you for all the ways that help, love, and care for me.

Thank you most of all for Jesus who has purchased me salvation and has brought peaceinto my relationship with God. I was a slave to sin and now I am a son of God. My new master is so kind. I will gladly serve him all of my days.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Palmer Cir,Carbondale,United States

Psalm 23

2010-01-01T12:54:00.001-05:00

Psalm 23
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.

23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The above text is taken from: http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Psalms+23

In this classic text, I am reminded that i am not alone in this world. God my father is always with me.

It is organized into thee parts. The first is the psalmist's introduction of his thoughts (vs 1-3). Notice the use of the third person pronoun "he". The second is his proclamation of confidance in the LORD (vs 4). Notice the use of the first person "I". The final section he addresses his thoughts towards the LORD (vs 5-6). Notice the use of the second person pronoun "you".

My final observation is that there are three "I shall/will" statements in each of the the parts of the Psalm.

Statement One: "I shall not want" verse 1.
Statement Two: "I will fear no evil" verse 4.
Statement Three: "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" verse 6.

Because God is my shepard I shall not want or fear and ultimately I will dwell with the Lord forever.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Palmer Cir,Carbondale,United States

My New Years Challeng

2010-01-01T12:08:00.001-05:00

What do you think about new years resolutions? I generally do not like them. But this year I am going to try one and you are here to help me keepon track.

This year I want to blog my devotional thoughts as I meditate on scripture. It is not my hope to plumb the depths of each text but to write down my thoughts each day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Palmer Cir,Carbondale,United States

The Best Customer Service I've Seen

2009-11-18T10:20:00.003-05:00

Ever since my days as a student at Westminster Theological Seminar, I've been a huge fan of the Westminster Bookstore. It is in my mind the best theological bookstore around. Its website is second to none!!! (www.wtsbooks.com/)

My most recent shopping experience left me with a sense that I was respected as a customer. For this I have enormous gratitude. I purchased CrossTalk by Michael R.Emlet. I am looking forward to reading it.

I recently ordered books from 2 different companies. First, there were two purchases direct to from a christian publishing company, then a week later a separate purchase from Westminster Bookstore. It has been quite a while since the order of the publisher and I had yet to receive the materials. I decided to email customer service to find out what the hold up was. This was their response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tim,

The order from 11/6 is in process and looks like it should be shipping within the next day or so. We had a tremendous response to this offer and we are working hard to get these all shipped.

Thank you for your patience and if there is anything else that I can do to assist you, please let me know.

Debbie

Customer Service

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, to this point I had not contacted WTSbooks because I was not surprised not to have received them. Interestingly, later the same day of the publishing companies response, I received an email from Westmister Bookstore manager Jim Weidenaar. I was completely blown away by the difference of these two letters. Here is what he wrote...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Timothy,

I write to apologize about the delayed shipment of your order of CrossTalk. We experienced overwhelming demand and sold out of our initial 2,000 copies much more rapidly than expected. To add insult to injury, we did not make adequate arrangements to rapidly replenish stock. While we are still in the promised delivery time frame with your order of 1-3 weeks, the delay in shipping your product is unacceptable to us.

We will be crediting your credit card the $3 shipping charge as a token of our apology. The Lord provided our second shipment of 2,000 copies today and so we hope, God-willing, to get your order out today.

Thank you for supporting the ministry of the WTS Bookstore.

Sincerely,

The WTS Bookstore Team

Jim Weidenaar, Westminster Bookstore
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Needless to say, I will visit the Westminster Bookstore website again and I WILL BE A RETURN SHOPPER!!! Great JOB WTS. Way to WOW your customers!!!

Tim Keller: The Gospel and the Poor - A Case For Compassion

2009-10-29T12:33:00.000-04:00

I just completed a Sunday School series on Missions at my church. One of my observations was related to the "poor" and the act of evangelism. The church tends to not want to talk about the poor and our duty to them.

Read with me Matt 25:31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [6] you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Tim Keller gives a talk on the Gospel and the Poor. I encourage you to listen and grow in grace in this area.

Tim Keller: The Gospel and the Poor: A Case for Compassion from Here's Life Inner City on Vimeo.

