Last night during my drive to Pittsburgh I heard a Caedmon's Call song that reminded me of a great truth. I cannot remember the name of the song but I remember the basic idea of the line that struck me.
"God's grace and compassion are my story." This New Year I pray I would be able to live out this truth.
These three verses really reminded me of this truth:
1 Corinthians 1:31 "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"
2 Corinthians 10:17 "But, 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"
2 Corinthians 11:30 "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness."
12.31.2006
12.30.2006
Toledo
We enjoyed visiting family in Toledo over the Christmas break.
While I was back in Clarks Summit, I came across this list that reminded me of Toledo.
O.K. I know I only lived in Toledo for four years but I saw this list and thought it was very funny.
There are more. The list actually contained 125 things. I deleted some and edited others.
So if you are from Toledo enjoy the list and feel free to comment about them.
If you are You know you are from Toledo when...
1.) You get tired of hearing about Katie Holmes.
2.) You have gotten or almost gotten a ticket in Ottawa Hills.
4.) You refuse to call it Westfield Shopping Center, because we all know it is really Franklin Park Mall.
5.) You freeze to death walking around The Toledo Zoo at 10 degrees because you want to see christmas lights.
7.) You know what Meijer is.
8.) If you see a driver that is driving erratically you automatically check for the Michigan licence plate.
9.) You know what Magic Wok is.
10.) Visiting Cedar Point is a tradition dating back to the elementary school years.
12.) You know who Jamie Farr is.
13.) Cosi was a yearly class field trip.
15.) You know what Krogering is.
16.) You felt cool going to Ohio State on weekends as a kid.
17.) When you can pick one of five Wal*Marts to drive to, all in a 10 minute range of eachother.
18.) You know where the nearest Tim Hortons is.
21.) You remember when Toledo didn't HAVE any Wal-Marts.
22.) "Everybody's Zooing It" means something to you, and you can sing the song, weird accent and all.
24.) Seeing a giant, neon-colored, plastic frog sitting on the sidewalk is nothing unusual.
26.) You're so used to driving in construction that you feel odd driving where you can't see orange barrels.
27.) You know where the origional tony pacos is at and you know what type of food famous people sign on the walls.
While I was back in Clarks Summit, I came across this list that reminded me of Toledo.
O.K. I know I only lived in Toledo for four years but I saw this list and thought it was very funny.
There are more. The list actually contained 125 things. I deleted some and edited others.
So if you are from Toledo enjoy the list and feel free to comment about them.
If you are You know you are from Toledo when...
1.) You get tired of hearing about Katie Holmes.
2.) You have gotten or almost gotten a ticket in Ottawa Hills.
4.) You refuse to call it Westfield Shopping Center, because we all know it is really Franklin Park Mall.
5.) You freeze to death walking around The Toledo Zoo at 10 degrees because you want to see christmas lights.
7.) You know what Meijer is.
8.) If you see a driver that is driving erratically you automatically check for the Michigan licence plate.
9.) You know what Magic Wok is.
10.) Visiting Cedar Point is a tradition dating back to the elementary school years.
12.) You know who Jamie Farr is.
13.) Cosi was a yearly class field trip.
15.) You know what Krogering is.
16.) You felt cool going to Ohio State on weekends as a kid.
17.) When you can pick one of five Wal*Marts to drive to, all in a 10 minute range of eachother.
18.) You know where the nearest Tim Hortons is.
21.) You remember when Toledo didn't HAVE any Wal-Marts.
22.) "Everybody's Zooing It" means something to you, and you can sing the song, weird accent and all.
24.) Seeing a giant, neon-colored, plastic frog sitting on the sidewalk is nothing unusual.
26.) You're so used to driving in construction that you feel odd driving where you can't see orange barrels.
27.) You know where the origional tony pacos is at and you know what type of food famous people sign on the walls.
12.29.2006
A quick Holiday update!
The Christmas break has been a little crazy!!
Here is a rundown of what our break has involved. (I am tired after typing all of this in.)
Here is a rundown of what our break has involved. (I am tired after typing all of this in.)
- We left for Toledo on Saturday evening.
- Arrived in Toledo around 1:30 am (i think) Sunday.
- Went to Emmanuel Sunday. It was great to visit with friends and family. (We took a Regneir guided tour of the new remodeled high school Sunday night. It is very nice)
- Christmas day with Krista's family. I left for Pittsburgh at 7:30 that night. Krista and the boys stayed with her family in Toledo.
- I arrived in Pittsburgh around 11:00 pm Monday.
- On Tuesday, I went to breakfast with my mom and get to spend a little bit of time with my sister.
- I then drove to Clarks Summit. I got in at 1:30 pm and went to work at Borders at 3:30 pm.
- Worked at Borders this week. And Saturday night after work (11:00 pm) I will begin driving to my mom's house where Krista, Joel and Josiah will be. Krista's dad is going to took her to Cleveland to meet my sister there.
- We will spend Sunday at my mom's house.
- Monday morning we will leave early for Clark Summit. I am scheduled to work at 3:30 pm on Monday.
12.21.2006
First Semester is Done!
This morning I took my Greek final.
I have completed my first semester of classes at Baptist Bible Seminary.
I won't know how I did on the exam until after Christmas but I felt like the test went well. A lot of the stuff that I specifically made a point to study was on the exam so that was good. There were a couple of my answer that I know are incorrect but it is done and I know I passed.
Our schedule for this Christmas "break" is going to be a little crazy because my job is in the retail business and Christmas is the busiest time of the year.
On Saturday 5:00 pm were are going to be leaving Borders Bookstore for Toledo, OH
Pray we would make good time and that the boys would sleep in the van.
I will be leaving Toledo, OH on Monday night to travel to Pittsburgh. Krista and the boys will stay in Toledo until Friday probably. I will spend the night at my mom's house and then leave Tuesday morning for Scranton. I am scheduled to work on Tuesday at 3:30. We still need to work out some of the details on how Krista and the boys will get back here on January 2. A possible plan is my mom and Krista's parents meeting halfway between Toledo and Pittsburgh. They would then stay with my mom Friday through Sunday or Monday. On Sunday or Monday I would meet them and my mom halfway between Pittsburgh and BBC. Did anyone understand that?
If you did could you please explain it to me because now I am a little confused.
12.18.2006
Monday Report
One final done... Principles of Church Growth.
One final left...... Greek on Thursday morning.
Not sure how the one this morning went. I knew the information but it was all essay questions so we will see how it is graded.
We are planning to be at Emmanuel for this Sunday mornings service.
One final left...... Greek on Thursday morning.
Not sure how the one this morning went. I knew the information but it was all essay questions so we will see how it is graded.
We are planning to be at Emmanuel for this Sunday mornings service.
12.17.2006
Late Night Observations
Yes it is Saturday night/ Sunday 12:42 am. Late night at Borders. It has been a little challenging with the end of the semester work and the Christmas work.
Please be praying for my exams next week.
I was coming home from work and saw something I just had to comment on. Outside Target there was a line of people with big heavy blankets. One group even had outdoor heater of some sort. They were lined up waiting for.....
The Nintendo Wii. Target was going to be getting some in and these people just had to get this game for Christmas. This next statement may offend some of the younger readers but I am going to say it anyway.
IT IS JUST A VIDEO GAME PEOPLE!!! I played one frame (not game but frame) of bowling on it. It was interesting but IT IS JUST A VIDEO GAME PEOPLE!!!
That is the end of my late night tirade on the absurdity of our culture.
If you care to comment please do.
Please be praying for my exams next week.
I was coming home from work and saw something I just had to comment on. Outside Target there was a line of people with big heavy blankets. One group even had outdoor heater of some sort. They were lined up waiting for.....
The Nintendo Wii. Target was going to be getting some in and these people just had to get this game for Christmas. This next statement may offend some of the younger readers but I am going to say it anyway.
IT IS JUST A VIDEO GAME PEOPLE!!! I played one frame (not game but frame) of bowling on it. It was interesting but IT IS JUST A VIDEO GAME PEOPLE!!!
That is the end of my late night tirade on the absurdity of our culture.
If you care to comment please do.
12.13.2006
Seminary schedule for next semester
I have my schedule for Spring semester classes. I thought I would share them with you.
But before that, a prayer request. Pray the classes I take would be much more than an academic pursuit. It is my prayer that my classes would help me:
Know God
Know His Word
Be better prepared to serve.
Monday:
9:00 - 9:50 Chapel
10:00 - 12:15 World Ministry and the Local Church
Tuesday:
6:30 - 8:50 Greek 2
9:00 - 9:50 Chapel
Thursday:
6:30 - 8:50 Greek 2
9:00 - 9:50 Chapel
10:00 - 1:20 Church History
Friday:
6:30 - 8:50 Dynamics of Spiritual Growth
9:00 - 9:50 Chapel
I am going to be taking a one week module course from February 27 - March 2 with President Jeffery. The course is Conflict Resolution in the Church.
