The Hudson Chronicle

Grieving the Holy Spirit

2010-09-30T15:00:00.000-04:00

Ephesians 4:30 (AV)

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

In Sunday School I have been walking through basic systematic theology with our young people. I believe it is vitally important that we inculcate now an understanding of who God is and how He works. Most recently we have been walking through the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, and it has been a blessing for me personally. I have been meditating on this verse for a while for several reasons:
1. It is a verse that has been a part of my studies.
2. I am a sinful man who needs to be constantly reminded of my position before God.
3. I am growing more and more disturbed at what I see is becoming "acceptable" Christianity.
At the risk of being labeled a legalist, I believe that I must address what I see.

Let me address what I believe is our big issue- God is not everything to us. The symptoms are evidenced most visibly in Facebook. I see "good" kids buying into the concept that culture is king instead of God being king. It is hard to put into words the sadness I feel every time I see one of our teens (past and present) post something lewd or vulgar without even thinking. I am saddened every time I see another song being quoted that has themes and ideals that the Bible says, "let it not once be named among you." I see people begging for attention and a desire to belong to something without real commitment to Christ. I should say here also I have alternately been blessed by thoughtful God honoring comments, posts, and videos as well. But far and away I have been burdened because the symptoms of living for music, tv, sports, and entertainment demonstrate that we care only for ourselves.

I don't want this to be merely a rant on standards, I want us to examine ourselves and ask if we grieve the Holy Spirit. Ask the questions of why do I do what I do, why do I listen to what I listen to, why do I think the way I think, why is God just something else I do, why do I crave attention, why isn't God the center of all that I do. Say what you will about standards, but one thing this old boy wants to be is Christlike. I am so far from it it is disgusting. I am tired of living with God not being everything, I hope you are too. May God be glorified in these feeble words.

first of all Facebook by asking a few questions. I have been having more and more growing concerns of what I see here. I see "good" kids being dis

Follow Jesus Chapters 9-10

2010-09-08T12:11:00.000-04:00

Here is this weeks of our devotional guide of 1 Corinthians: "Follow Jesus". Dig in and enjoy

Follow Jesus Chapters 7-8

2010-09-01T18:08:00.000-04:00

Here is this weeks devotional. I didn't even get to dive into the divorce issue in this weeks guide, but that is something for us to chew on another day.

1 Corinthians 5 & 6

2010-08-26T11:55:00.001-04:00

Follow the link to this weeks Follow Jesus devotional guide from 1 Corinthians. Feel free to ask questions if you have any!

Follow Jesus

2010-08-19T15:48:00.002-04:00

1 Corinthians 3&4 are live. Hope you enjoy. http://bit.ly/doOZsW

2010-08-07T12:17:00.001-04:00

2010-08-07T12:04:00.001-04:00

June 25- Live from 30,000 feet

2010-06-26T11:56:00.000-04:00

Trying to summarize this trip is like trying to bottle the Mediterranean itself, it just can’t be done. But as I reflect I believe that God has done some very wonderful things not only in my heart, but in the whole team. I believe I should start with that this has been a different mission endeavor than I have grown used to.

Typically when we have taken a trip we have taken over, or just will do our thing on our schedule. I guess we I could describe it as when an evangelist comes to our church. They are a part of us, and yet most of the time they pretty much do their own thing without really becoming part of the church. I feel that although there was no great, extravagant ministry undertaking we were really able to get to know the workings of everyday on the mission filed better than we ever have before. Not only that, I believe that we were able to see some of the real needs and struggles of the ministry in Grosseto. What does this mean for us? It means we know how to better pray, because now we can pray with understanding. It means we will know names in the letters the Maietta’s send to us. It means that we will be able to better communicate a burden for the Italian people to TCBC.

On another note I believe that through all of the discussions that we had with all of those folks ministering at Chiesa Biblical Battista it helped establish a personal philosophy of missions for our team members. It is one thing to have a burden for people, but it is an entirely different animal to have a personal working idea of how to turn that burden into sharing the Gospel of Christ. These are the things that translate home. It is this type of a personal philosophy of missions that takes missions from the people that leave their homes for foreign fields to me stepping outside into a world that needs Christ and doing something about it. It is philosophy that will determine how I share the Gospel and will determine the extent to which I will go to share. Without this understanding I will not be an effective witness.

I believe we also gained a better understanding of our faith in general. I have not discussed the trip to the Torino area and a brief view of our spiritual fore-fathers, the Waldensians. To walk where they were martyred, and to see their faithfulness through centuries of persecution is such a call to spiritual fortitude. To hear of Biblical Christianity that predated the reformation not involving Catholicism or any other isms was so encouraging. Our tour guide explained to us how the Waldensians of old took the Bible for what it was and said. Praise God for this heritage, and as someone who has Huguenots way back in the family tree I was just blest. I still haven’t talked about the at a minimum 600 year old table I sat at that the Waldensians used to copy the Scriptures, or the sadness I felt as I was told of the story of Chanfran and the compromise that brought the Waldensians protection from the magisterial reformers while losing their Biblical distinctiveness. The latter was marked with a monument which Bro. Maietta calls a tombstone even though there are still Waldensians today. I pray that we have picked up the mantle those faithful people left for us.

