Grace Church College Ministry

College Retreat

2009-12-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

Okay...

You all need to sign up this Sunday for the retreat at Camp Copass. We are scheduled for Jan 8-9th. This is going to be a blast--no kidding. Think of a giant game of mafia--only with really good death scenarios. Think of ultimate frisbee--only with really good athletes.

Seriously I'm very excited about how the Lord is going to meet us and renew us together at the beginning of a new year. We are going to explore our new identity in Christ together from the book of Colossians. We're going to experience new joy, new freedom, as we encounter the Lord together.

The retreat will start Friday night 6pm and go thru Saturday afternoon at 3pm, so be sure and ask the days off from work today!

The cost is only $45 and it covers all your meals and lodging and smores.

More details to come! Forward this around to folks.....Tell your friends to sign up....

Marrying Well......

2009-08-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

I know we haven't posted something in a while...but this looks pretty good for both guys and girls to take a look at....

It's the girls guide to marrying well....

Thanks Holly for letting us know....

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand...

2009-07-10T09:29:00.001-07:00

Jonathan Sawyer Testimony from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

"Don't Waste Your Summer"

2009-06-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

"I'd like to challenge you as you enter into this summer to be intentional with your days as you continue to press into Christ. Don't give into a vacation mindset that robs you of your joy in Christ by neglecting your Bible reading and prayer. Take a vacation, by all means, but be intentional about it, recognize that rest, be it from school or work or whatever else you have going on, is but a shadow of the rest that we have in Christ. Take this summer as an opportunity to display to a lost and dying world where you joy is found, to say "knowing Christ is worth more to me than anything this world can offer," or with Paul, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

Here are a handful of ways we can do just that this summer. If these are helpful, great, if not, God will direct you to what's best for you:
-Press into God! In every way that you can think of, press into Him!
-Set aside a day or a weekend to unplug, get away to be with God. Maybe have your Bible and a journal.
-Set a goal to memorize a large portion of Scripture.
-Pick a couple of good books to read this summer. Set a big goal, grab a some big, weighty, serious, Christ-exalting book to get through this summer with the goal to know God better.
-Serve someone. Could be the nursing home we went to last year, or a family crisis center, or serving a family in need that you're aware of.
-Serve one another. Pursue times for biblical fellowship with one another. Men, take this opportunity to lead out and serve the ladies. Strive to outdo one another in serving and in good works!
-Share the gospel with someone! I can think of no better way to spend my summer than sharing the gospel and getting to be a part of people coming to a saving faith in Jesus Christ!

John Piper wrote, "Jesus Christ is refreshing, but flight from him into Christless leisure makes the soul parched. At first it may feel like freedom and fun to skimp on prayer, and neglect the Word. But then we pay: shallowness, powerlessness, vulnerability, to sin, preoccupation with trifles, superficial relationships and a frightening loss of interest in worship and the things of the Spirit."

Make the best use of your time this summer. Rest, to be sure, have fun and celebrate God's great creation with friends and family. But press into Him, the author and creator of all these things, seek to grow in your communion with our Savior and to grow in godliness. Above all else, exult in his glory and proclaim his name!

One Size Fits All?

2009-06-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hey girls (and guys)--Holly Mayfield sent this article to me from Carolyn McCulley. I found it outstanding!

Lots of verbiage fills corners of the Internet and entire rows of bookstores about the “pesky problem” of an excess number of single adults these days.

Whether it’s a dating solution with a money-back guarantee or an apologetic for the contributions and worth of singles, everyone has a published opinion. So do I. As an author of a book affirming biblical femininity and purpose for single women, I have added to the swirling sea of opinion.

That’s why I can’t seem to escape the conversation. Every new opinion on the topic is forthwith forever to be e-mailed to me, with a note asking what I think. So to save everyone some time, here’s what I think:

There simply is no one-size-fits-all “solution” for single adults.

Singleness, rather, is like a multi-faceted gemstone. If you view it from one angle, it seems like that’s the correct and complete view, but then you turn the stone and you see an entirely different facet to consider. Yes, there are consequences to the choices we singles make that contribute to our singleness, but yet there are also influences from our mainstream culture that negatively affect our churches. Yes, the church could do more to help singles get married, but yes, the church also could do more to affirm the valuable and godly contributions that singles make. Yes, there can be problems with many singles ministries, but there is also good that comes from some singles ministries. Yes, Scripture has a high view of marriage. Yet it also calls singleness good and a charisma, or gracious endowment of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 7:6-8).

There is no one-size-fits-all demographic description of single adults, either. Generally speaking, being unmarried is the only thing that unites an otherwise completely disparate set of people - a 20-year-old male college student, a 35-year-old divorced mother of three, a never-married and childless 40-year-old man, and a widowed 55-year-old grandmother. But for those who are believers in Christ, we have an identity that trumps being single, and we must never lose sight of that fact. It is of far more eternal value than our current marital status.

