A Pic to Share...

Since we got 'snowed in' (actually just the schools closed) we had a day with the entire family at the house. For dinner I donned my "Uncle Phil's Diner" hat and proceeded to make some great burgers with sauteed mushrooms and onions. I slapped some cheese on them and added a couple pieces of bacon. (I have to get all this in before my doctor's appt on Monday - lol). After dinner my wife, Angie, was telling the kids about her mom making snow ice cream. I looked it up on the 'net and we made about a half gallon of the ice-milk like substance. It wasn't too bad - it had the occasional piece of grit or tree bark in it, but was kinda tasty. The kids talked of taking all the snow in the yard and making snow ice cream and then selling it in the summer to make lots of money. They crack me up. It was a good 'snowed in' day at the Kelly household.

Super Savings Day!

I began my day today by meeting with a good friend for breakfast at a local restaurant in Warsaw. Known as "Maria's", this establishment is well-known for ample portions and great cuisine. Even better was that fact that Dan was going to buy for both of us! We took a look at Hebrews 10:19-25 (we're working through Hebrews together) and then dove into the food. Near the end of our meal our Senior Pastor came over and sat just briefly with us. He was with a former church member who was back in town for some business. Our check disappeared off our table as the former member picked up the tab for Dan & I!! Awesome!! Dan stiffed me on the tip - lol - but we were pretty pumped to be able to schedule perhaps another trip to Maria's in the future!

After getting home (I'm taking today off instead of last Monday) my wife and I headed to JC Penneys where they were having $1.97 sales. We purchased 11 items totaling $22.97 and saved over $376 dollars!! That's crazy awesome!

Leaving there we went to "Our Father's House", a local thrift store, where I spent another $6 on 4 dress shirts. It was 1/2 off day today on clothing! awesome.

We also stopped at Sherman & Lins a scratch and dent grocer where I dropped the remaining change from my original $20 bill. Between Our Father's House and Sherman & Lins, I spent $20 but got 4 dress shirts, 10 cans of soup, a package of Zantac 150, some brownie mix and a couple other snacky things! That's some Super savings!

Tonight we're going to a spaghetti fund-raiser in New Paris which is hosted by a ministry that helps families and especially women in the post-abortion process. I am excited about going and checking out this ministry as well as throwing some cash behind their efforts.

Well, God bless & have a terrific weekend!

Prov.18 progression of destruction

Proverbs 18:6-7: A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool's mouths is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

So, these are two verses out of Prov.18 that I read today. I read that chapter and studied out every use of any indication of speech, words, etc. There is a very significant progression seen in these two verses - (at least I see it). Let me share what I saw today:

It seems that a fool is characterized by his speech. When someone who is a 'fool' begins to let his yapper run, it brings first of all conflict. (fool's lips bring strife). I am looking at this in a verbal conflict way. As you study this word out, it seems to have a quarreling aspect to it. I don't think that it's a far stretch to assume that someone who is foolish with their speech often is involved in arugments and quarrels. The Proverbs seem to be pretty clear that a fool brings this on himself through his speech.

Secondly, the writer of Proverbs says that a fool's mouth calls for blows. How often and quickly do verbal quarrels lead to physical confrontations! It doesn't take much for the fire of passionate foolish talking to get out of control. You see this same word used in the next chapter when the writer says that judgment is prepared for scoffers and blows for the back of a fool. It is physical violence that often erupts from a fool letting his mouth run wild.

In verse seven we see further progression of foolish talking. The fool's mouth actually brings about ruin. It may start in verbal quarreling; which may progress to physical confrontation, but it quickly leads to ruin. Now this destruction could be death, physically. Certainly many murders have been a result of some fool shooting off his mouth inappropriately. But I think ruin happens in so many other ways as well. How soon a relationship is destroyed with foolish talking! Spouses seek divorce, children run away, employees quit their jobs, church members leave a church and on and on the list goes. Many relationships come to ruin because a fool speaks unwisely with his mouth.

Lastly, the fool's lips are a snare for his soul. The word snare is the word for bait or trap. It's the same word used in Joshua 23: ...know with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you... A quick consultation to the Theological Wordboook of the OT states, A snare metaphorically is something that allures one from his real purpose and then destroys him. That certainly puts a period on this downward progression doesn't it? The fool thinks that his speech is actually going to benefit him in some way (perhaps in control over the situation or person - part of the allurement) and actually it snares his soul. He destroys his very self.

I think this very quick look at these two verses at the very least challenges my thinking on the way I use my speech. Consider your speech today. Are you quick to be foolish? Be forewarned then my friend, there is a certain progression of destruction that is laid out for you in Proverbs 18.

Officially over the hill...

