Biblical:
Knots in Jesus' Family Tree - www.gty.org/library/blog/B171206/knots-in-christs-family-tree-a-tale-of-four-outcast-women
Historical:
Insanity and Spritual Songs in the Soul of a Saint - https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/insanity-and-spiritual-songs-in-the-soul-of-a-saint
"God Moves In a Mysterious Way" is in Season 2 - www.gracemedia.app/hymnology/season:1
Systematic Theology (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/systematic-theology/) is what we usually think of when we hear the words theology and doctrine. The different section, usually around ten, with statements and scriptural support for what the Bible is (bibliology), who God is (theology proper), who Jesus is (Christology), who the Holy Spirit is (Pneumatology), who man is (anthropology), and so on.
Biblical Theology (www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/biblical-theology) is examining theology as it is revealed in the Bible - progressive revelation.
Historical Theology (www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/historical-theology/) is watching the development of theology throughout church history.
Finally,,Biographical Theology is looking how men and women lived their lives because of what they believed the Bible says about God.
Each of these theologies need to be rooted in Scripture. What does the Bible truly say about God? Not what did a person say about God? or What did a specific time in history say about God?
The Hidden Smile of God click for a free pdf of the book) is about the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd.
In today's class (12/11/22), we look at the life of John Bunyan.
On December 4th, I started teaching a class entitled "God’s Glory in Our Stories."
God has done and is doing so many amazing things in the lives of
His people.
We will be looking at testimonies
in the Bible (Biblical)
throughout church history (Biographical)
in our church family (Personal)
and what these real-life stories show us about our amazing
God.
Along with Biblical and historical teaching, individuals will
have the opportunity to consider and share their own stories of God’s
faithfulness.
Each week of class will contain a Biblical, Biographical, and Personal element.
In some ways, this class is an experiment or a lab.
The Personal part of the class is going to be dependent on the class members' willingness to share life with one another.
A schedule of Biographies has been set up but this has some flexible and can change depending on class discussions.
The Biblical portion of each week will look at passages that include people's life story (Matthew 1 - Jesus, Joshua 23, 24 - Joshua, John 9:1 - 34 - The blind man's testimony, Acts 7 - Stephen, Acts 22, 26 - Paul, Philemon - Onesimus)
This article, 8 Reasons to Read Christian Biographies, includes some great reasons to read biographies.
It is my prayer that the class will challenge people to glorify God in their lives as they see how God has been glorified in other people's lives.
Below is the video to Big Daddy Weave's song "My Story." This song is what I pray people attending the class would think about.
Here are the first two parts of the song
As the year winds down, I am thankful for the way the calendar is set up.
- Be thankful.
- Remember Jesus.
- Wrap up the old year and start a new year.
These year-end reminders should be an ongoing lifestyle.
Be thankful for who God is and what He has done.
Trust in Jesus.
As you reflect on the past, live in the now, and anticipate the future, be thankful and trust in Jesus.
This year has had its blessings and its challenges and God is good no matter what.
Recently in Bible club and Children's church, God has used the book of Joshua to remind me of some BIG truths at the end of 2022 and I am very thankful for this.
The book begins with a repeated reminder to "Be strong and courageous."
Chapter 1, verse 9 says
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO. (emphasis mine)
The people of God are strong and courageous because of who God is.
Then the story of Achan shows the seriousness of sin. In Joshua 7:20-21, Achan says he has sinned against the LORD.
Sin is a serious problem for people because it is against God.
At the end of the book, it is a faithful man of God wanting to remind others of God's faithfulness and how they should live because God is faithful.
He told them that the Lord your God has fought for you (23:3, 10).
He reminds them to be very strong (23:6).
And then he says,
You know in your hearts and souls, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God has promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. (23:14)
Chapter 24:1-13 is a rehearsal of what God has done. Followed by a challenge to fear the LORD and serve him in 24:14-28.
Fear the Lord and serve Him.
Remember,
God is good.
Sin is a serious problem.
Fear God and Serve Him.
Once again, I am so thankful for God's Word and how it challenges me to grow.
Two November prayers
The first is from Valley of Vision,
a collection of Puritan prayers.
https://www.challies.com/quotes/a-prayer-of-praise-and-thanksgiving/
There are 17 different things listed in
this prayer to praise God for.
The second is a Black Friday Prayer written by Scotty Smith and shared at www.thegospelcoalition.org
I made some modifications to the original content so the prayer could be used leading up to Black Friday, not just on the day it was originally posted.
If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (ESV
So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV)
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| Click scripturetype.com for this graphic and a coloring page |
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way. (ESV)
Lord Jesus, they should have called it Black Thursday this year, or Black Week, because before we even had our Thanksgiving coffee, the stores [will be] opening and beckoning shoppers with tantalizing markdowns on all kinds of stuff. [We will wake up ] with more cyber deals in my email inbox than I can possibly shake 10 credit cards at.
I judge no one, Jesus, for I am as spoiled and covetous as anyone. I praise you that I’ve never had to be concerned about what I’ll eat, drink, or wear; and I’m very happy a lot of people will get some really great deals the next few days.
