1st day of class and pics from yesterday

Earlier today, I posted the class description, textbook and schedule.
In this post I want to share a little bit on why I am excited to teach this class to some of the students at Fairview Baptist Bible College.

I am trying the first stage of an online experiment today with the students.
You can view the powerpoint presentation as live, click by click, with the students here in Jamaica.  At least, I am planning on that.  Click on this very long link below:
https://bn1-broadcast.officeapps.live.com/m/Broadcast.aspx?Fi=646aa40fa14ba260%5F0feee0ff%2De0d0%2D4bba%2D9410%2D69c444772177%2Epptx

I am going to try to add audio to it on Wednesday or Thursday.
I really would appreciate it if someone could see if this link works.  Here is what would be very helpful.

1. Click on the link at between 2:05 and 4:00 and see if the presentation changes over the next ten minutes or so.  There will be no audio.  That is the next step.
2. Post a reply below or email me.

In thinking about the disciple making mission of Biblical counseling I am very excited about the possibility of helping pastors and the churches here in Jamaica grow in their disciple making.
As I teach this first day, I really want the students to see that everyone should be doing Biblical counseling.
The pastor and certified Biblical counselor do it scheduled times an in a structured way.
Every believer has the opportunity to counsel people from the Bible when they are asked to share their thoughts or opinions about an issue.
This week the students are going to need to know 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, a common verse, for their end of the week quiz.

It is my prayer that the class would be informational and very practical.

It is my prayer that the students and I would be reminded of the truth Milton Vincent writes about in the Gospel Primer under the section My Inheritance in the Saints.

The Gospel is not just a message of reconciliation with God, but it also heralds the reconciliation of all believers to one another in Christ....

The more I comprehend the full scope of the gospel, the more I value the church for which Christ died (Eph. 5:25), the more I value the role that I play in the lives of my fellow Christians, and the more I appreciate the role that they must be allowed to play in mine.

Here are some pictures from yesterday

Here is the one lane road to Bird Mountain Church yesterday.

The pastor, several members of the church and I went to visit a senior saint in the church yesterday.
The woman, her daughter and baby granddaughter live in this two room house. 
She didn't want us to leave.  
We sang songs with her, Pastor Wright read scripture and we prayed for her.

Here is the class description, textbook and schedule.

Here is the class description. 

"This class will assist the student in understanding and developing a Biblical counseling ministry in the church.  General Biblical principles along with specific tools to be used in counseling depression, anger, addiction and other problems will be studied."

Here is the class textbook.

Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling:  Changing Lives with God’s Changeless Truth by James MacDonald, Bob Kelleman and Steve Viars (2013).   Harvest House Publishers.  

Here is the class schedule.

Monday, 11/10:  Clarification and Philosophy of Biblical CounselingTuesday, 11/11:  The Role of the Human Heart in CounselingWednesday, 11/12:  The Role of the Holy Spirit and Scripture in CounselingThursday, 11/13:  The Role of the Local Church in CounselingFriday, 11/14:  Basics of Biblical CounselingMonday, 11/17:  Four Main Heart Issues, Part 1Tuesday, 11/18:  Four Main Heart Issues, Part 2Wednesday, 11/19:  Specific Issues in CounselingThursday, 11/20:  The Role of Homework in CounselingFriday, 11/21:  Exam and Final Thoughts.

first sunday in jamaica

This morning I had the opportunity to teach at a nearby church.

Taught from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - 15.  Unexpected and exciting opportunity.

Would appreciate your prayer as I visit another church this evening and look over tomorrow's lesson.

At FBBC in Jamaica

A little later than 2:00 pm.  Getting settled in.
Thank you everyone who was praying for my flight today.

Things at the beginning and the end of the flight were good.
The flight itself was probably one of bounciest I have ever had.