Yesterday was it. I turned the big 40. Funny, I don't feel any different. Physically it was last year that I noticed the change in what I could do, not do, wished I hadn't done, etc, etc... This year it seems I am just coasting along.
Last night our church held a surprise birthday party for me - that was pretty cool. Lot's of cards and one big container of prunes. I like prunes. Old people like prunes. Therefore I must be old. Used to be coffee would be the thing to get me going, I guess when you get older you need help in other areas as well. Now prunes will join the list of things that keep me going... (don't you love the english language?)
Last night was also our teen's youth service at our church. Lot's of Truth was communicated in a variety of ways: puppets, drama, music and song. I also got a chance to preach on the "Dynamics of Death" - yeah, one of those encouraging sermons! I hope it was.
Nascar's Daytona 500 was yesterday. I've watched Nascar all my life - I'm not a huge fan, but if it's on, I'll watch. Yesterday I watched FOX from 1p-3:30p and never saw a lap of the race. It started after I had to return to the church. Nascar must be big business now to have that much introductory material before the 500. I heard that a local driver (to us) won it: Ryan Newman. I'm kinda particular to the Earnhardt clan myself. Hope he does well this year.
This morning I was awakened by the blessed beeping of my java maker. It was pouring succulent Mocha Java from it's nozzles. This is my favorite brew from Gevalia. I grind it extra-fine and brew it strong. A little creamer and this coffee is wonderful!
I pray that your day will find God at the forefront and that you will consider how to achieve the goal laid out for us in 2 Corinthians 5:9: ...therefore we make it our goal to please Him...

It's over...

Wow... I certainly didn't do a very good job of blogging while at this conference. It was such an intense experience! Below are some favs:

• Fav quote (from a counselee giving a testimony to the power of Biblical Counseling as she worked through some medical issues): "God never wastes pain." Wow. That hit me right in the heart - that is a powerful statement.
• Fav song in sessions that featured worship times: There is a Fountain. Between 8-900 people lifting their voices in praise just blew me away. Honorable mention: O Worship the King - as a group of about 75 men, we sang it one morning before starting the day off. Good stuff.
• Fav session: (Just one? Are you kidding?) Counseling Conflict from the Book of James by Kevin Carson with Baptist Bible Seminary, Springfield, MO. Really, many of the sessions were awesome.
  
• Fav plenary session: Quest for More by Paul David Tripp. Absolutely blew me away - I'm halfway through this book and this just fleshed it out wonderfully.
• Fav speaker: Steve Viars, pastor -Faith Baptist Church, Lafayette, IN. This guy is incredible. I think you either love him or hate him - but he is one of the most matter of fact speakers communicating Truth out there.
• Fav moment: Meeting people. I met several men that were very encouraging to talk to as we discussed life, ministry and how God was working in each of our lives. Thanks guys!
• Fav beverage: Venti Caffe Mocha by Starbucks. This morning they hit it just right. Had a raspberry scone to go along with it too! Mmmmm!!

I am so glad to get home. My 3 year old daughter ran up and gave me a hug and said, "Dad, I missed you". It doesn't get much better than that!

Conference, part 2

So, I was supposed to do this yesterday - now I'm all out of wack as far as timing goes and my posting! It's been very busy - not an excuse, but a realization. It's been two years since I've been able to get over here, and I had forgotten how much time is consumed in sessions.... and sitting. I'm tired of sitting and it's only day 3. We do have very nice comfortable chairs to sit on, but when all you do is sit and have limited space to move - it can get rough.

Here's my sessions from yesterday:

• Counseling Conflict from the Book of James - (probably my fav session of the day - very practical
• Counseling Teens in Sexual Sin 1 - (very practical - I need to get Andy Woodall for a retreat for my teens)
• Children of Divorce
• Handling Death and Grief - (my second to least fav session)
• Heart of Change 3 - (Brent Aucoin is simply amazing - does he even use notes?)
• ADHD - (least fav - couldn't sit still long enough for it)
• Counseling Hope for People with Fatigue - (very practical again)

Today I hope to get some pics of the inside of the Community Center where I have my sessions. Very cool, very nicely done.

I'm also trying to get a sermon written for Sunday - I got about 'half a point' done last night. =)

As far as the weather goes, we missed out on all the snow predicted, but ended up with some freezing rain (my car is running outside my window - hoping to melt the ice, b/c I didn't bring a scraper) Yesterday it would hardly run - but today is warmer and I'm hoping for better things!

I think in a couple of minutes I'll go out and check on it and then head to the coffee house for a cup of joe before getting to the church.

God bless!

