I've been thinking about street evangelism (passing out tracts, talking to people, proclaiming the glorious gospel) and how it fulfills God's plan for salvation in the hearts of men. What is the purpose of these quick, seemingly insignificant "encounters" that we have with total strangers? Is "relational" evangelism (witnessing to those whom we know on a more regular basis) better? More important? More effective?
I have some of my own thoughts on the matter (of course!). However, I want to hear from you. What do you think about this matter? And why???? This part is key, show me Scripture!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Modesty
Pastor Dale Meador just finished up a mini-series on modesty. Click here to listen:
Part 1: For Men
Part 2: For Women
Part 1: For Men
Part 2: For Women
Monday, September 19, 2005
Hello, my name is Julianne and I go to a community college
There. I said it. I go to a community college. There's nothing wrong about that, right?
In the beginning, I told myself only one year at the CC. One year. I had seen too many people spend up to six or more years taking only 4-8 credits a term there. That was not going to be me. After the first year, I'd be up at the University. Now, doesn't that have a nicer ring to it?
However, God has changed my prior, prideful attitude about my continuing education. He has opened my eyes to the great advantages of CCs. Not that there aren't advantages with universities, but now I can appreciate a lot of my CC. First, I love the smaller class sizes. This has been really good for me because it gives opportunities to get to know my professors, whom of which are very nice, straighforward, and good teachers (a rare, but good trait to have).
Just last night, my psychology prof from last year gave me a call. He told me that I had gotten off to a bit of a shakey start (a B in the class), but by the 2nd term, I was improving (up to an A). Well, I had run into him two weeks ago in front of the library and I was telling him of my trip to Brazil (I can't stop talking about it). He told me on the phone that he was looking through my records and that he wanted to give me an opportunity to raise my first term grade up to an A by either writing a paper on how my trip to Brazil changed me or just coming in to his office and talking with him about it. Can you believe it??? I have been praying that God would bring opportunities into my life in order that I may share the wonderful work God has done in my life. He is so good! Another thing is, to get into the very competetive RN program, it all depends on my GPA. So this will definitely raise that. I'm very excited on being able to share this with him. He is not a Christian, and I remember from the first time I met him on the first day of class, he mentioned how he is just fascinated by the Protestant Reformation! How one man could go against an established religion. I know the answer! It is because of God! That is how one man could do it!
Anyway, this sort of thing would never happen at a crowded university. I am so thankful to God for where He has me right now. I love Him so much and His providence over all my life. You are worthy, God, of all my worship!
In the beginning, I told myself only one year at the CC. One year. I had seen too many people spend up to six or more years taking only 4-8 credits a term there. That was not going to be me. After the first year, I'd be up at the University. Now, doesn't that have a nicer ring to it?
However, God has changed my prior, prideful attitude about my continuing education. He has opened my eyes to the great advantages of CCs. Not that there aren't advantages with universities, but now I can appreciate a lot of my CC. First, I love the smaller class sizes. This has been really good for me because it gives opportunities to get to know my professors, whom of which are very nice, straighforward, and good teachers (a rare, but good trait to have).
Just last night, my psychology prof from last year gave me a call. He told me that I had gotten off to a bit of a shakey start (a B in the class), but by the 2nd term, I was improving (up to an A). Well, I had run into him two weeks ago in front of the library and I was telling him of my trip to Brazil (I can't stop talking about it). He told me on the phone that he was looking through my records and that he wanted to give me an opportunity to raise my first term grade up to an A by either writing a paper on how my trip to Brazil changed me or just coming in to his office and talking with him about it. Can you believe it??? I have been praying that God would bring opportunities into my life in order that I may share the wonderful work God has done in my life. He is so good! Another thing is, to get into the very competetive RN program, it all depends on my GPA. So this will definitely raise that. I'm very excited on being able to share this with him. He is not a Christian, and I remember from the first time I met him on the first day of class, he mentioned how he is just fascinated by the Protestant Reformation! How one man could go against an established religion. I know the answer! It is because of God! That is how one man could do it!
Anyway, this sort of thing would never happen at a crowded university. I am so thankful to God for where He has me right now. I love Him so much and His providence over all my life. You are worthy, God, of all my worship!
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Oktoberfuss 2005
Nancy Pearcy, author of Total Truth, will be one of the speakers at this year's Oktoberfuss in Eugene, OR. Gutenburg College/McKenzie Study Center is putting this on at Lane Community College.
The conference will be held at LCC on October 21-22.
