To God Be the Glory, thoughts on Na

Wow! What a weekend. I can't believe I received so much in so little time. There are so many precious memories from the past few days that I'm sure I'll be writing. CJ challenged us in the last session to pick one thing that impacted us to put into practice right away, so here is my main application.



John Piper spoke to us about God's main pleasure, Himself, and a pen-ultimate pleasure, our obedience. One statement that really stood out to me was, "Don't waste your life making yourself look good. Spend your life making God look good." Piper said we needed to be a telescope that others could look through to see a huge God in terms they could understand. We need to make the huge God knowable through our actions. Instead, we typically act as a microscope, make our insignificance look big. I was convicted of making myself bigger than I ought and taking away from the glory I should be reflecting to God. Needless to say, I will not look at my motives behind leading worship and serving our great God the same. If you want to hear the very impactful messages, they are free online from www.sovereigngraceministries.org . Just click on the big picture of John Piper on the homepage.


I hope I revel in God's mercies anew because of this weekend. I trust God will continue to work His will in my broken vessel. I have to say, it was an awesome experience to sing Amazing Grace and Holy, Holy, Holy with 3,000 other deep thinking, like-minded individuals. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Bob Kaughlin and his sons Devon (lead guitar/ vocals) and Jordan (on drums) leading us in worship

New Atittude, Here I Come

Well, the New Attitude conference is finally here. This weekend I'll be hearing from the likes of John Piper, Mark Dever, C.J. Mahaney, and Josh Harris, not to mentions being led in worship by Bob Kaughlin, men that I admire and respect for their gospel work. I am praying that God will use His word to challenge my heart. Sometimes I feel as if I'm in a rut of doing the same thing every week in ministry, and my times with God can feel the same way. I trust God will do His good work in my life through this weekend.

On a side note, I'm gonna really miss Moriah and Charis. This is the longest time we'll be apart since Charis was born, and they have really grown on me. I trust God will do great things in both our lives during this time, and it will be a sweet reunion when I return. To God be all the glory.

http://www.newattitude.org/conference/

Behind a Frowning Providence, God Hides a Smiling Face

I am in the midst of preparing a few lessons on the book of Ruth. As I read through this great story, I feel overwhelmed with trust in God's sovereignty. Knowing the end of the book, I can trace God's hand as it moves Ruth and Naomi through dark storms into the bright sunlight of His grace. I don't understand how people can read Ruth and not see God's hand each step of the way. To deny God's sovereignty over dark providences empowers created beings over the Creator.

As I study, the teaching of Dr. Art Azurdia have been very helpful. http://www.spiritempoweredpreaching.com/sermons.htm

His insights on God's providence and the ultimate hero of the book of Ruth (Christ) have been very refreshing to hear. The more I read of the scriptures, the more I see that they are all about Christ. Here is a quote from Azurdia about looking backwards to truly see clearly looking forwards. Regarding Ruth he says:

"At times beloved, the only way to interpret God's providence for your life is to begin at the end of the story... We know how this story ends. We know, going in, the glorious intention of God: Boaz will become a redeemer for Ruth. Ruth and Boaz will supply a redeemer for Naomi. The covenant nation will be given her greatest king and a nearly extinct family in Israel will be continued to ultimately issue forth the Savior of the human race, Jesus Christ."

Each step of the story is a piece of the puzzle of the revelation of Christ.

On a personal note, God is treating us well, much better than we deserve. Charis is growing like a weed and is a joy to see. Her smile chases away the most stressful of days. We had a great Mother's Day. I'm glad we can set aside time to honor our mothers, but it just doesn't seem like enough sometimes. It has been great to live with a mom and see her grow in that capacity. Moriah is great and I couldn't ask for more of her. She constantly amazes me.

Anyhoo, that's it for now.