Joshua and Andrew Sing Foghat and Elvis Costello

Paul and Clive Staples

I'm taking a seminary class on the Pauline Epistles. I've learned that this particular professor is considered an expert on C.S. Lewis. In the Pauline Epistles class he made this statement which, I think, shows the glory of the scriptures.

"The more I taught Lewis, the less I enjoyed it. The more I teach Paul, the more I enjoy it." - Dr. Knox Chamblin

You Can't Lose Enough

I went to a benefit concert for IJM and Food for the Hungry last night. Sara Groves was one of the performers and said this. It has stayed with me.

"People ask will I lose too much. I'm telling you, you can't lose enough."

Don't Waste Your Life

There is a concert tonight at our church featuring Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Charlie Peacock, Sara Groves, and Brandon Heath. It will be a great show and it benefits the International Justice Mission and Food For the Hungry. There are plenty of seats available.

Here's what you'll be missing if you choose to stay at home and waste your life.







(For my more sensitive readers, I don't really think you'll be wasting your life if you don't come - just one evening of your life)

As Weary Pilgrim by Anne Bradstreet

As Weary Pilgrim
By Anne Bradstreet

As weary pilgrim, now at rest,
Hugs with delight his silent nest
His wasted limbs, now lie full soft
That mirey steps, have trodden oft,
Blesses himself to think upon
His dangers past, and travails done.
The burning sun no more shall heat
Nor stormy rains on him shall beat.
The briars and thorns no more shall scratch,
Nor hungry wolves at him shall catch.
He erring paths no more shall tread,
Nor wild fruits eat, instead of bread.
For waters cold he doth not long
For thirst no more shall parch his tongue.
No rugged stones his feet shall gall,
Nor stumps nor rocks cause him to fall.
All cares and fears he bids farwell
And means in safety now to dwell.
A pilgrim I, on earth, perplexed
With sins wth cares and sorrows vext,
By age and pains brought to decay,
And my clay house mould’ring away.
Oh, how I long to be at rest
And soar on high among the blest.
This body shall in silence sleep,
Mine eyes no more shall ever weep,
No fainting fits shall me assail,
Nor grinding pains my body frail,
With cares and fears ne’er cumb’red be
Nor losses know, nor sorrows see.
What though my flesh shall there consume,
It is the bed Christ did perfume,
And when a few yeares shall be gone,
This mortal shall be clothed upon.
A corrupt carcass down it lays,
A glorious body it shall rise.
In weakness and dishonour sown,
In power ’tis raised by Christ alone.
Then soul and body shall unite
And of their Maker have the sight.
Such lasting joys shall there behold
As ear ne’er heard nor tongue e’er told.
Lord make me ready for that day,
Then come, dear Bridgroom, come away.

Begone Unbelief

Begone Unbelief by John Newton

Begone unbelief, My Savior is near,
And for my relief Will surely appear:
By faith let me wrestle, with God in the storm
And help me my Savior, the faith to adorn
And help me my Savior, the faith to adorn

Though dark be my way, Since he is my guide,
'Tis mine to obey, and His to provide;
Though cisterns be broken, And creatures all fail,
The word he has spoken will surely prevail.
The word he has spoken will surely prevail.

Begone unbelief, The Savior is here (3x)
Though cisterns be broken And creatures all fail
The word he has spoken will surely prevail
The word he has spoken will surely prevail

Why should I complain, Of want or distress
Temptation or pain? He told me no less
The heirs of salvation, I know from his word
Through much tribulation Must follow their Lord
Through much tribulation Must follow their Lord

Since all that I meet will work for my good,
The bitter is sweet, The medicine food;
Though painful at present, will cease before long,
And then, O! how glorious, The conqueror's song!
And then, O! how glorious, The conqueror's song!

A Buckley for Obama

This link is very interesting. Enjoy (or gnash your teeth).

A Light in a Dark Place

Friday night Rebecca and I took the boys to see my brother-in-law play football. I saw my college Chemistry Lab professor. If you know me at all, you know my Chemistry Lab professor is not someone I should have been close to. To be honest, the only thing I remember from the lab is that picking up beakers with tongs is a really bad idea. I learned that one the hard way.

This particular professor taught me at one of the darkest parts of my life. When I saw him sitting in the stands, I was overwhelmed with a gratitude that I couldn't exactly put an exact memory to. I can't remember a single conversation we had (other than not picking up beakers with tongs - and I've already hinted at how that ended). But I remember him caring about me and being there for me. I rememeber he asked questions and genuinely went out of his way to make me know I mattered.

I went up to him during the game and asked him if he remembered me. He did. I told him I couldn't exactly remember everything he had done for me, but I wanted to thank him for being a light in my life during a dark time.

He reminded me that I used to talk to him about the church I was in. I'm amazed at how many people knew I was in a cult, but didn't come out and say it. He was thankful to learn I have been delivered from the cult and worshiping in a true church (even if it is Presbyterian!).

The encounter reminded me of how glorious the body of Christ is. There are so many problems in the church and so many reasons to be discouraged. But the truth is, God has a covenant community of believers in this world who encourage each other and point each other to him. I hadn't thought about that professor in years, but his love and care for me as a college student is an indelibe mark on my life. Jesus' church is glorious and amazing. I'm thankful Jesus sent me this professor to be a light in a dar, place.

Joshua and Andrew Sing Some Ben Shive

Proof

I ran a 5K Saturday. Here is proof.

And, guy in the red shorts, quit being so dramatic.