Kicking off the Conference... Sunday, part 1

I woke up this morning anticipating a great start to a very packed week of training in biblical counseling. I had three choices of services to attend at Faith Baptist here in Lafayette: 8:00a, 9:30a or 11:00am. I chose the 9:30 service - because I didn't want to get up too early and I thought the 11:00 service would be too late. Turns out I chose the right service. I got up and around and decided to head over to Starbucks for some liquid breakfast.
As I got out to the car, I had to go to the passenger side (because my driver's side lock doesn't work) to open it. The wind was blowing fiercely and the temp had dropped drastically from the night before. My car door was actually frozen shut due to the rain that we had also rec'd during the night. No biggie - I forced my way in on the passenger side and hit the unlock button. I went to the driver's side but could not get the door open. It was then I realized that my whole lock / door mechanism was frozen and no amount of gentle coaxing would free it. The gentle coaxing turned to frantic banging and mild anger loss. I got in the car on the passenger side deciding to just let it heat up and hopefully thaw out the door; as I got in, I knocked my middle console over which spilled about 478 pennies across the interior of my car. The mild anger loss turned to a violent bout of "Why me?!" and "Why now?!" and "How in the world am I going to get in and out of my car all week?! Since I had no tools, I actually tried to use jumper cables as pliers to pull my lock up and work my door - to no avail. (It actually thawed by time I meekly surrendered my situation and predicament to Christ and headed off to the service). Funny what God uses to show me my pride isn't it? I'm sure I can use this for a sermon illustration some day - when it becomes funny to me. lol. So I didn't have breakfast at the hotel, just a grande mocha with an extra shot of espresso and some stale 'free samples' of Starbucks coffee cake they were handing out.
I made it to FBC in time for the service. It's fun to be a pastor and be in another church and watch intently how people treat "visitors". I'm sure I'm not the most approachable guy - especially in my Seventh Day Slumber shirt (hey I was running late and didn't have time to change into anything else... get over it)The sermon was by Pastor Steve Viars - one of my fav speakers and a guy who tells it like it is. It was a continuation of their study in 1 Timothy; today being 1 Timothy 5. The sermon dealt with Generational Piety and who we were to honor in the church. The three groups he focused on today were: sinners (yeah, hang in there I'll explain it in a second), widows and elders / pastors. Sinners, he explained, needed to be 'honored' or dealt with in a biblical manner - the church today being guilty of dealing un-biblically with sinners either: shooting their own wounded or ignoring the sin altogether. The part on widows was a good reminder and the section on pastors and their pay was great! Read the verses out 1 Tim. 5 - and see how biblically your church compensates your elders.
Lunch today was nothing special - just some liverwurst and chips & cheese washed down with an RC cola. (I stopped at Meijers for groceries hoping to save some cashola). In fact, here's what I've eaten thus far today:

• Grande Mocha, w/ extra shot of espresso
• two sample coffee-cake tidbits
• one sandwich, liverwurst
• a handful of chips & cheese
• a handful - okay, two handfuls of M&M's (it's dessert...gimme a break!)
• Another mocha w/ extra shot - see below

So I found this other coffee shop and went there to read for a while before picking up all my materials for the conference. It's called Local Mountain Coffee Cafe. They had some killer coffee - all coffee is killer actually, but I enjoyed it. I sat near the door which was a mistake because of the cold. Every time someone walked in I was freezing - so I didn't stay long.After slamming the mocha and two chapters of Quest for More by Paul David Tripp, I headed over to FBC to get my stuff. I took some pics of Vision of Hope which is their newly opened resident girls home. (that's the first pic) And then two pics of their community center & skate park - which will be where I will spend the most of my time this week. (At the center, not the skate park)
Vision for Hope girl's home

Community Center and Skate Park (above two pics)

Soooo... I'm looking forward to tonight and the "official" first session which will be: Working with a Physician. I'll try to post daily from here on out, but to be honest - as the week goes on...it will be very taxing on my spiritually and mentally. I've come to learn that I have much to learn and this concentrated week has an incredible effect on my Christian walk.
Pray for me - I'm praying that God will be glorified through what ever happens this week. God bless, and keep the coffee hot - because its freezing outside!

Counseling Conference Week...

I arrived in Lafayette, IN today around 5:15pm or so to begin a week of intensive conference training along the lines of Biblical counseling. I am going to begin tomorrow with my third track at the Faith Baptist counseling conference. I am looking forward to it. You can either click on the link ("third track") or look below for topics of what I'll be listening to:

• Working with a Physician
• Counseling conflict from the book of James
• Counseling teens in sexual sin - pt.1
• Children of divorce
• Handling death and grief
• Heart of change 3
• ADHD
• Counseling hope for people with fatigue
• Financial concerns 1
• Steps of Marital reconciliation
• How to determine if a proposed treatment works
• True repentance
• Hermeneutics
  
• Dealing with spiritual warfare in the family
• How to counsel manipulative people
• Wisdom parenting: counseling parents in today's world
• Learning from counseling failures
• Handling the past biblically
• The far end of fear: OCD
• Living with a bitter person
• Financial concerns 2

There are also "Breakout" sessions for both men and women. This is what we refer to as drinking from the fire hydrant. Impossible to let everything set in fully - but it totally is everything I can use.

I'll try to post some things I am learning or impressed with as the week goes by.

Good news! I found a coffee shop right around the corner from the hotel!! I'll try to get a pic or two of that too!! lol...

Aiming for Heaven... C.S. Lewis

"...If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one. Aim at heaven and you will get earth 'thrown in'; aim at earth and you will get neither..."
~Mere Christianity

I am leaving Saturday for Faith Baptist in Lafayette, IN to attend their Biblical Counseling Conference. I am currently in the 3rd of 4 tracks. I am looking forward to the week, realizing that God could do a great work in my heart. I think I am being primed for it right now...

I hope to provide some updates as I have 'net access. God bless...

My son & poetry...

My oldest son, Brice, wrote a poem that blew me away. I really enjoyed it. He told me over dinner last night that he got the idea as he looked down on his Bible which was open to the book of Job. Below you see his thoughts and words. Great job Brice!

Job's Life

Sons, daughters, servants crushed,
and posessions also;
then Satan to God rushed,
gave Job boils, sores and woe.