So, with that said, I’d like to offer 10 perspectives on the multifaceted concept of singleness:

It’s not possible to know why someone is single. Though many are sure that a particular character trait or physical feature is the reason why someone they know is still single, empirically that can’t be true, for many married people are guilty of those same qualities. And I’d like to gently point out that making such claims assumes a level of omniscience that none of us possess.
What you believe about God informs what you believe about singleness. Christians who believe that we serve a loving and wise God who ultimately will accomplish His plan and purpose for us also believe that singleness can be part of that good plan at various times. Though there is an obvious tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, the Bible’s accent is on God’s rule and reign in our lives. So we are called to trust Him in all circumstances, even ones we would not choose for ourselves, such as extended singleness. This is my position. For those Christians who don’t hold to this theological view, I’d like to submit that this belief is not the same thing as blaming God for our singleness or not taking any responsibility for the choices we’ve made that contribute to singleness. It means that unwanted singleness is one of those “all things” that God is working together for good in His mysterious providence (Romans 8:28).
Those of us who are single today can know this is God’s will for us today and still give thanks for it. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As for the future, let’s leave that in the Lord’s loving hands. It’s impossible for us to know what tomorrow holds so there’s really no need to fret over whether we are “called” to lifelong singleness or how to parse that concept. Married people don’t know whether they are “called” to lifelong marriage, either. Our circumstances can radically change in only one day.
It’s no surprise that a culture that denigrates marriage will have a high number of unmarried adults in its midst. The church is not immune from being affected by this trend, as evidenced by the comparable divorce rate. So I applaud pastors, theologians, churches, and ministries that are studying this trend and calling for transformation, as far as it can be brought about by our endeavors. I would only appeal that when these discussions are held, please don’t forget that you are talking about people and not just statistics. Please offer biblical hope for change to those who are currently single and listening to you.
We singles have to learn to listen to generalities about marriage and singleness without taking it personally. I know it’s hard, but let’s be thankful that the Lord is raising up various people to notice, examine and teach in order to correct these trends. To continue the gemstone analogy, we have to remember that they are looking at a different facet of singleness when they are speaking.
Singles can play a vital and fruitful role in our churches, especially when everyone remembers that our primary identity is Christian, not whatever marital status we currently possess. We are all called to grow up in Christ, who is the head of the church (Ephesians 4:15). Being single does not exempt us from this sanctification process. It is just a different path toward that goal. (Yes, I understand that marriage puts a bright spotlight on selfishness and that many married people will testify to how their weddings put them on the fast-track of sanctification. But there’s a different form of long-simmer sanctification for single adults who have to continue to choose daily to be involved, confess sin, serve others, and not withdraw in the face of years of loneliness and lack of intimacy.) The Bible is clear that singleness is not a second-rate status in the church (1 Corinthians 7:8), and it provides several compelling portraits of singles (Paul, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Lydia, and possibly John the Baptist and even Timothy.)
Yes, we singles do bear some responsibility for our current singleness, but that isn’t the same thing as bearing the entire or sole responsibility, as though God is not in the picture. There are numerous factors in life that contribute to an individual’s current status, but what we can see now is not the end of the story. Joseph’s future wouldn’t have looked promising if you’d met him in jail - a result of choices made by Joseph, his brothers, and others. But that wasn’t the end result of God’s plan nor was He limited by those choices. The same goes for us. For example, I did not become a Christian until I was 30. So perhaps that’s a factor in why I’m still single more than 10 years later - I was not in the church in my prime marrying years. There are consequences for the choices I’ve made in my life, but I’m still committed to praying for a husband as long as I desire to be married because I have no idea what God has ordained for my future. And while I’m praying, I want to remember to thank God for saving me at all, even if it was at the ripe old age of 30! Unmerited favor at any age is a stunning gift.
Not all singles ministries are alike, so sweeping condemnations or celebrations of such are unwise. A singles ministry reflects the leading and teaching of its church elders, and as such there are as many flavors of singles ministries as there are churches. Even within any particular singles ministry, you will find serious Christians and the shallow souls who give singles ministries their bad reputations as “meat markets.” In my opinion, however, singles shouldn’t be segregated from the rest of the church. We need relationships with families, and perhaps those relationships will curb stunted singles ministries.
For those who married relatively early, please don’t confuse your memories of being young with being single. Singleness is not a monolithic season. To be single at 40 or 50 and beyond is much different than being single at 25. The ease of finding a marriage partner also changes with time. If you married early, you may think it is not a complicated process to find a mate and you may not clearly perceive how difficult (though not impossible) it becomes over time.
There are huge differences between taking some initiative to seek marriage in the context of all other responsibilities and tasks, and being consumed by the initiative. If I die tomorrow, I will not hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Let’s see, you answered 175 personal ads, attended 546 different singles meetings, went to 891 singles mixers, and accepted 34 blind dates! Enter into the joy of your master.” No, I - like every other single Christian - will be evaluated for how I invested my time, talent, and treasures into the Kingdom. So please don’t push us into a frenzy of activity just to Meet Someone. If we go to singles meetings with our deer-hunting headlights up, we will first blind and then scare away the prey. Instead, please ask us if we are going to meetings to serve others, receive the teaching, reach out to visitors, and advance the gospel. Those are the activities that will earn eternal rewards. If we Meet Someone while doing it, it is an added blessing. However, married people, you can help us steward our time if you prayerfully consider compatible people you can introduce us to and then discreetly (meaning: don’t tell us your matchmaking agenda) invite us all to some event.