I honestly could go on and on and on. I could tell you of the unity we felt with the church. I could tell some funny stories. I could share the miraculous testimonies of salvation of them members. I could talk about great food that seemed endless. What I will take away from this trip is that God is Great and is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below,

Praise Him above ye heavenly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

June 23- Day One

2010-06-23T18:11:00.000-04:00

The first year I worked at Southland the Program Director, Edd Bowen, taught us something that I am sure he learned from his days working at camp. It was a simple question he would use to remind us of what our priorities needed to as the weeks of camp could feel like drudgery. He would ask us what week it was. It was a very simple answer he expected to hear- WEEK 1! Now in camp work the weeks can get old, you feel exhausted and spiritually drained, however as a counselor or staff member each young person coming to camp needed the same amount of enthusiasm we had for the very first camper that arrived for the summer.
It's hard not to forget picking up that first cabin of the summer. It was something exciting, terrifying, and humbling all at the same time. It was something that you looked to for months and then it was over. The point of week one was that the excitement and passion I felt for that first cabin needed to be felt by the last.
That is tomorrow, or today as the clock has rounded the top. Tomorrow is Day 1 in my mind. Finish, and by God's grace we will finish well! What a time we have had in Italy, but God is not done yet!
DAYYYYYYY OOONE!!!!
-Brandon

June 18th Rome=Amazing

2010-06-19T05:35:00.000-04:00

The title says all I should say, but I will add a few highlights. Standing at the floor of the Coliseum was overwhelming as I thought about the thousands of Christians who were murdered there for the sake of entertainment and faith. The Forum and the structures around it were both impressive and beautiful. I personally thought that the most beautiful place was the Trevi Fountain. I sure wish I could have had Sarah with me to experience these things together, Lord willing we will (the girls too).

At the top of the Spanish Steps Liz, Ryan, and I entered a church where the choir or priests and nuns were singing chants. As we were there, the overwhelming beauty of what I was witnessing paired to the complete lack of gospel along with dependence on pageantry gave me insight into the powerful idea of a works based salvation. It is appealing to follow after beauty, and lists that someone else came up with to get you to God. I am thankful that the Word teaches me one way to God, and it is by grace through faith. Halelujah, because let me tell you if my salvation were dependent on my goodness I would have lost it a few hours later when I lost it. Before that story,l I must give you the highlight of the day story.

After we exited The Roman Forum we had planned on seeing the Mamertine Prison, but where disappointed because the church above it was under construction. While we stood outside, we noticed a lady coming out of a door inside the construction walls. Needless to say I asked to go in just for a minute. She flatly said no, so we left disappointed. As we were trying to figure out what to do next, I saw that she left. A worker came out with his boss, so I asked them. OK, I didn’t ask I begged. The worker finally agreed, and snuck me in. I felt totally and completely more than overwhelmed, I wish I could come up with a word to describe my emotions, in my few seconds in that cold, wet, mildew smelling pit if agony. As I am typing, I realize that the picture I am giving does not truly portray the awesomeness of being snuck in to Paul’s prison. I am so grateful for that wonderful opportunity, and was rejoicing in God’s goodness.

That wonderful experience came to a screeching halt, when the great Brandonus Maximus reared his ugly head. We were late for our train. I was on the train with Liz and Champe and had all the tickets except for Ryan's. I did not know that European trains do not leave when the door closes, and that you can still get on by pushing a button. Bro Maietta was on the ground holding the door open, and then it happened. Two ticket agents start telling us to close the door, and I got scared that we were about to lose 3 people in Rome with only one ticket between them. I stuck my hand out the door and tried giving Frank 2 tickets, and while my hand was sticking out one of the ticket agents grabbed my arm and pushed me against the wall behind me. Then I lost it, and chest bumped him, knocked him back and told him not to touch me. Here’s the problem I don’t know Italian, and He didn’t know English. I should have submitted to the authority, but I didn’t. Had I known what he was saying everything would have been fine, but no I have to get defensive. After the moment of anger I realized what I had done, I did not reflect the gentleness and love of Christ to someone that needed it. I was more concerned about train tickets than with souls. In that moment as soon as I pushed back I realized my great sinfulness and profusely apologized. They accepted and offered a rebuke, I was a fool. So I like Paul must say:

Romans 7:14-24 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

So was the day amazing, yes. By the way every one made the train.

Thank you Father for this tremendous day. You have shown me your glory and forgiveness almost at once, neither of which I deserve. My sin is before me and the consequences of foolishness. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight for truly you are my strength and my Redeemer. Amen

-Brandon

June 17 post 2

2010-06-19T05:19:00.000-04:00

June 17, 2010 part 2

I left you waiting for the service, and it couldn’t have gone better. As Bro. Maietta, myself, Bro. Childers, Ryan, and Champe were gathering to pray for the service two visitor ladies came in. What a blessing! This was their third time to come, and how they ended up at the church is an incredible story. Which I wish I could tell the long story, but I would get the details wrong so here is the short one. One lady was given a tract she liked it so much she gave it to her friend, but in doing so she lost the church information. She then began to pray that God would let her get the church information. Her friend was given a flyer and decided to bring her to a service, not knowing that this church is the church of the lost info. What a glorious God we serve!

After the service we went and ate the best pizza any of us has had in our lives. We watched the brick oven get prepared, sampled the ingredients, watched some dough get tossed around, and then consumed. Multo Bene!!! So that is an end to a great day and now I am crashing at 11. So until next time-
Ciao’

-Brandonio

June 17 post 1

2010-06-17T13:49:00.000-04:00

June 17, 2010

What a great day so far! Right now we are waiting at the church for the midweek service, so while I had a moment I wanted jot down a few thoughts. 1st jet lag it is real, I could not fall asleep until almost three this morning, knowing that we needed to be up at 5:45. I am still going strong, but the day is not over.
   This morning we spent several hours in Grosseto’s city center on market day distributing tracts. This was our first real opportunity to see the culture up close, yesterday was more like being a tourist. We were taught some phrases, but I could only really remember prego- you’re welcome and grazie- thank you. It was kind of embarrassing when someone would talk to me and all I could then say was, “sorry I speak English”. That happened a couple of times, but I was able to point the folks to Bro. Paul Childers (Bro. Frank’s Co-worker).
    One of these conversations was with an atheist who believes that there is no soul or God, please pray for this man. Other stories were told about why they don’t believe in God because of the evils of the Catholic Church. From a communication standpoint my limitation was driving me crazy. On a cultural standpoint as I walked through the market, I saw people who were looking for satisfaction in things that will get ugly and get old. I saw an attention to the external unlike I have seen. The clothes were beautiful and or gaudy (being worn already not just on the shop tables). The desire to be young was amazing. I told Bro. Childers I couldn’t tell the difference between ages, they were all dressed the same.
    Only the elderly women and men dressed differently than their younger counterparts. I did see some positive things culturally. It was neat to see, I assume here, moms and older daughters holding hands in public. Also, what I assumed to be whole families out and about enjoying the day and each other. Those are great things, but ultimately these people need Christ. Well I will run for now, I think I need café!!!!