Reformation Day Free MP3 Download

2009-10-26T16:34:00.001-04:00

Free MP3 Download

Martin Luther's
HERE I STAND Speech

Yours free to download through Sunday, November 1st. Share with Friends and Family

In the late afternoon of April 18, 1521, in the city of Worms, Germany, Martin Luther, a 37 year-old Catholic monk was called to defend himself before Charles the Fifth, the Holy Roman Emperor. The speech he delivered that day, Here I Stand, marked the beginning of the Reformation, a critical turning point in Christian history, that decisively altered the spiritual map of the world.

In this recording, Max McLean introduces the events leading up to the Diet of Worms: Martin Luther’s prayer the night before he delivered his speech; Luther's stirring defense; the Catholic church’s rebuttal; and, Luther’s final heartfelt response.

Recovering the treasures of the past is a marvelous gift to the church. I love these presentations of the classics given by Max McLean. However, Martin Luther’s Here I Stand is my favorite. - R. C. Sproul
Track Listing
1. Introduction
2. The Road to Reformation
3. Luther’s Prayer
4. Here I Stand
5. Eck’s Response to Luther
6. Luther’s Final Response
7. Conclusion
8. Sources and closing comments
Total Time: 24 minutes

Click Here to download

What God Can Do

2009-10-23T20:25:00.001-04:00

I am a big fan of Peacemaker Ministries. It has just been this year that I have read the book The Peacemaker by Ken Sande and it has profoundly impacted the way I view relationships. I am so passionate about this material that I have had the opportunity to teach it twice. Once at my Church, Grace & Peace Presbyterian Church and once at my office, The LIFE Financial Group, Inc. They have a small group video series that is excellent. This is a series worth your investment. It will pay huge dividends in your life, relationships, and church.

This is a short video that I saw at Justin Taylor's blog. It is from Peacemakers and well worth a view. I think it sums up the problem with the general understanding of conflict and provides a great correction of the error.

Perspectives from Peacemaker Ministries on Vimeo.

To God be the GLORY.
Romans 8:35-39 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Office Wedding Dance

2009-10-09T14:01:00.001-04:00

This is just too Good. Over the years I have become a big fan of NBC's The Office. Not always the cleanest show, but man it is just too funny. Jim and Pam finally tied the knot. For fans and non fans alike, you will probably get a kick out of this clip.

3 Views on Eschatology

2009-10-08T18:45:00.004-04:00

I have been listening to "An Evening of Eschatology" recorded at Bethlehem Baptist Church in MN. It is a conversation with John Piper, Doug Wilson, Sam Storms, and Jim Hamilton on The Meaning of the Millennium

Click here to view the information on www.DesiringGod.org

The following is background by John Piper on this event and the issues being discussed.

On September 27, 2009, Desiring God and Bethlehem College & Seminary hosted “An Evening on Eschatology” at the Downtown Campus of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. It was attended by about 800 people who sat in the darkened sanctuary while six cameras were trained on the brightly lit roundtable where the four participants sat in a circle.

For two hours I moderated, more or less, a discussion among Jim Hamilton (professor of New Testament at Southern Seminary in Louisville), Sam Storms (pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City), and Doug Wilson (pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho).

The discussion was intended to focus on the relationship between the thousand-year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20 and the return of Christ to this earth visibly and physically to reign. This thousand years is usually called “the millennium.” Revelation 20 is the only place in the Bible where the length of this period is mentioned.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. . . those who had not worshiped the beast . . . came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. . . . And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations” (Revelation 20:1-4, 7-8).

Concerning this thousand years (millennium), there have been three major views in the history of the church. Each of these views was represented in the discussion by an advocate who believes the view to be true.

Premillennialism (represented by Jim Hamilton): The return of Christ happens before (pre-) the thousand-year reign of Christ, which is a reign of the risen Christ on the earth.

Amillennialism (represented by Sam Storms): The return of Christ happens after the thousand-year reign, a reign that occurs in heaven, in the intermediate state, and not upon the earth. Those who have died in faith and entered into the presence of Christ share his rule and reign during the current church age in which we now live.