Birth deploring, sleep demanding,
great grief and much pain.
Job, a man of God unbending
in righteousness obey'n.

In silence he bore much
and set the example for us;
he cursed not God and such
but listened, obeying Him thus.

His friends, saying he had sinned,
comfort in them he found not.
For his complaint indeed was grim,
in his life he had hope...not.

Questioning the reasons
he implored God amply.
Job, reproaching pitiless ones,
these his friends did not comply.

In Elihu's words he found strength,
to carry on with his life.
Terrible though the length,
he contended with the Devil, born with strife.

God's word he followed
hearing challenges from the Lord;
God Job's prosperity allowed
and His belongings He restored.

Brice, you've made me proud of your hard work and effort going into this poem!

Check out my eBay for my latest java sales. Search for grizzlie101's auctions. God bless!

The rains came down and ...

Well, there you have it. It's disgusting and gross. (And besides that, I can't 'stitch' a picture worth a hoot). The pic you are looking at is actually 3 stitched together to give an idea of what my basement walls look like. Pretty nasty if you ask me. We have been receiving so much snow, then rain, then snow, then thunderstorms... that my walls are leaking like a sieve. Fortunately I do have a shop vac that is getting a work out - and a couple fans and dehumidifiers as well.

What to do? All the options seem extremely expensive. I'd welcome any and all ideas. There's not much I can do currently with the weather like it is - except vac... vac... and vac. Come spring there will be major work that will need to be done. I'm happy it's not worse though!

I started a facebook page for our youth group the other day - you can find it here. I hope to keep it updated with events and information that we will be involved in. Spread the word to those who haven't signed up yet.

Happy Ash Wednesday! What are you giving up for Lent? I'm doing what I did last year: giving up a website that I enjoy to visit. It's a messageboard site associated with alumni from where I went to college. I enjoy going there pretty much on a daily basis - but, sometimes its good to take a break. So until March 23 - no more board...and even more focused time on Christ.

I received a shipment from Gevalia yesterday: a half pound of my fav brew (mocca java), a quarter pound of costa rica peaberry and a quarter pound of espresso roast. I thought my account was suspended (it is now), but it must have lapsed. I have to suffer through this somehow.

God Hates Fake Stuff.

God Hates Fake Stuff - (from walk in the word ministries)

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

Everybody hates a fake.

My wife is so tricky sometimes! She puts out all this counterfeit fruit in bowls in our kitchen and I get so confused. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up a great looking pear and almost broken my tooth when I tried to bite into it! How worthless is that? I hope you don’t have fake fruit at your house.

I also hate fake grass. Football should be played on real turf.

I hate fake laugh tracks on TV shows. What?-is the comedy so bad that it needs canned laughter?

I just hate fake stuff.

God hates fake stuff, too. Not so much the surfacey, silly things that bother me-God hates soul fakeness. He detests the gap in our lives between what we know to be true and how we’re living it. The biblical term is hypocrisy.

There should be some kind of alarm that’s goes off in your heart when there’s a substantive gap between what you say and what you do; between what you profess and what you actually live; between the appearances that you keep up at church in front of other people and what it’s really like at your house. God hates that phoniness. That’s why Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1).

People will see you live your life; that’s not the problem. You don’t have to keep secret the fact that you go to church, or raise your hands in worship or get on your knees to pray, or open your written-in Bible. But when you do all those things so that people will see you-that is a problem. Doing-spiritual-things-so-other-people-notice goes right to motive. If you’re acting godly with the desire to get attention or affirmation or strokes from folks-you just got all the reward you deserve and lost God’s approval in the process.

So this begs the question, “Why is hypocrisy such a hard thing to shake?”

It’s because of the weight you and I put on people’s opinions of us rather than feeling the weight of what God thinks of us.

The solution: Don’t do anything “to be seen.” Have a better, more pure reason to do whatever it is you choose to do for God. Anything less than pleasing Him will only get you canned applause.

Thoughts on Fasting.

Today I spoke at a local Christian school during their Spiritual Emphasis Week. They evidently have been concentrating on the Spiritual Disciplines. My topic was Fasting. I chose Matthew 6:16-18 for my text. My intent was to share what fasting was, the motives for fasting and then some practical tips on fasting both food and "non-food" items. I prepared a hand-out due the sheer volume of material that I in no way could cover. I think it was well received. A staff member challenged the teens to commit to fasting and while some music played, called for them to come and fill out a sheet of paper to help them focus on why they would fast. I kept my head bowed and prayed that God would move in their hearts. I have no idea what the response was, although I heard teens moving around. My prayer is that God becomes very real to them during this time.

As I got in my car and headed to the house to pick my wife up for a date, a thought struck me: We are always fasting - whether we acknowledge it or not. What do I mean by that? A passionate Christian will incorporate fasting into their life so that they sacrifice something meaningful to focus intently on what is really important to them: Jesus Christ. However, the same is true for those who are worldly. They simply sacrifice a relationship with Christ (even as Christians) for the purpose of focusing intently on what is really important to them: _________. So while we may not teach on fasting all that much, or practice it as often as we'd like, we all do fast in some way each and every day. Question is: what are you fasting from and what are you fasting for?