-B

PS- I am going to write about the rest of the day later tonight, and then post in the morning now time to run (literally).

June 16 tomorrow will come

2010-06-17T13:43:00.000-04:00

Today we were able to rest and see Castiglione. Both were fantastic. I have to admit that the time change makes adjusting pretty difficult. On one hand you’re tired, on the other you’re not. As I write this it is 6:10 PM at home here it is 12:10, but I’m tired and I’m not tired. Tough dilemma since we have an early morning tomorrow as we prepare for tract distribution at the market.

While we were out in the old city we stepped into an Ancient Catholic church built into the city walls. Inside I was able to get a taste of the spiritual blindness of the people in Italy. Inside you had the typical things you see in a catholic church, but in addition I saw my first relic. It was some old saints bones tucked into a glass coffin, and placed into the marble in the front right of the church. While on the left was a picture of Father Pio, a priest who was one of the last to display the stigmata. I am just amazed at the worship of other things, in particular people, with the hopes of getting ins and provisions with God. I am so thankful that we have the Word that teaches us that we can come directly to God, we don’t need a priest, a saint, or a relic. All we need is Christ and the door he made with His own blood.

Well back to the rest of our day, the tour was wonderful. I was able to put my feet in the Mediterranean Sea- very cool. The pictures will not do justice to the beautiful scenery, but do they ever? As we first stepped into the archway of the ancient city walls I was able to finally see what Rahab would have lived in, there were houses that were built into them. We also ate some fantastic Italian homemade gelato, totally scrumptious. But to me the highlight was Bro. Maietta explaining philosophy of missions as we were sitting outside of 1000-150 0 year old walls (of which I snuck a rock in my pocket- Couldn’t help it was loose and looking at me and needed a new home in my office). The burden for building churches must be the central theme of any mission endeavor. If there are no churches teaching and discipling there will be no support to maintain the doctrinal framework of any movement. Mercy work is a wonderful demonstration of the love of Christ, but it not clean water that brings salvation. True love of people should motivate us as believers to reach them with the Gospel, and the natural next step is the planting of a church which in turn will have the same burden to share the Gospel with others and plant other churches. May we continue to aid in the building of churches and the further spread of the Gospel. As we spend our time here it is so important to ground the beautiful sites with the beautiful Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are not on a site seeing trip we are here to see God work in our lives and in the lives of the people here. Praise God for His challenge today!

-B

Welcome to Italy

2010-06-16T07:19:00.000-04:00

Well we have been here since yesterday, but between losing a day to travel and just generally being in awe I didn't post. I will be posting regularly the rest of our time here in Italy. First let me just say the beauty of the land is amazing. To see the hills, vineyards, and groves in person is a great privilege. Second the Maiettas are wonderful hosts, and I cannot tell you how thankful we are for them and their ministry here in Groseto. Third I am beginning to understand in a small way Frank's burden for these people. You can see the cultural traditions everywhere and how the people value those traditions. There is definitely a need for the work, and we are thankful that we can be a small part!

Ciao, B

PS- Pictures will come soon!!

nike+ orange level

2010-05-01T09:11:00.004-04:00

I know this isn't the best but my new Nike+ level is orange. I bought the sport at the Boston Marathon Expo, and I love it. I will be posting some vacation stuff soon, this last week has been very busy with revival. I also worked out a new running schedule. I'll tell you later, but now its time for pancakes.

Nike+ Orange in only a week and a half! (I had to run over 30 miles) {and by the way I lost another 5 lbs this week!!!}

Philly Run Update #2...

2010-04-16T21:26:00.002-04:00

OK, so I got lost running in a circle today. I asked a fellow for help, and through a funny accent I was told what I already could see. The problem was what I could see did not make sense in my estimation. Where was Willits Road? I saw the sign, but where was it. So I backtracked, and added an extra 1/2 mile or so to my run (Needed at least that before a cheese-steak and Wendy's burger tonight). Then I decided to trust the sign, and not what I thought. Guess what I found, home.

I guess the moral of the story is this. Sometimes what God does in our lives may not make sense. After all, His ways are not are ways, and everything He does is to bring glory to Himself. What I need is not more rationalism and explanations, I need more faith. His Word is good and gives good directions. I need to stop trusting in my own self and plans, and trust the plans God has for me. Consider this verse for a bit of devotional reflection in light of trusting God when things don't make sense:

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him...

Philly Cheesesteak goodness

2010-04-16T11:59:00.002-04:00

Yeah you wish you ate it!

Philly Run Update #1...

2010-04-16T10:10:00.001-04:00

The Please Touch Museum has been put on hold until next Saturday. Thank you for your kind attention.

A bit more of a detailed update will come tonight. It has a connection to getting lost while running in a circle.

Philly Run

2010-04-16T09:05:00.006-04:00

This is Rob and Steph's church (It's blurry due to my incredible speed!)

Some Row Homes, the parking on the street made me think of home (but at least I still had the sidewalk in Philly! You here me city of Nitro?!)

Other than getting lost running a circle this was pretty cool. I have to admit I'm not Rocky but the song and Philly are bread and butter! Thanks Rob and Steph for letting us crash at your house!

More later tonight. We still have a full day of driving to Boston and the Please Touch Museum with Bobby, Anna Grace, and Stephanie.

Views from this mornings run + Thoughts on bringing the body under subjection

2010-04-12T10:38:00.007-04:00

Well I had everything ready to go to run to the office this morning. I was a bit sore from my long run on Saturday, but no big deal. HA! Let me explain a bit. I decided to do 11 miles Saturday, so I did 11 miles. at about mile 8 my body told me to turn around, but I argued with myself and called me a sissy, so I won that one. Actually after mile 8 every step I was telling myself,

Just keep going, one foot in front of the other, not much further, suck it up and run, but my legs feel like they weigh 10 tons, so what you have to finish, sprint this hill, no, yes, ok, atta boy, can I stop now? Are we home yet? NO, you will not call Sarah to pick you up. OK get off my back, enjoy the music, ok- but you better not stop or walk."