Postmillennialism (represented by Doug Wilson): The return of Christ happens after (post-) the thousand-year reign, which corresponds to the Christian age, and the reign of Christ from heaven leads the church to triumph by and through the gospel to such an extent that the Great Commission will be successfully fulfilled, and the Christian faith will pervade all the cultures of all the nations of men. All Christ's enemies will be subdued in this way, with the exception of death, which he will destroy by his coming.

None of the views insists that the “thousand years” is an exact number, but all of them allow that it may be symbolic of a very long time (from a human standpoint).

As moderator, I tried to see that each view was fairly represented and defended. My own view is the one represented by Jim Hamilton—historic premillennialism. I think amillenialism is the next most plausible view. Postmillennialism has a long and respected history. In fact, the most influential dead theologian in my life, Jonathan Edwards, was a postmillennialist. Indeed, most of the early missionaries of the modern missionary movement, like William Carey, shared this view as well—the strong conviction that the gospel would triumph in all the world and subdue all other religions, with gospel power, not military power.

There are biblically attractive things about each of these views, and none of them, in their best representation, bears such marks as to suggest the advocates are undermining the precious gospel of Christ. On the contrary, each of them has strengths that specifically honor parts of the Bible that the others seem to honor less.

Postmillennialism seems to honor the power of the gospel and the promises for the Old Testament for the triumph of God’s people over all the nations. Amillennialism seems to honor the warnings of bleak end times as well as the seamlessness between Christ’s coming and the immediate destruction of death, the removal of the enemies of the cross, and the beginning of the new heavens and new earth. Premillennialism seems to honor the plainest meaning of Revelation 20 and the seemingly literal meaning of many Old Testament promises.

All of these views are upheld by teachers who warmly embrace the inspiration, authority, and inerrancy of the Bible. This is especially true of the roundtable participants. We were glad to host this event with a view to showing that across these differences of interpretation (which were vigorously defended in the discussion) there is a profound brotherhood in the gospel.

What do we hold as crucial in regard to death, resurrection, and the second coming of Jesus? Section 14 of the Bethlehem Elder Affirmation of Faith gives our answer:

14.1 We believe that when Christians die they are made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, and are taken consciously into the presence of Christ, which is more glorious and more satisfying than any experience on earth.

14.2 We believe in the blessed hope that at the end of the age Jesus Christ will return to this earth personally, visibly, physically, and suddenly in power and great glory; and that He will gather His elect, raise the dead, judge the nations, and establish His kingdom. We believe that the righteous will enter into the everlasting joy of their Master, and those who suppressed the truth in unrighteousness will be consigned to everlasting conscious misery.

14.3 We believe that the end of all things in this age will be the beginning of a never-ending, ever-increasing happiness in the hearts of the redeemed, as God displays more and more of His infinite and inexhaustible greatness and glory for the enjoyment of His people.

I want to thank publicly Jim, Sam, and Doug for their energetic and truth-pursuing participation in the roundtable. It was, and is, a deep joy to be a part of this brotherhood.

Eager to understand more,

Pastor John

Note: For further reading on these eschatological positions:

Doug Wilson’s Heaven Misplaced (postmil)
Kim Riddlebarger’s Case for Amillennialism and the dozens of articles by Sam Storms (amil)
Craig Blomberg’s Case for Historic Premillennialism

2009 Staff Retreat

2009-07-04T12:02:00.003-04:00

In late June, my company (FINRA will not let me tell you who I work for because they think it's advertising) took its staff on its annual Staff Retreat. We went up to Lake Harmony PA and rented two houses right on the lake. The retreat was a wonderful time providing time for great strategic planning, fellowship, and fun.

Strategic Planning

As a growing company we have learned that to be successful we need to all be on the same page. We use several things to accomplish this unity including monthly staff meeting, annual staff retreats, and regular fellowship inside and out of the office. Often the fellowship includes our families. The retreat is very important to our unity of purpose because it allows us to get away from the emails, phone calls, and business of the office to think together about what we are doing and how we can do it better. We spent 3 days thinking and planning together. There are several areas that we focused on including how we can serve our clients, prospects, and staff member better. We hope to share more about our vision and direction for The LIFE Group in the weeks and months ahead.

Fellowship

One of the great things about working at my company (FINRA will not let me tell you who that it because they think it's advertising) is that there is a real emphasis on fellowship. We routinely have meals together at work, get together with each other outside of work and even have opportunities to bring our families on retreats like this one. It is always important to grow in your knowledge and appreciation of the people you work with.