Friday night will include a silent auction and reception from 5:30-7:30, and then Nancy will speak from 7:30-9:00 on "Total Truth: Have We Lost Our Minds?"
Saturday, the schedule will be as follows:
8:30-10:00 Nancy Pearcey on "Total Truth: Regaining Our Minds"
10:15-11:45 Nancy Pearcey on "Total Truth: Impacting Culture"
1:00-2:30 Jack Crabtree on "The Gospel and Its Intended Impact"
2:45-4:00 David Crabtree on "Educating Human Beings"
4:15-5:30 Wes Hurd on "Expressing a Christian Worldview
5:30-6:30 Speakers Panel
A cost of $45 for individuals, $65 for couples, and $25 for students has been set.
For more details, please check out our website: http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/ and follow the Oktoberfuss 2005 link, which should be appearing in the next few days.
To pre-register, please send attendee names, address, and phone number or email along with payment to Gutenberg College, 1883 University St, Eugene, OR 97403
To all my readers (all four of you): Please come! I want to meet you in person. ;)
The conference will be held at LCC on October 21-22.
Friday night will include a silent auction and reception from 5:30-7:30, and then Nancy will speak from 7:30-9:00 on "Total Truth: Have We Lost Our Minds?"
Saturday, the schedule will be as follows:
8:30-10:00 Nancy Pearcey on "Total Truth: Regaining Our Minds"
10:15-11:45 Nancy Pearcey on "Total Truth: Impacting Culture"
1:00-2:30 Jack Crabtree on "The Gospel and Its Intended Impact"
2:45-4:00 David Crabtree on "Educating Human Beings"
4:15-5:30 Wes Hurd on "Expressing a Christian Worldview
5:30-6:30 Speakers Panel
A cost of $45 for individuals, $65 for couples, and $25 for students has been set.
For more details, please check out our website: http://www.mckenziestudycenter.org/ and follow the Oktoberfuss 2005 link, which should be appearing in the next few days.
To pre-register, please send attendee names, address, and phone number or email along with payment to Gutenberg College, 1883 University St, Eugene, OR 97403
To all my readers (all four of you): Please come! I want to meet you in person. ;)
Monday, September 12, 2005
Boy Meets Girl...but, that's about it
Recently, I've been reading Joshua Harris' Boy Meets Girl. In it, I read a good paragraph that's got me thinking.
"A couple committed to God's glory places their ultimate hope in God, not in each other. Before two people can please God as a couple, they must first be individuals who want God more than anything else and who know that only He can satisfy the deepest longings of their souls."
Eventhough, I am not in a "dating" relationship, I can still apply this concept to my life as a single person...maybe even better to start now. Am I an individual who wants God more than anything else? I hope I am. How can I really know though? Do I seek to have Christ's name exalted higher than my own? Is anything I do out of selfish ambition? Am I disappointed when things don't go as "planned," in relationships, for example? Am I doubtful of God's providence when destruction and calamities come? Are there things in me that are causing myself slower conforment to Christ?
He goes on to write, "One of my favorite authors, John Piper, has made his life message this simple but profound truth: 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.' What does this mean? It means that we can exalt God by trusting in Him and desiring Him above anything else in life--more than companionship, more than romance, more than marriage. When we do, our lives say louder than words that He is more fulfilling than all these things."
Companionship...that is the key one for me. Just someone to talk with who appreciates the same things I do. "Come on, God! Is it that hard?" This attitude is natural for me. One I must purge from myself. I need to be fully content with where God has placed me. God fulfills me! He does! He is all I need! This is a precious truth.
"Unlike all the fleeting pleasures of this world, when we make God the object of our soul's longing, He truly satisfies us--we find the lasting peace and joy we long for. Only then can we have a healthy, happy relationship, because instead of the relationship being our reason for living, it becomes an expression of the fact that we're living for Someone greater."
(Joshua Harris, Boy Meets Girl pg. 38)
"A couple committed to God's glory places their ultimate hope in God, not in each other. Before two people can please God as a couple, they must first be individuals who want God more than anything else and who know that only He can satisfy the deepest longings of their souls."
Eventhough, I am not in a "dating" relationship, I can still apply this concept to my life as a single person...maybe even better to start now. Am I an individual who wants God more than anything else? I hope I am. How can I really know though? Do I seek to have Christ's name exalted higher than my own? Is anything I do out of selfish ambition? Am I disappointed when things don't go as "planned," in relationships, for example? Am I doubtful of God's providence when destruction and calamities come? Are there things in me that are causing myself slower conforment to Christ?