So in between singing, praying, and arguing with myself somehow I made it home. At one point I thought about adding 2 more miles to say I had done a half marathon, but even my hardcore, argumentative, push the limit self laughed at that idea. Over all it was a good run though.

Then today Captain Hardcore wanted to give up. But I made it to the office anyway. Almost stopped and called Sarah to come pick me up a couple of times, but the bridge kept calling my name. So the pictures are my view at about mile 3 as I run in towards the church. Beautiful. I was looking forward to this, and it kept me running. (Also not wanting to panzy out, but I digress). At the same time I was having thoughts about bringing my body under subjection and 1 Corinthians 9:27:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (KJV)

What a challenging verse this is. I run because I have a goal. I run because I need to lose weight. I run because I have allowed myself to become out of control. I run because I am bringing myself under control. This verse shows us the importance of self discipline as it relates to the Gospel. Often we find ourselves wallowing in the mire of sin, because we have not taken the time to discipline ourselves to pursue a Gospel centered life. It is so easy to get there and become a fat, flabby, weak Christian who likes to be fed but has no discipline to do anything with the spiritual calories. We depend on dreams of spiritual strength and future spiritual success without ever understanding that success will never happen without that first step of action.

This is the difficulty of sanctification. What part do I play? What part does God play? Do I just throw everything to the wind and say, "I can't be Christ-like so I will just do whatever I feel like? All of these questions I have to ask myself and are the heart of Paul's struggle in Romans 7:

Romans 7:14-24 (ESV) For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. (15) For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (16) Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. (17) So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (18) For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. (19) For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. (20) Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. (21) So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. (22) For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, (23) but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (24) Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

So where is victory found? Is it in my own disciplined mind and heart? No, because I am leaving out the power of God. Is it found in letting God "take the wheel"? No, then I am a fatalist. The answer is somewhere in between, and one verse in particular is helping me understand what it means for me to bring my body under subjection.

James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV)

The point of sanctification is not to pull myself up by my own proverbial boot straps, it is to completely trust in the Sovereign God of the universe's power and promises, that victory is only found through Him. But I do have, alongside this total dependence, the responsibility to unconditionally give myself to lifelong intentional perseverance through faithfulness to Christ. That's when I grow to be like Him, and Holiness is less a dream than an active process. All for the sake of the Gospel and its furtherance in the World.

So in other words, even-though my run hurt this morning it was great. I needed it.

Follow Up

2010-03-30T22:23:00.000-04:00

With our youth group we have been going through the book of James for some time especially focusing on the theme of genuine faith. In chapter 5 true faith is evidenced by patience and endurance. Both these words give a different nuance to the idea of perseverance. It is quite interesting to me that in chapter 5 we are commanded to be patient and to endure until the coming of Christ. I see the similarity in what I am trying to accomplish personally in running the marathon. Patience and endurance are not things that just happen. I will not be able to go out tomorrow and run 26.2 miles, but Lord willing next year I will. Why? 1 word: training. I hope you see the correlation to faith.

How can I expect to have an enduring and patient faith when all of my training has been to be selfish in my faith. I know how I function, I like things now there is no patience. I don't like to wait on God. I don't like pressure. I don't like the unknown. I don't like difficulties. I like all of these things to be as short as possible. I am coming to understand that these difficulties are what God uses in my life to demonstrate His absolute sovereignty. So instead of hoping for a microwave tv dinner amount of time of difficulty, I need to be preparing for a slow-cooker amount of time of difficulty.

Here's the rub though. I will only be ready to face a slow-cooker after I have overcome a microwave. Still with me? So what am I getting at here? Who is the object of your faith? The only way we will demonstrate patience and endurance is when our eye's are fixed firmly on Christ. He is our end. He is our life. How dare I turn away from the one that has redeemed me. Yet time and again I find my circumstances dictate my faith. So, now I remind us what Paul says:

Philippinas 3:10-14 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Then the writer of Hebrews:

Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

If I intend to run this marathon, which I do, I need to stay focused on my goal. If I intend on patience and endurance in my faith, I need one goal. CHRIST!

Keep the race before us!

Redesign

2010-03-29T10:59:00.001-04:00

Well it's time to get back into the saddle. When April arrived that threw our world for a loop, and blogging was the last thing on my mind. Now that things have settled down, I will get back to weekly articles, devotions, and to quote Rick Reilly "occasional mind dumps".

Also I will be posting about my progress and preparations for the Houston Marathon. I know what you're thinking: "Brandon, you're a fat sweaty ex-lineman and now a fat old sit at a desk youth pastor." And you would be absolutely correct. But some things are changing. In the last year I have lost a total of 44 lbs. as of this morning and am looking to lose at least another 22. I have also done some road tests just to test my basic endurance level as of now, and I passed (in my own estimation. Also, if my 48 year old dad can run them I want to tag along. Dad always was there for what I loved to do, so in a sense this is my chance to do what he loves to do. Plus I should never have become as fat and out of shape as I allowed myself to become. If I truly believe that my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, I had better live like it (Not only in a moral holiness sense either).

So, there you have it. The future direction of the Hudson Chronicle.

Until next time.
B- signing out

Genuine James 4

2009-09-30T15:57:00.000-04:00

Here is chapter 4. Dig in and enjoy!

Genuine - James 4

My Girls working away!

2009-09-16T17:15:00.000-04:00

WOW- Genuine James 2

2009-09-16T12:40:00.002-04:00

I know I say this all the time, but this is a fantastic chapter. It truly gets to the heart of what we as Christians think about faith. We need chapters like this to remind us that our lives should not be about building a wealth of material things, but should rather be about demonstrating lives of mercy. As debtors to mercy may we have faith that produces works of righteousness!

Genuine- James 2

New Devo Series!