But before that, a prayer request. Pray the classes I take would be much more than an academic pursuit. It is my prayer that my classes would help me:
Know God
Know His Word
Be better prepared to serve.
Monday:
9:00 - 9:50 Chapel
10:00 - 12:15 World Ministry and the Local Church
Tuesday:
6:30 - 8:50 Greek 2
9:00 - 9:50 Chapel
Thursday:
6:30 - 8:50 Greek 2
9:00 - 9:50 Chapel
10:00 - 1:20 Church History
Friday:
6:30 - 8:50 Dynamics of Spiritual Growth
9:00 - 9:50 Chapel
I am going to be taking a one week module course from February 27 - March 2 with President Jeffery. The course is Conflict Resolution in the Church.
12.12.2006
It getter close to the end of First Semester...
Next week is the end of First Semester. The college ends on Tuesday and my seminary classes end on Thursday with an exam.
Things that have been going on with us here.
Krista has been building relationships with the girls in Vibbard. It has been busy but fruitful. I know many of the girls have appreciated her. One of Krista's Resident Assistants (RA) is leaving at the end of this semester. She will be going to do her student teaching. I know Krista has greatly appreciated Jessica's insight and help during all the transitions. Please pray for Jessica as she does her student teaching. Also pray for Krista and the rest of the RAs as the prepare for second semester.
Joel turned four on December 8th. You can see pictures if you go back to a previous post. He is a big boy. His Cubbies Awana class has their Christmas program tomorrow night and the kids under 5 years old will be singing in the morning service.
Josiah turned 6 months old on December 8th. He is a little smiler who is growing so fast.
I have been very busy with classes and work. My job at Borders has been crazy since Thanksgiving. School wise, I preached my second sermon in James for my expository preaching class. I didn't do so well on my 3rd Greek test. Good scores on the first two are carrying me through now. I have been learning a lot about the church, people, my faith and my God both in and out of class.
Sometime I will sit down and try to put some thoughts down.
Major Seminary Things During Finals Week.
December 18th - Church Growth Final.
Some other projects due for this class.
December 21st - Greek Final.
God bless
Things that have been going on with us here.
Krista has been building relationships with the girls in Vibbard. It has been busy but fruitful. I know many of the girls have appreciated her. One of Krista's Resident Assistants (RA) is leaving at the end of this semester. She will be going to do her student teaching. I know Krista has greatly appreciated Jessica's insight and help during all the transitions. Please pray for Jessica as she does her student teaching. Also pray for Krista and the rest of the RAs as the prepare for second semester.
Joel turned four on December 8th. You can see pictures if you go back to a previous post. He is a big boy. His Cubbies Awana class has their Christmas program tomorrow night and the kids under 5 years old will be singing in the morning service.
Josiah turned 6 months old on December 8th. He is a little smiler who is growing so fast.
I have been very busy with classes and work. My job at Borders has been crazy since Thanksgiving. School wise, I preached my second sermon in James for my expository preaching class. I didn't do so well on my 3rd Greek test. Good scores on the first two are carrying me through now. I have been learning a lot about the church, people, my faith and my God both in and out of class.
Sometime I will sit down and try to put some thoughts down.
Major Seminary Things During Finals Week.
December 18th - Church Growth Final.
Some other projects due for this class.
December 21st - Greek Final.
God bless
12.08.2006
Joel's 4th birthday!
Today was Joel's 4th birthday!
We had a little party at our apartment for him.
These are three of the other RD boys that are Joel's age.
They had a great time playing, eating pizza and an "Incredibles" cake.
It is hard to believe he is already four.
Below is a family picture with Joel's "Incredibles" cake included.
Krista made the cake and one of the girls from the dorm decorated it.
This picture was taken right before Josiah put his hand into the frosting.
We had a little party at our apartment for him.
These are three of the other RD boys that are Joel's age.
They had a great time playing, eating pizza and an "Incredibles" cake. It is hard to believe he is already four.
Below is a family picture with Joel's "Incredibles" cake included.
Krista made the cake and one of the girls from the dorm decorated it.
This picture was taken right before Josiah put his hand into the frosting.
12.03.2006
Pictures from October beach trip that I forgot to post
As many of you know Krista and I lived in the Dominican Republic for several years. During that time we enjoyed beach trips during those months when it was cold here in the states. Well, our location has changed but we still enjoy a beach trip every now and then.
Josiah's first trip to the beach. It was a little cold and overcast but not a bad October day weather wise for NEPA.
Once your in the water for a little while it starts to numb your legs so you can no longer feel anything. Help, I cannot move. (This seemed like a good idea before I got into the water)
Krista and Josiah hiking through the woods
Josiah enjoying his first hike
At beautiful scene at Rickett's Glen. See if you can find David.
Josiah took this picture for us. He needs to learn how to zoom out but what can you expect from a 4 month old.
If the link isn't working, use the above website to see the pictures.
Josiah's first trip to the beach. It was a little cold and overcast but not a bad October day weather wise for NEPA.
Once your in the water for a little while it starts to numb your legs so you can no longer feel anything. Help, I cannot move. (This seemed like a good idea before I got into the water) Krista and Josiah hiking through the woodsJosiah enjoying his first hike At beautiful scene at Rickett's Glen. See if you can find David. Josiah took this picture for us. He needs to learn how to zoom out but what can you expect from a 4 month old. If the link isn't working, use the above website to see the pictures.
11.29.2006
11.27.2006
Thanksgiving Break is over!
We were able to go to Pittsburgh to spend Thanksgiving day with my family. It was a good but quick visit. Joel loved playing with Jacob and Grammy. It was a quick visit because I had to get back to work on Friday afternoon. YES BLACK FRIDAY. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I was told I missed out on those crazy, psychotic 6:00 am shoppers. I hope I didn't offend any early bird shoppers.
Now we are getting back in to school life:
Krista is talking with some of the girls who have returned. Please continue to pray for her ministry with the girls of Vibbard Hall.
I am preaching tomorrow (Tuesday) on James 4:13-17 and have a greek test on Thursday.
By the way Clark Summit now has water. The problem has been fixed and the students loved their extended break.
I was so gently reminded by a caring soul that I haven't posted recently about the Steelers. Thank you Pastor Tom for that reminder. Well, God knew I didn't need the distraction of a successful Steelers season this year.
Thank you for your prayers and support. God bless.
Now we are getting back in to school life:
Krista is talking with some of the girls who have returned. Please continue to pray for her ministry with the girls of Vibbard Hall.
I am preaching tomorrow (Tuesday) on James 4:13-17 and have a greek test on Thursday.
By the way Clark Summit now has water. The problem has been fixed and the students loved their extended break.
I was so gently reminded by a caring soul that I haven't posted recently about the Steelers. Thank you Pastor Tom for that reminder. Well, God knew I didn't need the distraction of a successful Steelers season this year.
Thank you for your prayers and support. God bless.
11.19.2006
UPDATE ON THE WATER DILEMMA
It turns out the Abingtons (an area of several smaller communities South Abington, Clarks Green and Clarks Summit) was the hardest hit by the storms on Thursday night.
This storm caused a main water line to break. Late Saturday night they found the break and started repairing it. It seems there may have been some other breaks in the line.
Since Thursday the community has been using reserve water which is running out. We have water but have been urged to conserve, which is the reason for the pot-a-johns on campus. This afternoon Heritage Baptist Church right across the street from us lost water completely.
It seems like the workmen are coming closer to fixing the problem but we are not sure how the problem will last. Reports have been from some time tonight it should be fixed to sometime Tuesday.
Please praying for the whole situation and pray especially for the local government authorities here and the administration at the school.
This storm caused a main water line to break. Late Saturday night they found the break and started repairing it. It seems there may have been some other breaks in the line.
Since Thursday the community has been using reserve water which is running out. We have water but have been urged to conserve, which is the reason for the pot-a-johns on campus. This afternoon Heritage Baptist Church right across the street from us lost water completely.
It seems like the workmen are coming closer to fixing the problem but we are not sure how the problem will last. Reports have been from some time tonight it should be fixed to sometime Tuesday.
Please praying for the whole situation and pray especially for the local government authorities here and the administration at the school.
11.18.2006
What a weekend?!?!
the severe rainstorms here in northeast pa have caused quite a bit of flooding.
it also caused a water main break here in the clark summit area. repair crews are trying to find the source of the break. there are water reserve trucks in the area for drinking water. right now we still have water but we are not sure how long it will last.
they are not sure when the problem is going to be corrected. if the problem is long term, the big issues on campus will be showers and toilets.
The picture at the top of the page is showing the port-a-johns they have started setting up around campus if we need to start using them.
Please pray the problem would be taken care of as soon as possible.
11.17.2006
One of the great things I love about being on campus
One of the great things I love about being on campus at BBC is the music in the air.