Today I took my wife and two youngest children to the Great Wall Chinese restaurant in Warsaw. They have the best food at the best prices in town! This is an incredible restaurant - if you are local, you should try it out!!

As I sit here and type, I am having trouble concentrating. My coffee from my early appointment (6am) has worn off and dinner is making me sleepy. I am heading down to the kitchen here at church to brew a pot of java. Sadly it will only be Fogers regular grind or something along those lines. But it will do in a pinch!!

Big snow storm headed our way tonight. I'm taking work home in case I get snowed in. 6-10 inches - we'll see what happens!

Happiness & Wisdom: inexplicably intertwined.

Can I count on you to either: 1) click this link which contains our text, or (2) read Proverbs 8:20-36 from your own personal copy of Scripture? To post it all here would be lengthy, and perhaps unnecessary. Cool - now, let's discuss it.

We jump in the middle of chapter 8 and right in the middle of a conversation that Wisdom is having. It's impolite, but this will be beneficial, I'm sure! Do you see where Wisdom is gained - where you actually can find it? It's there in the first phrase: "...in the way of righteousness..." You will only find Wisdom when you are living rightly. Isn't it amazing that we think we can live any way we'd like and expect that God will still give us Wisdom at a moment's notice? Kinda ties in with James 1 doesn't it? Why would anyone who is double minded in that way expect to experience the blessings of Wisdom?

The blessings: Yes, they are manifold. From literal, practical items needed in life spreading out to all the spiritual ramifications of having Wisdom - they are all benefits of those pursuing her.

Happiness? You want happiness too? You'll find it in close proximity of Wisdom. Blessed = those who keep My ways (Wisdom) and Blessed = the man who listens to Me (Wisdom). Wisdom is the happiness source. Got Wisdom? Have Happiness.

There are some consequences of choice at the end of this passage by the way. v.36: Find Wisdom = life and favor of the LORD. v.37: Sin against Wisdom = injury to self & death. You do choose, each and every day. Did you know that the ramifications were that intense?

totally unrelated news:

Yesterday I spackled (I love that word) some cracks in the walls in the kitchen (from the house settling). I also cleaned, scraped and painted our entryway into the basement. Sometime this week I will add another coat. I am reminded again of how cheap it is to brighten an area with a fresh coat of paint.

I still have some Gevalia on eBay - although I haven't started any new auctions. :(

I am enjoying what may be my very last free McDonald's sweet tea. Today is that last Tuesday in January and from now on they won't be free. Decent enough beverage for the price you pay.

Dallas Brass...

So a very short entry today:

My wife and I had the extreme pleasure to watch our middle son, Patrick, play with the Dallas Brass. These guys are highly entertaining and worth every cent to see! I have to admit that prior to going I thought it would be another one of "those" concerts that you'd have to just force yourself to sit through. Boy, was I wrong. These guys are very interactive and are very energetic. I'll try and add a clip from youtube and some pics - but check out their site... they are worth listening to.

Embracing the Difficulties for the Progress of the Gospel

The text:
Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

I remember the first time this really dawned on me what Paul was saying. I was about to go to a home to speak with both parents and teen about a rough time they were going through. I was reading the book of Philippians that day in personal study. Then I saw it. Did you? The Apostle Paul, imprisoned, was rejoicing that the gospel was progressing because of his imprisonment.

What? Where is Paul praying to be released? Where is Paul seeking God's face to comfort him? Where is Paul begging God to allow him freedom once more to be more effective in his ministry? Why isn't Paul seeking release from the circumstances?

It dawned on me. Paul had figured it out. He knew that God would allow certain uncomfortable things to come in our lives, so that God would: 1) receive glory, (2) His gospel would progress, (3) the world would see it [the whole Praetorian guard] and (4) believers would be embolden by it [most of the brethern...have far more courage to speak]. So what it would boil down to would be whether I would begin to notice the 'difficulties' in life in such a way that I would pray that God would, (not release me from the circumstances), but rather, allow the circumstances to unfold in such a way that He would receive glory. I would pray that I would respond in such a way that the gospel of God would progress...that the world would be changed, and my brothers and sisters in Christ would become even more bold in their ministries.

That is a huge paradigm shift for not only the culture in which we live, but for the Western church.

One of my memory goals for this year is to memorize Ephesians. My goal for January is to have vv.1-12 down pat. I am actually ahead of schedule and have up to v.14 almost word for word. However, my translation of Ephesians is faltering. For some reason I cannot keep it going - even though I love doing it. Pray for me. I want to accomplish this. Goals without accountability are bound to fail.

I just finished listening to an audio-book entitled, 13 Cent Killers: The 5th Marine Snipers in Vietnam. It was my first audio-book. I am unsure that I like audio-books. I have to really concentrate on what is being said, or I find myself drifting off into thinking of other things. I love history, especially military history, and this was an interesting 'read'. It wasn't outstanding, but if you like this sort of thing it would be worth checking out of a library. I wouldn't necessarily buy it.

Believe it or not, I am actually trying to sell some of my Limited Edition Gevalia coffees. I have too many for personal consumption and need to jettison some from my cupboard. If you're interested, go to eBay and search under my username: grizzlie101. I currently only have two boxes up, but will be posting more soon.