2009-09-09T16:49:00.005-04:00

Long time no blog. We will be back to weekly updates with new devotions now that the school year has begun. So check back every Wednesday for the latest devotional guide.

We are starting a study through the book of James that will look at the heart of our faith. The book of James gives us the practical aspects of what a lived out faith looks like. It challenges us to avoid hypocrisy and seek genuine Christian living in the face of difficulty and persecution. It is my prayer that our faith is strengthened as we work through this wonderful book.

Here is the Genuine guide for chapter 1.

All right It's Picture Time from the Courtyard

2009-07-10T23:17:00.002-04:00

OK, for starters we are staying in a SWEET hotel. Now with out further ado on with the pictures.

Well never mind. The pics don't want to upload. Just make sure you're at church Sunday Night then.

Last Night

2009-07-09T23:12:00.002-04:00

We have had a wonderful time these last two weeks, and as we move back into civilization we will be able to post pictures and videos. Pray for us as we travel.

My thoughts are pretty scattered as we get everything together for the trip home. But, if I can sum up these last two weeks in a word it would be FRUITFUL. We are so blessed and it is wonderful to see God bring forth fruit in our kids both through repentance as well as good works. Seeing Ephesians 2:10 realized in our lives this week has been awesome.

Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

fire works from the LA Boardwalk

2009-07-04T22:58:00.000-04:00

Keep Praying

2009-07-03T20:59:00.001-04:00

Please keep praying for us. Tomorrow will be a busy day as we prepare for next week. Laundry, fireworks, and fun are a good mix. I cannot express how excited I am about what God is doing in the hearts of our teens!

More Pics

2009-07-03T20:44:00.004-04:00

In a session with Matt Williams
The famous Southland Bridge
The girls beat the LIGHT camp boys in Scripture Memory, and this is the result!
The Crew.

A few Southland Pics

2009-07-03T20:36:00.003-04:00

Glory To God

2009-07-02T23:59:00.003-04:00

This week is so very exciting. For the last several months I have done my devotions from the Pastoral Epistles, and have meditated on several themes: #1 The importance of Right Doctrine; #2 The importance of applying Right Doctrine to form Right Practice, #3 The importance of training others to not only have Right Practice, but the Right Doctrine behind the practice; #4 Not only training others in general, but specifically training those who will be able to in turn train others. So, those have been the basics of my meditations for the last couple of months.

Now all that to say this. I feel so blessed to be entrusted with the responsibilities of a pastor. This week I have been able to see God change young people through a camp He used to change me. Southland is the place where I surrendered to preach, the place I was able to lead a soul to Christ, the place I met my wife. I was a camper at the first LIGHT camp in 1998, and being able to bring "our kids" to this year's LIGHT camp is an overwhelming and blessed experience.

Well, enough of my thoughts and onto what has been going on. Our kids our doing fantastic. They have jumped in, and have come out of themselves in ways I only hoped they would. They are being saturated with the Word, and loving it. As I have talked to them these last couple of days and asking what God is doing, they have been honest and excited about God's movement. They are eating up the sessions with Bro. Matt Williams and Evangelist Ron Degard (Pray for them as they have a test over what they have covered this week). I wish I could give more specifics about what has happened so far, but I don't want to steal their thunder before testimony night. I have been able to help out and build a new obstacle for the obstacle course along with some other program things. So all in all that is what's been going on.

Here is a video of some goofy fun.

Pics tomorrow and some more vids.

One More Thing

2009-07-02T00:32:00.002-04:00

I had an encouraging conversation with our kids tonight. They are really liking it here, which makes me very happy. I love it! God is so good.

Update

2009-07-01T19:30:00.002-04:00

Well, I have not been able to update things like I have wanted to this week. Internet access is spotty and I rarely have any signal.

The kids are doing really well. I am seeing them take to heart the special services they are having, as well as participating on their teams. It is my prayer this week that they begin to see the need to serve. The common idea regarding leadership is that you lead by force, but now they are learning the need to lead by love. Learning this concept is very stretching for all of us.

I have rejoiced in seeing the schedule the kids are being held to. It is forcing them to focus almost solely on the Word adn their relationship with God. This produces a wonderful effect, and we are only half way through the first week.

Parents be encouraged, and don't focus on the "away" focus on what God is doing in "away".

Updates will continue to be sparse, so please bear with me.

Welcome to Mississippi!

2009-06-29T10:29:00.000-04:00

I never saw the sign so this will have to do.

slumber my darlings

2009-06-29T10:27:00.000-04:00

scenes from the road

2009-06-29T10:24:00.000-04:00

On The Road Again

2009-06-28T23:10:00.003-04:00

Well we are getting ready to tuck in for the night, and I wanted to give a brief update. The trip was uneventful, which is always good. Please keep us in your prayers.

I also wanted to make a few comments about a mobile Twitter app that I have been using since we went to the Wilds. It took some time to find the right one, but I have tested a few. So here are the apps I have tried: TinyTwitter, ceTwitsp, and Twikini. I never could get ceTwitsp to work, TinyTwitter was decent but just didn't do it for me. Twikini was far and away the most functional of the apps. It is very easy to use, with more features than any of the other apps. The ability to shorten urls, add pics, update with ease all make Twikini one pretty cool and useful tool. So if you have a windows mobile phone go here and downloaded Twikini.

www.trinketsoftware.com/Twikini

Well we should pull into Southland around 3. I will keep the tweeting going for basic updates, but blogging will beging nightly or as needed.

haha

2009-06-20T13:26:00.000-04:00

Day 5

2009-06-19T23:49:00.003-04:00

What a week! Thank you all for praying for us. Tonight's service was very special. I believe that every message built culminating with tonight with a challenge to take what we have learned and go out to reach the world. I believe it what tonight's focus was is this:

God has not called us to impress the world, He has called us to impact the world.

Think about that statement for a moment. It has far reaching applications. I would love to have some discussion here about this thought, so please leave a comment so we can begin some dialogue.

