With My Own Eyes

My friend Philippe has many talents including pastries and painting.  He is also very gifted at creating the most amazing sandcastles.  Here are some pictures from last weekend:

The Stronghold of God by Francis Frangipane

“Valleys produce fruitfulness (90).”

“Finally, at the right moment, the Lord suddenly connected all the loose ends of Joseph’s life.  Everything that Joseph went through would have seemed cruel and unfair, except that the Lord was shaping a man for His purpose.  God uses everything we go through for future purposes that He alone sees.  We do not see His ultimate plan while we are in the valley; we must remember the vision, keeping faith in what God has promised (92).” 

“”He named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruituful in the land of my affliction”” (Gen. 41:52).  god made him fruitful in the very things that afflicted him.  In the land of your affliction, in your battle, is the place where God will make you fruitful (93).””

The Stronghold of God by Francis Frangipane

“The very quality of your life, whether you love it or hate it, is based upon how thankful you are toward God.  Our attitude determines whether life to us is a place of blessedness or wretchedness and misery (81).”

“This is the only life you will have before you enter eternity.  If you want joy, you must first find thankfulness (81).”

“It does not matter what your circumstances are; the instant you begin to thank God, even though your situation has not changed, you begin to change (83).”

“The key that unlocks the gates of heaven is a thankful heart (83);”

“When God gives us less than we desire, it is not because He is teaching us poverty; He is teaching us thankfulness (85).”

“This covenant of thanksgiving is the key that shuts and bolts the door to demonic oppression in a person’s life (87).”

Can You Know For Sure If You Are God’s Child? Romans 8:14-15

Josh turns 13 today.  In celebration of his birthday, here’s a list of 13 things I appreciate about him:

1. Josh loves to laugh–especially deep belly laughs where he can’t catch his breath.

2. Josh is respected by  adults, especially his teachers. 

3. Josh has a tender heart for young kids.  I think he would make a great elementary school teacher some day.

4. Josh still lets me read to him.  We are currently reading The Red Badge of Courage.  I hope that we always do this.

5. Like me, Josh tends to be sentimental, reflecting on “the good old days.”   He loves to create memories and traditions.

6. Josh absolutely LOVES the Christmas season–the songs, the decorations, the food, the stories, the traditions.

7. Josh is very discerning about his selection of friends.  This is going to pay huge dividends in the days ahead.

8. Josh is a very good communicator–both in speech and in writing. 

9. Josh has accumulated a lot of knowledge about many things.  More than once I’ve thought, “How does he know that?”  I think it is due to the fact that he loves to read (especially history) and he pays attention to what is going on around him.

10. Josh is punctual, almost to a fault.  It is a disaster if he is even close to being late for anything.

11. Josh is a conscientious, hard worker.  If he is running sprints at an athletic practice, you will find him at the front of the pack.

12.  Josh’s love language is quality time.  He just wants to do things together.  Some of my favorite times have been just shooting baskets or playing catch with him.

13. Josh cares about his Dad.  More than once during my physical issues of late he has told me that he is praying for me. 

I love you Josh.  Happy 13th birthday.  I am proud of you and so glad that God blessed us with you. 

Check out Amanda’s blog entry on God’s provision:  God Provides

“Mr. and Mrs. ____________ have a nice home, and belongings, and two cute kiddies, but are so like the rest of us that it is disheartening.  We are so utterly ordinary, so common-place.  We profess to know a Power the twentieth century does not reckon with, but we are harmless and therefore unharmed.  We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle to the death with the principalities and powers in high places.  Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brash, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the cross.  We are sideliners, coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers, while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged.  The world can not hate us; we are too much like its own.  Oh, that God would make us dangerous!” — Jim Elliot

A man I consider to be a great friend and mentor is in his last days.  Dick surprised us all by rallying enough strength to come to worship with his family and sing one more time.  He is finishing well and I will forever be grateful for the impact he has had on my life.

We had a great day of worship Sunday with Dr. Sam Chetti challenging us to consider the snapshots of the church contained in Romans 12:9-21.  At the conclusion of his message, I presented you with a homework assignment to write a brief description of how we as a church would practically live out one or more of these snapshots.  I have already received some responses and they are fantastic.  If you have not yet done so, would you please take a moment and consider how we as a church can practically apply this passage?  You can send this to me via email.  This is a great opportunity to dream.

May God fill your mind with His dreams for First Baptist Church!

I have mentioned christianaudio.com before.  As the name suggests, it is a great site for downloading Christian audio books.  It also has some amazing sermons/teachings/messages, many of which are free.  In particular this week I came across some rock solid teaching from John Piper on significant figures in the history of the Church.  I was blown away by what he shared about Spurgeon and Mueller.  It went way beyond informational to inspirational.  I highly recommend this to you.  Visit christianaudio.com.  Click “best sellers” and scroll down until you find the appropriate messages from John Piper.  I think you will also find other teachings of interest as well.