Speaking of java, I haven't had any today and it's getting close to 11:00. All I have had is a McD's sweet tea - and that is weak. But I was out and about and had to get something. So, I am off to create some coffee delight. God bless, hope your weekend is a good one.

Al, did you read the entire post?

How to Spend the Day with God - Richard Baxter

adapted and updated from Richard Baxter (1615-1691) by Matthew Vogan (original)

A holy life is inclined to be made easier when we know the usual sequence and method of our duties - with everything falling into its proper place. Therefore, I shall give some brief directions for spending the day in a holy manner.

Sleep

Measure the time of your sleep appropriately so that you do not waste your precious morning hours sluggishly in your bed. Let the time of your sleep be matched to your health and labour, and not to slothful pleasure.

First Thoughts

Let God have your first awaking thoughts; lift up your hearts to Him reverently and thankfully for the rest enjoyed the night before and cast yourself upon Him for the day which follows.

Familiarise yourself so consistently to this that your conscience may check you when common thoughts shall first intrude. Think of the mercy of a night's rest and of how many that have spent that night in Hell; how many in prison; how many in cold, hard lodgings; how many suffering from agonising pains and sickness, weary of their beds and of their lives.

Think of how many souls were that night called from their bodies terrifyingly to appear before God and think how quickly days and nights are rolling on! How speedily your last night and day will come! Observe that which is lacking in the preparedness of your soul for such a time and seek it without delay.

Prayer

Let prayer by yourself alone (or with your partner) take place before the collective prayer of the family. If possible let it be first, before any work of the day.

Family Worship

Let family worship be performed consistently and at a time when it is most likely for the family to be free of interruptions.

Ultimate Purpose

Remember your ultimate purpose, and when you set yourself to your day's work or approach any activity in the world, let HOLINESS TO THE LORD be written upon your hearts in all that you do.

Do no activity which you cannot entitle God to, and truly say that he set you about it, and do nothing in the world for any other ultimate purpose than to please, glorify and enjoy Him. "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Diligence in Your Calling

Follow the tasks of your calling carefully and diligently. Thus:

(a) You will show that you are not sluggish and servants to your flesh (as those that cannot deny it ease), and you will further the putting to death of all the fleshly lusts and desires that are fed by ease and idleness.
(b) You will keep out idle thoughts from your mind, that swarm in the minds of idle persons.
(c) You will not lose precious time, something that idle persons are daily guilty of.
(d) You will be in a way of obedience to God when the slothful are in constant sins of omission.
(e) You may have more time to spend in holy duties if you follow your occupation diligently. Idle persons have no time for praying and reading because they lose time by loitering at their work.
(f) You may expect God's blessing and comfortable provision for both yourself and your families.
(g) it may also encourage the health of your body which will increase its competence for the service of your soul.

Temptations and Things That Corrupt

Be thoroughly acquainted with your temptations and the things that may corrupt you - and watch against them all day long. You should watch especially the most dangerous of the things that corrupt, and those temptations that either your company or business will unavoidably lay before you.

Watch against the master sins of unbelief: hypocrisy, selfishness, pride, flesh pleasing and the excessive love of earthly things. Take care against being drawn into earthly mindedness and excessive cares, or covetous designs for rising in the world, under the pretence of diligence in your calling.

If you are to trade or deal with others, be vigilant against selfishness and all that smacks of injustice or uncharitableness. In all your dealings with others, watch against the temptation of empty and idle talking. Watch also against those persons who would tempt you to anger. Maintain that modesty and cleanness of speech that the laws of purity require. If you converse with flatterers, be on your guard against swelling pride.

If you converse with those that despise and injure you, strengthen yourself against impatient, revengeful pride.

At first these things will be very difficult, while sin has any strength in you, but once you have grasped a continual awareness of the poisonous danger of any one of these sins, your heart will readily and easily avoid them.

Meditation

When alone in your occupations, improve the time in practical and beneficial meditations. Meditate upon the infinite goodness and perfections of God; Christ and redemption; Heaven and how unworthy you are of going there and how you deserve eternal misery in Hell.

The Only Motive

Whatever you are doing, in company or alone, do it all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Otherwise, it is unacceptable to God.

Redeeming The Time

Place a high value upon your time, be more careful of not losing it than you would of losing your money. Do not let worthless recreations, television, idle talk, unprofitable company, or sleep rob you of your precious time.

Be more careful to escape that person, action or course of life that would rob you of your time than you would be to escape thieves and robbers.

Make sure that you are not merely never idle, but rather that you are using your time in the most profitable way that you can and do not prefer a less profitable way before one of greater profit.

Eating and Drinking

Eat and drink with moderation and thankfulness for health, not for unprofitable pleasure. Never please your appetite in food or drink when it is prone to be detrimental to your health.

Remember the sin of Sodom: "Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food and abundance of idleness" - Ezekiel 16:49.

The Apostle Paul wept when he mentioned those "whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame -- who set their minds on earthly things, being enemies to the cross of Christ" - Philippians 3:18-19. O then do not live according to the flesh lest you die (Romans 8:13).

Prevailing Sins

If any temptation prevails against you and you fall into any sins in addition to habitual failures, immediately lament it and confess it to God; repent quickly whatever the cost. It will certainly cost you more if you continue in sin and remain unrepentant.