I hope this list contributes to a fuller consideration of singleness. But this fact remains: The older I become, both chronologically and in the Lord, the more I become aware of how innovative He is in fulfilling His plan. He is not a God of formulas and stereotypes. How He is working in another’s life is never the same as in mine. He is infinitely creative and specifically personal. And whenever we, like Peter, decide to ask Him about His plans for a particular friend and companion, His answer is the same now as it was then: “What is that to you? You follow Me” (John 21:22).

A Guy's Guide to Marrying Well

2009-05-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

This free, nicely designed booklet looks like it will serve a lot of guys:

Most men hope to marry some day, but there's no guarantee they will. Increasingly, young men are — as one writer put it — "stumbling on to the altar as if by accident."
Too many guys make their way into their 20s and 30s without the marriage modeling and insights that were once easy to find from dads, coaches, teachers, mentors and Christian leaders. When they do find advice about relationships, it's often spectacularly bad.

The simple purpose of the information here is to present a path that is as biblical as possible in order to help you marry well. But not just so that you can experience all the happiness, health and wealth that guys who marry well enjoy, but so that your marriage can point to God's glory and His greater purposes.

This guide is based on a few timeless concepts — intentionality, purity, Christian compatibility and community — that we rarely encounter in popular culture but are a proven path to marrying well.

May God bless the time you spend with this information and help you apply His design in your life.

(HT: JT)

Taking the college years off

2009-05-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a good and helpful post from Stuff Christians Like :

When I started college, I never officially said to God, "Adios, I'll see you again when I'm in my mid 20s," but I should have, because that's what I did. I essentially took a Jon vacation from God during my college years.

I put Him in a tiny box, labeled that box "Open when you’re married or after you have kids," and put the box under the bed. Then I proceeded to live for me with an embarrassing amount of gusto.

You didn't. Hopefully, upon reading those first few sentences your thought was, "What a loser. College was the period of my life when I grew close to God and learned about what it meant to be in a relationship with Christ." That happens a lot and I honestly think that is awesome.

I didn't have that experience though. My college years were a mess and although I can't change them, I can tell you and my little sister Molly, who heads to the University of North Carolina this fall, why I wish I had not taken the college years off from God.

Here are the four things I'd tell every graduate:

1. God is not trying to ruin your college experience.
Man oh man did I throw God under the fun bus. I thought that if I pursued a relationship with God during college I would miss out on all the "fun college experiences" you're supposed to have. Like drunken spring breaks, casual relationships, coming home with the sunrise parties etc. Wow, was I wrong. I realize now that God placed the deepest, most “light me on fire with fun and hope and life desires” within me and would have loved the opportunity to awaken those during college. He wants college, and every day after that for that matter, to be lived fully alive and is by no means trying to rain on your college parade. Like Missy Elliot, God can't stand the rain, but unlike Missy Elliot He's the one that created the sunrise and I promise that only He can show you the brightest ones in college.

2. Your parents' faith won't sustain you.
Neither will your high school youth minister's or your friend's or your pastor's back home. If you inherited some beliefs from people around you while you were growing up, expect to go through a period of redefining them and personalizing them. For instance, if the only reason you went to church every Sunday was because that's just what your family did, don't expect that habit to carry you through college. You've got an amazing opportunity to understand your faith and your one on one relationship with God during these years, don't miss it.

3. College is not forever.
I didn't realize it at the time, but by completely disregarding my faith and my God during college, I was building a really horrible foundation for my mid 20s. Even now, 11 years after graduating from Samford University, there are things that my wife experienced in college with God that she can lean on. I don't have those same things. And the damage I did to my heart and my mind during college made the first four years of marriage unnecessarily difficult. Sometimes during college you don't like to think about consequences or you get sucked into this idea that college is all there is. But it’s not. Be kind to the 25 year old you and don't gather the baggage I did.