Jeremy Ehst's Boys (Josh 10, Sam 8, Nate 6) & Tim Russell's Boys (Josh 4, David 2)

Fellowship on the Dock

More Fellowship

Fun

No staff retreat is ever complete without a healthy dose of fun. Roy brought his ski boat and kayaks up to the lake and everyone had a wonderful time. Here are some shots of some really great spills.

Marshal Kissling

"Marshall, have you had enough yet?"

Jeremy Ehst

Jeremy discovers that gravity works

Jeremy and his wife Melony being pulled by Roy Russell

Marshall Kissling and his son Mike

Roy Russell and his wife Lana on the double tube

Jeremy Ehst watches as two of his boys jump off the dock

Tim Russell

Tim jumps a wake

Family Vacation part 4

2009-07-02T08:08:00.000-04:00

This is the final post about my vacation. To see the other posts, click on the links below.

Vacation Part 1: Boulder Field With Video

Vacation Part 2: Family Fun And Staff Retreat

Vacation Part 3: Hawk Falls With Video

In this final update, I thought I would share some pictures of me doing one of my favorate things. Ever since my teen years I have loved all kinds of water sports. I struggled to learn how to water ski but once I got it I never looked back. Ironically, I learned to water ski behind a 2 seater Sea Doo with my friends Matt Bixler and Jon Dube. After I masterd skiing with 2 skis I learn to ski with only 1 (Slolum skiing). My friends helped me learn behind a 3 seater Sea Doo. If you know anything about skiing and boats you understand what an accomplishment that was. I eventually added Wakeboarding to my list of water sports.

Skiing

Jumping the Wake

"Look Mom, No Hand."

I attempted to ski with the rope between my legs. It did not last too long:-)

Slalom Skiing

I need more practice

I'm trying to give my boys an early love of water sports.

Wakeboarding

It is so much fun.

All good things come to an end.

Family Vacation part 3

2009-07-01T08:07:00.004-04:00

Hickory Run State Park

We love waterfalls. My wife grew up in Florida and rarely was able to see them so now we take every opportunity to visit them. At the state park they have Hawk Falls. It was a 1.5 mile hike down to the site. The boys did really well. David was very tired so I ended up carrying him most of the way down and back. Here are some pictures from our hike.

Table Talk by David - So cute!!!

Family Vacation Part 2

2009-07-01T07:51:00.005-04:00

Well I've been back from vacation for 2 days and still have not provided an update. It seems that life is crazier then I thought.

We had a few days with my extended family before several people from the office came up for our annual staff retreat. It was really good to be with the family. My younger sister, Jill, lives in North Carolina and we do not get to see her and her family very often. This was a special treat. The weather was beautiful for the rest of the week. The lake warmed up nicely and we were able to get some skiing in.

The Staff Retreat also went well. We had a very productive time discussing our vision, service standards, and marketing efforts. I hope that we will be able to keep the unity and excitement going long after the retreat.

Here are a few pictures from the lake.

Family Pictures

Sydney (Jill's Daughter, 1 year old)

David (My son, 2 years old)

From left to right - David (2), Josh (4), Jack (3)

David and Josh are my sons and Jack is my older sisters boy.

This is my older sister Laura with her daughter Emily (18 month old)

Water Fun

Marshall Kissling (office IT guy) getting thrown from the tube

Marshall say's "Is that that best you can do?"

Jeremy Ehst (Financial Advisor) just before the crash

Jeremy's loosing it...

Jeremy is down for the count

Family Vacation Part 1

2009-06-23T15:21:00.001-04:00

So, Christine and I are on vacation this week. We are at Lake Harmony which is near the Poconos in PA. The vacation started on Friday with a lot of rain that did not end until Sunday. Our goal was to get out on the lake and do some skiing but that was not happening with all the rain and the fact that the high was in the mid to low 60's. We were finally able to get out on the lake as the temperature improved. I'll upload some pictures from our boating later. Here is a video of us at Boulder Field in Hickory Run State Park. There are 3 miles of rocks there. It was a beautiful drive to the remote field.

