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My Mom-The Queen (repost from 5/9/07)

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For Mother’s Day, I thought I’d post this tribute I wrote for my mom in 2007. Mom, you are still a huge blessing to me. I love you…

I was wanting to write a post thanking God for my Mom and when my Mom’s cousin, Laura, sent me this photo of my mom from back in the dizz-ay, I knew my opportunity had come. (Incidentally, this pic of my Mom is back from the days when GA’s, or Girls in Action, were alive and well in Baptist life. This is a GA coronation and a banquet would honor girls who had memorized Scripture, been involved in the local church, served others, etc. This was no small task and speaks of the active faith that has existed in my Mom since her youth.)

I can’t thank God enough for my Mom. God has used her to instill so much truth in my life, both about living and about God. Seeing the way she worked so hard for her family has helped me see what an honorable thing a wife is and given me the proper words to use in encouraging Meg’s pursuit of managing our home well. She modeled this. Growing up, my Mom worked hard. Whether it was babysitting or working as a Customer Service Rep for an HMO or her current position, she has labored hard for her family.

I think our relationship changed (understandably) when my Dad passed away. I will never forget finally arriving home early that morning when he passed and having my Mom fall in my arms. We had so many decisions to make in those few days. God was gracious, but my role changed from simply a son to someone who had to be stronger for her.

In these days, Mom continues to exemplify what a godly woman should be. Working around her yard, keeping her home tidy, serving in her local church, taking care of her parents, loving her children (and grandchildren) and seeking to work hard all the hours of the day.

I praise God for you Mom. You are a queen to me.

Weekend Recap – Babies, Salvation…

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The weekend at Crestview is complete (we have no evening activities today so that families can enjoy Mother’s Day together). Our service began with a baby dedication. In planning this, our elders were greatly helped by Sojourn Kids‘ handout entitled First Steps, preparing for baby dedication. We used these to formulate the commitment both the parents and church community are making together.

For the sermon, I continued working through Hebrews focusing today on Hebrews 2:10 and a sermon entitled Founder of Salvation. This sermon highlighted the grace shown believers from God in Jesus’ sufferings and the what, why and how of God’s amazing plan of salvation. Hopefully, people were helped by it. I know for me, the sermon reminded me that I am being saved and one of those sons being brought to glory–oh for that day to be realized.

Hope you had a blessed Mother’s Day as well.

Weekend Preview – Men’s Ministry & Mother’s Day…

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We have a busy weekend coming…

First off, our Men’s Ministry 7 in ’11 breakfasts will meet Saturday, 5/7 at 7AM. Conor Eastman will be talking about gluttony. Plan to join us for fellowship, teaching and prayer from 7-8AM.

On Sunday, in the AM service, we will have baby dedications, but also continue working through Hebrews, looking at Hebrews 2:10 and the Founder of our salvation. F.F. Bruce, in his excellent commentary mused, “There are many who are ready to tell us confidently what would and what would not be worthy of God; but in fact the only way to discover what is a worthy thing for God to do is to consider what God has actually done.” There might be some out there who wonder why salvation is a certain way and what it does. Hebrews 2:10 opens up to show some of the answer. Therefore, join us for Sunday AM worship at Crestview, 10:15AM. We will have no PM activities on Sunday.

Love Your Enemies

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a couple of great posts on the recent death of Osama Bin Laden and what this means for us as believers (i.e. how we should think about it).

D.A. Carson weighs in with these clarifications on Love in Hard Places from a section he entitled “Hard Case Two: Osama Bin Laden,” written after 9/11. Here’s an outline:

1) It may be helpful, first of all, to reflect on pacifism and “just war” theory in the light of the biblical commands to love and forgive.
2) On the other hand, all war, even just war, is never more than rough justice. Even the just war is prosecuted by sinners, and so injustices will occur.
3) Several other factors are often thrown into the debate about how we should respond to Osama bin Laden and other terrorists.
4) Historically, wars have changed their form from time to time, generating fresh discussion about just war theory. It is time to begin this process again.
5) As with racism, so here: Christians need to reflect on how some of the fundamentals of the faith bear on just war.
6) One more theological reflection is relevant to the concerns of these lectures. Complex discussions about justice, forgiveness, enemies, and just war theory may entice us to forget that they were all precipitated by the effort to think exegetically and theologically about love.

The conclusion:

Therefore, in the present struggle, even while we must try to prevent the terrorists from doing more violence, we must eschew a vendetta mentality. Love demands that we do not demonize Osama bin Laden. He is a human being made in the image of God. He is an evil man, and he must be stopped, but he is a man, and we should take no pleasure in destroying him. Vengeance is the Lord’s alone. Do not offer the alternative, “Should we weep for Osama bin Laden or hold him to account for his genocide and prevent him from carrying out his violent intentions?” The right answer is yes.

I was also helped by The Resurgence and their reflections on what it means to love our enemies. I hope these help you as you wade through these things.

Water and Blood – Get It @sojournmusic

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Sojourn Music‘s latest project The Water and The Blood (Hymns of Isaac Watts: Vol. II) is now available for purchase or download. Sojourn doesn’t really do a weak or undoctrinally robust project. This particular project has been long anticipated by me (since they released Volume 1 of Watts’ Hymns). Anyway, if you’re looking for some new tunes for the month of May, why not feed on these, with their deep and doctrinally relevant content. Here’s their promo video as well:

Weekend Recap – Future & The Family…

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Enjoyed a great Lord’s Day yesterday:

In the AM, my sermon was from Hebrews 2:5-9 and entitled Already, Not Yet. The sermon had to do with not being too preoccupied with the future, but being consumed what who we do see now: namely Jesus.

In the PM, my sermon was from Luke 18:9-14 and entitled Gospel Foundations for Families. Thinking about this parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector helped us see how many of us tie our righteousness to the success of the parenting event. In the introduction, we met 2 ladies: Farah C and Fay Lure.

At any rate, hope you enjoyed a great Lord’s Day as well.

Computer Problems

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…might slow my blog this week.  But, we’ll see what happens this morning.  For now, necessary things (God’s Word/prep for Sunday, meeting with men, etc.) Draw me away from fixing my problems.  Hope you have a good day.