4. Don't have sex.
In addition to all the health risks, the pregnancy risks, the Biblical pleading against premarital sex, let me throw one more reason not to have sex that all the "wisdom for graduates" books seem to be leaving out: College sex is strictly amateur hour. Seriously, the ROI (Return on Investment) is bogus. You'll give a part of you that is special and irreplaceable and beautiful and in return get something that is fumbling and awkward and shallow and selfish. Marriage sex, that has the benefit of a covenant relationship that allows people to be real and honest and adventurous, is better than college sex. I promise. Don't believe me? Ask your parents. And then go throw up. But it's still true.

There is very little chance I will ever be invited to give a high school graduation commencement speech at a Christian school, especially after point 4, but if I did, I would plead with the graduates not to take the college years off from God.

How about you?

What would you tell graduates this year?

Pray for Next

2009-05-14T09:39:00.001-07:00

Here's a prayer from Paul Medler about the Next Conference in a couple weeks rooted in Ephesians.

Let's be in prayer as we look ahead...

What would make you dance like this?

2009-05-05T10:34:00.001-07:00

Sam Storms writes...

I haven't sent out a newsletter in quite some time, so you may be wondering what would stir me to do so now.

Well, every so often you come across something that touches a nerve in your soul and feel compelled to share it with others. In my case it was a You Tube video that I saw on a friend's blog. With the potential for a Swine Flu pandemic, together with the ever-present threat of international terrorism, the economic crisis, and who knows what else, we all could use a bit of spontaneous joy.

I found mine in a remarkable event that took place in a Belgian Train Station. Perhaps you've already seen it. It's making the rounds of the internet and is now found on numerous blogs.

In one sense, it's a bit silly. You'll know why when you watch it. But as I watched it (several times now), I couldn't help but think about what makes people dance. For some it is a well-known song from The Sound of Music. For others it is newly found wealth or the birth of a child. Perhaps you dance because of the love you feel for your husband or wife.

It all got me thinking about the absence of joy in our churches, the lack of spontaneity, and the fear of what others might think. If people can display such freedom and delight in something as banal as Julie Andrews singing "Do, Re, Me," can we not do as much for someone as beautiful as the Lord Jesus Christ? O.k., o.k., I know all about propriety in church and reverence and gravity. Yes, God is deserving of our deepest thoughts and most exalted praise and we must never permit our worship to degenerate into carnal or flippant emotionalism.

But does not the thought of forgiveness of sins elicit unbridled joy in your heart? Does not the prospect of eternity with Christ make your feet move? Should not the glory of saving grace and the power of the indwelling Spirit and intimacy with a loving heavenly Father move us in both body and soul?

These are the questions that came to mind as I watched and listened to this video. I wondered, what would the world think of us if our love for Jesus and our gratitude for all that God has done for us in him spilled out into the streets in godly celebration? As you watch the video, be sure to take note of the startled look on the faces of passersby. Watch as their incredulity turns to sheer enjoyment. Then ask yourself, what effect might we have on a lost and dying world if our love for God was seen in holy revelry, in glad-hearted dancing, in unashamed, extravagant affection for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even if you don't agree with what I've said, I think you'll get a kick from watching this event. But as you watch, it wouldn't hurt to ask yourself a question: For what or whom would I dance?

Our very own superhero....

2009-04-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

...Mike Valka to the rescue!

(What we learned on Good Friday)

Pressing On (5)

2009-04-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

....As I was saying...

It appears that what trumps the fear of end time predictions of economic collapse, of betrayal (Matt 24:10), hatred (v. 9), apostasy (v. 10), and even death (v. 9), is the promise that amidst the coldness of the hearts of most, there will be an increase in love in the hearts of many.

In other words Matt 24 reflects the biblical understanding that endurance is not just a stoic, gladiator-like face-to-the-wind reaction to an indifferent world. Endurance is not indifference--at least not the way Jesus describes. You don't overcome the indifference of the world by indifference to the world.

Rather, the Bible speaks of endurance is a gift of God to causes a person to pursue God in the face of myriad temptations not to.

To think of it in this passage, Jesus seems to promise that there will be those who don't grow cold with the increase of temptation, but who press on and endure with a bold and courageous love that could only be credited as a supernatural work of God in the human heart.

Moreover, such is the quality of this love--love born of the Holy Spirit, that the gospel of the kingdom is "proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations (v. 16)." This is radical love in the face of radical coldness and opposition.

Let's commit all over again to "endure to the end" together. Don't let the coldness of the world toward God or any doomsdayers tempt you to think that God is not in control of events and moving hearts toward him through them. Let's be those who fix our eyes on Jesus, burn up any coldness, and run to him with endurance.

The Press Meeting - Good Friday

2009-04-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

Directions here.

Pressing On (4)

2009-03-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

I mentioned last time that whenever we see things like global recessions the tendency of many people is to assume that this is unprecedented and unique in history and certainly a sign of the return of Christ.

Although I do believe that the return of Christ will have economic ramifications (Mark 13:8), Scripture seems to suggest that in many ways Christ's second coming will be in the midst of economic normalcy and routine (Luke 17:28; 12:20). His coming will surprise many who are caught up in the pursuits of everyday life.

