What is sin?

Saw this quote recently.
I was wondering what anyone thought about it...

whatever weakens your reasoon
whatever impairs your tenderness
whatever obscures your sense of God
whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind
whatever takes away your relish for spiritual things

that to you is sin no matter how innocent it is in itself.

God's reign in the storm

I had my first opportunity to speak at Emmanuel during my internship.

The passage was Psalm 93

The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established;
it shall never be moved.

Your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.

Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the LORD on high is mighty!

Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, forevermore.

One quote I found while preparing really struck me.  C.H. Spurgeon wrote:

“what can give greater joy to a loyal subject than a sight of the king in his beauty? Let us repeat the proclamation, “the Lord reigneth,” whispering it in the ears of the despondent "

I am so thankful for the hope that I have in God through Jesus no matter what I am going through.

(to hear the sermon click on the title of this entry.  In facebook you may have to go to original entry)

Some Pictures

Here we are in front of our new home.

We have been really blessed with a

great home during our internship time

Locked up at the Zoo.
This is one of the boys favorite places.
Not in the cage but the zoo itself

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

In a couple of days we will be moving back to Toledo, OH for our internship @ Emmanuel Baptist Church.  It is hard to believe that less than four years ago we were sitting in the front row of EBC when Pastor Phillip DeCourcy preached a send-off sermon on Acts 20:17-38.

Last night (06.20) I listened to the sermon again.  It served as a great reminder of why we came to BBC.  It also reminded me of God's faithfulness throughout our time here.  During our time here we have had great opportunities to be involved @ Baptist Bible College, Heritage Baptist Church and Scranton Rescue Mission.  While it is difficult to leave these ministries ministries we know that

-no matter where you are (PA or OH or elsewhere)

-no matter what you are doing (studying for a class, working at a rescue mission, teaching at a school, preparing for an internship)

--GOD IS AMAZING.

A Great Day of Reminders

Continuing to read through the book of Hebrews

and was reminded of the greatness of Jesus Christ.

Started to read Why We Love the Church

and was reminded that "going to church is not a quaint waste of time, but an essential part of a person's spiritual life and growth" p. 68

Went to a Tim and Arlee's wedding

and was reminded of the love that Christ has for His church (Eph. 5:22-33).

Pay Attention: Hebrews 1:1-2:1

Hebrews 2:1 says "For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away."

"This reason" is reality of who Jesus is as described in Hebrews 1. I need to spend time each day thinking about and realizing who Jesus is. I know that I need to do this more.

From Hebrew 1, Jesus is...
-the heir of all things,
-the one through whom God made the worlds
-the express image of God
-the one who upholds all things
-the one who took care of my sin problem

How have I paid attention, but not just attention, MUCH CLOSER ATTENTION, so that I do not drift away?
This attention needs to be more than it was yesterday. My focus and consideration of Christ needs to be growing each and every day.

One thing I need to do more of is looking in God's word and consider what it has to about Jesus Christ. This may sound obvious but it is very easy for me to read books in which others are focusing in on Christ. It is o.k. to do this. But the main portion of my spiritual diet should not be reading what others have thought about who Jesus is.

How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? (Hebrews 2:3)

Pay close attention to who Christ is.
Do not neglect our great salvation, which is found in Christ.

Dug Down Deep

I have been reading a book by Joshua Harris entitled Dug Down Deep. It has been a very challenging book about the personal side of doctrine. The video explains what the book is about.

God has been good the last two weeks

, throughout my life and all the time.

But tonight I was sitting down to do some school work and I thought I would just reflect back on God's goodness over the last two weeks. I have recently been letting people know about prayer requests but have not been very good about sharing how God has seen us through things.

Two weeks ago today (05.05) I had my doctrinal (not doctoral) oral exam here on campus. Two hours of questions on doctrine and ministry issues. It was intense, stressful but also a very good learning experience. I am very thankful for the professors who were involved in graded and correcting my doctrinal paper and giving the exam.

The next day our baby girl, Jadyn Leah (see pictures in previous post was born). Everything went very well with the delivery and the time in the hospital. Krista did an amazing job and was a great testimony of God's provision and ability to answer prayer.

Friday (05.07) was graduation and moving day for the college students. Krista was able to enjoy a restful time in the hospital. Things seem to go well in Vibbard. The resident assistants did a great job from what I hear.

Krista and Jadyn came home on Saturday.

I started an intense two week Hebrew course, that is two days from completion. It has been very challenging time-wise balancing class work and family. At the same time the class has been very informative and helpful. One more day of class and then Friday is the exam.

Finally one of the biggest ways God has provided for us over the last two and a half weeks is through our parents.
My mom was able to be here from 05.01 through 05.09.
Krista's parents were here from 05.09 through 05.15.
They were very helpful in watching Joel and Josiah, preparing meals and helping with Jadyn.