He goes on to write, "One of my favorite authors, John Piper, has made his life message this simple but profound truth: 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.' What does this mean? It means that we can exalt God by trusting in Him and desiring Him above anything else in life--more than companionship, more than romance, more than marriage. When we do, our lives say louder than words that He is more fulfilling than all these things."
Companionship...that is the key one for me. Just someone to talk with who appreciates the same things I do. "Come on, God! Is it that hard?" This attitude is natural for me. One I must purge from myself. I need to be fully content with where God has placed me. God fulfills me! He does! He is all I need! This is a precious truth.
"Unlike all the fleeting pleasures of this world, when we make God the object of our soul's longing, He truly satisfies us--we find the lasting peace and joy we long for. Only then can we have a healthy, happy relationship, because instead of the relationship being our reason for living, it becomes an expression of the fact that we're living for Someone greater."
(Joshua Harris, Boy Meets Girl pg. 38)
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Too Comfortable...
"No! Don't let it happen. Don't let me slowly creep back into ease. Don't let me become "easygoing" with my faith. Don't let me become comfortable in life."
This has been my prayer since coming home from Brazil. This life is our chance to get out of our "comfort zone" and suffer for Christ. I'm talking physically and emotionally. Now, I can say this as much as I want, but do I mean it? Am I really willing to take what will come my way when I bear myself before my King and this world? Am I willing to feed the hungry and clothe the naked? Am I willing to be wise, but not "safe"? Am I willing to give up rights to myself and give myself completely to the One who knows and loves me best?
Were we ever promised that this life would be a breeze? Were we promised that we would get a "one-way ticket to paradise" with no stops along the way? Where do we come up with these ideas? As Christians, do we let the world, culture, society influenece us more than the Word of God? God's Word says that we are sent out as a sheep in a pack of wolves. That is about the worst analogy I want to be commpared to. It's basically the position I want to steer clear of the most. A poor, helpless sheep among hungry, angry wolves who happen to love sheep sirloin the best. No good. However, this is what Jesus tells us. What do you think He could mean by it? Maybe that we will suffer, that we will face persecution, that we will forget the "comfortable" life.
Just some thoughts. Right now, I'm wanting to go minister on the streets, but part of me feels like waiting till some others can come with me. Father, please send the right people into my life. Your will be done, on earth, like it is in heaven. Amen.
This has been my prayer since coming home from Brazil. This life is our chance to get out of our "comfort zone" and suffer for Christ. I'm talking physically and emotionally. Now, I can say this as much as I want, but do I mean it? Am I really willing to take what will come my way when I bear myself before my King and this world? Am I willing to feed the hungry and clothe the naked? Am I willing to be wise, but not "safe"? Am I willing to give up rights to myself and give myself completely to the One who knows and loves me best?
Were we ever promised that this life would be a breeze? Were we promised that we would get a "one-way ticket to paradise" with no stops along the way? Where do we come up with these ideas? As Christians, do we let the world, culture, society influenece us more than the Word of God? God's Word says that we are sent out as a sheep in a pack of wolves. That is about the worst analogy I want to be commpared to. It's basically the position I want to steer clear of the most. A poor, helpless sheep among hungry, angry wolves who happen to love sheep sirloin the best. No good. However, this is what Jesus tells us. What do you think He could mean by it? Maybe that we will suffer, that we will face persecution, that we will forget the "comfortable" life.
Just some thoughts. Right now, I'm wanting to go minister on the streets, but part of me feels like waiting till some others can come with me. Father, please send the right people into my life. Your will be done, on earth, like it is in heaven. Amen.
Friday, September 02, 2005
RN?
Yesterday, my Granpa had open-heart surgery to disconnect and reconnect several arteries that had about 90% blockage. He was really healthy and felt fine, but I guess this is a genetic thing. They say he was a ticking bomb for a heart attack. So, they had to break open his ribcage and cut into several different limbs to perform the proceedure. Pretty major. I was down at the hospital a bit yesterday, and I'm going to be going down there in a little while.
I think it is so amazing that we can stop the beating of a heart. Being in such a sureal state, it makes you think about the supernatural world. All around in the hospital there are people dying and it is the perfect place to share the hope that Christ brings to us. As of right now, I'm seriously considering going to the college here and entering the 2-year RN (registered nurse) program. I could use it for Kingdom work either in Brazil on the medical boats or here in my hometown at the needy hospital. Thank you, Lord for putting something in my heart...if it's something else You want me to do, I want to be open to wherever or whatever You have for me. Amen.