So what seems to stand out in his return? It seems to me that the "increase of wickedness" that results when God's common grace over His creation, and over economic structures are removed, "the love of most will grow cold (Matt 24:12)."

More than any economic recession or depression, there will be a recession of the heart. A global depression of love and affection for Christ and for God's people. To the degree that the economy increases this global turning away of the heart from God, I believe the economy does indicate a sign of the imminence of His return.

What is the hope?

Notice the next verse...

Jesus goes on to say, "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matt 24:12-13)."

Notice that in the midst of increased coldness there is an increase in endurance. Don't miss the contrast and the special grace of God. Many will be growing cold in the midst of many who will be growing in endurance!

Do you see that those who endure to the end aren't cold? Do you see that those who endure to the end are those who respond to God entirely differently? While the effects of a weak earthly climate and weak economic climate cause the love of many to turn cold, it does not paralyze the endurance of others. While many grow cold, the people of God will burn in their love for God to the end--until they see His very face.

Moreover, their love for God not only causes them to stand firm in the evil day (Eph 6:13), but it emboldens them to step out in sacrifice for others.

More tomorrow...

Pressing On (3)

2009-03-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

I was listening to Christian radio this morning on the way into work. One thing that seems to be emphasized by the global economic recession is how this relates to what is termed "end times." Many people today are asking the question of how the current economic climate relates to the time of the Lord's return.

"Are these signs of the Lord's return?"

If you're asking that question, I'd like to offer my 2 minute response.

Yes...but don't fear...love...

It is true that although technically we have been in the last days since Jesus walked this earth, we are now closer to His imminent return than ever before in history. However, Jesus didn't seem to emphasize the economic climate being the greatest indications of his glorious appearing. Rather, He pointed to worldwide tribulation that ultimately results in apostasy and people falling away. Notice His words in Matthew 24:10-12

"And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold."

More than the economy, it seems the emphasis is on the love of people toward God and each other that Jesus indicates as the major sign before his return. In other words, as evil increases, the leveling effect is apathy, lethargy, apostasy, and downright hatred toward God. That's "the love of many" turning "cold (v. 12)."

So it seems to me that to the degree the current economic recession has this worldwide effect of increased lawlessness, hatred, evil, and a global dampening of affection and love for Christ--then the current economic scene reflects exactly what Jesus speaks about in Matt. 24.

Is there hope? Read the next verse...

More tommorrow...

2009-03-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

For directions go here.

Movie Stars

2009-03-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

Documentry of Power FM from Daniel Douglas on Vimeo.

Our own Daniel Douglas, Tre Dickerson, and Tiffany Cook are in my mind big time since Daniel put together this video for local station 89.7.

Meet Rob?

2009-03-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, my friend Justin has had a series on his blog on "ordinary" pastors. He interviewed me if you want to take a look. Pretty funny stuff...

Mueller on Pressing On

2009-02-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

The purpose of this ministry to see our calling in life to be an intense pursuit of God. But how do we reconcile our active pursuit of God with God's active pursuit of us? By remembering that we press on to know God because it's the essence of true faith--a faith given to us by God.

George Mueller is helpful in how our intense efforts should reflect intense trust in God who initiates them and makes them effective.

"Here is the great secret of success. Work with all your might; but trust not in the least in your work. Pray with all your might for the blessing of God; but work, at the same time, with all diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. Pray then, and work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on all the days of your life. The result will surely be, abundant blessing. Whether you see much fruit or little fruit, such kind of service will be blessed. . . . Speak also for the Lord, as if everything depended on your exertions; yet trust not the least in your exertions, but in the Lord, who alone can cause your efforts to be made effectual, to the benefit of your fellow men or fellow believers. Remember, also, that God delights to bestow blessing, but, generally, as the result of earnest, believing prayer."

Pursue Christ with all-out effort, but trust not in your effort.

2009-02-20T10:32:00.001-08:00

Pressing On (2)

2009-02-20T07:46:00.000-08:00

The other night in my care group meeting my wife felt led to read from Rom. 5:1-8. It's a familiar passage

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

While she read this, something stirred in me at the words, "while we were still weak (v.6).."

weak..."while we were still"...weak.

weak?

Weakness is not celebrated in our culture of strength.

When I thankfully work out at 24 Fitness (notice the words when and thankfully) I'm struck by the words that speak the opposite of this.
"You've got what it takes!" says the banner in letters the size of my 4 year old.

But that's not what Rom. 5 says about me. In fact, it says the opposite of this. It says painfully that I don't have what it takes and I never did. It says in my sin I'm far from strong. I'm light-years from capable. I'm an ocean from being the guy in the picture whose got "what it takes."