Another blessing has been the members of our adult bible fellowship @ Heritage. They have not only been praying for us but they also have been helping us with preparing meals and watching the boys while I am taking this class.

We are very blessed and very thankful.

Pictures of Jadyn

To those who were having trouble linking to the pictures of Jadyn, here are some of them.

Jadyn Leah
19.5 inches
7 lbs 13 oz
May 5, 2010
10:47 am

Grammy and Baby Jadyn
June Leah and Jadyn Leah

Mommy and Jadyn
Krista did an amazing job.

Daddy and Jadyn

End of the semester...

This morning I took my doctrinal oral exam.
The last big assignment for the spring semester.

May 10th I start my last official class as an M.Div student. A two-week Hebrew summer module.

But before this class, though, we are waiting for the newest addition to the Rodgers' family. Krista is due on Friday.

Please be praying for her and the baby.

Be Strong. Fight Bravely. Trust God.

When there is nowhere to turn, what do you do?
When you are at the end of your rope, what do you do?

When things seem to be going well, what do you do?
When you are amazed at how well things are going, what do you do?

In each of these circumstances:
Be strong.
Fight bravely.
Trust God.

With no where to turn, surrounded by enemies, Joab, one of David's commanders, positioned Abishai, his brother against one side while he prepared to fight the other.
His advice to Abishai was "Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our Good. The LORD will do what is good in his sight." (1 Chronicles 19:13)

As we are coming to the end of our time, I have realized and need to continue to trust in the truth of this passage.
I need to prepare as best as possible and trust that the LORD will do what is good in his sight. Whether it is housing, finances, ministry responsibilities or entering an internship with a new born baby, I need to trust in the LORD.

God has proven himself faithful and amazing throughout our time here @ BBC&S.
Four years ago, I could not imagine how God was going to work circumstances out for us.
He has over and over again.

Now, I wonder the same thing as we prepare to go to Toledo for internship but I know who God is and what He is able to do.

Cowper's Fountain of Blood and Smiling Face

Romans 1:16, 17 and Proverbs 19:21

In my previous two posts
There is a fountain filled with blood
and
God moves in mysterious ways
contain the lyrics of hymns by William Cowper.

This past Friday night at the mission we sang "There is a fountain filled with blood."
As we were singing that song of joy..

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins, and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day.

I was reminded of his poem "God moves in mysterious ways" ...

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour; the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan his work in vain; GOD IS HIS OWN INTERPRETER (emphasis mine), and He will make it plain.

These two hymns remind me to find joy in the salvation I have in Christ and the hope I have in God no matter what the circumstances.

I have been reminded over and over again of
the joy found in Romans 1:16, 17
and the hope found in Proverbs 19:21

There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood

There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood:
Lyrics William Cowper
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!
’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine."

God Moves in a Mysterious Way > Lyrics | William Cowper

God Moves in a Mysterious Way
Lyrics William Cowper

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain."

Veracity no matter what the weather is

This weeks is the BBC missions conference www.bbc.edu/Missions_conference/ and the plans are/were to take students out to various cities for an off campus opportunity to live out and share their faith. With the coming storms the original plans are changing.

As I think about the time and planning that has gone into the conference up to this point. It is my prayer that the attitudes and actions those who have been involved in the planning, myself included, would demonstrate a dependence and trust in God.

I am not sure what is going to happen over the next couple of days with the mission conference but I do know this truth. God is God and I am not. That is truth that I need to passionately live out.

Please pray that
no matter what the weather,
no matter what the activities,
no matter what the circumstances,
students and staff will realize the importance of passionately glorifying God in their lives.


Through this time I have really been challenged to consider
-my reactions to things that happen around me that I cannot control.
-my reasons for why I do the things I do.

Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purpose of his heart through all generations.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Pursuit of the Truth

This next week is going to be very busy for me. Very exciting. Very busy.

Later today I am going on an overnight men's retreat with Heritage Baptist Church. I am very excited about going to Arrowhead Campgroup to grow in Christian Character. Some of the sessions are on Holiness, Humility and Honesty.
I am looking forward to the retreat.
Pray for Krista and the boys this weekend.

Next week, starting Tuesday night, is Baptist Bible College's Mission Conference. The focus is on urban ministries. The theme word is VERACITY, which means a devotion to the truth. On Thursday we are planning to take over 400 students to various places to do and see ministry. Please pray for all the details of the conference, for the students, and for those who will hear the truth of Jesus Christ that day.

I will write more about the conference later but I need to get to class now.

I have been cleared...

by my podiatrist this week.

I don't need to see him again regarding my foot surgery

by my Hebrew professor to take second semester Hebrew, which starts in just over a week.