I think it is so amazing that we can stop the beating of a heart. Being in such a sureal state, it makes you think about the supernatural world. All around in the hospital there are people dying and it is the perfect place to share the hope that Christ brings to us. As of right now, I'm seriously considering going to the college here and entering the 2-year RN (registered nurse) program. I could use it for Kingdom work either in Brazil on the medical boats or here in my hometown at the needy hospital. Thank you, Lord for putting something in my heart...if it's something else You want me to do, I want to be open to wherever or whatever You have for me. Amen.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Mortify Pride, Cultivate Humility
How I Mortify Pride and Cultivate Humility
by C.J. Mahaney
This is my life list. This is not a list that I have assembled from the last month of my life. This would be a list; really looking back now over...30 years of seeking to grow in grace. So think of this as a list of recommendations, not requirements...recommendations...for your consideration. Custom design your own list. But let me impress this on you...you should have a list...you should be purposeful about this. Each day you should be addressing your greatest enemy and cultivating your greatest friend. So here's how I attempt to mortify pride and cultivate humility.
1. Study the attributes of God, especially His incommunicable attributes
2. Reflect on the wonder of the Cross of Christ
3. Study the Doctrines of Grace
4. Study the Doctrine of Sin
5. Cultivate spiritual disciplines
6. Invite and pursue correction
7. Encourage and serve others each and every day
8. Identify evidences of grace in others
9. Respond humbly to trials
10. Discern your thorns
11. Use unflattering illustrations of yourself publicly
12. Recognize your theological limitations
13. Prepare to be replaced
14. Recognize your relative unimportance
15. Laugh at others when you are the object of humor
16. Play golf as much as possible…
17. Read as many of C.H. Spurgeon’s sermons as possible
Humility
Copyright 2002 Sovereign Grace Ministries
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
by C.J. Mahaney
This is my life list. This is not a list that I have assembled from the last month of my life. This would be a list; really looking back now over...30 years of seeking to grow in grace. So think of this as a list of recommendations, not requirements...recommendations...for your consideration. Custom design your own list. But let me impress this on you...you should have a list...you should be purposeful about this. Each day you should be addressing your greatest enemy and cultivating your greatest friend. So here's how I attempt to mortify pride and cultivate humility.
1. Study the attributes of God, especially His incommunicable attributes
2. Reflect on the wonder of the Cross of Christ
3. Study the Doctrines of Grace
4. Study the Doctrine of Sin
5. Cultivate spiritual disciplines
6. Invite and pursue correction
7. Encourage and serve others each and every day
8. Identify evidences of grace in others
9. Respond humbly to trials
10. Discern your thorns
11. Use unflattering illustrations of yourself publicly
12. Recognize your theological limitations
13. Prepare to be replaced
14. Recognize your relative unimportance
15. Laugh at others when you are the object of humor
16. Play golf as much as possible…
17. Read as many of C.H. Spurgeon’s sermons as possible
Humility
Copyright 2002 Sovereign Grace Ministries
www.sovereigngraceministries.org
TOP TEN SIGNS THAT YOU THINK ABOUT THEOLOGY TOO MUCH:
1. You think "Will and Grace" is a sitcom about Arminians and Calvinists.
2. Your idea of evangelism is to nail a copy of Luther's 95 theses to the door of every house in your neighborhood (in Latin).
3. Your kids are named Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli.
4. Your bumper sticker says "Honk if you're a Supralapsarian!"
5. You tune into "Crossing Over" expecting to see the 18th century theologian, not the 21st century psychic.
6. You have a life-size poster of John Gerstner on your bedroom wall.
7. You have a Jonathan Edwards lunch box with a John Calvin thermos.
8. After having one too many drinks, you decide to get Luther and Calvin's faces tattooed on each arm.
9. You keep accidentally referring to the Rose Bowl as the Tulip Bowl.
10. You read Freedom of the Will to your six year old for a bedtime story.
Stolen from Micah @ Resolution 57
1. You think "Will and Grace" is a sitcom about Arminians and Calvinists.
2. Your idea of evangelism is to nail a copy of Luther's 95 theses to the door of every house in your neighborhood (in Latin).
3. Your kids are named Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli.
4. Your bumper sticker says "Honk if you're a Supralapsarian!"
5. You tune into "Crossing Over" expecting to see the 18th century theologian, not the 21st century psychic.
6. You have a life-size poster of John Gerstner on your bedroom wall.
7. You have a Jonathan Edwards lunch box with a John Calvin thermos.
8. After having one too many drinks, you decide to get Luther and Calvin's faces tattooed on each arm.
9. You keep accidentally referring to the Rose Bowl as the Tulip Bowl.
10. You read Freedom of the Will to your six year old for a bedtime story.
Stolen from Micah @ Resolution 57
Do I Trust God...