Every hour the bells in Jackson Hall ring out a hymn. This morning, after spending about two hours in the library editing papers and reading books, I walked out of the library and the hymn "All Creatures of Our and King" began playing.
What a great reminder for me that even in the midst of studying, working, going to class or whatever I am doing I need to lift up my voice and sing Alleluia to God.
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
Refrain
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
Refrain
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.
Refrain
Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.
Refrain
And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
Refrain
And thou most kind and gentle
Death,Waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.
Refrain
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
Refrain
Every hour the bells in Jackson Hall ring out a hymn. This morning, after spending about two hours in the library editing papers and reading books, I walked out of the library and the hymn "All Creatures of Our and King" began playing.
What a great reminder for me that even in the midst of studying, working, going to class or whatever I am doing I need to lift up my voice and sing Alleluia to God.
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
Refrain
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
Refrain
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.
Refrain
Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.
Refrain
And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
Refrain
And thou most kind and gentle
Death,Waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.
Refrain
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
Refrain
11.16.2006
Toys for Tots
check out this article.
does anyone else find the headline strange?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15753237/?GT1=8717
does anyone else find the headline strange?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15753237/?GT1=8717
11.11.2006
No news is...
How would you finish that statement?
Well, we haven't updated in over a week so let me finish it from the Rodgers' perspective.
No news is a sign that lots of things are happening.
I haven't really had time recently to sit down and write.
Working retail in November is definitely interesting. I have been getting a lot of hours. Maybe to much with family and my class load.
Life as RDs is always a challenge but we are learning more and more each and every day. Krista continues to build relationships with the girls.
Joel is growing up so fast. It is hard to believe that in less than a month he will be four years old.
Josiah is a little cutey with his "crooked smile" (a phrase used by my mom). He will be six months old on Joel's birthday.
Here are is a list of some random things (from the serious to not so serious) going on with us.
1. November 28th is my next sermon in my Expository preaching class.
2. November 30th is my next BIG greek test.
3. (Not so serious) I need to overcome the depression I am going through as I consider the Steelers tremendous dropoff from last year to this year.
4. (Not so serious) The "BIG GAME" (OSU/UofM -listed alphabetically in an effort not to offend any family or friends) is still a big deal out here I thought could escape the madness in a move to PSU territory but it cannot be avoided. One of my profs grew up in Ohio and is a huge OSU fan. The chaplain is from Michigan.
Well, we haven't updated in over a week so let me finish it from the Rodgers' perspective.
No news is a sign that lots of things are happening.
I haven't really had time recently to sit down and write.
Here are some recent photos: http://drodgers1.photosite.com/Octandnov/?page=1
Several class assignments quizzes and things coming due.Working retail in November is definitely interesting. I have been getting a lot of hours. Maybe to much with family and my class load.
Life as RDs is always a challenge but we are learning more and more each and every day. Krista continues to build relationships with the girls.
Joel is growing up so fast. It is hard to believe that in less than a month he will be four years old.
Josiah is a little cutey with his "crooked smile" (a phrase used by my mom). He will be six months old on Joel's birthday.
Here are is a list of some random things (from the serious to not so serious) going on with us.
1. November 28th is my next sermon in my Expository preaching class.
2. November 30th is my next BIG greek test.
3. (Not so serious) I need to overcome the depression I am going through as I consider the Steelers tremendous dropoff from last year to this year.
4. (Not so serious) The "BIG GAME" (OSU/UofM -listed alphabetically in an effort not to offend any family or friends) is still a big deal out here I thought could escape the madness in a move to PSU territory but it cannot be avoided. One of my profs grew up in Ohio and is a huge OSU fan. The chaplain is from Michigan.
11.01.2006
The Day after Yesterday
Krista is getting better. Continue to pray for her.
It is Wednesday and I made it through all of my tests, my sermon and other things.
All of my projects were completed on time (I think)
I did well on my Greek test
I am not sure how I did on my Principles of Church growth test.
The sermon I preached on James 2:14-19 went o.k. It was weird to preach to 6 guys who were writing notes down during most of the sermon and knowing the notes were about my preaching style.
Thank you for your prayers.
It is Wednesday and I made it through all of my tests, my sermon and other things.
All of my projects were completed on time (I think)
I did well on my Greek test
I am not sure how I did on my Principles of Church growth test.
The sermon I preached on James 2:14-19 went o.k. It was weird to preach to 6 guys who were writing notes down during most of the sermon and knowing the notes were about my preaching style.
Thank you for your prayers.
10.30.2006
PROSKUNEO worship concert!
We had a great time of fellowship and worship with some friends from the Dominican Republic on Friday night.
Josh Davis is a friend of our who taught with us in the D.R. was here in the area (well actually it was 2 hours away but well worth the drive) for a concert at the Calvary Bible Church, which is pastored by the father of Sharla, another friend who taught with us in the D.R.
We along with some other friends had the great opportunity to fellowship before the concert over dinner.
Then we went to the church for the concert and some other coworkers from the DR showed up at the concert. What a blessing.
Beyond all of the fun getting together with old friends was the worship time.
Friday was a difficult time because of it being the anniversary of my dad's passing away but I could not think of a better way to spend the time than worshipping my Lord and Savior.
I would love to say that the whole night was an amazing blessing but I must confess there were times driving home when I was struggling emotionally. Because of a faithful God and my dad's faith, I am confident of where he is today but still two years later there are questions I would like to have answered and conversation to have. I know these will not happen this side of glory and I know I need to continue to learn how to submit these things to the Lord.
Below is a picture of the group from the concert.
(my blogspot is having some issues with pictures)
Josh Davis is a friend of our who taught with us in the D.R. was here in the area (well actually it was 2 hours away but well worth the drive) for a concert at the Calvary Bible Church, which is pastored by the father of Sharla, another friend who taught with us in the D.R.
We along with some other friends had the great opportunity to fellowship before the concert over dinner.
Then we went to the church for the concert and some other coworkers from the DR showed up at the concert. What a blessing.
Beyond all of the fun getting together with old friends was the worship time.
Friday was a difficult time because of it being the anniversary of my dad's passing away but I could not think of a better way to spend the time than worshipping my Lord and Savior.
I would love to say that the whole night was an amazing blessing but I must confess there were times driving home when I was struggling emotionally. Because of a faithful God and my dad's faith, I am confident of where he is today but still two years later there are questions I would like to have answered and conversation to have. I know these will not happen this side of glory and I know I need to continue to learn how to submit these things to the Lord.
Below is a picture of the group from the concert.
(my blogspot is having some issues with pictures)
Monday is done!!
A very busy week and lots of prayer needs and praises.
Krista is not feeling well. She has a bad sore throat and just picked up a prescription that will hopefully help her get better. Pray she would feel better quickly.
I have a five day work week this week. Please be praying that I would be able to be a godly testimony to my co-workers.
First week back to classes after four weeks of interim.
Monday classes are done.
Handed in my projects and took my test. Not sure how I did. Some of it seemed really easy and other parts a little more challenging.
I am going to begin my final preparations for tomorrow.
Greek Test
Preach a sermon on James 2:14-19
One of the quotes I am using in my message is a Jim Elliott quote:
"To believe is to act as though a thing were so. Merely saying a thing is so is no proof of my believing it."
We had a great time with the Jacobs last week.
And an amazing time worshipping with friends from the Dominican Friday night (read the Proskuneo post)
Krista is not feeling well. She has a bad sore throat and just picked up a prescription that will hopefully help her get better. Pray she would feel better quickly.
I have a five day work week this week. Please be praying that I would be able to be a godly testimony to my co-workers.
First week back to classes after four weeks of interim.
Monday classes are done.
Handed in my projects and took my test. Not sure how I did. Some of it seemed really easy and other parts a little more challenging.
I am going to begin my final preparations for tomorrow.
Greek Test
Preach a sermon on James 2:14-19
One of the quotes I am using in my message is a Jim Elliott quote:
"To believe is to act as though a thing were so. Merely saying a thing is so is no proof of my believing it."
We had a great time with the Jacobs last week.
And an amazing time worshipping with friends from the Dominican Friday night (read the Proskuneo post)
10.22.2006
Praise and Prayer requests
Praises:
- The Jacobs are coming visit this week from Tuesday to Friday. Pray for a good time together and much needed refreshment for us.
- Krista has received encouraging feedback from several girls regarding her ministry as the Resident Director
- A good day away for Krista and I. We went on a hike at a beautiful park that had some great waterfalls and scenery. (pictures coming soon to our blog) We also had dinner out.
- My module class (one week intensive classes offered during the month of March) was very challenging.
- For my job at Borders. The manager seems to be very flexible with my school schedule. Pray that as I finish training my hours will increase.
- **Praise for the prayer, financial supprt we have been receiving from so many different people. God is so amazing.
