What are you reading?

Last April I had the treat of attending the national conference of The Gospel Coalition in Chicago.  The conference was especially sweet because, aside from world-class teaching from some of the most skilled Bible teachers, I was able to share it with very close friends (and stay with my brother-in-law who lives in the Windy City) who were also attending.  I have since re-listened to many of the messages delivered at the conference (and so should you) and have been tremendously blessed and encouraged.  However, one of the best and most lasting treats of the conference was a little book, and a free one to boot!  The book is One to One Bible Reading: A simple guide for every Christian by David Helm.  In it, Helm puts forward a crazy, yet simple idea - Christians reading the Bible together!  

While we were in the States this summer I finally got around to reading this little book.  I was blown away because of all the things we do in Christian circles - we rarely simply read the Bible out loud with one another!  Shamefully, many of the married folk do not even do this - I am regrettably speaking from first-hand experience - let alone within the context of the church community.  However, this is where life begins and grows - as God's Word pierces, guides, convicts, and instructs us!  That said, after reading One to One Bible Reading I knew that in the context of our ministry this could be enormously beneficial.

Currently I am doing this with four guys three different times and will be adding more soon.  The book gives some tips for books to choose and different ways to discuss, which vary depending on yours and the other person's reading level and Bible literacy.  One of the really great things about this concept (I feel funny calling it a concept because it is simply reading and talking about what you read) is that it is for everyone!  You can read the Bible with a faithful brother in the faith, a new Christian, or someone who is really curious about what the Bible has to say for itself.  It does not require hours of prep like a formal Bible study, and it all happens in a relaxed atmosphere.  So far, we are reading through the Gospel of Mark and Colossians, and to be honest, it is fun, fresh, and tremendously helpful for all of us!  Throughout the reading we are really trying to figure out what God is saying and what that means in our lives, which can be challenging, but the pay-off is immense. 

Please pray for my times with these guys that it will continue to bear fruit and that they would come to a saving faith in Christ as not all of them are saved.  I highly recommend getting this little book (you can read it in less than an hour).  In it are tremendous outlines and questions to consider as well as some great tips to get started.  Lastly, consider doing this yourself with your spouse, friend, or even a co-worker - Christian or not.

"so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

Not safe, but good!

On Friday night while sitting at the dinner table, I had the joy of holding our little bundle while Mommy finished her mac & cheese.  Wanting to be a good dad, I sang to my son.  He laughed, not giggled, but laughed out loud.  Now if you have heard me sing, you would understand the humor in the the previous sentence.  This anecdote could demonstrate our child's advanced musical ability and discernment, which brings me great joy (and a possible opportunity to live vicariously through his skills - but I digress).  The actual point is that this was the second time that he laughed in this way.  The first time I was not around, but this time I had a front row seat.  The sound of his little belly laugh was too much.  Kirsten, myself, and our friend Splendid were in tears laughing at Trevor laughing!  Needless to say - my heart nearly burst with the joy of simple and good things from God. 

James reminds us that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."  Not only in Trevor's laugh do we see the goodness of God, but in so many areas that it would be far too long to share.  What is even more incredible about the goodness of God is that we can trust Him to be good, even when the situation in which we find ourselves seems to betray this very attribute.  Biblically speaking you can think of the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, the life of Job, and even through the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ!  In each of these cases God worked the good for his own (Romans 8:28).

As we continue to press on through the different ministries, it would be lying to say that all is happening in rosey fields with puppies all around.  There are difficulties and struggles, but we trust that God is good and is working.  One last story to give you a better view...  Yesterday I led a service with two people present.  Imagine your church with only two people - you would, like me, feel broken-hearted because the community around is missing the One who can bring true joy; you may even feel a bit frustrated and ask the question, "is this even worth it?"  In that service I taught on 1 John 4:13-21 (read it for yourself).  In the passage it speaks to the confidence the Christian can have because of the work of Christ and indwelling Holy Spirit on the day of God's judgment.  It so happened that one of the two in attendance stated that this was her great fear in life.  I don't know if she was instantly made to be at peace, but she was reminded of the One in whom she has trusted - the one and only True, Good God!

Two points to take home.  One, how well do you delight in the little moments?  Do you see even those as good gifts from God?  Two, if you have placed your faith in our Good God you can trust Him even when, due to the scene around you and your circumstances, you doubt his goodness!  If you have not trusted Him, would you at least consider this Good God today?

On the move

The past week and a half we have been on the move! We have made several trips to Kingston and are finding our stride with our weekly duties. This week is especially busy as we host dear friends from Massachusetts (although some of from other places). The team has had long days beginning at 6:30am and going strong to 10ish at night! When teams are here we try to do as much as we can with them. This team is no different, and we have run with them especially in the mornings (although not the early, sunrise ones) and joined them in ministering with evangelistic outreaches in two locations.

In the meanwhile, Kirsten, Trevor, and I made one of our trips to Kingston to finalize our work visas with the Ministry of Immigration. We are happy to report that we are legal and on the home stretch with only receiving our official Work Permit cards, which is just picking them up! We thank the Lord for providing for our permits without the enormous fee and ease with getting through the bureaucratic system.

While in Kingston, we also took Trevor to the doctor for his 4 month check-up! (People told us time would fly and, boy, are they right!) The little man is healthy, happy, and growing. In addition to the check up he also got another round of immunizations, which he took like a champ. I am pretty sure he has his mother's pain tolerance - because he did not even cry with the first shot, but instead gave a puzzled, curious look to the doctor as if to say - "Was that really necessary?"

In regards to posting pictures and such... We apologize for the delay with showing more pictures of Trevor and our time back, but we are having some computer issues. Well, one issue really - my computer is dead, at least for now. This has thrown a kink into our plans to show more photos and video, but we hope to have them up soon for you.

Until next time...