The headlines and one-liners of the local newspaper make me smile. Below are a few excerpts from the sports pages.
M-L-S defense locks down Ray
The M**** High School gym could have just as well been a penitentiary Tuesday.
Honkers pressure halts Maroons
Pressure, pressure and more pressure.
Coyotes get the worm
M**** High School held its annual Early Bird Wrestling Tournament Saturday...
This morning I read through the letter to the saints in Ephesus. I did quite a bit of underlining and note-taking but two words stood out to me this morning that haven't normally caught my eye. In Ephesians 3 Paul says -Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (3:20-21)
He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask. I understand this because I don't ask God for much because I expect too little of him. He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we think. I can think of quite a bit. At times my mind runs wild. He is able to do far more abundantly than anything I can think. I was convicted of two things this morning. First, I don't expect much from God so I don't ask. Secondly, and to my shame, I don't think much of God. He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think - according to the power at work within us - so to HIM be the GLORY! Forever! Amen.
Today I am taking my family to the capital city! It will be a fun outing. I will get a Yellow Fever vaccination. If that doesn't say "Happy Thanksgiving!" I don't know what does.
I have been reading D.A. Carson's book The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians. If you are or have been involved in ministry in a church, this is a must-read.
In the section on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Carson asks, "What then does it mean today to resolve "to know nothing...except Jesus Christ and him crucified"? How do we apply this in our churches. He gives a few examples but the one below caused me to think about our own church.
We have become so performance-oriented that it is hard to see how compromised we are. Consider one small example. In many of our churches, prayers in morning services now function, large measure, as the time to change the set in the sanctuary. The people of the congregation bow their heads and close their eyes and when they look up a minute later, why, the singers are in place or the drama group is ready to perform. It is all so smooth. It is also profane. Nominally we are in prayer together addressing the King of heaven, the sovereign Lord. In reality, some of us are doing that while others are rushing on tiptoes around the "stage" and others, with their eyes closed, are busy wondering what new and happy configuration will confront them when it is time to take a peek.Does this resonate with you and your
Has the smoothness of the performance become more important to us than the fear of the Lord?...Have professional competence and smooth showmanship become more valuable than sober reckoning over what it means to focus on Christ crucified?
I posted information about this last month and if I did not believe in the sovereignty of God I would say I was lucky because - I won! Well, it's a new month and that means a new giveaway.
So here are the prizes...
First prize: One copy of The ESV Listener's Bible on CD (as read by Max McLean) and one copy of Classics of the Christian Faith CD collection. The retail value of this prize is over $150.
Second prize: One copy of Classics of the Christian Faith CD collection.
Third Prize: One copy of Classics of the Christian Faith CD collection.
When we returned from our mt. vacation a large box was waiting for me in my office. I opened the box and was pleasantly surprised to see the loot from the Challies give-away. I handed out several at church yesterday and plan to give out many more. I believe I will keep the Phillips book. After I read it I may loan it out. I have many books to give away and I am checking the list to see who has been naughty and who has been nice.
Many thanks to Tim Challies for having the draw and for Ligonier Ministries for supplying the books.
Whiskerino began on November 1st, 2007. What is Whiskerino? That's a good question. It is a beard contest in which the participants must start with a clean slate. Images are uploaded each day to show the progress of the beard. At the end of each day points are tallied and a "king" is chosen. The event ends on February 28th. If you would like to visit the site click here. If you would like to add points to my total click on the 3 crowns below my picture. There are over 300 entries. My name for the contest is "blackbeard." To go directly to my page click here. Enjoy. May the beard growing begin!...or continue.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