David Needs Help

On the Road from Boulder Field

Getty Music New Album: Awaken the Dawn

2009-06-18T17:00:00.010-04:00

I have been a huge fan of Keith and Kristyn Getty for several years. My favorite song is In Christ Alone. After 3 1/2 years of waiting they have just released their second CD Awaken The Dawn. I am looking forward to reviewing it. I have listened to some samples that they have on their web site. It sounds really good. If you have never listened to any of their music I encourage you to check out a few of these videos.

In Christ Alone

Keith & Kristyn Getty - Behind the Hymns

What Grace is Mine

Peacemaker: Coflict Provides Opportunity

2009-06-17T11:16:00.006-04:00

The Following post is my adaptation of Chapter 1 of The Peace Maker by Ken Sande. This was created to be a handout for a Sunday School class that I taught at my church and a devotional series that I am teaching at work. This chapter has been made available to all free of charge. If you would like to view it just click here.

Peacemakers

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Week One: Conflict Provides Opportunity

Discussion Questions:

· What is Conflict? Conflict is a difference in opinion or purpose that frustrates one’s goals or desires. There are four primary causes of conflicts. Some are caused by misunderstanding resulting from poor communication. Others are cause by a difference in values, goals, gifts, calling, priorities, expectations, interests, or opinions. Competition over limited resources such as money can also cause conflict. Finally, conflicts can be caused and aggravated by sinful attitudes and habits that lead to sinful words or actions.

· How is Conflict an Opportunity? The Bible teaches that we should see conflict as an opportunity to demonstrate the love and power of God in our lives.

1 Corinthians 10:31 - 11:1 – “³¹So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ³²Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, ³³just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. ¹Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – ESV

It’s an Opportunity to Glorify God: There are several ways that we can glorify God in each conflict. First, we can trust in God to supply grace and help us through conflict. Second, we can obey God by following His commands in Scripture regarding conflict. Third, we can imitate God by being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Forth, we can acknowledge God’s hand upon us as others notice our uncommon (i.e. Biblical) approach to conflict.

*Discussion*: What does the way we handle conflict tell others about what we think of God?

It’s an Opportunity to Serve Others: The world tells us to “Look out for Number One.” Jesus tells us to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Lk. 6:27-28) We are called to be merciful to those who offend us just as God is merciful to us. We can’t do this on our own. We must continually breathe in grace through studying the Bible, prayer, worship, and Christian fellowship if we are to breathe out grace to others.

It’s an Opportunity to Grow to be Like Christ: Whenever conflict arises, we have two choices: to become more like the world or to become more like Christ. God’s highest purpose for our lives is not to make us comfortable, wealthy, or happy but to conform us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. He will use conflict to reveal our sinful attitudes and actions. In order to grow, we must draw on His grace and practice new attitudes and habits.

· Remember the 4 G’s of Conflict Every Time You are Involved:

Glorify God: How? By acting in such a way that people would see God reflected in us. We should be a mirror of God’s grace in conflict. How can you please and honor God in this situation? (1 Cor. 10:31-11:1)

Get the Log out of your own Eye: (Matt. 7:5) Take responsibility for your contribution to the conflict. How can I grow and be like Christ through this conflict?

Gently Restore: Not to win the argument but to minister grace to their lives.

Go and be reconciled: How can I demonstrate God’s forgiveness to resolve the personal issues and also encourage a reasonable solution to the substantive (material) issues? We should seek to be reconciled both personally and with regard to the underlying conflict.

· The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Our goal for conflict is to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ lived out in the lives of everyone involved. The good news about Jesus’ death and resurrection isn’t just good because it keeps you from hell. It’s good news to you today because Jesus came to save sinners. Not just from eternal judgment, but also from the sins that we struggle with right here, right now. Remembering that in God’s eyes we are spotless and blameless motivates us to glorify God in conflict. The best “peacemakers” are those that reflect long and hard on the Gospel.

· Stewarding Conflict: A steward does not manage things for his own pleasure, convenience, or benefit. Instead, he is expected to follow his master’s instructions and look out for his master’s interests, even if they conflict with his own personal desires or convenience. If we want to be effectives stewards, we need to be:

1. Motivated – The Gospel provides enormous motivation to respond to conflict properly.

2. Informed – We need to understand our master’s will. This is not hard since He has provided us with His Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The better we know the Bible, the wiser we will be and the more effectively we will deal with conflict.