Prayer requests:
- Pray for my family this week. On Friday it will be the two year anniversary of my dad passing away.
- For daily wisdom for Krista as the dorm mom of Vibbard.
- Wisdom for Krista to know how to balance time with family and the girls and for me in balancing my responsiblities. To know where to draw boundaries.
- For opportunities to have spiritually challenging conversations with people. For me at work and for Krista as she goes through her day.
- Some of you may have heard about the big train wreck in Pennsylvania. It happened in the town my mom and sister live in. There were no injuries but pray for the clean up and the families that were evacuated. Links to the story. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,223097,00.html https://mail.bbc.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/21/train.fire.ap/index.html
- A reminder of a previous, but important, prayer request. We start regular classes back up on October 30.
- On October 30th I have a test in Principles of Church Growth.
- On October 30th I have a project due in Principles of Church
- On October 30th I have a project due in Personal Evangelism
- On October 31st I have a test in Greek
- On October 31st I have a quiz in my preaching class
- On October 31st I have to preach my first sermon in preaching class. My passage is James 2:14-19
There are so many other praises and prayer requests we could share. Pray that we would be see God working in our lives. We know he always is but sometimes it is hard to take the time to see how.
We pray everything is going well.
God bless.
10.15.2006
Fall Update
Check the link on the side "The view out our backdoor." Some great fall pictures.
I recently wrote a friend and said something like this "Life Gets Crazy. God is always Good."
We are continuing to learn what our roles and responsibilities are here. Joel, Josiah and Krista went to a corn maze on Friday with the girls from the dorm. They (Joel and Krista) said it was a lot of fun. It is called Roba Farms (http://www.robafamilyfarms.com/fallseason.htm).
I have been working "normal" hours at Borders (not 11 t0 7). It has been good to have a job. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us.
I just finished a week long module (one week class for one credit with some post-class work). It was a great class taught by Dr. Bill Rudd.
There have been challenges in dorm life, seminary, job and family but we know that God is bigger than anything we could ever face. Pray we would live that truth out daily.
I know may family and I would especially appreciate your prayers this month. Two years ago this month my dad passed away. Please pray for extra strength for us during this time. I know my mom and sister would appreciate the prayers and I would to considering what my schedule is like that Monday and Tuesday at the end of this month. Lots of work and lots of emotional stuff. Thanks.
Just wanted to give a quick post to let everyone know we are still here and the God is always Good.
I recently wrote a friend and said something like this "Life Gets Crazy. God is always Good."
We are continuing to learn what our roles and responsibilities are here. Joel, Josiah and Krista went to a corn maze on Friday with the girls from the dorm. They (Joel and Krista) said it was a lot of fun. It is called Roba Farms (http://www.robafamilyfarms.com/fallseason.htm).
I have been working "normal" hours at Borders (not 11 t0 7). It has been good to have a job. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us.
I just finished a week long module (one week class for one credit with some post-class work). It was a great class taught by Dr. Bill Rudd.
There have been challenges in dorm life, seminary, job and family but we know that God is bigger than anything we could ever face. Pray we would live that truth out daily.
I know may family and I would especially appreciate your prayers this month. Two years ago this month my dad passed away. Please pray for extra strength for us during this time. I know my mom and sister would appreciate the prayers and I would to considering what my schedule is like that Monday and Tuesday at the end of this month. Lots of work and lots of emotional stuff. Thanks.
Just wanted to give a quick post to let everyone know we are still here and the God is always Good.
10.03.2006
Job Update
Thank you so much for your prayers.
I was great to get together with Pastor Tom last week. It was good to talk with him about what God is doing at Emmanuel and to tell him about what God has been doing here.
I do have a permanent part time job at Borders. I have been working there third shift for the last week and a half (as a matter of fact I need to leave in a couple of minutes). The temporary third shift job was an opportunity to get a foot in the door for regular shift times.
They have been very flexible with my seminary schedule.
A couple of specific prayer requests:
1. Pray I would get enough hours to meet the needs of our family.
2. Pray I would not get too many hours so that my studies would slide.
3. Pray I would be able to balance the husband/father/student/employee life.
4. Pray I would be honor God with my actions and attitudes at work.
5. Pray I would be a testimony of God's grace to my co-workers.
Many other things to post about but I have to get to work!
God bless!
I was great to get together with Pastor Tom last week. It was good to talk with him about what God is doing at Emmanuel and to tell him about what God has been doing here.
I do have a permanent part time job at Borders. I have been working there third shift for the last week and a half (as a matter of fact I need to leave in a couple of minutes). The temporary third shift job was an opportunity to get a foot in the door for regular shift times.
They have been very flexible with my seminary schedule.
A couple of specific prayer requests:
1. Pray I would get enough hours to meet the needs of our family.
2. Pray I would not get too many hours so that my studies would slide.
3. Pray I would be able to balance the husband/father/student/employee life.
4. Pray I would be honor God with my actions and attitudes at work.
5. Pray I would be a testimony of God's grace to my co-workers.
Many other things to post about but I have to get to work!
God bless!
9.30.2006
A quote from one of my readings
I found a good quote in one of my reading assignments. The book is called Revitalizing the Sunday Morning Dinosaur: A Sunday School Growth Strategy by Ken Hemphill
The quote is:
Carnality is the attempt to do supernatural work with natural strength.
Well I looked up carnal at www.m-w.org. He are the definitions listed there:
1a: relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites
b: marked by sexuality
2 : BODILY, CORPOREAL
3a: TEMPORAL
b : WORLDLY
I don't want to try to do what God wants me to do in my own strength.
The quote is:
Carnality is the attempt to do supernatural work with natural strength.
Well I looked up carnal at www.m-w.org. He are the definitions listed there:
1a: relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites
b: marked by sexuality
2 : BODILY, CORPOREAL
3a: TEMPORAL
b : WORLDLY
I don't want to try to do what God wants me to do in my own strength.
9.28.2006
The Late Shift
Monday night was my first night working third shift (11pm to 7am) at Borders Bookstore. Please be praying that by the end of next week I would know if I would have a permenant part time position.
We take a month "break" from our regular classes during October. It is not a formal break. We have module (one week - 9:00am to 1:30pm) classes we can take for the weeks. A week class is one credit. I am planning to take two classes (two of the four weeks). We start classes back up on October 30.
On October 30th I have a test in Principles of Church Growth.
On October 30th I have project due in Principles of Church Growth.
On October 31st I have a test in Greek.
On October 31st I have a quiz in my preaching class.
On October 31st I have to preach my first sermon in preaching class. My passage is James 2:14-19.
Krista led her first dorm devotions on Tuesday. That is a devotional time with all of the girls from dorm. She talked about the fear of the Lord and what it is and isn't. The dorm theme passage is Joshua 1:9.
Joel started school last week. Kinderstart is a once a week program the elementary education majors do on campus on Thursdays. He also started Awana's Cubbies three weeks ago. We will have to get some pictures up of him in his Cubbies vest.
Josiah is really a smiler. He smiles when his cheeks are tickled. He is getting soooo big.
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. God bless!!
We take a month "break" from our regular classes during October. It is not a formal break. We have module (one week - 9:00am to 1:30pm) classes we can take for the weeks. A week class is one credit. I am planning to take two classes (two of the four weeks). We start classes back up on October 30.
On October 30th I have a test in Principles of Church Growth.
On October 30th I have project due in Principles of Church Growth.
On October 31st I have a test in Greek.
On October 31st I have a quiz in my preaching class.
On October 31st I have to preach my first sermon in preaching class. My passage is James 2:14-19.
Krista led her first dorm devotions on Tuesday. That is a devotional time with all of the girls from dorm. She talked about the fear of the Lord and what it is and isn't. The dorm theme passage is Joshua 1:9.
Joel started school last week. Kinderstart is a once a week program the elementary education majors do on campus on Thursdays. He also started Awana's Cubbies three weeks ago. We will have to get some pictures up of him in his Cubbies vest.
Josiah is really a smiler. He smiles when his cheeks are tickled. He is getting soooo big.
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. God bless!!
9.23.2006
UPDATE
Be sure to check out the pictures in the three previous posts.
CLASSES:
My first Greek test 91.8. Not bad. Most of the students did very well on the test and most of my mistakes were stupid little ones like accent marks or a missing letter or word. It is definitely getting more and more challenging.
Others classes are going well also. I am definitely learning a lot and reading a lot. At this point I have already read 6.5 books along with many articles. Add 95 Greek vocab words to that.
Please continue that in the midst of all the studying I would grow in my love for the Lord.
WORK:
My last post talked about my job offer at BestBuy. Well, much has changed since that post. Monday I am beginning my job at Borders Bookstore. It is a two week job that will probably turn into more. After prayerful consideration, the Borders opportunity just seemed like a better fit. Please be praying for this position and how it will fit together with my school schedule.