Day 4

2009-06-18T23:23:00.002-04:00

To start out with pics and vids are going to wait. I figured it out, but with inconsistent internet it is a bit of a pain to upload everything. So, those will come once we get back home.

Today was a great day. We heard several testimonies of what God has been doing in our kids lives during our special "Family Time", and were excited to get a visit from Pastor Scott and LeAnn. These testimonies were a challenge to all of us, and the prayer time led by the teens was fantastic. The day's spiritual focus continued through the evening service, with one of the greatest services I have been a part of at the Wilds. Everything was this evening was fabulous. The music and the message both pointed to the greatness of God and our responsibility to Him. All I could think tonight was, "what a great God we have." The quote of the night came towards the end of Bro. Goetsch's message that drove to the heart of the decisions we make and what we truly want in life. He said, "our choices to serve God or love the world are between pleasure and pleasure, the difference being how long do we want that pleasure to last?" What a thought do I want the temporary seasonal pleasure of sin, or the eternal fullness of joy that comes from serving Christ. The choice seems obvious, but sadly there seems to still be a hardness in the camp. Continue to pray that God breaks hearts, because He is the only one that can do the work that NEEDS doing.

Late post during day 4 for day 3

2009-06-18T10:06:00.004-04:00

Last night we heard a great message on the Gospel. Bro. Goetsch asked us the question, "why would anyone want to go to Hell?" It is a literal place of unending torture in flames where you will receive no rest in immense outer darkness. What a horrible place. The rest of the sermon was just as convicting.

People go to Hell because of #1 unconfessed sin in Christians lives. 1 Corinthians 4:3 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost." All it takes for sinners to go to Hell is for believers to live as if the Gospel has never affected them. What a challenge for us as believers to not only live in holiness, but to actively share our faith in a manner that shows the lost a true believer.
#2 unconcern among God's people. In Luke 16:27 The rich man prayed and asked that someone go tell his brothers that Hell was real, and that they needed to repent. I have never thought of my personal evangelism in this way, but are there people in Hell with a greater concern for the lost than I have. I was truly convicted when meditating on this thought.
#3 unbelief in Christ as savior. Ultimately this is why people go to Hell. They can not pin the blame on anyone else, they can only say I rejected Christ for whatever reason and those reasons are not good enough.

God is at work. Decisions are being made, and I will let the kids tell you themselves what He is doing in them. It would be wrong to steal their thunder, because God is pretty amazing!

I have the pic solution so I will be posting throughout the day when I get a chance.

white squirrel

2009-06-17T17:48:00.000-04:00

Wilds Day 2- June 16

2009-06-17T00:38:00.002-04:00

Today was another great day. The kids are all smiles and God is at work. We have heard another powerful message this evening, and I can't wait to be able to read all of the decision cards. The message this evening came from Hebrews 10:26-31

(26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The passage alone is enough to bring great conviction, but Bro. Goetsch brought out some wonderful truths tonight centered around the question, "Does God ever become angry, and if so does He become angry with me?" Verse 29 teaches us three ways we can cause God to be angry. #1 When we disrespect the purity of God's Son. Jesus is the sinless, spotless Lamb of God who alone is Holy. To treat Christ as anything else is grounds to rouse God's indignation. #2 When we dismiss Christ's sacrifice as a common thing. How is it possible that we who have been redeemed by Calvary's work can treat the atoning grace of Christ as common or worthless? The sad thing is, we do. May we never forget what Christ has done for us as He purchased the sin of the world with His own blood. #3 When we despise the pleading of His spirit. We sing have thine own way Lord in everyones life but mine, and consistently service after service tell God, "NO, I will not change. I am comfortable and want nothing you have to offer, so please go bug someone else." How sad that God's children will at times keep Him at arms length and despise His working.

Lord may we repent of our sin and be filled with your Holy Spirit to walk in obedience and faith.

I will keep working on pictures/videos. I think I am close to a solution

Wilds Day 1- June 18, 2009

2009-06-15T23:04:00.002-04:00

Well we made it and everything is going well. The kids are with their counselors having Cabin Devotions before lights out and quiet. I believe the stage is set for a wonderful week, and am still overwhelmed by the support of our church to send these young people to camp. I hope you all are as excited as I am to see what the Lord is going to do in the hearts of our teens, because He certainly began on a high note.

The message tonight was very challenging. Bro. Goetsch preached about being full from the life of Stephen, and asked us the question, "Do you have enough in your spiritual tank to get you through the next circumstances of life?" The message centered around 4 ideas about fullness. #1 Full indicates empty- that is a tank that is 1/2 full of gas is also 1/2 full of air. Stephen was full of faith with no doubting. To be filled with the spirit means the emptiness of the flesh. While being filled with righteousness necessitates the emptying of self.
#2 Full indicates entry- In order to be full fuel must be inserted. How often do we stiff-arm God and His plans for us by refusing to hear much less obey His word. (On another note the gym was silent during this point, I believe God really began to move at this point)
#3 Full indicates enlargement- Just as a balloon is able to expand with a growing volume of air, are we able to grow as God attempts to fill us with Himself?
#4 Full indicates effectual- We can go farther on full than on empty. The question is what are we filled with the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, and the pride of life; or the Holy Spirit.

May God give us some Stephens who desire nothing else than to be full.

Pictures will follow tomorrow. Possibly some video.

The Greatness of God

2009-05-22T10:56:00.002-04:00

I have read again the story of The Maniac of Gadera, and am blown away! He so desperately wanted to follow Christ, but Jesus told him something he probably wasn't expecting. Jesus told the healed man called "Legion" to go back to and tell his friends and family "how great things God has done for him". Immediately Mr. Legion goes to Decapolis and makes Jesus known. Wow.

Ultimately there is a sermon or two coming from this meditation, but for starters try this on. God has redeemed us not so that we can be famous, not so that we can be wealthy, not so that we can be immediately zapped to heaven. He has redeemed us to tell the world how great He is, and the great things He has done for us. Sadly we are so focused on arguments with other believers, drawn away by the lusts of the world, and forgetful of the supernatural work of God in our lives that we do nothing.