I am getting settled into the guest house on a cool Jamaican night in the mountains.
In getting settled in I would love for you to pray for a couple of specific things;

1. Health related:  While I am very much looking forward to jerk chicken at Border Jerk (those who were on the JAM13 trip know what I am talking about), please pray that I would be wise with my diet.  Diabetes creates a real challenge in cross cultural situations.
2. Teaching related:  I am very much looking forward to teaching and I have many ideas and principles I want to share.  Pray that I would have wisdom in what and how to share and when to listen and help students discover things.  
3. Ministry related:  This a very personal request for me.  I love ministry opportunities God has given me.  In thinking about "my" ministries at EBC, help me to remember that they are the Lord's.  My mind is racing through details I may have forgotten but I know first of all, there are godly, wise people who are able to do the work of the ministry without me there.  The second truth I know is we serve an amazing God is able to do great things.  Pray for me to trust in God.  

Thank you so much for your prayers.  

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock. TIme is quickly passing

Today I am planning to finish up lesson preparation.
I would especially appreciate your prayers for this work.
Pray for wisdom in planning 40 hours of lessons that engage the students.
I want the class to be so much more than an information dump.

Some Specific Prayer Requests

I would appreciate your prayers for the following items over the next two and a half weeks.

• Pray for my final preparation for the class
• Pray for Krista and the kids while I am away
• Pray for the students, pastors and teachers who will be taking the class.  For updates on the trip and the topics we will be studying each day, go to http://boonedy.blogspot.com  You can check this blog, boonedy.blogspot.com, at 2:00 every day for the next three weeks for more about the trip.
• Pray for the ministries of EBC that I oversee and so many of you and others serve in, specifically      the children & family ministry.  Pray for Andrea as she works with the children’s ministry and the disciple makers.  Pray for Mindy as she directs UPWARD.  It is exciting to see what God is doing and going to do with these ministries to families in our community.  To read how you can be praying for these family ministries go to www.ekidzministry.blogspot.com

The Bible is Perspicuous but what does that mean?

This word that you may not know is very important in Biblical counseling and in the class I am teaching we are going to talk about this concept a couple of different times.

Basically it means "the Bible is clear."
Now don't misunderstand this word.  It does NOT mean everything in the Bible is easy to understand.

A major part of Biblical counseling is the counselor/disciple-maker helping the counselee/disciple understand the truths of God's word so it can be properly lived out.
The counselor/disciple-maker does not want to set himself up as THE ONE source of truth.

In teaching this class, in developing EBC's children's ministry, in teaching classes and in parenting, I want to help people grow in their desire to know God through His Word.  Not only when I am presenting it but also when my children, the families in EBC's children's ministry and the people I am teaching are studying it on their own.

As it relates to the Bible and children here are two principles taken from an article entitled The Perspicuity of the Scripture . (www.tms.edu/tmsj/msj15.2.pdf)

Parents can teach Scripture to their children and children can learn them.

Deuteronomy 6;6, 7 gives parents a command.  “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise”

 Even a child can understand Scripture’s message.

In 2 Timothy 3:14-15a Paul tells Timothy  “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings. . . ” 

If parents are to teach the Bible to their children and adults are told to remember what they learned as children, it must be true that their doesn't need to be some secret knowledge or years of training to understand the truths of the Bible.

"Protestants hold that the Bible, being addressed to the people is sufficiently perspicuous to be understood by them, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and that they are entitled and bound to search the scripture and to judge for themselves what is its true meaning"
(The Master's Seminary Journal, p. 209)

Great Teaching Opportunity in Jamaica

I am very thankful for the opportunity to teach this class and want to use this blog to help you know what is going on and how to pray for the trip.

I will be teaching a class entitled Counseling Problems & Procedures at Fairview Baptist Bible College in Jamaica.

Here is some general information about the class.

What time and days does this class meet?

The class will be meeting from 2:00 to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday.

           

Why take this class?

This class will assist the student in understanding and developing a Biblical counseling ministry in the church.  General Biblical principles along with specific tools to be used in counseling depression, anger, addiction and other problems will be studied.

