Wednesday

I am looking forward to our Wednesday night prayer meeting tonight.

I have continued to read about John Knox this week. I still need to find a couple of good biographies on him.

Have you ever thought you were born in the wrong century? I am really drawn to the 17th century. A large portion of the reformation's ideals were more fully developed and applied.

A word to recover: THEOSOPHY, n. Divine wisom, godliness; 2. Knowledge of God.
Interestingly, we now favor the term "philosophy" which is made up of two Greek words philo and sophia. Philo is 1 of 3 Gr. words attached to the idea of "love" and sophia is of course, "wisdom." Philosophy in its essence is the love of wisdom. Theosophy is love for God through the gracious gift of divine wisdom in the person of Christ. We love the God of truth and wisdom. The Greeks seek after "knowledge" and love it in all its God-hating forms. We love the true wisdom of God in the Word, Jesus Christ.

Christians need to recover our distinctive language, not borrow from the world. "Do you not know that the love of the world is enmity with God?"

Tuesday's post

We took Jameson to get a small sub from Subway. He asks us ALL the time if we will take him for a sub. He has a fond memory in the past of really enjoying a sub from the gas station Subway near our house in Lake county. Kids are crazy like that.

We are looking forward to a productive week as a family. The kids have school, Dana has her many projects etc. We would like to see some progress, although we know more will be added and our life always has unexpected twists.

I am feeling a little tired. We are looking forward to the down time that a vacation trip offers, at least in theory. Last year, I started to really relax the day before we came home. The kids can't wait to see their friends, aunts and uncles. We are hoping to go to the family farm an hour or so north of Pittsburgh that has been in the family since before the Revolutionary War. My mom has done some research on behalf of my daughter Savannah. It looks like Savannah will be able to join the exclusive, Daughters Of The American Revolution, upon her 18th birthday. This is reserved for direct family links to soldiers who served in combat. Her many "greats" grandfather fought in the War of Independence. If you have known us for any length of time, you know history stuff like that gets our attention. She will be a good steward of our family's legacy.

I covet your prayers. I hope people will pray for my walk with Christ and for my preaching ministry.

Friday Is A Big Workday

Friday is the pinnacle day of preparation for me. I have to have my messages on track or Saturday is really tough. I always study a great deal on Saturday. But, if Friday isn't productive in a measurable way, I am disappointed and will be under the gun. The study needs to yield real results for the body not just spiritual blessings for me.

I am looking forward to this Sunday. 5 years ago (6-26-2005)we had our first meeting as a church. It is a giant leap of faith to start a church with no core group in place. We thought the Dupres would come at least once (whom we met just a few weeks prior) but weren't sure if they would like us. We knew everyone else that came would be strangers to us. It seemed a lot like the book of Acts. The Lord has been pleased to sustain us thus far. My desire to see it to the end (humanly speaking) is even stronger than the all-consuming desire I had to plant. I think that means good things for us because God is the one energizing the effort. He put those desires in my heart (and yours?) and has been faithful.

In this time of remembrance, without presuming upon God, I'd like you to join me in praying that we would see a 100-fold harvest. By this time next year I would like to see our membership number double (we have 36 members representing about 100 people in our families). I'd also like to see us begin a process of securing a permanent meeting house location, a plan to train men to plant churches and go to the mission field and see our body growing in Christ-likeness. This isn't an appeal to easy believing number boosting. It is a call to true fruitfulness in ministry. Our church was founded on biblical principles. It isn't perfect because we are here(sinners tend to make things pear-shaped). We have only one walk with Christ. Let us walk/run the race He has set before us!

Thursday

It is time for dramatic Christian courage. We must be faithful to Christ in everything we do. Shed the dualistic tendency to compartmentalize your faith. Integrity requires that we be faithful both in public and in anonymity, in business and recreation.

I am studying for the message in Acts 15 and on "The Offices Of Christ" for Sunday evening.

For fun, I am reading articles about John Knox. Knox, though highly controversial, is my favorite reformer. I would put him on par with C.H. Spurgeon. Knox is considered by many to be the most thoroughly consistent reformation figure. He subjected it all to Christ. May the Lord raise a thousand like him.

This Sunday,we will be celebrating our 5th year as a local expression of Christ's Church.

Tuesday

We are having a more normal week. Which means normal is actually infrequent and therefore abnormal.

I am looking forward to prayer meeting tomorrow night.

CRBC has an amazing ministry opportunity in the greater Orlando area. We must be faithful and fruitful.

My son Jacob took me to play 9 holes of golf with Caleb this morning at the Winter Park Golf Club. My schedule didn't permit us to do so yesterday on my day off. He used his own money to treat us. I felt blessed by his desire to honor me. The Lord is so good to us.

I am praying for reformation and revival. Lord do something amazing in us for Your Glory!

Friday fun at Panera

I am studying for my sermons at my regular hangout, Panera in Dr. Phillips. Stop by and say hi if you are driving by. I'd enjoy talking about our Lord with you.

Looking forward to the "B" family going away party (who gets to have 2 of these?) tomorrow.

SuSu woke us at 3:45a.m. last night with allergy/asthma symptoms. Even when she wakes us up in the middle of the night, she has a tremendous ability to bring joy.

I will not be able to attend any of the Ligonier conference sessions this year.

Thursday

We didn't have Bible study this morning so my very routine Thursday seems a bit unusual. I am studying for both Sunday messages.