Lord help me to be like Mr. Legion today!

HE IS GOOD

2009-05-01T15:06:00.002-04:00

Today I have been meditating on God's goodness. I read this morning in Mark 14 and the entire passage just speaks to the goodness of our wonderful Lord. He gave himself to a mob, He poured out His heart to the Father, He stood in the face of those that wanted to do away with Him- get this, it was all for you and me!

He is good in His leadings in business as I look at leasing a new copier for the church. He is good in getting the schools test results back early. He is good in providing brothers and sisters in His church that serve so generously and faithfully. HE IS GOOD! HE IS GOOD! HE IS GOOD!

Even if things were not "looking"very smooth He is still Good. In the face of adversity He is good. Why do we ever doubt? I know circumstances can be difficult and good may seem relative. But, when I consider what Christ died for me and suffered for my sin. Whatever I face I can only praise because, HE IS GOOD! HE IS GOOD! HE IS GOOD!

Becoming - Mark 11 & 12

2009-04-29T15:26:00.002-04:00

We are entering into the final days before the crucifixion. In these chapters Christ challenges His disciples about faith, prayer, as well as confronting the Pharisees. All of this teaching is important as Christ is pressing onto the cross. Dig in!

Becoming - Mark 9 & 10

2009-04-22T15:49:00.002-04:00

These chapters have really challenged me personally. I have reconsidered my thoughts on the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting while seeing my sin in a new light. I praise God for His working, and pray that you receive as much of a blessing from Becoming this week as I have!

Becoming- Mark 7 & 8

2009-04-15T16:38:00.001-04:00

Dig In!

Mark 5 & 6 - Becoming

2009-04-08T15:35:00.003-04:00

The chapters this week are fantastic. Each one demonstrates the necessity of faith and the power of God. They teach us that true faith will motivate us to change (Become more like Christ). So, I mine as well ask- What are you becoming?

LIFE-Sized

2009-03-25T23:17:00.003-04:00

Don't forget about Friday night! This is going to be a lot of fun. Lots of surprises spinning your way in LIFE-Sized!

7:00 pm @ TCBC

2nd Installment of Becoming

2009-03-25T15:05:00.003-04:00

Thank you all for your patience while I was on vacation last week.

I hope that Mark 1&2 were a blessing to you as much as they were to me. God has truly been giving a richness to the Gospel of Mark as I have been working through it. Are there questions still, absolutely; but, as I am reading through the glasses of becoming a fisher of men this book has taken on new meaning for me. I believe that for the first time I am picking up on the intentional discipleship ministry Christ had with His followers. Truly, each word that we have recorded by Christ had the purpose of building the kingdom. That has caused me to meditate and evaluate my own words, ministry, and desires.

Dig in this week! I know that this sounds redundant, but these next chapters are fantastic!

New Devotional Series

2009-03-11T15:02:00.002-04:00

We are going to embark together on a new series through the Gospel of Mark. This book has really challenged my thinking about Christ's ministry. Ultimately we know that Christ came to do the will of the Father, but what has gripped me is how Christ, in doing the will of the Father, poured Himself into men. He told Peter, James, and John to follow Him so that one day they would not just be experts at catching fish, but experts at knowing and understanding how to "catch" men! His ministry was to train and teach so that one day when He was gone the disciples would be prepared to carry the gospel to the whole world. I believe we have the same challenge today.

So the question is, what are you BECOMING?

Do Truth- The Epistle of 3 John

2009-02-25T17:22:00.002-05:00

Here is the devotional guide to 3 John. I hope you enjoy it. This little letter is a fantastic reminder of our responsibility to not only have right doctrine but to have a right doctrine that is manifested by love.

Do Truth- The Epistle of 3 John

The Cheeto Tree

2009-02-20T08:23:00.003-05:00

Ok, Sarah and I sat down for lunch yesterday, and she pulled out a bag of Cheetos made by Frito Lay. We have had a running joke about the slogan of Frito Lay, "We grow the best snacks on earth," and I think it is time to share with you all.
Think about that slogan for a second, how dumb do these people think I am? I know that your thinking you are pretty dumb, ok I'll give you that but this has got to be one of the funniest slogans ever. Our discussion over lunch was whether the Cheeto Tree was grown in a greenhouse or outside. We also discussed if Cheetos were a fruit or a vegetable, now I am wondering if snack is some new category; and if it is a new category what is my daily snack caloric and serving need.
I digress. The Cheeto Tree discussion led to us deciding that they must be raised in a greenhouse, because of what the rain would do to the cheetos themselves. We also wondered if it were possible to purchase a cheeto tree for ouselves. How cool would that be everyday before lunch just pick the cheeto tree. We also debated about whether or not Frito Lay held a patent on the Cheeto tree, and what kind of genetic manipulation it took to form said tree.
Amazing. These people with their goofy slogan had us discussing non-reality for 20 minutes, and now I'm blogging about it. So, congratulations Frito Lay your slogan worked. It is stuck in my head, even though everyone knows there's no such thing as a Cheeto tree. Right...

Follow Truth - 2 John

2009-02-18T15:22:00.002-05:00

Here is this weeks devotional guide. We will be moving on to 2 John. This little book is very powerful and deals with the importance of what it means to Follow Truth.

The Light

2009-02-17T08:57:00.002-05:00

I want to continue a few thoughts from yesterday. This morning I was reading in 1 John and it was wonderful. I read that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. And in my meditations I realized that because God is light and He is in me, then truly as chapter 2 states there is none occasion of stumbling in me. How many messages have I heard from this verse or even taught myself, and missed this glorious truth. That my light is God! My light!

That is illumination. God has revealed Himself as the Light of the world, and yet I so ignorantly live under rocks and avoid this God of light. When His light pierces the darkness and He reveals not only who I am but who He is, then I have no fear. I have the light of God, and His light makes my way plain before me. Even when others walk in darkness.