Do not make light of your habitual failures, but confess them and daily strive against them, taking care not to aggravate them by unrepentance and contempt.

Relationships

Remember every day the special duties of various relationships: whether as husbands, wives, children, masters, servants, pastors, people, magistrates, subjects.

Remember every relationship has its special duty and its advantage for the doing of some good. God requires your faithfulness in this matter as well as in any other duty.

Closing the Day

Before returning to sleep, it is wise and necessary to review the actions and mercies of the day past, so that you may be thankful for all the special mercies and humbled for all your sins.

This is necessary in order that you might renew your repentance as well as your resolve for obedience, and in order that you may examine yourself to see whether your soul grew better or worse, whether sin goes down and grace goes up and whether you are better prepared for suffering, death and eternity.

May these directions be engraven upon your mind and be made the daily practice of your life.

If sincerely adhered to, these will be conducive to the holiness, fruitfulness and quietness of your life and add to you a comfortable and peaceful death.

Facing the Giants (the original)...

I read this morning the familiar Bible story of David and Goliath. It is very familiar, although I do suggest you read it for yourself - just to bring to mind some of the peculiarities. Here is what I noted in my bible:

• In times of great difficulty comes added responsibilities.
• v.15 - The nation was at war. David's brothers left to go to battle. David not only had to tend to his flock, as was his usual job, but had to run back & forth from the battlefied to home, checking on his brother's and bringing them supplies, etc. When difficulties come, sometimes we have the added pressures of additional responsibilities as well.
• Not everyone gets to go to the front.
• v.15 - The place of prominence in war is the front-line. That's where the 'action' is. However, a support position is really needed as much, and sometimes it's good to remember that not everyone is going to the front, but everyone has an important job to do.
• Outward (physical) circumstances divert our eyes from spiritual realities.
• v.24 - The men of Israel were consumed with looking at the 'man'. They were frightened because they didn't take God at His word. They were 'greatly afraid' because the physical became the only thing that was tangible in their lives - the spiritual was a myth. When the spiritual reality (God's word that He would fight for them) becomes a myth, defeat is inevitable.
• Faith (taking God's Word for reality itself) accomplished in the heart, affects the actions of one's life to reflect that faith, and God receives the glory.
• vv.45-47 - David goes and 'conversates' with Goliath. He tells him that he (David) was coming to him "in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel" - hereby acknowledging his dependence on God & His word; David also states that he would kill Goliath so that "all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel" & that "the battle is the LORD's" - God receives the glory. Believe what God says, let it affect what people see in your life - so that God will receive the glory. (Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven"
  

I don't know what "giants" you are facing in your life, but these principles remain true today. May God help you in your battles.

Today we have a pastoral retreat. Just the three of us on staff, going to an undisclosed location, away from all contact and concentrating on the Word, prayer and administration. I am looking forward to it.

I'm two cups of coffee into the day and it feels good! (by the way, Tuesdays are "free sweet tea" at McDonalds, and I'll be taking advantage of that!)

One last thing: I don't normally dream, but last night I had a gripping, very real dream. I had a mother come to me at a teen event, someone I had not met before, who needed help. She had a young child with her, a girl: blonde, curly hair and a smile that would knock 'em dead. This little girl was probably about 3, maybe 4. Her mother related to me that they had just discovered that this girl had cancer and asked me to pray with her. So as I began to, in my dream, we were somehow 'transported' to a Catholic church and took the communion. As I held this now limp body of the girl in my arms, (I'm not sure if she was sleeping or unconscious), I remember thinking how people were watching me because I didn't genuflect. At the end of that service, the mom disappeared and the priest brought the father to me. However, as the father of the girl explained he had to pray with the priest, he opened the door to a booth and in it lay a drunk man. The father fell across the bench next to me in anguish, sobbing because he couldn't be next to the priest while he prayed. I again was transported - (you know how dreams are) - and found myself in the emergency room of the hospital. The girl was now in their care and I was helpless as to what I could do. As I waited in the waiting area, the police came in with a group of criminals and lawyers and cleared the area so that they would have a place to process them (?). I was all but invisible to these men. I did notice one of the lawyers was an acquaintance of mine, but I couldn't interrupt. Then as I looked up, the nurses were cleaning the room in which the girl had been receiving treatment. She had died. That is when I awoke. I was disturbed, in a sense, by this dream. I recall the names of the mom and girl clearly. Very odd for someone who doesn't recall dreams much at all.

Holding Hands with God - Ps.73

Here is a small selection from my church's scheduled reading in Psalm 73. The entire chapter is very encouraging, especially to the believer who is becoming disillusioned with the 'blessings' that the world seem to always have at hand. I found this selection comforting to me:

Psalm 73:23-26
23) Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. (24) With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. (25) Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. (26) My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Some thoughts from this verse that struck me:

• God never leaves us. He is continually with us. Reminds me of Hebrews 13:5, quoting Deuteronomy 31:6
• He initiated the grasp of my hand. He is in control. I can rely on Him.
• I need counsel in this life - God provides it for me and He guides me. I guess that's better then my GPS I'll be talking about here shortly.
• The best of both worlds...literally. God guides me here on earth, and then receives me to glory, where I will be with Him eternally. Awesome!
• Is there anyone else more powerful, more gracious, more merciful, more loving, more kind, more holy than my God? No. No-one in earth, or heaven. He is all I need.
• My heart's prayer is that He becomes all I desire here on earth.
• If I were to live this life in my flesh, I will fail. Miserably. However, if I rely on God and live a God-dependent life, I will prosper and succeed - for His glory!