What textbook will this class be using?

The obvious foundation of this class is God's word.
Our textbook for the week is going to be Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling:  Changing Lives with God’s Changeless Truth by James MacDonald, James, Bob Kelleman and Steve Viars (2013).  
We will be looking at select chapters in this book.

What is Fairview Baptist Bible College's mission?

Fairview Baptist Bible College exists to train competent, compassionate, effective servant leaders for the ministry of Christ in the local churches of Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world.

How does this class contribute to fulfilling the mission statement of FBBC?

This class is designed to help the student become a better counselor/disciple-maker and train others to be better counselors/disciple-makers.

Time for the Talk: Leading Your Son Into True Manhood

Zollos writes that the talk is not a specific one-time conversation you have with your son.  It is  "a process that takes many years and can be profoundly rewarding."

While this book is written specifically written to fathers, it contains a preface to mothers.
It's up to you to show him that becoming a true man depends on being changed by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.

Here are some quotes from the book...

Your young man needs conviction and these cannot come from you.  Convictions come from hearing the LORD.

The book talks about developing these six characteristics in your son.

HUMILITY
To pursue humility means choosing to accept the fact that your knowledge and abilities are limited and in light of that, you are regularly seeking help and graciously receiving advice and correction.

COURAGE
To pursue courage means choosing to do what is right despite the opposition of others or your own desires (often the more difficult enemy to fight).

PURITY
To pursue moral purity means choosing to live by the highest moral principles in both speech and physical relations despite your own desires to do otherwise and despite any external pressures to compromise.

FAITHFULNESS
To pursue faithfulness means acting in integrity, keeping your word and doing what is right before God, with fortitude, and without complaint because you trust God to give you the ability to complete all things he has given you to do.

SELFLESSNESS
To pursue selflessness means placing the well being of others before your own needs and desires.

SELF-CONTROL
To pursue self-control means to live according to the Spirit of God, choosing to glorify God with our lives and denying the sinful nature when tempted to do otherwise. 

Originally posted at ekidzministry.blogspot.com

When the church and family collaborate

Originally posted on ekidzministry.blogspot.com

"It Takes a Church:  When Parents and the Church Collaborate" is a message Mel Walker preached at Pastor's Ministry Enrichment Day at Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA.

This message reflects much of what I would love to see happening even more in our children's ministry.

http://www.bbc.edu/chapel/archive/20140318me3_MelWalker.mp3

To hear the other 3 sessions click www.bbc.edu/chapel/seminary.asp

Here is the link to the Intergenerational Youth Ministry site:  http://intergenerationalyouthministry.com/

Why children need the church

Originally posted on ekidzministry.blogspot.com

This article explains some of the reasons why we are doing the things we are doing.  

Our children not only benefit from the preaching of the gospel, they also benefit from witnessing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit taking place with the gospel believers around them.  Through regular interactions with teachers, parents, mentors, and pastors, our children are given the opportunity to observe the powerful, sanctifying hand of God in the lives of other Christians.  Through the ordinance of baptism our children are able to watch as men and women confess their belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ and commit to living their lives in obedience to him.  They gaze in wonder as these believers are plunged into the baptismal and brought back up to the joyful celebration of the congregation, symbolizing their death and resurrection with Christ.  In the same way, as the communion plate is passed and wine and bread are consumed by the members of the body, our children witness the centrality of the gospel to every believer’s life.  They are beckoned to come and taste of the Lord’s goodness for themselves – to receive the gospel of grace being proclaimed. 

In short, our children need the church because they so desperately need the gospel it is founded upon.

To read the entire article go to page 87 of www.credomag.com/issues/Churchy%20Gimmicks.pdf

The goal in parenting is...

What am I afraid of?

Originally posted at ekidzministry.blogspot.com 

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.

Here is a thought.

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 unnecessar.  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/

Here is a song to listen to and think about.

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.