What are you afraid of? OR 1 Sunday Sermon + 1 Song + 2 Memory Verses + 1 online devotional = Great Reminders of God

1 Sunday Sermon:
Pastor Duke's Sermon this past Sunday was a great reminder of how God uses challenges, difficulties and hardships to help us grow more and more Christlike.

2 Memory Verses:

On this blog we are posting two different memory verse plans.

The EKIDZ memory verses, which are the verses connected with the weekly children's ministry lessons.  This week's EKIDZ verses are Ephesians 6:10 - 11.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

The Fighter Verses, which is a five year Bible memory plan with many different online resources.  This week's Fighter Verses are Psalm 27:1 & [2, 3]

The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?  [When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

1 online devotional:
Here is part of the Fighter Verse blog for this week:

Both of these passages remind us to look to God and not our circumstances or other people for our strength.  The closing thought is this week's Fighter Verse blog is " We understand now that our childhood fear of monsters was unnecessary.  The good news in Jesus is that our adult fear of monsters is equally unnecessary.  Not because monsters aren't real, but because God is.  We don't have to be afraid of the darkness.  Look at The Lord.  Look  to Him.  

To read the article, click http://fighterverses.com/set-4-core-esv/week-33/

1 Song
Here is a song to listen to and think about.

In Jesus Christ, God has provided our life, our light, our strength.  I need to trust more and more in Jesus Christ as the one who keeps me and sustains me.

Why Keep Politics Out of the Church?

These are notes taken during the 2nd session of Northridge Church’s Acts 16:5 conference.
The title of this session was “What makes the Bride ugly?”

The 4th belief that was shared was “We assume everyone agrees with our politics.”
The speaker gave 5 reasons to keep politics out of the church. while I don’t assume everyone will totally agree with every point of this post, please consider more than the specifics of each point. Italicized parts are my notes from the message.

1.  You can’t win your enemies to Christ.  You can only win your friends.

Christ means everything!  Politics means little!

2.  Too many Christians speak and act as if politics is the hope for our country.

There’s only so much politics can do.

3.  Politics make us forget that we are citizens of heaven.

Our hope is found in Christ, not in our political party returning to or maintaining power.

4.  The people you are trying to reach don’t share your political views.

What is most important to you?
seeing people  come to Christ.
seeing your political party maintain its power.

5.  Politics create barriers that Jesus came to break down.

The Sinfulness of Technology and the internet

You may have decided to read this blog because you hate technology  and the internet and wanted to have some ammunition in your anti-technology/anti-internet war.
If this is you, first of all, why are you reading a blog on the internet?

Second, the main point of this entry is that technology and the internet are not sinful.  People are sinful (Romans 3:23).

Technology and the internet will reveal what is going on in a person’s heart.  This is very similar to Paul’s statement in 1st Timothy 6:10 about money.  “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

Money is not the evil.  The love of, the worship of, the finding your hope and joy in, money is the problem.

In a 2009 article John Piper wrote about two possible responses to social media like facebook and twitter.

One says: These media tend to shorten attention spans, weaken discursive reasoning, lure people away from Scripture and prayer, disembody relationships, feed the fires of narcissism, cater to the craving for attention, fill the world with drivel, shrink the soul’s capacity for greatness, and make us second-handers who comment on life when we ought to be living it. So boycott them and write books (not blogs) about the problem.

The other response says: Yes, there is truth in all of that, but instead of boycotting, try to fill these media with as much provocative, reasonable, Bible-saturated, prayerful, relational, Christ-exalting, truth-driven, serious, creative pointers to true greatness as you can.

To read the entire article click HERE

The pastors at Emmanuel Baptist Church understand the internet and social media are part of the culture we live in.
Instead of hoping it goes away or it is not a problem, we want to glorify God with our website and other online resources.  We would love to see the members of EBC fill their facebook, instagram and twitter accounts  with “as much provocative, reasonable, Bible-saturated, prayerful, relational, Christ-exalting, truth-driven, serious, creative pointers to true greatness” as they can.

We would love to see our members GLORIFY GOD in all of life, including online activities.

In writing all of this, I know that many people reading this article are already connected with various online resources.
Here are two challenges for each of us…
1.  GLORIFY GOD with your status updates and online conversations.
2.  SHARE WITH OTHER CHRIST FOLLOWERS the importance of pointing people towards Christ in life and on the web.  You can even share stories verbally with those who are not online.

During Sunday morning, we don't want to teach the Bible, we want to...

... teach people the Bible.

I recently read the article below and realized it had some great thoughts to consider.
If the title of this article was a little shocking please read the rest of this article.

Churches need to be more concerned with life transformation than with merely passing of information.

That is what I pray would happen during EBC's 9:00 am classes, the 10:30 service, Soul Care groups and everything else we do.

