Thinking of Seminary?

Quite a while ago, Brian reprinted a post from John Stackhouse that was aimed at those considering seminary.  Recently, I encountered and read a book that is aimed at that same audience.  So, if you have ever or are currently considering a theological education of any type, I suggest you purchase and read So You’re Thinking About Going To Seminary by Derek Cooper.  It explains who needs seminary, the different types of theological education available, the different degrees, and what a seminary education looks like.  It is very helpful for opening your eyes.  I wish I had read it before I attended seminary.

What Could Have Been…

If only I had attended this church gathering when I was in Jr. High I may have become a Christian a lot earlier in life.  I also probably would have met Doug Collins a lot earlier…I’m pretty sure he’s in there somewhere.

Not Your Normal Revelation Sermon Series

If you want to listen to all or any of of our sermons from the book of Revelation then keep on clicking.

Togo: Window Curtains & a Pail of Water

Tim Neufeld, ABWE Missionary in Mango Togo, writes about a  young woman who thought she could earn God’s approval by obeying the ten commandments (and her change of heart) and how a pail of water can show love to a Muslim woman.

Choosing Thomas

I present this story not to make you cry (it will), nor to stir up emotions you are working through  (it will if you have lost a child), but to encourage the value of life and God’s sovereign hold and care on each life.  To encourage trust in God for the life He gives each of us – short or long, in the womb or outside the womb, sick or healthy, little babies or aging parents, and everything in between.

It’s about a couple who choose to keep their son even though he is diagnosed in the womb as having a DNA abnormality called Trisomy 13.

Thanks to Justin Taylor.

Deliver Us From Evil

I’ve recently read Chris Wright’s The God I Don’t Understand (highly recommended, BTW).  In the first part of the book, he talks about the problem of evil in the world.  As he closes it out, he has some helpful words about the Lord’s prayer that helped me see it in a new way.  Have you thought of the words “Deliver us from evil” as a personal plea?  What if it is that, but also much more?

Carrying the Gospel

What are you doing to take the gospel to people?  A few weeks ago, a lot of people took the gospel to children downtown.  I’m grateful for all the people who were involved in so many ways (you know who you are) and I wanted to share a picture that someone gave me.

The True State of the Economy

I’m not smart enough to understand everything about the economy, so I rely upon the experts.  One guy that really impresses me from the McLaughlin Group (no relation) is Mort Zuckerman.  He always seems very level-headed.  So what does Mort say about the economy?  In this article, he says it is worse than we think.

It is in these times we find tremendous comfort from God’s word.  Consider Psalm 49:  “Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me?  They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.  Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God…But as for me, God will redeem my life.  He will snatch me from the power of the grave.”

Just an Average Day in Togo West Africa

Just a quick note from Togo!
I was up at 5:30 AM and led devotions for a group of surgeons. Then I was off to surgery where I sat in on a procedure that repaired a baby’s cleft lip. Then on to a elementary school to see how churches are training children. After that, a quick lunch with a woman who leads Community Health Evangelism to see how we can encourage her. Then we went to the Adeta market and experienced all kinds of sounds, smells, and much more. I’ll be traveling home to Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday and I look forward to being home. I also experienced my first C-Section last Friday, so I am confident that I can handle just about any medical situation (or at least observe). Pray for Togo missionaries – life is on the edge here.

Pray for the people of Togo!

What Not To Wear

I’m not a woman, so I don’t really appreciate all that women have to go through when they pick out clothes.  However, our culture has lots to say about what women should wear – and most of it seems (to me, at least) to be a little unhealthy.  To that end, our church is bringing Shari Braendel for a weekend of fashion conversation for Christian women. Watch a short video of what she talks about after the break.