My wife has discipled dozens of young ladies and women. Tonight, two of them with their growing families will be coming to our house for a little reunion. Dana discipled them while they were in high school. We realized that one of them was Savannah's age when we met her. She is now married to a pastor and expecting her first child. These 2 women in particular, seem to appreciate my wife's investment in them 12-13 years ago.

I had hoped to go to the Ligonier conference today but it looks like my only chance will be for part of the day tomorrow and that is a bit questionable.

I am looking forward to Sunday. It is the best day of the week. May your week end with your renewed hope in and faithfulness to Christ.

Wednesday

The kids had a group from church (and some friends from MO) over for an informal basketball tournament this afternoon. They have fun when they get together. I spent the entire morning at the repair shop getting 2 new tires. God so graciously provided an unexpected gift for this need. They had to order the tires so I got to wait a couple of extra hours.

We will be having our normal prayer meeting tonight.

I am already behind schedule in my study goals. I will need to have very good Thursday and Friday study days.

Please join us if you need to be part of a local church that is striving to love Christ and each other. We love the Bible and want to be used for his glory.

Tuesday

We had a profitable elder meeting with a good time of accountability.

I am working on the next section of Acts 15 (beginning at verse 12) for Lord's day morning service and "The Humanity of Christ" for the evening. I am also praying about the texts/subjects for prayer meeting tomorrow evening.

I so desperately want to be God's man. I want to be a godly husband, father, pastor, son, brother, uncle...

I heard from an old friend via phone this morning. It is good to be in fellowship with Christ's people.

I need to exercise later today. The late afternoon workout seems much harder.

Pray for the persecuted saints.

Friday 150th blog post

I am currently sitting at my sometime study hangout, Panera in Dr. Phillips. The people are nice and I can use wifi for hours with a coffee purchase. It's a good use of $1.69.

I am studying diligently in Acts 15:6-11. The message this week will be entitled, "Peter Addresses the Jerusalem Council." I have really enjoyed working on this chapter and am learning a great deal.

We will be without our 2 oldest tomorrow. We are sharing them with a couple of godly families. Jacob gets to help do some work (he'll squeeze in some play) and Savannah gets to play. I am particularly grateful that Savannah gets to do something fun. She works incredibly hard for our family with a great attitude. She has NEVER complained about all the work she does. She is an exemplary daughter.

I lifted and did cardio today. I like when its over...

Please pray for the Lord to use our little church and her members for His glory.

Thursday

My children were happy to see me when I came home briefly after Bible study. It is wonderful to be a husband and father.

I hurt my back lifting weights yesterday. I laid on an ice pack and took ibuprofen right before prayer meeting. It is sore today but not nearly as bad as I originally thought it would be.

I am working on the Sunday sermons. Please pray that God would be pleased to use my feeble efforts for His Glory.

My wife and oldest daughter are reading Sherlock Holmes books. We will know where to find them when they turn up missing. They will be hiding in closets and squeezing chapters in.

We hope to take a 2 week vacation this summer. It seems impossible today but we know God has a good plan for us.

Wednesday

It is amazing to be a child of the King. I am rejoicing at the 'mystic sweet communion' we have in Christ.

I am praying about prayer meeting. We will probably go over Romans 6 and considering our death to sin and our new life to righteousness in Christ.

My belt went one hole smaller today. A small victory for a fat man!

The Christian life is filled with strife. Our friends fail and foes assail; it is good to remenber that He never leaves us. I was thinking how it must grieve Him to see His children not loving or living at peace with one another.

The kids were moved at their Voice of the Martyrs class today. It put their "problems" in perspective.

Tuesday

Happy birthday wishes to my youngest son Elijah! I hope your 4th birthday is filled with joy.

Dana is having her women's Bible study this morning. I am blessed to have such a godly wife.

I have stolen her copy (thanks for sharing AJ) of "The Works Of Henry Scougal" and began reading it in earnest late last evening. I was exposed to Scougal a few years back but I have never read his landmark work, 'The Life Of God In The Soul Of Man.' It is already one of my favorite books. Scougal has deep theological insight coupled with passionate affections toward Christ. He seems to exemplify the puritan preaching maxim of preaching (writing) with both "light and heat." I want to be a man like that.

I was glad to experience last Sunday evening's new worship service. Doing it for the first time helped me better see what needs to happen. I am tinkering with the sermon form for Sunday evening by being giving a more topical exposition that will hopefully benefit the saints and be accessible to unbelievers. I was disappointed with my message but look forward to growing and improving this week.

I am preparing my Wednesday night prayer meeting material, the sermon series in Acts 15, the Thursday a.m. Bible study in Exodus and the Sunday evening message on "The Divinity of Christ." Please pray that I will be a diligent workman and that the Holy Spirit would be pleased to provide illumination and unction.

We need to be sowing, watering and harvesting. What can you do today to advance the cause of Christ?

Wednesday

We will be praying through Romans 6 in prayer meeting this evening. I am working on sermon prep in Acts 15, studying for tomorrow's Thursday morning Bible study in Exodus, the monthly men's study in Eph. 2 on Saturday and my new sermon series for Sunday nights, "Who Is Jesus?" This Sunday, we will consider the Person of Christ. I need to have great study days through Saturday.

My supplemental Bible and theology reading suffered neglect this week. I must be more disciplined to get it in.

I am very excited about the future of our church. We will be growing deeper in discipleship and numerically, Lord willing. We want to establish several more RB churches in central Florida in the coming years.