3. Strengthened – We are not alone. God has provided strength to Christians through the Holy Spirit. In addition to helping us understand God’s will, the Holy Spirit provides us with spiritual gifts, grace, and strength to honor God in conflict (Gal. 5:22-23).

4. Dependent – When conflict pushes us past our limits we need to turn to the Church and seek a mature Christian who will encourage us, give us Biblically sound advice, and support our efforts to be faithful to God (Prov. 12:15; 1 Thes. 5:10-11; Heb. 10:24-25).

5. Faithful – This is perhaps the most important characteristic of stewardship. God knows that we can’t control other people; therefore, He only calls us to obey Him. As long as we rely on Him in obedience, He will not hold us responsible for the ultimate outcome of the conflict (Rom. 12:18).

In conflict, we should develop a thick skin with how others may offend us and a thin skin with how we may offend others.

Charitable giving declines for first time in 22 years, survey shows

2009-06-12T11:15:00.005-04:00

By Tim Russell

I saw on the Investment New website that 2008 was the first time since 1987 that charitable giving decreased. It is very sad to see that giving is down, but it is not surprising. Perhaps the most interesting fact is that charitable giving as a percentage of GDP was only 2.2%.

My prayer is that the church would be eager givers, after all we have been given so much. We have peace with God through Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1-2, Eph 1:7-8). Our sins are forgiven and we are now Joint Heirs with Christ (Rom 8:16-17). We are filthy rich (Eph 1:11-14) and yet we live like if we lost our money we would loose everything. What is wrong with us? What we do with our money shows where our allegiances lie (Mat 6:21). If we spend it of foolish toys while stealing from God (Mal 3:8-9) and ignoring the poor then we prove that we love ourselves more then Jesus.

WAKE UP, Oh Church. Do not live like the foolish all around you. Live differently, live a sanctified life. This can only be done though the Grace of Jesus. Pray for yourself. Pray that you will have a passion for Jesus not for money. Pray that the Gospel will take root in your heart and bring forth the fruit of righteousness. Pray that we could feel pity and sorrow for the poor and needy. Pray that God would be exulted in their lives and that we would lift them up and support their wise choices.

Click here to read the story...

Treasuring Him - DWYL Sermon Jam Video

2009-06-11T14:11:00.004-04:00

Making Jesus Your Treasure

DWYL is an artist that I have been following for some time. Here is a video that I came across just now that I think is worth your time. Take a look.

To Be Like Jesus

2009-06-11T07:36:00.006-04:00

Sovereign Grace's second Sovereign Grace Kids release, coming soon

I came across this yesterday and I think it looks really good. Sovereign Grace is publishing a kids CD that helps teach them (and us) about the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. The CD is called To Be Like Jesus and is by Bob Kauflin. Please check it out. You can read about the CD at the Worship Matters Website and you can listen to a sample of the music here.

Tell me what you think.

A Call to Action: Muslim Demographics

2009-06-09T16:24:00.004-04:00

I just saw this on YouTube and I think it is worthy of your viewing. It is a sobering wake-up-call for Christians everywhere. We need to love our Muslim neighbors by sharing Christ with them. Check this out.

Introduction

2009-06-09T14:30:00.008-04:00

I love reading and learning. I also love to teach. From time to time I get the opportunity to teach in various settings. My personality is such that when I learn something I have to share it with other. I needed a place to display what I have learned for all to see and learn with me. My goal is to use this blog to share my thoughts and feelings about everything, especially matters related to our Christian walk.

Recently, that thing that has challenged me the most is a book written by Ken Sande called Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflic t. In 2007, my wife and I joined Grace & Peace Presbyterian Church. I am a part of their Adult Sunday School teaching team, and in one of our planning meetings I suggested that we teach the Peacemaker material to our church. As I read the material and thought about how it applied to my life I know that this material needs to be given to everyone.

I have decided that I would share with you the things that I am learning starting with Peacemaking. I hope and trust that you will grow and be challenged by the material as I have been challenged. Each week I will add new content for you to follow along. Please let me know if you have any questions. Lets grow together.

Sincerely
Tim Russell