Open My Eyes, Spirit Divine

2009-02-16T10:44:00.000-05:00

Open My Eyes, Spirit Divine
by James Koerts

As I listen to this song I am reminded that I cannot understand anything about God or His Word apart from the Spirit of God revealing truth to me.

Sure, I can read the pages. Sure, I can speak with knowledge of a text without the illuminating work of God. But, I cannot understand. I am like the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts, one who reads and cannot comprehend until God through a supernatural work reveals to me the Words of Life.

So, I sit and pray-
Silently now I wait for thee
Ready, My God, thy will to see
Open my eyes illumine me, Spirit Divine!

Comprehending The Light- 1 John Review

2009-02-11T20:20:00.000-05:00

Here is the devotional guide for this week. The challenge is to read 1 John every day in this next week. Be diligent!

Since the power is out at church...

2009-02-11T19:29:00.001-05:00

I thought I would go ahead address what I took from 1 John 5. I have been crushed by one verse primarily all week. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." That little verse that seems to stand alone in its context carries a very heavy load. It seems weird in some ways because its not like I have carved some figurine or icon and started bowing down. But rather it gets back to a phrase I first learned in college- Idols of the heart. I may not be bowing done to a pagan deity named Molech, but how often I easily give my affections to things that are pagan in nature. This is disturbing to me. It is so easy to be drawn to these things, and so John ends this letter with the thought of keeping ourselves from idols.

But how?

I believe it gets down to what John teaches us in the entire epistle, and that is apart from God there is no lasting joy, peace, or fellowship. I allow idols in my heart because I am not grateful for the work of Christ that has brought me life and given me the power to be the son of God. Pretty pathetic right- I trade eternal glory for poor little idols that only leave emptiness. So, what to do about this? I think that it boils down to my thankfulness for the finished work of Christ. That's what this letter is about, recognizing what Christ has done and how this world is worthless in comparison.

Comprehending The Light- 1 John 5

2009-02-09T11:28:00.000-05:00

I know this is a bit late, but if you need a copy of this week's devotional here you go!

It's Late

2009-02-07T00:26:00.000-05:00

Well, I am sitting here in my living room thinking about how good God is. Sometimes I have to take a step back to really understand what all He has done for me. I think many of us have this same problem. It is so easy to rely on yourself and forget God's sovereign direction, whether it is because we are focused on some difficult circumstance or because things are just moving along fine.

Bro. Morris Gleiser preached this week about faith and praying. God used this message to teach me that I make the Christian life way to difficult. What he taught us was that prayer without faith is wasted. It seems like we have to sound good when we pray with that "preacher voice", or we have to pray for 98 hours strait before we are heard, or that if I do enough stuff then I get better odds of God hearing me over you. These all seem to make sense humanly speaking, but I am learning God just wants to hear me. I think that this is where "pray without ceasing" is important. Praying without ceasing is that in every moment- in every circumstance I have faith not in my decision making power, but in God's direction. This type of prayer is much more than a bone I toss to apease God at meals, it is constant, consistent communication that is meaningful. The simple part about Christianity is that my Christianity is not based on what I can do, but in what He has done in me. So why do I convolute the simplicity of faith with my grand schemes. I am never told that God only hears those with great abilities, but I am told he hears simple beggars will cry, "God have mercy on me, a sinner."

So, here I sit. Meditating on the goodness of God, because I have none of my own. Praying because He hears. Thinking WOW, I am blessed!

The Children of God

2009-01-30T11:14:00.000-05:00

1Jn 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

As I have meditated on this passage this last week I have been challenged greatly. The themes are truly amazing: God's amazing love, being literally the child of God, future glorification, eternity with Christ, and present purification. Each of these thoughts are overwhelming. When was the last time that you meditated on the principle that because of God's great love He sent His holy, perfect son to die so that we could be adopted. WOW! I am God's child because the death of Christ is applied to me. What does that mean? I believe it plays itself out through purification. That is because I am God's son, I will live to be like The Son. One day I will not have to struggle with that, but I will see Jesus and be as He is.

What a God that we serve. These few sentences do not begin to plumb the depths of these verses, but I hope as you consider what the love of God has done for you that you will rejoice with me because you know that you are a child of God.

I am reminded of an old song I sang as a kid:

What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see.
When I look upon His face, the one who saved me by His grace.
When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the promised land.
What a day, Glorious Day, that will be.

Cottage Prayer Meetings

2009-01-28T14:56:00.000-05:00

Well, since I won't get to see most of you tonight I am posting this weeks devotional guide. I will update a bit later with some thoughts from 1 John 3, but for now here is the link for this week.

Comprehending The Light - 1 John 4

Up To Speed... Sort Of

2009-01-22T16:17:00.000-05:00

OK, I am beginning to figure this thing out (I Think). I just added a widget that will have this weeks Scripture memory up. I personally think its pretty cool. So if you ever want to test yourself on this week's Scripture memory check at the sidebar to the right!

I am still working at getting the devotions themselves on here. Check back often!

Knowing

2009-01-21T15:50:00.000-05:00

I am amazed that my little girl "knows" what it means when we tell her to blow a kiss, clap, or tell her no. Watching someone learn is a pretty neat process, and often it seems that during the process a light turns on with the learner and they "get it" (whatever it is). In 1 John 2, I find it amazing that John was writing to believers who should have had the understanding that faith in Christ and His finished work equaled salvation, but they were struggling with the concept of knowing for sure. John goes on to show them what a believer will practice, but he bolsters their faith by reinforcing the promise of belief- eternal life through Jesus Christ.

How often have I been gripped by my own doubts and wondered whether Christianity was worth it? Too many I am sad to admit, but it is verses like these that help me realize my position in Christ is settled, that my standing in Christ is based on God's promise, and that the doubts spring up from those that want to destroy faith rather than bolster it.

1John 2:24-26 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. (25) And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life, (26) These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

I praise God for His promise to me and His plan for encouragement!

Up And Running

2009-01-21T10:24:00.002-05:00

I will spend more time on this, but I want to get the blog up and running! Posting a pic of pastor scott so I can use it on another site. HAHAHAHA