God's word amazes me in how true to life and relevant it really is. Are you in it?

Yesterday I enjoyed a full day of worship with my 'family'. My immediate family has been able to attend only 3 of the last 7 weeks of Sunday worship at our church. Whether it was weather (snow & ice - 2 weeks) or illness or travel, we have just missed out. And I mean missed out. I love our church and its people. Yesterday as we were worshiping in song, I was once again amazed at how the words and music washed over me as I stood near the front. It was good to hear God's people lifting their voices in praise to Him.

Last night I was able to preach a 'short' sermon on Prayer from Ephesians 6:18-24. I entitled it, "Pray on my behalf...", a direct quote of Paul's. I pray that it encouraged many as it did me preparing for it. I have seen God move quite clearly in my life already this year.

Today I am planning on purchasing a birthday present for myself. It is the Garmin Nuvi 350. A really neat GPS system - my brother received one for Christmas and I was immediately enthralled with it. I am such a techie - or perhaps more accurately, a gadget-guy. I have researched this one out and think I am making the right choice for the money I have. It is a little more expensive then what I would normally spend on myself, but I have had some money come in and I think I have found a great deal. Besides, you only turn 40 once. (That's a whole different post). I know my birthday isn't until February, but c'mon, when the deal is there you have to move!

Since Mondays are my day "off", I made some scrambled eggs with Mozeralla cheese and doubled the intake of Java. Gevalia's Dark Roast again - I am nearing the bottom of this bag, so will have to move onto something else shortly.

Have a great day & inhale deeply the steam that rises from your mug!

The Pain of Perseverance and How to Avoid Apostasy: A Quick Look at 1 Timothy 4

This morning, with mug of java in hand, I sat down at my kitchen table and read 1 Timothy 4. I have always been intrigued with this passage, but today I decided to work through it in greater detail than I have in the past. These are my thoughts as I wrote them down at breakfast:

I see a warning, written by the Apostle, spoken by the Holy Spirit in vv.1-5. It is very obvious that there will be in "later times" a falling away from the faith. Supposed brothers and sisters in Christ will abandon what we hold precious and simply walk away. That is sobering and frightening. I do not want to be in that number. How does one find themselves included in the withering faith that ends in withdrawal? I think 1 Timothy lays it out pretty clearly.

• Embrace Falsehoods - v.1 - "...paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons..." There is a switch from listening and heeding Truth and being deceived into passionate pursuit of demonic lies. Unfortunately, sometimes these very well may be propagated from the pulpits in our nation, on our TV and in our hometowns.
• External Focus - v.3 - "...men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods..." Suddenly the heart is neglected (partly due to a seared conscience) and outward behavior becomes the prominent focus. Ironically these heretical claims fly in the face of the blessings of what God has given us.
  

Is there something that I can do to ensure that I do not embrace falsehoods & focus on externals? Yes. Scripture never leaves us wanting in "training in righteousness". Listed below are the preventative measures to keep oneself from falling away:

• Train in the Word & Sound Doctrine - v.6 - "...constantly nourished on the words of faith and the sound doctrine which you have been following..." The primacy of God's Word in one's life is key to persevering! That means you must be constantly in it. There is no other way. Also, listen to others that are constantly in the Word and learn from them. Don't try to re-invent the wheel in your biblical education. Read solid authors, listen to podcasts from godly teachers and pastors, tune your radios to Truth when possible. Let the water of the word wash through your mind constantly.
• Reject Falsehoods - v.7 - "...have nothing to do with worldly fables..." With a knowledge of the Word comes discernment. Discern what is right and wrong and reject the untruths held by the culture around you. This might not be a popular stance, but one that will ensure that you persevere.
• Exercise for the purpose of Godliness - v.7 - "...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness..." It does take effort to be godly. It's not always fun and games in this process of perseverance. But it is well worth the effort! This godliness that is achieved through discipline profits us not only in the life to come, but also this life as well! (v.8) How cool is that? It's win-win for the believer in pursuit of persevering for their Lord!

What kind of intensity should be involved in our persevering? Again, the answer is found in 1 Timothy 4:

• Take pains with these things, be absorbed in them - v.15 - as we so carefully move through our study of the Word, as we allow it to work in our lives and mold our hearts, this progress will be noticed by everyone around us.
• Pay close attention to:
• Yourself - v.16 - why? So that you don't stray from the Truth. So that your heart and mind are holding to Truth.
  
• Your teaching - v.16 - why? So that you don't lead others astray. So that what pours out of your heart only encourages others in this pursuit of perseverance.

In maintaining this intensity, you will "...insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you..."

May God help you take pains with your perseverance and avoid apostasy in your life! Study 1 Timothy 4 further - because there is sooo much more in this chapter. God bless!