But it says more than that. Weak in my love--weak in my sin--weak in my ability--weak in my pursuit of God--One was not weak. One never wavered. One never tired in his affection for God and His obedience to God. One stepped down to help the weak. To help me.

Rom 5 says that at the right time--in my weakness--Christ was strong. When I was dead to God--Christ was alive to him. When I was incapable to come near to God--Christ was capable to be the perfect bridge. When I had no ability to serve God--Christ not only became my record before God, but my very resurrection thru His life for me and in me (5:10).

All of my pursuing after God is not ultimately coming from me--as if weakness can somehow turn itself upside down. As if life comes from its own death. As if ability jumps out its own vacuum.

No. Life has come because Christ has come. Ability has come because Christ has come. Even in the moments when it may feel like raw discipline--pursuing hard after God has come because Christ has come.

I don't have what it takes.

But He does.

Links to Read and LIsten to...

2009-02-17T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hey guys and gals...

Here's what's happening out there worth a read...

Josh Harris has some historic messages answering the questions about dating/courtship/relationships...

Also, the girltalk blog has some good posts going on singleness...

DTR Next Friday at the Press

2009-02-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

Bring a friend!

For directions...

This is Next...

2009-01-29T08:58:00.000-08:00

What's the next conference about? Find out....

Joy Can't Stop...

2009-01-26T21:59:00.000-08:00

One of the most exciting things about discovering that you and I are finite (i.e. limited, created, not all-knowing, or all-anything) is discovering that God is not.

Because God is infinite, the revelation of His glory can never be exhausted by finite creatures.

Never.

Joy and celebration in God will increase forever and ever as his infinite grace and glory is revealed to us through Jesus. Here's just one way Jonathan Edwards considers the endlessness of Christ's glory...

"It is an infinite excellency, such an one as the mind desires, in which it can find no bounds; and the more the mind is used to it, the more excellent it appears. Every new discovery makes this beauty appear more ravishing, and the mind sees no end; here is room enough for the mind to go deeper and deeper, and never come to the bottom. The soul is exceedingly ravished when it first looks on this beauty, and it is never weary of it...Christ's excellency is always fresh and new, and tends as much delight, after it has seen a thousand or ten thousand years, as when it was seen the first moment." (Jonathan Edwards on Knowing Christ, pg. 170, Banner of Truth)

New discoveries of Christ's glory await those who press on.

NA Testimonies

2009-01-18T13:53:00.000-08:00

Hey gang--

I want to encourage you to read testimonies from NA from both Courtney and Hosanna.

As we look forward to Memorial Day Weekend together, I pray for many testimonies like these. I can't wait.

Also, take time to listen to the message Courtney mentions in her testimony. It is one of the best I've ever heard on the truth of adoption and the love of God towards us in Christ.

Pressing On (1)

2009-01-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

I've been meditating a great deal on the calling of Paul's life of "knowing" Christ Jesus (Phil 3:8, 10). As we talked about last Friday, this pursuit of Paul's life was nothing short of a race he describes as "pressing" on to gain Christ and one day enjoy perfect fellowship with his king (3:10, 14).

When I see the words "straining forward (v. 13)" to what lies ahead, and "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (3:8)" I'm aware of how much my thinking needs to change regarding my pursuit after God.

It makes me think of think of the 60 minute story about the ultramarathon runner. His answer to the question, "how do you keep going?" by Leslie Stahl was interesting.

"Babysteps."

When I first heard that I thought, "are you kidding me?" That's the line from "What about Bob?"

But the more I've thought about it, I'm challenged that those who run, and keep on running after the prize keep their eyes on the prize and take it one step at a time. Nobody enjoys pressing on for the sake of pressing on. This guy knows what it's like to lose his lunch, wipe off his mouth and keep on running.

This is how Paul viewed the race of his life. Get up. Get going. Knowing Christ is all. Knowing Christ will cost.

What motivates an ultramarathon runner to run after a momentary prize provokes me to run after an eternal one--the Eternal One.

Save the Date...

2008-12-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

NA Conference '09 will be...

Memorial Day Weekend
May 23rd-26th
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD

You will not regret saving to attend this conference...

Reverse Trick or Treat

2008-11-12T08:31:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos from our last event. Sorry it took a little long to get posted....

2008-10-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

Reverse Halloween Party

Hey guys---

You are invited for our first ever Grace Church Singles Halloween Party this Friday, Oct. 31st starting at 6:30pm

We will begin at Prairie Estates Nursing Home at 6:30pm to reverse trick-or-treat and pass out candy to the residents. We will then head to Christie Childers' home at 7:30pm to eat, hang out and have a great time.

1. Create a non-scary costume (awards for most creative!)

2. Bring a bag of sugar free, individually wrapped candy (softer the better)

3. Show up at Prairie Estates at 6:30pm.

There will be surprises at this event...after all it's Halloween...

