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More on the Personal Side…

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On Wednesday I promised a post on Thursday (which didn’t happen) on what else has been going on in my life. So, here’s that update.

On August 9, I started a 35 day candida cleanse and detox. What this amounted to, diet wise, was about 1200 calories, no dairy, no wheat, no sugar and no processed foods. It was one of the more strict things I’ve pursued physically in my life. In the process of this, I lost about 44 pounds and felt pretty amazing. I’ve developed a love for vegetables, lean proteins and healthy oils.

Since that ended, over the past month I have continued to work hard on disciplining my life and diet. The basic model I’m trying to follow to lose weight is no grains, no sugars, and no bad fats. Of course, there are times when it is very difficult to follow this, but the normal routine of my life is disciplined in this way. I still shoot for about 1200-1500 calories and have continued to lose even more weight in slow, steady ways.

So, this has been pretty wild. I’ve had to learn new ways to eat and not pound so many carbs. All of this has been pursued on my part because I want to glorify God in my physical body. I have been bought with a price and therefore, want to please Him in my physical body (like 1 Corinthians 6:20 instructs). Please continue to pray for me and ask God to reveal when food is becoming an idol or when my heart is longing for what I don’t need. I have seen how much my eating is related to feeding selfish cravings. I want to be holy above all.

Studying Hebrews

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As for what I’ve been up to lately…I’ll post more tomorrow on another personal side, but I’ve been prepping for preaching through the book of Hebrews in my spare time. The usual rhythm of a pastor who preaches through books of the Bible is lots of studying. Prepping to preach through difficult passages in Colossians has been fun. Currently, we are making our way through the end of chapter 3. The end of this book is in view (only 3 sermons after Sunday). After a Thanksgiving sermon and a brief series on Advent (Love, Joy, Peace, Hope), I plan to preach a series on the Lord’s Prayer in the month of January. To prep for that I’ve re-read Paul Miller’s The Praying Life in recent days and was freshly edified and convicted.

But, having said all this, a bulk of my time is spent on researching the book of Hebrews. Here are some things I’ve taken/am taking in:

The Book of Hebrews itself. I type it on onto single spaced pages and read the text over and over again (in the ESV of course). On the study leave I’ve been granted (keep reading), I hope to work hard in the Greek text.

Thomas Mann’s Oxford Guide To Library Research. I’m reading this to be a good steward of a study leave the elders of Crestview are giving me for a week in November.

George Guthrie’s Structure of Hebrews has been really helpful, but at a whopping $206 on Amazon, I got it through Interlibrary Loan at at my public library.

Four Views on the Warning Passages of Hebrews was helpful to show the different interpretive schemes among calvinistic and arminian Bible interpreters. The charitable tone of the scholarly debate printed in this book was also encouraging.

I downloaded Edwards’ Notes from the Blank Bible on Hebrews.

I have a used copy of Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae coming in the mail (on Hebrews).

Some commentaries I had, of which I have read the introductions are:

Kent Hughes 2 Volumes on Hebrews
F.F. Bruce’s contribution to the NICNT on Hebrews
O’Brien’s recent release in the Pillar Series on Hebrews
Allen’s latest NAC release on Hebrews
John Owen’s abridged commentary on Hebrews in the Crossway Classics Series
Guthrie’s NIVAC on Hebrews

Other books that have proven helpful:
McCheyne’s sermons on Hebrews
Philip Hacking’s Day One book Opening Up Hebrews
David Dickson’s Short Exposition of Hebrews
Driscoll’s section on Hebrews in A Book You’ll Actually Read on the NT
Fee & Stuart’s intro to Hebrews in How To Read the Bible Book by Book
Roger Ellsworth’s section on Hebrews in Guide: The Bible Book by Book
Carson, Moo & Morris’ chapter on Hebrews in Intro To The NT
Notes from Alan Tomlinson‘s class on General Epistles from Seminary
I taught through Hebrews to High School Students in the Fall of 2001, so I am reviewing those notes.
George Guthrie’s intro to Hebrews in Commentary on the NT Use of the OT is helpful.
And I also read George Ladd’s chapter on Hebrews in Theology of the NT
Lig Duncan also has his teaching through Hebrews manuscripted online