For the entire article from Matthias Media, click HERE

A simple test of a good teacher is to ask what they teach. If their answer is Maths, English, Science, History or Geography, they probably don’t understand their role. If they say students, pupils, young people, or adults, there is a possibility that they know their trade. Of course, such a simple test is simplistic; word games are not reality. The answers would be different if the question was who they teach. Yet there is a truth in this little test; teaching is a relational activity. 

Certainly teaching involves subject material; there is content to be conveyed. But the aim of the exercise involves conveying information from one person to another. The best teachers do more than convey information; they whet the appetite for learning, they develop the student’s capacity to understand, analyse, explore and discover other information. The well-taught student is not limited to the information their teacher has imparted to them. Good education is not really a curriculum matter but a teaching skill that relies heavily on the relationship the teacher can develop with the student. 

Usually the teachers we remember and love the most did more than impart information to us. They were the ones who opened the world to us, taking us to places and ideas, understanding and critical thinking that we did not know even existed prior, to them taking an interest in us. 

A pastor or minister is a teacher. Preaching is a particular form of teaching. Evangelism involves teaching. Paul described his ministry to the Ephesians as “teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21). And he directs his protégé Timothy to “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim 4:16). In selecting elders both Timothy and Titus, are instructed to look for men who can teach (1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:9) just as Christianity is learnt (Eph 4:21; Col 1:7). 

There is an important difference between teaching the Bible and teaching people the Bible. It is easy to be so engaged in what we teach that we forget whom we are teaching. We can even be oblivious to the fact that we are not teaching anybody. This is particularly true of the sermon. The monologue engages the preacher’s mind but can completely miss the hearers’ thinking.

Click HERE to read the rest of the article.

Glorifying God in the midst of trials!

These two professors are examples of godly men who are dealing with very difficult life circumstances in ways that are bringing honor to God.  On a personal I am very glad for the ministry both of these men have had in my life.  Dr. McGinniss was Old Testament and Hebrew professor.  Dr Decker was my Greek professor.

Dr. McGinniss
article:  www.dts.edu/read/trigeminal-neuralgia-how-god-helped-me/ (Click HERE or copy and paste link)
blog:      outsidemydoor.wordpress.com/  (Click HERE or copy and paste link)

Dr. Decker
blog:  ntresources.com/blog/ (Click HERE or copy and paste link)

Intentionally leading my children as a father, not as a pastor...

From the book Shift:  What it Takes To Finally Reach Families Today
This part is to pastors and ministry leaders as it relates to children and family ministries:

"I know.  I know.  All the meetings and people at church consume your time and energy, leaving none for the spiritual formation of your children.  Maybe you believe that working hard to make church a life-changing experience is the same thing as helping your children develop spiritually.  If you can just lead your church to have the best children's ministry and the best youth ministry, your own children will get everything they need spiritually.  You know that isn't true according to Scripture, but often this is the way we practice life.  If this is the case, recognize your personal need to adjust your life to God's plan.  Make it your priority to become the primary faith influencer of the children living in your home."

After read this quote I wrote "I need to be sure to disciple my own children."

In talking about and promoting parents being the primary disciple makers in their children's lives, I need to remember that I need to be listening to and living out that truth in my life.

I want to influence my children.
I don't want that influence to only be when I am at the church building in the role of pastor.
I want to influence them throughout each and every day and night as their dad!

The title of this post is "Intentionally leading my children as a father, not as a pastor..."
I have the unique opportunity to be the family ministry pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church.  So I am one of the pastors of my children but I want my influence to be so much more than that.

What I learned this Sunday during the sermon from my kids...

Pastor Duke preached a very challenging sermon Responding Right When Wronged this past Sunday (08.04).  I am so thankful to be part of a church that preaches the Gospel and challenges each and every person to grow.
In this post, however, I want to share what I learned from my kids this morning during the sermon.
First of all, let me provide some context.  Three times a quarter, EBC doesn't have class for the 1st through 5th graders.  The children sit with their parents during the entire service.  We provide sermon note sheets for the kids (Click HERE  for this sheet).  This is part of our goal to equip parents to be the primary disciple-makers in their children's lives.
So here are the three great lessons I learned (were reminded of) during the sermon this Sunday.