DORM LIFE:
We are still adjusting to life in the dorm. It is busy but good. Krista is definitely being stretched in different ways but she has been doing great. She has been getting to know many of the girls. She has had 2 trips to the emergency room with different girls and lots of conversations.
Joel loves having all these "big sistas" (as he says). As I mentioned in a previous post he is quite the little showboat.
Josiah is also making his presence known in the dorm. He does this by looking extremely cute or crying extremely loud.
Thank you for your prayers.
Please feel free to post on these blogs or email us.
God bless!!!
Trains, Trains and More Trains!!
We were able to see lots of old steam engines with grampa and gramma this week.
There is a steam engine museum near our house. It was a lot of fun. There is so much stuff to see and do there.
Here are some pictures from our visit.
http://drodgers1.photosite.com/SteamtownTrains/
There is a steam engine museum near our house. It was a lot of fun. There is so much stuff to see and do there.
Here are some pictures from our visit.
http://drodgers1.photosite.com/SteamtownTrains/
Joel the Blackhawk helicopter pilot.
On September 21, the field behind our dorm became the landing pad for a Blackhawk helicopter. It was quite a site.
http://drodgers1.photosite.com/BlackhawkPilot/
The reason the helicopter was here at BBC&S was because September 21 and 22 were chaplaincy emphasis days. Chaplains from different branches of the military were here to share about their ministry in the military and to see if there were any students interested in the chaplaincy program.
BBS has a site explaining the chaplaincy program. The site also has links to chaplaincy sites for different branches of the military and different chaplaincy organizations.
http://www.bbc.edu/seminary/mdiv/chaplaincy.asp
http://drodgers1.photosite.com/BlackhawkPilot/
The reason the helicopter was here at BBC&S was because September 21 and 22 were chaplaincy emphasis days. Chaplains from different branches of the military were here to share about their ministry in the military and to see if there were any students interested in the chaplaincy program.
BBS has a site explaining the chaplaincy program. The site also has links to chaplaincy sites for different branches of the military and different chaplaincy organizations.
http://www.bbc.edu/seminary/mdiv/chaplaincy.asp
9.14.2006
9.10.2006
Clarification!
I know my post from September 2nd read "Offered a job at BestBuy" and then later posts talked about needing a job or still looking for a job.
Here is the story.
I interviewed with BestBuy and it went well.
I was given information about the job and dress code.
They were going to check some things and get back to me about when I could start.
That was on September 2nd.
I contacted them this weekend but didn't hear back yet.
I still haven't worked a day yet for BestBuy so as I wait I am still out looking for jobs and would appreciate your continued prayers in this regard.
In other news we visited one of the church plants BBS has started through the Project Jerusalem program. It was very exciting. Please be praying for Project Jerusalem's churches throughout the Northeast.
If you are interested in finding what Project Jerusalem is you can go to
http://www.bbc.edu/churchplanting/
The church we visited was called New Life Baptist Church.
ONE OTHER NEWS ITEM.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!!
Here is the story.
I interviewed with BestBuy and it went well.
I was given information about the job and dress code.
They were going to check some things and get back to me about when I could start.
That was on September 2nd.
I contacted them this weekend but didn't hear back yet.
I still haven't worked a day yet for BestBuy so as I wait I am still out looking for jobs and would appreciate your continued prayers in this regard.
In other news we visited one of the church plants BBS has started through the Project Jerusalem program. It was very exciting. Please be praying for Project Jerusalem's churches throughout the Northeast.
If you are interested in finding what Project Jerusalem is you can go to
http://www.bbc.edu/churchplanting/
The church we visited was called New Life Baptist Church.
ONE OTHER NEWS ITEM.
HERE WE GO STEELERS!!
9.08.2006
Couldn't think of a title!!
Well today was an interesting day in the Rodgers' household.
Krista is at the emergency room tonight with one of the girls from the dorm. Krista has been doing a good job with connecting with many of the girls and being a mother of two.
I spent the late morning and all afternoon running resumes around town.
PLEASE continue to pray for the job situation. I have had several opportunities that have seemed like sure things kind of fizzle out. Not sure why.
I have told Krista, it has really been a pride issue for me. I think the interviews or conversations go well and then nothing.
Second week of class has finished up. It has been a challenging two week (challenging = spiritual wake up call)
PRAY REQUESTS:
Krista is at the emergency room tonight with one of the girls from the dorm. Krista has been doing a good job with connecting with many of the girls and being a mother of two.
I spent the late morning and all afternoon running resumes around town.
PLEASE continue to pray for the job situation. I have had several opportunities that have seemed like sure things kind of fizzle out. Not sure why.
I have told Krista, it has really been a pride issue for me. I think the interviews or conversations go well and then nothing.
Second week of class has finished up. It has been a challenging two week (challenging = spiritual wake up call)
PRAY REQUESTS:
- Krista's ministry with the girls of Vibbard Hall
- My continued job search.
- Rest (physical but especially spiritual rest in the Lord)
- Wisdom in deciding upon a church to get involved in.
- Joel as he continues to adjust to the move and living with all of his "big sisters. (He is quite the little showboat in the lounge when there is an audience.)
PRAISES:
- Josiah is doing so much better health wise.
- Opportunities Krista has already had to connect with and minister to the girls of Vibbard Hall
- The challenges God has put before us because they are teaching us to depend on Him.
9.03.2006
My GPA and birthday!
I just got my first score back on a quiz.
Right now my GPA is 4.0. One quiz from one class.
A strong start.
Yesterday was the seminary picnic and in place of the regular staff vs. students softball game we played a modified game of kickball in the gym. I played a pretty good game but we still lost.
The problem was waking up this morning on my 36th birthday after playing the game. I guess my comeback to the NBA is not going to happen. Wait a second, I never was in the NBA. I guess my chances of becoming the oldest rookie in the NBA have slipped away.
Right now my GPA is 4.0. One quiz from one class.
A strong start.
Yesterday was the seminary picnic and in place of the regular staff vs. students softball game we played a modified game of kickball in the gym. I played a pretty good game but we still lost.
The problem was waking up this morning on my 36th birthday after playing the game. I guess my comeback to the NBA is not going to happen. Wait a second, I never was in the NBA. I guess my chances of becoming the oldest rookie in the NBA have slipped away.
9.02.2006
First Week of Classes!
Well the first week of seminary classes are done.
Summary of learning that happened (this list is in no way comprehensive):
1. learned the Greek alphabet (and that you can make it through 6:30 in the morning classes... at least the first two)
2. Read and wrote a report on a great book called Biblical Church Growth by Gary McIntosh.
3. Realized I need 3 inch binders in my seminary classes.
4. Was challenged to think about my personal spiritual growth during my time here at seminary.
5. President Jeffery spoke at chapel on Thursday. Very challenging message on Lamentations. For your own reading check out the book. As your reading note the amazing change in chapter 3:21-27
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
On the job front:
I also was offered a job at BestBuy. (CHECK POST ON SEPTEMBER 10)
Pray for us as we look at our finances and see how everything will work out. I know God is going to provide for us.
We would greatly appreciate your prayers!!
Summary of learning that happened (this list is in no way comprehensive):
1. learned the Greek alphabet (and that you can make it through 6:30 in the morning classes... at least the first two)
2. Read and wrote a report on a great book called Biblical Church Growth by Gary McIntosh.
3. Realized I need 3 inch binders in my seminary classes.
4. Was challenged to think about my personal spiritual growth during my time here at seminary.
5. President Jeffery spoke at chapel on Thursday. Very challenging message on Lamentations. For your own reading check out the book. As your reading note the amazing change in chapter 3:21-27
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
On the job front:
I also was offered a job at BestBuy. (CHECK POST ON SEPTEMBER 10)
Pray for us as we look at our finances and see how everything will work out. I know God is going to provide for us.
We would greatly appreciate your prayers!!
8.28.2006
Seminary classes have begun
Today I started classes.
Two of them:
Personal Evangelism
Principles of Church Growth
Tomorrow my classes begin at 6:30 am.
Greek 1
and then
Preaching (Expository Preaching)
I have also have a job interview tomorrow.
Tomorrow is also the first day of classes for the college students so we are praying Krista's life will get into some kind of routine now that the craziness of orientation and returning students moving in is over.
Please pray for:
1. our family as we work through schedule issues and other things.
2. my job interview tomorrow
3. my Greek class tomorrow. (by the way if you are interested in reading a good article about why pastors should learn Greek and Hebrew go to: http://faculty.bbc.edu/rdecker/piper.htm)
By the way, Josiah is doing much better in regards to his health. Pray that he would improve in regards to his sleep.
Two of them:
Personal Evangelism
Principles of Church Growth
Tomorrow my classes begin at 6:30 am.
Greek 1
and then
Preaching (Expository Preaching)
I have also have a job interview tomorrow.