The Fight of Faith as a Single

2008-10-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to remind you all of our next singles meeting this Friday @ 7pm at the Shaw's

I also want to give you a heads up on what we will be discussing as a group. For the past couple of months we've been focused on the inerrancy and full authority of the word of God--that it's our ultimate authority and the only thing we can trust to give us the final word for reality. We don't stand over it, evaluating it's authoritative truth claims--but we sit under it, recognizing its authority over our lives. It's power is supernatural to change our lives by changing our thinking.

For the next two (or more) meetings we will focus on how this power translates into actual help for a single--and your unique challenges. Although we've just begun a journey of sorts together, it has been great getting to know you in a clearer way over the past couple of months as I've interacted with many of you. Thank you for sharing struggles and challenges, areas where you want to see change and growth--things you've invited me to know about and pray for. I've been freshly reminded of the challenges you face--many that I struggle with currently--and that I remember facing uniquely as a single adult.

So for the next couple of meetings we are going to transition a little more into the practical and talk about how to fight the fight of faith using the power of God's word. How does the Bible, with all it's promises to bring change, help us all in the battle against lonliness, depression, fears of the future, guilt, or anxiety? How does the Word help in the nitty-gritty of daily struggle, the way God intended? It is my hope that we will be encouraged by God's total committment toward us thru His word.

Don't forget to bring a friend who needs to hear the gospel

Grace Church 3rd anniversary picnic

2008-10-05T17:52:00.000-07:00

We celebrated 3 years of meeting on Sunday mornings with a church wide bbq picnic today. The event was a great time, filled with rejoicing, eating, biblical fellowship, and, well...our pastors duking it out sumo style!

No, Craig is not doing pushups, nor is he praying prostrate before Pete, he just fell after he bowed to his opponent...
Good thing a few our guys were there to help him up...

See the look in Pete's eyes? I'm glad I wasn't in the ring with that guy...from the pulpit, it's all gospel; in the ring, it's all war...Wow, I think he calls that one the "death bump"...Craig never stood a chance...

Ok, I know you guys hang out, but dancing?

Craig renegotiates the rules...

Pete underestimates Craig's muscle...

Not sure who Craig was aiming for here, but Pete doesn't look scared, he doesn't even flinch. But Sam did!

And the winner is...

Help!

2008-10-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

Rob is looking for the vandals that got to his car...here is a bit of the evidence:

Daily Bible reading

2008-10-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Do you read blogs each day, but struggle to read your Bible? Crossway has a solution for you, why not have the Bible delivered to you via your rss feed (don't know what an rss feed is? No problem, click here)? This looks like a great resource, especially if you already use a rss reader. You can choose from a variety of options, ranging from a randomly selected "verse of the day", to a serious Bible reading plan like McCheyne's.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

(HT: 22 Words)

Worldliness

2008-09-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, just thought I would point you to what looks to be a great new book, Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World, edited by C.J. Mahaney and with chapters by Jeff Purswell, Dave Harvey, Bob Kauflin, and our very own Craig Cabaniss! John Piper writes the foreword to this very helpfully biblical and practical book.

From the back cover:

"This resource uncovers the presence of worldliness and helps believers learn to relate to the world while resisting its influence in their lives.

People today are saturated in technology and prosperity. They are bombarded with endless luxuries: clothes to wear, cars to buy, vacations to take, entertainment to enjoy. Yet this world, which offers so many pleasures, is actively opposed to God and the truth of His Word. How, then, is the believer to relate to the world in which he or she lives?

Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World uncovers the presence of worldliness—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has or does. Worldliness then reveals how Christians are to engage a fallen world and boldly preach the gospel, yet not be conformed and ultimately seduced by the system of this world.

As readers learn to identify the presence of worldliness in the areas of media, modesty, music, and material possessions, they can begin to resist its influence in their lives and instead pursue eternal godliness."

The chapter titles are:

Is This Verse In Your Bible? - C.J. Mahaney

God, My Heart, and Media - Craig Cabaniss

God, My Heart, and Music - Bob Kauflin

God, My Heart, and Stuff - Dave Harvey

God, My Heart, and Clothes - C.J. Mahaney

How to Love the World - Jeff Purswell

We have these on order and should be at the church resource table this Sunday, or you can get it from WTS or Amazon.

The glory of Christ and the stale bread of the world

2008-09-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

"The weakness of our hunger for Jesus is not because He is unsavory, but because we are so stuffed with the stale bread of the world. We have so nibbled at the table of the world that we are no longer hungry for the only food that satisfies."

John Piper, Hunger for God (Get the book free here)

I had originally posted this on my personal blog, but I was reminded of it again this morning while pondering the lack of angst in my devotions.

What are you hungry for? What table are you feasting at?

Why We Don't Evangelize

2008-09-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Great reminder from a great book at the NA blog. Check it out...

