As many of you know, I am away with my wife in Schaumburg, Illinois as she attends the TRUE WOMAN CONFERENCE. I came for two reasons...one, to be with my wife...especially since she is about 6 weeks away from delivery of our 3rd child. Also, because I am volunteering today to help serve the lunch to over 6,000 women. I attend conferences every year - usually pastor's conferences - and I am always on the receiving end of such gracious servants, and usually it is women who are serving us. Even in my own church, this is typically the case. So, I took advantage of this opportunity to be on the other end. The Lord knows that I am a "prideful" man and it is good for me to intentionally put myself in positions of humility and servanthood. Because Jesus said that the ones who are really "great" are those who serve! So while I serve today, I will be thinking about the many who I know personally who "serve" day in and day out to be a blessing to others and often go unnoticed! You know who you are and I thank you for your example to me and to so many others...especially to the many children who watch your example.
One last thing...I considered blogging about the conference....but then I found out that Tim Challies is already doing it. There is no way I could compete with him...so if your interested, go to his website to read up on the conference.
http://www.challies.com/
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
New Wednesday Night Ministries
As many of you know on Wednesday evenings we have combined forces with Walnut Creek Community Church and Pastor Brian Main. Last night was our first night with all the classes being offered and in place. Here is a quick rundown of the format:
KidVenture Program - children 3 years old and up to 6th grade
Youth Ministry - teenagers from 7th to 12th grade
College and Career - for those out of high school to late 20's
Leadership Study - for adults in any other stage of life
It is a great thing to see two churches coming together and maximizing our resources. I really enjoyed seeing the two local churches partnering together and focusing on what "unites" us - Jesus Christ and His substitutionary atonement!
That is what our college class was focused on last night - The Gospel - and our challenge is to always keep that first and foremost. We can sum it up in two short statements - "Admit our guilt, Admire God's grace" - they go together...we cant truly admire God's grace without first admitting our guilt! And we cant tell others about God's grace until we have told them about their guilt!
As we closed our time together, I shared words for a familiar hymn and then two quotes...if anyone is interested, here they are:
The hymn - "Man of Sorrows" - speaks of what our guilt and God's grace! Who He is and what He has done for us!
Man of Sorrow! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless, we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He.
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die,
It is finished! was His cry;
Now in Heaven, exalted high:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
(P.P. Bliss)
And the two final quotes have to do with "our response" to our God and His glorious grace!
First, C.T Studd:
"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him"
Next, Charles Spurgeon:
"It is our duty and our privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus Christ! We are not to be living specimens of men in fine preservation, but living sacrifices, whose lot is to be consumed"
What a great privilege to come near the cross together with these college students...please pray for us to draw near and stay at "the foot of the cross".
Also, feel free to post a comment regarding any of the studies last night...please let Pastor Brian Main know how much you appreciated his teaching!
KidVenture Program - children 3 years old and up to 6th grade
Youth Ministry - teenagers from 7th to 12th grade
College and Career - for those out of high school to late 20's
Leadership Study - for adults in any other stage of life
It is a great thing to see two churches coming together and maximizing our resources. I really enjoyed seeing the two local churches partnering together and focusing on what "unites" us - Jesus Christ and His substitutionary atonement!
That is what our college class was focused on last night - The Gospel - and our challenge is to always keep that first and foremost. We can sum it up in two short statements - "Admit our guilt, Admire God's grace" - they go together...we cant truly admire God's grace without first admitting our guilt! And we cant tell others about God's grace until we have told them about their guilt!
As we closed our time together, I shared words for a familiar hymn and then two quotes...if anyone is interested, here they are:
The hymn - "Man of Sorrows" - speaks of what our guilt and God's grace! Who He is and what He has done for us!
Man of Sorrow! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless, we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He.
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die,
It is finished! was His cry;
Now in Heaven, exalted high:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
(P.P. Bliss)
And the two final quotes have to do with "our response" to our God and His glorious grace!
First, C.T Studd:
"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him"
Next, Charles Spurgeon:
"It is our duty and our privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus Christ! We are not to be living specimens of men in fine preservation, but living sacrifices, whose lot is to be consumed"
What a great privilege to come near the cross together with these college students...please pray for us to draw near and stay at "the foot of the cross".
Also, feel free to post a comment regarding any of the studies last night...please let Pastor Brian Main know how much you appreciated his teaching!
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