Tomorrow is also the first day of classes for the college students so we are praying Krista's life will get into some kind of routine now that the craziness of orientation and returning students moving in is over.
Please pray for:
1. our family as we work through schedule issues and other things.
2. my job interview tomorrow
3. my Greek class tomorrow. (by the way if you are interested in reading a good article about why pastors should learn Greek and Hebrew go to: http://faculty.bbc.edu/rdecker/piper.htm)
By the way, Josiah is doing much better in regards to his health. Pray that he would improve in regards to his sleep.
8.23.2006
A trip to the Emergency Room
Our first couple of weeks in PA have proven to be quite "interesting."
My sinus infection that first weekend. By the way I am over that. Thank God.
Krista's cold and sore throat at the beginning of the Leadership Week.
and now...
Josiah's infection. He just hasn't been feeling well. Really bad cough along with several other issues. Well, last night and today he just kept getting worse and we decided to take him to the ER tonight. They gave him an antibiotic shot. He seems to be doing better already.
Please pray for a speedy recover for him.
Also pray for us. These health issues have been weighing us down.
We KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is good because He has been providing for us during this whole time. As a matter of fact at one point when we were feeling down God provided encouragement for us through a care package from some good friends of ours. (Thanks for the pizza card and other gifts.)
Please continue to pray for us. Thanks.
My sinus infection that first weekend. By the way I am over that. Thank God.
Krista's cold and sore throat at the beginning of the Leadership Week.
and now...
Josiah's infection. He just hasn't been feeling well. Really bad cough along with several other issues. Well, last night and today he just kept getting worse and we decided to take him to the ER tonight. They gave him an antibiotic shot. He seems to be doing better already.
Please pray for a speedy recover for him.
Also pray for us. These health issues have been weighing us down.
We KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is good because He has been providing for us during this whole time. As a matter of fact at one point when we were feeling down God provided encouragement for us through a care package from some good friends of ours. (Thanks for the pizza card and other gifts.)
Please continue to pray for us. Thanks.
8.21.2006
Student Leadership Week!!
This weekend the RAs (resident assistants), student government representatives and fall sports players moved into the dorms. We have several girls in the dorm now.
Be praying for Krista this week. It is leadership training week for the RDs and RAs and she has a lot of meetings and planning times with her RA.
Pray for her strength. She has a cold/sore throat.
Pray for her mind. There is going to be a lot of information for her to get and to share during this week.
Pray for her heart. She is going to have the opportunity to build a lot of relationships with the girls in the dorm. Pray that she and the RAs will connect this week that will help them be able to effectively minister to the girls in Vibbard Hall.
Pray for the Prayer time on Monday night. The RAs and RDs do an overnight prayer vigil from Monday 3:00 pm until Tuesday 2:00 pm. Pray Krista would feel well enough to go. Also pray the time would focus on God and His plans for the year.
While Krista is involved in her meeting, Joel, Josiah and I will be in the wonderful care of Grammy (my mom). Pray for her time out here this week.
We have very much appreciated your prayers and support so far. Please continue to pray for my job hunting process. I am hoping to hear back from some places this week.
God wants worshippers before workers; indeed, the only acceptable workers arethose who have learned the art of worship.
A. W. Tozer
Be praying for Krista this week. It is leadership training week for the RDs and RAs and she has a lot of meetings and planning times with her RA.
Pray for her strength. She has a cold/sore throat.
Pray for her mind. There is going to be a lot of information for her to get and to share during this week.
Pray for her heart. She is going to have the opportunity to build a lot of relationships with the girls in the dorm. Pray that she and the RAs will connect this week that will help them be able to effectively minister to the girls in Vibbard Hall.
Pray for the Prayer time on Monday night. The RAs and RDs do an overnight prayer vigil from Monday 3:00 pm until Tuesday 2:00 pm. Pray Krista would feel well enough to go. Also pray the time would focus on God and His plans for the year.
While Krista is involved in her meeting, Joel, Josiah and I will be in the wonderful care of Grammy (my mom). Pray for her time out here this week.
We have very much appreciated your prayers and support so far. Please continue to pray for my job hunting process. I am hoping to hear back from some places this week.
God wants worshippers before workers; indeed, the only acceptable workers arethose who have learned the art of worship.
A. W. Tozer
8.17.2006
Ephesians 1: 17, 18
Yesterday I was reading in Ephesians 1 and today I am drawn back to verses 17 and 18 in that chapter. It is Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
It is my prayer that these things would happen in my life.
the Spirit of wisdom and revelation - so I would know God better. I pray that my time in seminary would be so much more than head knowledge. I pray I would know God better.
the hope to which he has called me.
And the big one for me today. The riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. I pray I would be able to see the riches of God. Right now it is hard to keep that focus as I continue to look for a job. I am in a little bit of a waiting game right now. I have made several contacts and now I am waiting to hear back from them.
Continue to pray for wisdom and understanding as I am still on the job hunt. Pray that in the midst of this challenging time I would be a testimony to God's goodness.
We have begun getting to know people here. I think they said there are 18 kids under 12 years old here. Lots of friends for Joel.
Krista has had some good meetings with people about the her responsiblities. Leadership week is next week. Resident assistant training. Student Government meetings. Lots of stuff happening. Please pray for all those details.
Pressing on. Acts 20:24
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
It is my prayer that these things would happen in my life.
the Spirit of wisdom and revelation - so I would know God better. I pray that my time in seminary would be so much more than head knowledge. I pray I would know God better.
the hope to which he has called me.
And the big one for me today. The riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. I pray I would be able to see the riches of God. Right now it is hard to keep that focus as I continue to look for a job. I am in a little bit of a waiting game right now. I have made several contacts and now I am waiting to hear back from them.
Continue to pray for wisdom and understanding as I am still on the job hunt. Pray that in the midst of this challenging time I would be a testimony to God's goodness.
We have begun getting to know people here. I think they said there are 18 kids under 12 years old here. Lots of friends for Joel.
Krista has had some good meetings with people about the her responsiblities. Leadership week is next week. Resident assistant training. Student Government meetings. Lots of stuff happening. Please pray for all those details.
Pressing on. Acts 20:24
8.13.2006
Two+ weeks here
It is hard to believe that we have already been here over two weeks.
Our apartment is looking like a home. We got a lot of work done on it yesterday. Not very many boxes left to unpack.
I also cannot believe how much better I feel this weekend compared to last. Thank you to those who were praying I would get over whatever it was I had.
Four update items:
1. On the job front.
I had a couple of strong leads this past week. Two of them would work well schedule wise. One of them is right here in Clarks Summit. Maybe will hear from some other possiblities this next week. Please be praying for wisdom. The objective I put on the top of my resume was: "Obtain a part/full time position that will allow me to use my skills and support my family while providing flexibility as I attend seminary."
Pray I would find a job that would allow me to do that.
2. In church.
We have begun the process of checking out local churches here. It is actually an exciting process. There are several good possiblities and we are looking forward to visiting some of them. Pray we would find a good, solid Bible preaching church.
3. At school.
Orientation for the seminary is on August 26th and classes begin, I believe, August 28th.
4. And our driving licenses and cars.
For those of you who live in Ohio, be glad you don't live in PA. The driver license and car title and license process here in PA is like rocket science. We took from 10:00 am to about 1:00 pm (maybe later) Friday to get our drivers licenses taken care. There is only one drivers license center in Lackawana County and that makes the whole process very long. But it is done and we are very thankful for that.
A good quote from "Brothers, We Are Not Professionals" by John Piper.
There are two possible attitudes in true, genuine worship:
Delight in God
or
Repentance for the lack of delighting in God.
I pray that during our time here in seminary we would delight in God.
I also pray that you would delight in God.
Our apartment is looking like a home. We got a lot of work done on it yesterday. Not very many boxes left to unpack.
I also cannot believe how much better I feel this weekend compared to last. Thank you to those who were praying I would get over whatever it was I had.
Four update items:
1. On the job front.
I had a couple of strong leads this past week. Two of them would work well schedule wise. One of them is right here in Clarks Summit. Maybe will hear from some other possiblities this next week. Please be praying for wisdom. The objective I put on the top of my resume was: "Obtain a part/full time position that will allow me to use my skills and support my family while providing flexibility as I attend seminary."
Pray I would find a job that would allow me to do that.
2. In church.
We have begun the process of checking out local churches here. It is actually an exciting process. There are several good possiblities and we are looking forward to visiting some of them. Pray we would find a good, solid Bible preaching church.
3. At school.
Orientation for the seminary is on August 26th and classes begin, I believe, August 28th.
4. And our driving licenses and cars.
For those of you who live in Ohio, be glad you don't live in PA. The driver license and car title and license process here in PA is like rocket science. We took from 10:00 am to about 1:00 pm (maybe later) Friday to get our drivers licenses taken care. There is only one drivers license center in Lackawana County and that makes the whole process very long. But it is done and we are very thankful for that.