1. My children are not perfect AND ... God uses me and others to help them grow into Christ-likeness.  As my middle child was squirming in his seat and playing with his sandals I was thinking he is not hearing.  And then Pastor Duke mentioned the New King James Version and my son stopped what he was doing and said "That is what my Bible is."  He then looked very intently at the verse Pastor Duke was talking about.  At another point, my son rested his head on my shoulder and pointed to a phrase I had written in my notes.  That phrase was "God gives us the gift of suffering."  Oh, how I want to learn that lesson.  Oh, how I want my children to learn that lesson.  My children need to be challenged to grow by me and others and usually, that is not an easy process.  DISCIPLESHIP IS NOT EASY.
2. I still have so much growth and learning to do as a parent BUT... I know I have to lead my family and help other families.  I am the head of my family.  I am the leader of my family.  Am I leading my family to grow in godliness?  My responsibility to help other families disciple their children is not merely because I am a pastor at EBC.  I need to help other families grow BECAUSE I AM PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.  There are so many challenges in ministry but I need to keep pressing on and depending on the LORD.  Also, I need to remember that I need to learn from others and seek their help.  My shortcomings should not keep me from helping others grow and my pride should not keep me from seeking the help of others.  It is not about me being perfect.  It is about what God is doing in and through his people.  A DISCIPLE MAKES DISCIPLES.
3. God is AMAZING AND... I need to depend upon him.  In so many different ways there were challenges and difficulties this past Sunday.  After the service, my kids were not little angels obeying every word their father said.  I was not perfect.  But do you know what God is good?  God is holy.  I want people to know Him.  A DISCIPLE POINTS OTHERS TO CHRIST.

SUMMARY:

My children are not perfect and they need to be challenged to grow and usually, that is not an easy process.  Discipleship is not easy.
I still have so much growth and learning to do as a parent BUT my shortcomings should not keep me from helping others grow and my pride should not keep me from seeking the help of others.  A disciple makes disciples.
God is amazing and I want people to know Him.  A disciple points others to Christ.

Parenting is a challenge
Spiritual parenting (disciple-making) is a challenge
BUT it is necessary because we all need more Jesus.

What a privilege...

It has been well over and year since I posted on here but I was thinking tonight that I have been blessed by God to serve at a great church, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo, OH.

As I was preparing an email to go out to our Soul Care leaders, I was reminded of the great blessing I have to

1. serve in a local church as a pastor.  I am in a position to disciple, help others grow in their knowledge of God and His Word, while helping others make disciples also.  I often forget what an amazing privilege and responsibility that is.  
2. serve at a specific local church, Emmanuel Baptist Church, that has been such a blessing to me and my family.  Krista grew up at Emmanuel and I am thankful for the impact they have had on her.  Before Krista and I were even married, I was thankful for the ministry of Emmanuel.  Since being married, I have been so thankful for EBC's prayer and financial support while in the Dominican Republic and at Baptist Bible Seminary.  I loved being part of the ministry of the school for four years.
3. serve as the pastor of family ministry and soul care since July.  While there are challenges to this ministry, I am so very thankful for the opportunity to try to live Ephesians 4:11, 12 by helping families and members grow as disciples and make disciples.  I know there are still things to think through and develop but I know that I and others need to be challenged to make disciples.  There have been many people who have been a great blessing and encouragement to me and my family.

I am looking forward to what God is going to do 

  at Emmanuel

    in my family 

      in me.

in the good times and challenging times.

What a privilege to serve my risen Savior.  

Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in  God.  When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  (Colossians 3:1-4)


I am so thankful for this truth that Paul shares with the Colossian church.


The things they are commanded to do are possible because of what Christ has done and who they are in Him.
Seek things above
If you have been raised with Christ.
Set your mind on things above
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Finally, when Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.


God, help your church to live life in the reality of who you are and what you have done.
No matter the circumstances help us to live life and find our hope in these past (you have been raised with Christ), present (your life is hidden with Christ) and future (you also will appear with Him in glory) realities.

Preparing for graduation...

In less than 36 hours I will graduating from Baptist Bible Seminary.  I am so amazed at how God has been working in our lives throughout these last five years.  As I think about my time at BBS and my internship @ Emmanuel, I have been reminded over and over again of the great salvation I have from God through Jesus Christ.  I have also been amazing at the great things God does through his people.
I am reminded of a quote I read in a book entitled The Gospel Primer. 

The more I experience  the gospel, the more there develops within me a yearning affection for my fellow Christians who are also participating in the glories of the gospel.  This affection for them comes loaded with confidence in their continued spiritual growth and ultimate glorification and it becomes my pleasure to express to them this loving confidence regarding the ongoing work of God in their lives  (p. 22)

I am so thankful for the church, the specific churches I have been a part of and the universal church.
As I continue to grow closer and closer to God I pray that my love for Him and His Church would continue to grow.

The Future is Out There...

Graduation is coming up soon.
Internship is almost done.
Resumes are being sent out.

I just finished reading a book entitled Just Do Something by Kevin Deyoung.
There were some great things to think about as we prepare for whatever God has for us next.
One of the quotes that really struck me was "We can stop pleading with God to show us the future and start living & obeying like we are confident that He holds the future."

Not sure where we are going to be but I am sure God is amazing!!

The boys rooting for Pittsburgh!
Daddy practicing some green screen video recording!!

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.