This past week, I have been praying and thinking about what I should do. I finished one year of schooling at a community college, and I'm really wanting to go to some place where I can learn more about Scripture and applying it to life and where I can fellowship with like-minded Christians. I thought about going to seminary, but nixed that idea on bases of money and usefulness (one idea was to get into counseling afterwards...). Then I thought about just continuing my "secular" education and getting a useful degree, like business or medical. The problem is I'm not sure what I want to do. Do I want to be an over-seas missionary? Or a dentist? Or a nurse? Or an engineer?
God has been teaching me that no matter what I do, I want to live eternity-minded. I'm talking about intentional living. Living for the purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him and expanding His Kingdom by spreading a passion for the surpremacy of Christ. Doing everything for the excuse to share the gospel. Going to school to share with my classmates. Working for the excuse to share with all the people I come into contact with. To be a missionary no matter where or what. We are all called to be missionaries, because we were chosen to be followers of Christ.
God has really shook my priorities since going to Brazil. I am going to be more involved with my family and the Church. I am going to spend more time street witnessing and just "speaking the Bible." I am going to spend more time discipling other young women. This I will do if God wills.
I have so many different dreams; I would love to open some kind of coffee house/library where students or anyone could come and get a cup of coffee and enjoy some good books and good fellowship. It would be centered around Reformed Christian theology. We could also have different speakers a couple nights a week. We could even name the daily specials after the five points of Calvinism. "I'll take the total depravity, no whipped cream." We could name it Coram Deo Cup of Joe. Or, Justification Java. Or, Biblical Beans...
Or, I would love to be a dentist and go back to Brazil for the summers and help on medical trips to the villages. Or, be the missions director at church. There are endless options. I know that God will direct my paths. He is my good Shepherd, and He isn't hiding from me. He guides His sheep and doesn't lead them astray. I know that He will make His will clear for my life. May I entrust my whole life to His perfect and good will. Praise be to our God, the One who shares His glory with none other!
Soli Deo Gloria!!!
God has been teaching me that no matter what I do, I want to live eternity-minded. I'm talking about intentional living. Living for the purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him and expanding His Kingdom by spreading a passion for the surpremacy of Christ. Doing everything for the excuse to share the gospel. Going to school to share with my classmates. Working for the excuse to share with all the people I come into contact with. To be a missionary no matter where or what. We are all called to be missionaries, because we were chosen to be followers of Christ.
God has really shook my priorities since going to Brazil. I am going to be more involved with my family and the Church. I am going to spend more time street witnessing and just "speaking the Bible." I am going to spend more time discipling other young women. This I will do if God wills.
I have so many different dreams; I would love to open some kind of coffee house/library where students or anyone could come and get a cup of coffee and enjoy some good books and good fellowship. It would be centered around Reformed Christian theology. We could also have different speakers a couple nights a week. We could even name the daily specials after the five points of Calvinism. "I'll take the total depravity, no whipped cream." We could name it Coram Deo Cup of Joe. Or, Justification Java. Or, Biblical Beans...
Or, I would love to be a dentist and go back to Brazil for the summers and help on medical trips to the villages. Or, be the missions director at church. There are endless options. I know that God will direct my paths. He is my good Shepherd, and He isn't hiding from me. He guides His sheep and doesn't lead them astray. I know that He will make His will clear for my life. May I entrust my whole life to His perfect and good will. Praise be to our God, the One who shares His glory with none other!
Soli Deo Gloria!!!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
My Military Men
Chris, my oldest brother, in Arizona, training for military intelligence in the Army. This was taken just after a 8-mile hike in the 114 degree weather (@ 6:00 am). Notice the heavy fatigues. Thanks, Chris!!!
Hammock Camping...
...not quite like in Brazil.
This weekend, some of my family went up to the lake to camp. My cousin, Stephen, and I hung our hammocks out in the woods and we froze so bad... We both were just like, "why did we do this?" "Oh, yeah, to be adventurous."
Stephen, chilling in "the pod."
This weekend, some of my family went up to the lake to camp. My cousin, Stephen, and I hung our hammocks out in the woods and we froze so bad... We both were just like, "why did we do this?" "Oh, yeah, to be adventurous."
Stephen, chilling in "the pod."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)