A good quote from "Brothers, We Are Not Professionals" by John Piper.
There are two possible attitudes in true, genuine worship:
Delight in God
or
Repentance for the lack of delighting in God.
I pray that during our time here in seminary we would delight in God.
I also pray that you would delight in God.
8.07.2006
Let me tell you about my weekend...
On Thursday I was hit hard with a major sinus infection or something. I mean I was out of it. I could do nothing or even say much because my head was hurting so bad. I couldn't read. I couldn't write. I didn't leave our apartment from Thursday to Sunday.
I realize during that time of being incapacitated that my wife is awesome. She did great with the boys and she even got work done around the house while helping her sick, whiny husband.
Last night after starting a prescription from our doctor in Toledo who graciously called a pharmacy here in Scranton and some advice from my gracious sister-in-law (well wait a second, is your brother-in-law's wife your sister-in-law) I am feeling much better today.
I was reading the last entry in my journal from Thursday. It was a reaction to a chapter in John Piper's book "Brothers, we are not professional." The chapter was reminding pastor that their work should be about God's glory not their own.
The last line I wrote in my journal that day was:
"God, please keep me humble."
Well I must say I have been humbled.
Continue to pray for our adjustment to life here in NEPA (Northeast Pennsylvania).
Pray for me to find a job.
High school soccer camp has been going on this week. So we have soccer players staying in the dorm.
Pray for us to be able to take care of all the details of moving into a new state.
PRAISE THE LORD I am feeling better. Pray for continued recovery.
I realize during that time of being incapacitated that my wife is awesome. She did great with the boys and she even got work done around the house while helping her sick, whiny husband.
Last night after starting a prescription from our doctor in Toledo who graciously called a pharmacy here in Scranton and some advice from my gracious sister-in-law (well wait a second, is your brother-in-law's wife your sister-in-law) I am feeling much better today.
I was reading the last entry in my journal from Thursday. It was a reaction to a chapter in John Piper's book "Brothers, we are not professional." The chapter was reminding pastor that their work should be about God's glory not their own.
The last line I wrote in my journal that day was:
"God, please keep me humble."
Well I must say I have been humbled.
Continue to pray for our adjustment to life here in NEPA (Northeast Pennsylvania).
Pray for me to find a job.
High school soccer camp has been going on this week. So we have soccer players staying in the dorm.
Pray for us to be able to take care of all the details of moving into a new state.
PRAISE THE LORD I am feeling better. Pray for continued recovery.
8.03.2006
Prayer requests and Praises
Prayer requests:
1. Establishing our apartment. As of today, we have a living room and kitchen unpacked. We also have most of Joel’s room done.
2. Finding a job. I was able to make some contacts and get some resumes out. I also found out about a couple of other possibilities. Pray for a job that would allow me to provide for our family and also be flexible with my seminary schedule.
3. Preparing to minister to the college students. Krista has already been able to make a good contact with one of the Resident Assistant girls. Pray for the students that will be in our dorm (Vibbard Hall)
4. Preparing for seminary life. I will be meeting with my advisor soon to look at the schedule we established this past spring. Pray for wisdom there and also pray for added strength when it comes to studying. Praise- We did get an additional two rooms that we were hoping to get. This will give me a specific area for studying.
Praises:
1. Safety as we traveled. Krista’s trip out with Josiah, Joel, her mom and Sarah took 12 hours. They did arrive safely. My trip out here with my father-in-law was shorter than that. We needed to get out here between 2:00 – 4:30 to take advantage of some college student help. We actually arrived here before the help. We had sixteen college guys help us move into our apartment.
2. The blessing of so many family and friends who were willing to help with packing and loading up the truck. By the way, we did get the couch into our apartment here at BBC&S.
3. Joel has two new friends and really enjoys playing with them.
4. The blessing of the additional rooms in our apartment.
5. For God’s amazing grace in everything.
1. Establishing our apartment. As of today, we have a living room and kitchen unpacked. We also have most of Joel’s room done.
2. Finding a job. I was able to make some contacts and get some resumes out. I also found out about a couple of other possibilities. Pray for a job that would allow me to provide for our family and also be flexible with my seminary schedule.
3. Preparing to minister to the college students. Krista has already been able to make a good contact with one of the Resident Assistant girls. Pray for the students that will be in our dorm (Vibbard Hall)
4. Preparing for seminary life. I will be meeting with my advisor soon to look at the schedule we established this past spring. Pray for wisdom there and also pray for added strength when it comes to studying. Praise- We did get an additional two rooms that we were hoping to get. This will give me a specific area for studying.
Praises:
1. Safety as we traveled. Krista’s trip out with Josiah, Joel, her mom and Sarah took 12 hours. They did arrive safely. My trip out here with my father-in-law was shorter than that. We needed to get out here between 2:00 – 4:30 to take advantage of some college student help. We actually arrived here before the help. We had sixteen college guys help us move into our apartment.
2. The blessing of so many family and friends who were willing to help with packing and loading up the truck. By the way, we did get the couch into our apartment here at BBC&S.
3. Joel has two new friends and really enjoys playing with them.
4. The blessing of the additional rooms in our apartment.
5. For God’s amazing grace in everything.
Some notes!!
On July 23rd I had the opportunity to share about our move to Baptist Bible College and Seminary.
I wanted to share a couple of these things.
MY DESIRES and PASSIONS
1. To effectively and powerfully preach God’s Word.
2. To live a life among people that would demonstrate a dependence on God and a desire to please Him.
3. To equip the people of God for worship and service. (Eph. 4:12)
4. To teach and train adults as well as high school students.
5. To see people become more and more involved in their churches not just for the sake of busyness but for God’s kingdom.
I found this in my journal from November 19, 1999. I don’t know where I got it from but I know it is not original.
I want to be a man
· Who is moved by faith
· Who is fired by love
· Who is godly
· Who is careful about the worship of God
· Who serves God, not men
· Who prizes Christ
· Who weeps over sin
· Who loves the Word
· Who has the Spirit of God residing in him
· Who is humble
· Who is prayerful
· Who is sincere
· Who is zealous
· Who is patient
· Who is thankful
· Who loves the saints
· Who does indulge in any sin
· Who is good in his relationship with others
· Who is thoroughly trained in religion
· Who walks with God
· Who strives to be an instrument for making others Godly
I wanted to share a couple of these things.
MY DESIRES and PASSIONS
1. To effectively and powerfully preach God’s Word.
2. To live a life among people that would demonstrate a dependence on God and a desire to please Him.
3. To equip the people of God for worship and service. (Eph. 4:12)
4. To teach and train adults as well as high school students.
5. To see people become more and more involved in their churches not just for the sake of busyness but for God’s kingdom.
I found this in my journal from November 19, 1999. I don’t know where I got it from but I know it is not original.
I want to be a man
· Who is moved by faith
· Who is fired by love
· Who is godly
· Who is careful about the worship of God
· Who serves God, not men
· Who prizes Christ
· Who weeps over sin
· Who loves the Word
· Who has the Spirit of God residing in him
· Who is humble
· Who is prayerful
· Who is sincere
· Who is zealous
· Who is patient
· Who is thankful
· Who loves the saints
· Who does indulge in any sin
· Who is good in his relationship with others
· Who is thoroughly trained in religion
· Who walks with God
· Who strives to be an instrument for making others Godly
8.02.2006
Moving and all it entails
Please be praying for me as I search for a job. Now that we are here I need to begin focusing on this aspect of life.
I need to find something that will support a family and be flexible with my class schedule.
By the way it is soooo hot here. The heat index is 110 degrees.
I need to find something that will support a family and be flexible with my class schedule.
By the way it is soooo hot here. The heat index is 110 degrees.
8.01.2006
At Baptist Bible College and Seminary
We are beginning the process of getting settled into our new apartment.
The last couple of weeks have been crazy but now we are here! Thanks be to God who blessed us with so many different people to help!
-Thank you to all the ladies who helped us pack up our stuff into boxes.
-Thank you to all the guys who came to help us pack the boxes and furniture into the moving truck. A special thanks to Larry. The people out here were very impressed with our usage of space.
-Thank you to all the ladies who helped us clean up our apartment in Toledo.
-Thank you to Shane and all the TLC counselors who helped us unpack.
-Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our move. Please continue to do so.
-Thank you very much to Krista's parents for all of their help in Toledo, on the way out to BBC&S and their help here.
The last couple of weeks have been crazy but now we are here! Thanks be to God who blessed us with so many different people to help!
-Thank you to all the ladies who helped us pack up our stuff into boxes.
-Thank you to all the guys who came to help us pack the boxes and furniture into the moving truck. A special thanks to Larry. The people out here were very impressed with our usage of space.
-Thank you to all the ladies who helped us clean up our apartment in Toledo.