Grant's Trip to China

2008-08-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

We have several singles in our church who have taken various trips around the globe. Here's an email I got from Grant Ailie on his recent trip to China. I thought it more than appropriate to share on the night we gather for our Olympic event which will be in China--and since Aaron Mayfield will be heading there soon for his company.

He writes...

Here are a few interesting facts about China that I learned as a result of my trip.

- China has more people than any nation on earth.
- One sixth of the world's people live in China.
- There are more English speakers in China than in the United States.

Thank you all for your invaluable financial and prayer support. I appreciate it more than you know. Seeing God provide the money for my trip to China boosted my faith. During my first day in China I realized how incredibly different China is from the U.S. China while eating at a local Latin Steakhouse. My group, and some local English teachers and missionaries were meeting together to kick off our time in China and in order to brief us on what we would be doing during our stay. After we finished eating, a local English teacher closed in prayer. Before praying he told us that we should keep our eyes open while he prayed so that we did not attract the attention of anyone in the restaurant and appear to be doing something religious. (China is communistic and Christianity is closely regulated)Trip summary and highlights.My first activity after getting settled in at my living quarters at Southern China University of Agriculture (SCUA) was to teach at Busy Bee Preschool. Busy Bee is a school, slash day care center run by a Christian lady, for children ages four to six. I noticed that in spite of the under eighteen rule(which makes it illegal for a Chinese person under the age of 18 to be a member of a church or be baptized), children are being reached.

Upon arriving I was informed that they start the day with Bible time. I was asked to lead it, which I was not expecting. Thankfully I brought my Evangicube. An Evangicube looks like a Rubex cube and opens up and turns to different pictures which illustrate the gospel. I took it out and explained the gospel to the children using the Evangicube's pictures to visually illustrate. The children were fascinated as they observed the small square magically open up and change to different pictures. I went through it twice, making sure that all the children gathered around me could see the pictures. One of the teachers at the preschool observed me and showed interest in presenting it to them in Chinese. I showed her how it worked and she proceeded to use the Evangicube to present the gospel to the children in Chinese. I watched in wonder as she flipped through the pictures on the Evangicube, all the while explaining the meaning in their native language.

As I watched her I realized how faithful God is to spreading His fame and truth to the different people groups of the world.

We can't wait to hear how the trip to Africa went with Courtney and Alyssa...

Looking forward to tonight!

Next 3 Events

2008-07-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

Hey gang--

I want to update you on the next 3 events we'll be doing as a group. Although we may do more, please put these on your calendars!

Friday, August 8th Olympic Opening Night 6:30pm at Bob and Sharon Hughes

The Hughes will be China and serving Chinese food. You must pick the country you're representing and bring a dish from that country. French fries from America don't count.

Friday, August 29th Singles Worship 7pm location TBA

Friday, September 12 Singles Worship 7pm location TBA

Can't wait to see you there.

Kung Fu Soccer

2008-07-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

I know some of ya'll are into softball, but what about getting a couple of teams together to start a local "soccer-tennis" league? Check out the video, looks pretty easy...

Sing with Me

2008-07-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

Check out my wife's blog for some great news from our family. I've never tasted pizza so good!

Chuck Norris

2008-07-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is good.

Go to Google’s mainpage and type in: “How do I find Chuck Norris?”

Then click, "I’m feeling lucky".

(HT: Z)

Interest list

2008-07-18T09:37:00.001-07:00

If you didn't have the opportunity the other night, Rob and I are looking for a few good...singles for various areas of specialty and interest. See the list below and let us know if you are gifted in a certain area, or if you aren't gifted but have an interest anyway! You can either post it in the comments or just shoot Rob an email.

Worship Team
Welcome/greeter team
Food coordination
Social events
Outreach/ Evangelism
Creative arts/ Journaling/ Blogging/ Photography
Worship dance (yes!! oh wait, I think Rob was kidding about this one...)

The Dark Night

2008-07-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, who went to see it last night? What'd you think?

A Divine Perspective Changes Everything

2008-07-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

I've been helped this week by Eric Hughes message on Ps. 73.

I desire a greater increase of an eternal, divine perspective on all things in my life.

One of the things I'd like us to do as a singles ministry is ask the question, "since that is true, how do I maintain a divine perspective?"

I'd like to hear both how the Lord is using that sermon in your life this week, and also hear what your thoughts on the maintaining of a divine perspective...

Singles meeting July 11

2008-07-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, just a quick word...

Our next meeting will be next Friday night, July 11th, at the Tombrella house from 7-10pm. If you don't know where it's at, ask somebody! Or email Rob or Aaron...

We'll post more on this over the weekend (food, fun, you know the drill).

Hope to see you there!

Calling all Blogging Singles of our church

2008-06-25T14:24:00.001-07:00

Hey Grace Church Singles...

Who blog...(because i hear all you do is text)

Please respond to this post so we can write something of substance if you're interested.

--Rob