makin' a list

Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

thought i'd make at least a partial list in obedience to this verse (praise God for each of these faithful ones!):

Ethel Richman
Sue Richman
John Richman
Ted Nusser
Dorothy Nusser
Martha Gaston
Helen Lockwood
Ralph McAuley
Phylis Tittle
Irene Reese
Rachel Schafer
Alberta Conley
Ruth Ann Carter
Jim Thomson
Shirley Cannon
Jim Lockwood
Wayne Christen
Scott Chamberlain
Jill Lawrence
Karen Montgomery (nee Young)
Mark Montgomery
Johnny Williams
Bruce Cicchese
Jim Cicchese
Jeff Wright
Diane Wright
Mike Prom
Mark Dunn

Steve Lorah

mayans, winter storms and the unchanging nature of Jesus

Even though many of the kids were hoping for/counting on a snow day today, the flakes are just now beginning to float down, and they are already an hour into their day.

Our FCA reading through the gospel of Mark had us at the end of chapter 4 today. Jesus and his disciples were in a boat. He's sleeping. It's storming. They're panicking. "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Jesus rebukes the wind and waves - like they're his barking dog, "Quiet! Be still!" They obey immediately. The disciples are terrified as they recognize Jesus' power and authority. (Mark 4:35-41)

Yesterday and today, in meditating on Hebrews 13, I am reminded of the great encouragement of verse 8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

Praise God - Jesus has authority over the storm, the days and seasons - and He DOES care! (I'm worth more than many sparrows! - Matthew 10:31)

Trust in the Name of the LORD Our God

I was reading Psalm 20 this morning as I was working on Sunday's bulletin (this week's responsive reading). It is a great reminder for days like today:

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7

ministry strategy

as per the apostle Paul: (with comments by steve)

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: (a weighty place to be commissioned so DO NOT take these instructions lightly)

preach the word; (gotta know it to preach it)
be ready in season and out of season; (that's pretty much all the time... in fact it IS all the time)
reprove, ("to criticize or correct, especially gently")
rebuke, ("to express sharp, stern disapproval")
and exhort, ("to give urgent advice, recommendations or warnings")
with complete patience and teaching. (thorough, time consuming and costly - don't give up)

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (this Bible stuff's boring, let's try something else, something more fun and entertaining)

As for you, (denoting contrast)

always be sober-minded, (don't get distracted or muddle headed)
endure suffering, (persevere - don't give up - and yes, this means that there will be suffering, expect it)
do the work of an evangelist, (tell the good news of Christ's life, death and resurrection)
fulfill your ministry." (see instructions above)

2 Timothy 4:1-5

yeah, i love 2 Timothy 2 OR i'm a list guy

breaking down the content of 2 Timothy 2 based on the commands:

• "be strengthened" 2 Timothy 2:1 - yeah, i know, this first command is kind of a strange one in that it looks to something done for us not by us - the grace that strengthens me is outside of me - it is in Christ Jesus... alone
• "entrust" 2 Timothy 2:2 - the generational nature of the gospel message - four of them are mentioned in this verse...
• "share" 2 Timothy 2:3 - not the usual mother to child command to share... a call to share IN SUFFERING! - mindset: soldier, athlete, farmer
• "Think over" 2 Timothy 2:7 - okay, you've made it this far, review the first 6 verses again - the Lord will give you understanding
• "Remember" 2 Timothy 2:8 - Jesus Christ - His resurrection - His descent (from David - the throne is His by right)
• "Remind" 2 Timothy 2:14 - of these things - ie. Jesus' resurrection, His kingship, Paul's imprisonment, the freedom of the word of God, dying and living with Him, enduring and reigning with Him, denial of and by Him, His faithfulness
• "charge" 2 Timothy 2:14 - not to quarrel about words
• "Do your best" 2 Timothy 2:15 - to present yourself to God as one approved - ie. a worker who rightly handles the word of truth
• "avoid" 2 Timothy 2:16 - irreverent babble - it leads people into more and more ungodliness
• "flee" 2 Timothy 2:22 - youthful passions - in order to be a clean vessel, holy and set apart for honorable uses - useful to the master of the house - ready for every good work
• "pursue" 2 Timothy 2:22 - righteousness, faith, love, and peace - with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart - in order to be a clean vessel, holy and set apart for honorable uses - useful to the master of the house - ready for every good work
• "Have nothing to do" 2 Timothy 2:23 - with foolish, ignorant controversies - they breed quarrels - the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness

i always loved how rocky and bullwinkle would give alternate titles for the next episode...

so this blogpost could either be titled: "yes, Hebrews 4:12 is my favorite verse, but don't forget to read Hebrews 4:13 with it" OR "speaking of Matthew 5:3, here's a great quote for a monday morning"

"We cannot bear to acknowledge either the seriousness of our sin and guilt or our utter indebtedness to the cross.... But we cannot escape the embarrassment of standing stark naked before God. It is no use for us to try and cover up like Adam and Eve in the garden. Our attempts at self-justification are as ineffectual as their fig leaves. We have to acknowledge our nakedness, see the divine substitute wearing our filthy rags instead of us, and allow him to clothe us with his own righteousness (cf. Revelation 3:17-18). Nobody has ever put it better than Augustus Toplady in his immortal hymn "Rock of Ages":
Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to your cross I cling;
Naked, come to you for dress;
Helpless, look to you for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die." - John Stott, The Cross of Christ

a missionary psalm

96

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Sing to the LORD, bless His name;

tell of His salvation from day to day.

Declare His glory among the nations,

His marvelous works among all peoples!

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him;

strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;

bring an offering, and come into His courts!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before Him, all the earth!

Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!

Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;

He will judge the peoples with equity."

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 

let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the LORD, for He comes,

for He comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness,

and the peoples in His faithfulness.