-Thank you to Shane and all the TLC counselors who helped us unpack.
-Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our move. Please continue to do so.
-Thank you very much to Krista's parents for all of their help in Toledo, on the way out to BBC&S and their help here.
6.11.2006
WOW!! WHAT A WEEKEND!!
My wife was due at the end of this month but God had different plans!!
We have a new baby!!
He is beautiful!!
We have a new baby!!
He is beautiful!!
6.07.2006
LIFE IS HAPPENING!!
End of June - New baby
End of July - Move to a new state
- Prepare for a new job
August - Start Seminary
Some major stressors in life but it is an exciting time.
I must say that in each of these situations I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to work.
Even as I site here thinking about how we are going to make ends meet financially, I know that God is going to provide in ways that I cannot even imagine.
God is so amazing!
End of July - Move to a new state
- Prepare for a new job
August - Start Seminary
Some major stressors in life but it is an exciting time.
I must say that in each of these situations I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to work.
Even as I site here thinking about how we are going to make ends meet financially, I know that God is going to provide in ways that I cannot even imagine.
God is so amazing!
5.15.2006
I am SOOO selfish!!!!
I am SOOOOO selfish!!!
Psalm 25
Psalm 24:4-5
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and
teach me,
for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Summary:
God, You have saved me from my sin.
God, You will keep me all the days of my life
Therefore, I daily want to know what you have for me.
Challenge:
My daily challenge is to live life 100% dependent upon God.
I want to live a life of thankfulness.
Psalm 24:8-9
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore
he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right and
(He) teaches them his way.
Summary:
God is the standard that I must live by if I truly want to live a Godly life.
Challenge:
I want to not be influenced by the things of this world.
I desire for God to show me my sin and to take it away.
I desire to be humble before God.
I don't want to call God my Father and My Master and then do what I want. (Malachi 1:6)
Psalm 24:11
For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Summary:
I want God to take care of my sin problem for His Glory.
Challenge:
How often do I think God is obligated to do things for me because of what I have done.
Oh, God, I plead with You, help me to see that my life should be about your glory.
I know I don't do well with this but I want you to change me.
Psalm 25
Psalm 24:4-5
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and
teach me,
for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Summary:
God, You have saved me from my sin.
God, You will keep me all the days of my life
Therefore, I daily want to know what you have for me.
Challenge:
My daily challenge is to live life 100% dependent upon God.
I want to live a life of thankfulness.
Psalm 24:8-9
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore
he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right and
(He) teaches them his way.
Summary:
God is the standard that I must live by if I truly want to live a Godly life.
Challenge:
I want to not be influenced by the things of this world.
I desire for God to show me my sin and to take it away.
I desire to be humble before God.
I don't want to call God my Father and My Master and then do what I want. (Malachi 1:6)
Psalm 24:11
For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Summary:
I want God to take care of my sin problem for His Glory.
Challenge:
How often do I think God is obligated to do things for me because of what I have done.
Oh, God, I plead with You, help me to see that my life should be about your glory.
I know I don't do well with this but I want you to change me.
5.06.2006
The Ramblings of a Fool for Christ!
These are previous posts from another website.
I thought I would put them here.
You can also go to:
http://www.xanga.com/boonedy
to see some other posts and quotes.
I thought I would put them here.
You can also go to:
http://www.xanga.com/boonedy
to see some other posts and quotes.
02.10.06
The entire book of James
"What a man does it the touchstone of faith. So, true faith, which alone justifies, is expressed by what a man does not by what he presumes. The man who lives faithfully is the justified man (although he is not justified by living faithfully). Deedless faith cannot save, not because works are the ground of justification, but because the lack of works is the evidence of the absence of real faith."
from the book After Darkness Light, page 92
"What a man does it the touchstone of faith. So, true faith, which alone justifies, is expressed by what a man does not by what he presumes. The man who lives faithfully is the justified man (although he is not justified by living faithfully). Deedless faith cannot save, not because works are the ground of justification, but because the lack of works is the evidence of the absence of real faith."
from the book After Darkness Light, page 92
12.23.05
"I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven." A. W. Tozer
12.21.05
1 Peter 1:3-7
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Well, Emmanuel Baptist Christian School had a fire on Friday. School is shut down a couple of days earlier than it was supposed to. The school is shut down now because the fire was in the chemistry storage area. Mercury levels in the building are high. There are a lot of thoughts going through my mind right now. From the superficial...how inconvenient this is for me. I cannot get to any of my books because the school is locked up. I hope I will be able to get them sometime soon. To the not so superficial...when will be able to get back into the building. To the eternal...God I have no idea how this is going to work out but I pray that even in the midst of a situation like this that I don't understand I would be able to glorify You, God.
Please be praying for Emmanuel Baptist Christian School, the administrators, the teachers and the students.
I pray these trials will help me to see your glory which is so much greater than a builder or books.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Well, Emmanuel Baptist Christian School had a fire on Friday. School is shut down a couple of days earlier than it was supposed to. The school is shut down now because the fire was in the chemistry storage area. Mercury levels in the building are high. There are a lot of thoughts going through my mind right now. From the superficial...how inconvenient this is for me. I cannot get to any of my books because the school is locked up. I hope I will be able to get them sometime soon. To the not so superficial...when will be able to get back into the building. To the eternal...God I have no idea how this is going to work out but I pray that even in the midst of a situation like this that I don't understand I would be able to glorify You, God.
Please be praying for Emmanuel Baptist Christian School, the administrators, the teachers and the students.
I pray these trials will help me to see your glory which is so much greater than a builder or books.
11.05.05
Colossians 1:9-12For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Life has been challenging. VERY CHALLENGING for me. Lots of up and downs recently. I really have been struggling so much more than I would have thought with the passing of my dad. I shared with a friend that I have even avoiding journaling or writing my thoughts anyway because I think a floodgate of feelings would come out. But I know that God is amazing. I just sometimes really struggling with how distant my relationship with God is. DISTANT because of the time between my meaningful fellowship times with Him. By meaningful times I mean so much more than the quick, little, fast food bites of "devotional" thoughts I pick up on the run. By meaningful times I mean those times when I genuinely take the time to "sit at the feet of Jesus." You may know what I mean. Everything else in this busy world fades away. It is just you and God.
You know you have spent time with the Creator because when you are done you feel refreshed and strengthened in God's power.
You also know you have spent time with God because when you are done you immediate feel the press of this sinful world.
The verses from Colossians 1 have been a real blessing to me during the last couple of weeks. One of Emmanuel's missionaries actually included this passage in one of her prayer letters. I have shared it with my ABF class and my Bible classes at Emmanuel but I need to share it again because it has been such a blessing.
I WANT TO GROW IN MY KNOWLEDGE OF GOD SO THAY I MAY HAVE:-AMAZING ENDURANCE-PATIENCE-THE AWESOME ABILITY TO PRAISE GOD WITH REAL JOY NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Life has been challenging. VERY CHALLENGING for me. Lots of up and downs recently. I really have been struggling so much more than I would have thought with the passing of my dad. I shared with a friend that I have even avoiding journaling or writing my thoughts anyway because I think a floodgate of feelings would come out. But I know that God is amazing. I just sometimes really struggling with how distant my relationship with God is. DISTANT because of the time between my meaningful fellowship times with Him. By meaningful times I mean so much more than the quick, little, fast food bites of "devotional" thoughts I pick up on the run. By meaningful times I mean those times when I genuinely take the time to "sit at the feet of Jesus." You may know what I mean. Everything else in this busy world fades away. It is just you and God.
You know you have spent time with the Creator because when you are done you feel refreshed and strengthened in God's power.
You also know you have spent time with God because when you are done you immediate feel the press of this sinful world.
The verses from Colossians 1 have been a real blessing to me during the last couple of weeks. One of Emmanuel's missionaries actually included this passage in one of her prayer letters. I have shared it with my ABF class and my Bible classes at Emmanuel but I need to share it again because it has been such a blessing.
I WANT TO GROW IN MY KNOWLEDGE OF GOD SO THAY I MAY HAVE:-AMAZING ENDURANCE-PATIENCE-THE AWESOME ABILITY TO PRAISE GOD WITH REAL JOY NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
09.26.05
Habakkuk 3:17-18
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herds in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation
What a challenging verse!! I will take joy IN God not IN my circumstances. My joy comes from my God not just in what he does for me but in who He is. I pray I would never forget that reality.
This past year has been very challenging. The challenge of this verse has been obvious throughout the last twelve months.
I pray I would be able to pray and live out these verses daily in my life.
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herds in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation
What a challenging verse!! I will take joy IN God not IN my circumstances. My joy comes from my God not just in what he does for me but in who He is. I pray I would never forget that reality.
This past year has been very challenging. The challenge of this verse has been obvious throughout the last twelve months.
I pray I would be able to pray and live out these verses daily in my life.
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