What's the next conference about? Find out....
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Joy Can't Stop...
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.
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.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
NA Testimonies
Hey gang--
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.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Pressing On (1)
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Save the Date...
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...
Memorial Day Weekend
May 23rd-26th
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, MD
You will not regret saving to attend this conference...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
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...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Fight of Faith as a Single
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
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
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Grace Church 3rd anniversary picnic
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...
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...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