But on Black Friday, I’m especially grateful for Good Friday, and what you accomplished for us by your life, death, and resurrection. It’s only because of your finished work that we have peace with God—the Father who knows our every need and answers before we ask; the über-generous Lord who gives us all things richly to enjoy, and freely to share; the One who satisfies our hunger, slakes our thirst, and clothes us—not only with cotton and wool, but in your righteousness and grace. We are wealthy beyond measure and deserving.
As we begin the season of Advent, grant us grace for seeking your kingdom first, and our fiefdom of self, last. Rather than spending more money and expending more worry on ourselves, where would you have us invest our time and treasures, talent and tears? Jesus, free us to love and serve others with joy during the season of Advent. So very Amen we pray, in your grace-full and glorious name.
A Facebook post I wrote tonight and wanted to share here for those who may not have Facebook.
Often times Facebook seems like the place for picture-perfect posts. THIS IS NOT THAT POST.
It has been a couple of emotionally draining days. On Thursday, it was the 18th anniversary of my dad's death. It was a hard day and part of that was because Friday was Josiah's last football game of his first season playing. I was thinking about how much my dad would have loved to see Josiah play.
Sunday was a good, but tiring day of teaching - Adult Class lesson on Jonah, a Children's Church lesson on Joshua and Ai, and leading a small group Sunday night. Ministry in the midst of challenging times is hard AND God is good.
This week's Fighter Verses, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, is a good reminder at times like this.
[For] this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. —2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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The Bible is the most important book at Trinity and for life! We believe it is of supreme and final authority.
Because this is true, we want to offer classes like this that help people learn how to study the Bible. While classes that cover specific books of the Bible are important, God's people must know how to study the Bible to verify that what is being taught is true, like the Bereans. Trinity offers four types of ACE classes: Engaging God's WORD, Engaging God's FOUNDATIONS, Engaging God's WORLD, and Engaging God's WORK. This Bible study class is listed as Engaging God's FOUNDATIONS because it is designed to grow the foundational skill of Bible study.
This class will be looking at how to study with God's glory, the original context, proper interpretation, and the growth of one another in mind.
Studying with God's glory in mind helps us remember this life and this book is not about us. The Bible tells us who God is and how we should live in relationship to who He is.
Studying with the original context in mind means there is an intended meaning in the text. While there may be different applications, the meaning of the text is not subject to our current day and age.
Studying with the growth of one another in mind is why the title of this class has "for growth in me and others." The goal of this class and Bible study, in general, is to know God more and see our lives changed as we grow in this understanding. In genuine Bible study, the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and minds to help us know and change.
This is meant to help people improve in their study of the Bible whether they are new believers or senior saints.
This summer, my first on staff at Trinity Baptist Church, has been filled with so many blessings and some challenging situations.
In thinking about the highlights, I have grouped them into two categories:
I know August 7th is officially the midpoint of summer.
But doesn't the middle of July actually feel like midsummer? FYI, July 15 is the midpoint of Meteorological Summer.
I haven't posted an update in quite some time.
This lack of posting is NOT because nothing is happening. Actually, quite the opposite.
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| In the "tent" Jadyn and Joel built in our backyard. |
It has been almost a year at Trinity Baptist Church (TBC) has been great. It really is amazing to look back and see how God has worked and is working.
Here is a ministry and family update.
MINISTRY UPDATE:
During this past year, God provided many opportunities to begin and grow ministries at and through TBC.
During the school year,
I taught some adult Sunday School classes including Biblical Understanding of Contemporary Issues and Reading Letters Together - Philippians and Titus.
With the help of Rochelle Visser, one of TBC’s supported workers, Krista, Jadyn, some others, and I started an After School Bible School at a public elementary school near the church.
This summer has also been filled with some great ministry opportunities including
VBS (Vacation Bible School) –
A combined summer study using the Fighter Verses, which includes a parents/kids class starting this Sunday (July 10th)
Also, I am going to be speaking at Camp Michawana a couple of Tuesday nights.
FAMILY UPDATE:
We continue to be amazed at God’s great provisions in so many ways – friendships, gifts, encouraging words, and all of these things and more coming at just the right time.
While this update has been filled with a lot of great, positive things this past year hasn’t been without its challenges.
As part of TBC’s combined summer study, we studied and memorized 1 Peter 5:6-10.
Here is the passage followed by a prayer you can pray for us.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. ⁸Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Here is a prayer based on this passage.
Lord God, you are mighty, perfect, loving, and victorious.
Because you are mighty, help us live a humble life for your glory.
Because you are perfect and mighty, help us remember that your mighty hand will lift us up at the proper time.
Because you care for us and love us, help us cast our worries and anxieties, of life, parenting, and ministry, upon you,
Help us be sober-minded and watchful.
God, we know that you are so mighty and powerful, and we also know that our enemy the devil wants to destroy us.
Thank you for the victory over sin and death we have because of you.
This victory helps us resist the devil and stand firm in our faith, knowing that there are believers all around the world going through suffering and challenges.
Lord, God, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.
Amen.
Thank you!
