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Sunday Recap – DG Pastor’s Conf.

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Saturday was full of driving. We left Hutchinson around 7:15 and drove all day, arriving in Minneapolis, MN around 7PM. We made some fun stops like Palmer’s Deli in Des Moines and Cabela’s (which I consider to be necessary contextualization to come up here). We drove downtown to our hotel and after checking in, we ate at Bob Guthrie’s favorite German food, The Black Forest Inn. After a great meal there and our full trip, we were ready to crash.

Sunday AM meant getting up and heading to church at Bethlehem Baptist, where John Piper serves as Teaching Pastor. Piper’s message, which will soon be online, had to do with “Don’t Waste This Recession” and what a sovereign God might be up to in allowing America to face it. We also took communion with this body of believers.

Another highlight was that this is also the church home of Rick and Tracy Cornish, missionaries we support. We had a great lunch with them and got back to the hotel with full souls. Many of us hit the workout room for a good time of exercise.

The plan this evening is to enjoy the Super Bowl and continue to have good fellowship. Look for more summaries of our time soon.

It’s Almost Here…

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This weekend the elders and some men from our church are heading to the Desiring God Conference for Pastors. We are excited about this time and hope that it is a time where we develop as men and grow together in fellowship. The Desiring God site says they will be uploading content as soon as the messages are available. You might watch their site for more info. If I can get internet access, I will try and keep you posted on some details. Please pray for a good weekend for us.

Progress…

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Yesterday, we had one of our missionaries give a report of how the Gospel is thundering forth in the Indonesian islands. This led me to remember (one of those theological “duh” moments) that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). We act as if our world is just hostile and that the Gospel isn’t up to the task of saving even the worst of them. But nothing is impossible with Him (Matthew 17:20). Be encouraged in your work. Center on Christ and the Gospel and watch Him save!

What’s Your Thermostat Reading?

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Today, I finally got around to fixing the heat in my truck. For the past few months, I’ve had 2 constants as I’ve traveled around town in my truck: 1) The temperature gauge never rose about 130 and 2) The heat didn’t function in my truck. After talking to some brothers (and believe me I need the help of others when it comes to fixing vehicle problems) we pinpointed the problem to what might be a faulty thermostat. Today $5.50 later, a new thermostat and gasket had been swapped for a fully heated cab with the temperature in the 180 range. My thermostat helped measure the heat.

Spiritually speaking we have a thermostat of sorts…our affections. If you have never read Jonathan Edwards on the Religious Affections, you simply must. One great tool to understanding this great work (which is helpful since Edwards isn’t exactly the easiest to understand) is Sam Storms excellent book, Signs of the Spirit. In it, Storms writes of the affections:

Spirituality is actually of little benefit to anyone if not characterized by lively and powerful affections. Nothing is so antithetical to true religion as lukewarmness. Consider those many biblical texts in which our relationship to God is compared to “running, wrestling or agonizing for a great prize or crown, and fighting with strong enemies that seek our lives, and warring as those that by violence take the city or kingdom.”

Scripture assumes that we will have functioning affections, spiritually speaking. Therefore, what’s your thermostat reading?

Inauguration Wrap Up…

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I was immediately drawn, during the events yesterday, to pray for our President. It seems like such a weighty thing. Others have weighed in as well.

C.J. reflected on his thoughts. Al Mohler called us to pray, as did Lig.

I found the events of yesterday very moving and was encouraged with the day. I thought Warren’s prayer was appropriate and helped set a good tone. I thought Barack’s speech sought to include all Americans in some way. I was a bit bewildered by the benediction. What a great day to be American! What a great day to praise God for the blessings we enjoy in peaceful transitions in power! What a day to cry out to God for guidance and wisdom.

Somehow I missed this, but after watching it, thought I would pass it on. Very moving. (Thanks, Tony)

Community …

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It seems we are growing increasingly shallow in our relationships with others. Thinking about this last night in my orientation for small groups, I was thinking how easy it is to get together and discuss weather, sports, politics or whatever, but when someone brings up a sin with which they’re struggling, we suddenly don’t have much to talk about. May God help us walk in obedience to Him and embrace His design for the church.

The Shady Shepherd…

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Ezekiel 34:1-6 gives a pretty stiff indictment to those of us involved in the lives of others. Specifically, we have looked selfish instead of feeding the sheep and…

The weak you have not strengthened,
the sick you have not healed,
the injured you have not bound up,
the strayed you have not brought back,
the lost you have not sought,
and with force and harshness you have ruled them. (Ezekiel 34:4)

Do any of these things characterize you? I mean what do you do with those who are weak sheep? What’s your tendency? Are you shepherding them? Ezekiel (and as a result, God) wants us to be faithful shepherds. Let’s ask for grace to pursue this.