On top of all of this reading, I’m listening to the following, which were free downloads:
Steven Lawson’s sermons on Hebrews at GBC’s 2006 Bible Conference
D.A. Carson’s 3 sessions at the J.B. Gray Lectures at Southern Seminary on the NT use of the OT, specifically related to Hebrews
Dick Lucas’ Instruction on Hebrews as part of the Proclamation Trust
Richard Gaffin’s Theology of Hebrews on Westminster Seminary’s ITunes U
Matt Chandler’s Series on Hebrews
John Piper’s Sermons Through Hebrews
Mark Dever’s Overview of Hebrews

I very much identify with Ecclesiastes 12:12: “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is weariness to the flesh.” I want to steward my time in this book and especially on the gift of study time from the Elders well, so I am working hard to hit the ground running.

And #3 is…

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Many of you know that Meghan and I are expecting a 3rd child February 22nd of 2011.

Well, we went to the doctor this morning, took some pictures of the baby and were able to find out that #3 will be a GIRL!

We are praising God for this precious gift.

#3 – 1st Pic

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Meg and I spent yesterday at the doctor’s office and this is the first picture we got of baby #3, tentatively due on February 22nd. We are excited, overwhelmed and experiencing all kinds of marveling at how God has again granted us conception. Please be praying for Meg as she hasn’t been feeling too hot (typical 1st trimester stuff) and for the health of the baby as he/she develops. We were already able to get that heartbeat, a healthy 168 bpm. At any rate, I knew some of you would be interested in the pic.

Good Questions to Ask Yourself…

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I found these three from Justin Buzzard:

God has given you a life and he wants you to steward it well. This involves choices. How will you best steward the gifting, personality, resources, and opportunities God has given you?

Most of us reading this know we need to make some changes in order to best invest (instead of bury) the “talents” God has given us. But we often don’t know how to discern what changes to make. I think we often make this process too complicated. Here’s one simple way of diagnosing how you’re stewarding the life God has given you. Ask yourself these 3 questions. And ask a few people who love you to give you their input on these questions.

1. What is the one thing you are now doing that you think you should continue doing? (This should target towards your greatest strength)
2. What is the one thing you are now doing that you think you should stop doing? (This should target towards your greatest liability/time waster/sin/way of harming others/etc.)
3. What is one thing you are not now doing that you think you should start doing? (This should target toward your greatest opportunity/untapped potential/a big new risk)

The other questions were from a seminar entitled Watch Your Planning by Mike Bullmore:

Is there something I have a godly desire for in my life?
Is there something God’s been stirring me to address or change?
Are there some things in my life that are not the way I’d like them to be? (these are at the 1:02:15 mark)

Ask these questions, then, and see where God might lead you.

Update on Andrew…

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Well, we had a full morning, having to be at the hospital by 5:30 (yes, that’s AM). But the procedure was effective. Andrew handled the anesthetic well and we got home around 11AM. We are praising God for a good morning and above all for glorifying Himself in our lives as we’ve sought to be patient and humble parents. We continue to need your prayers to be patient with him in the recovery. But again, we are praising God that everything went well this AM. Thanks to all who prayed, those who brought us coffee this AM, and those who have called. We feel loved and grateful to God to be a part of such a wonderful body of believers, as well as being blessed with friends in other places.

I’m back…

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So, I’m back from vacation, fairly rested and ready to return to work. Have had a full day. A new telephone system was put in place at work (our old one was struck by lightning and inoperable). We also had a boiler inspection at 11AM. Painting was happening. Internet was out and fixed around 2:30. I’ve proctored a test for someone, got a crown put in on a tooth and have an adjustment with my chiropractor shortly.

On top of all this (and the obvious reason for the picture) is that we found out today Meghan is pregnant with child #3. We’ll see what we can find out in the coming days about specifics. But, for now, we are full with praise to God for again giving us conception (see Ruth 4:13 for proof that God is the One ultimately behind this).