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Books I Read in August 2018

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Like I mentioned in July, I’m trying to do a better job this year of keeping track of books I’ve completed reading.  As usual, there are some books/things, I’m always working in like the Bible (praying through the Psalms of the Day and doing lots of reading in  Ecclesiastes in different translations), Sonship, as well as Crestview’s Leadership Pipeline material.

Some titles I worked through in August:

Peril and Peace (Vol 1: Chronicles of the Ancient Church) – Mindy and Brandon Withrow
Childhood Disrupted – Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Lost Connections – Johann Hari
My reading pace slowed a bit with another sermon series looming on the horizon.  How’s your summer reading gone?

Weekend Recap – Encouragement in Suffering

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We had another baptism yesterday morning and my sermon, Encouragement in Suffering from 1 Peter 3:18-22 is now online.  This section of Scripture is challenging.  Most commentators do not agree on the meaning.  But, I think we found some clear truths that encourage us.  Specifically, we saw that Jesus’ victory and our salvation are sure things.  I hope this day encouraged you.

Weekend Recap – Ready to Suffer

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My 8/12/18AM sermon Ready To Suffer for Doing Good from 1 Peter 3:13-17 is now online.  It’s difficult to preach a sermon like this.  The heart of the passage is that we should expect suffering.  But, the passage didn’t leave us there.  It showed us a compelling way to live in light of suffering.  We are realize we’re blessed.  We set Christ apart, utmost in our affections.  And, we voice the hope we have with humility.  Finally, this passage called us to trust God, who can deal with our “opposition.”  I hope this sermon encourages you.

Weekend Recap – Living as the Church

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My 8/5/18AM sermon, Living as the Church from 1 Peter 3:8-12, is now online.   Peter has called his readers to live as exiles and sojourners (out of the identity they have as God’s people).  This passage shows how we can forsake sin and do good, for effect.   Specifically, there are sins of speech, a drift towards revenge, and evil we are called away from.  Positively, we’re called to do good, seeking brotherly love, blessing others, and pursuing peace.  The effect?  This leads to blessing, or as v.12 puts it: God’s eyes seeing and His ears being attentive.  I hope this sermon encourages your living with others in the body of Christ.

New Song For August 2018 – A Christian’s Daily Prayer

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In August 2018, Crestview will be learning the song A Christian’s Daily Prayer from Sovereign Grace Music.  Part of what drew me to this song is where we’re headed in 1 Peter, with all the realities of doing good in the face of suffering.  We need God’s help to live this way.  And, this song shows our need for God in the morning, during the day, and at night.  Here are the lyrics:

VERSE 1
As morning dawns and day awakes,
To You I bring my need
O gracious God, my source of strength,
In You I live and breathe
Each hour is Yours by wisdom planned,
Each deed empowered by sovereign hands
Renew my spirit, help me stand;
Be glorified today

VERSE 2
As day unfolds, I seek Your will
In all of life’s demands
And though the tempter tries me still,
I cling to Your commands
Let every effort of my life
Display the matchless worth of Christ
Make me a living sacrifice;
Be glorified today

VERSE 3
As sun gives way to darkest night
Your Spirit still is here
And though my strength fades like the light
New mercies will appear
I rest in You; abide with me
Until our trials and suffering
Give way to final victory
Be glorified, today; be glorified, I pray

Music and Words by Matt Merker, Jordan Kauflin, and Dave Fournier © 2017 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP) Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved. Administrated worldwide at www.CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding the UK which is adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family. www.SovereignGraceMusic.org

I hope this song helps give language to your need of God as you strive to live as a sojourner and an exile here in this world.

Books I Read in July 2018

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Like I mentioned in June, I’m trying to do a better job this year of keeping track of books I’ve completed reading.  As usual, there are some books/things, I’m always working in like the Bible (praying through the Psalms of the Day and doing lots of reading in  Ecclesiastes in different translations), Sonship, as well as Crestview’s Leadership Pipeline material.

Some titles I worked through in July:

In His Image – Jen Wilkin
Pastoral Leadership Is – Dave Earley
Easy Chairs, Hard Words – Douglas Wilson
Ministry By the Book – Derek Tidball
Redemptive Participation – Mike Cosper
Before the Lord, Before the Church – Megan and Jared Kennedy
Perfect Sinners – Matt Fuller
Identity Theft – Melissa Kruger (Editor)
I Would Die For You – Brent and Deanna Higgins
Preacher’s Catechism – Lewis Allen
I hope you’re enjoying a summer of reading, as well.

 

Weekend Recap – Living In The Home

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My 7/29/18AM sermon, Living In The Home, from 1 Peter 3:1-7 is now online.  There are specific charges to wives and husbands in this passage.  This passage challenges us to overcome how the world lives.  We need to see how our homes are places to show our identity in Christ.   I hope it encourages you.

Gospel Friday – He bore your sins…

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…that you might live.  Today, consider the amazing grace and mercy of Jesus.  He bore your sins in His body on the tree, that you might die to sin and live to righteousness.

Don’t be paralyzed by your past or the “what ifs.”  You’ve been set free to really live because of Jesus.  So, step out today.  And, live!

Camp Recap 2018

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I was able to attend Youth Camp with our students this past week at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO.  Our camp was put on by Generate (a program of YM360).  It was a great week (as most camps typically are).  Three things stand out:

  1. Relationships – camp enables relationships to flourish in ways they typically don’t throughout the year.  There’s intensive time to talk to students, hear their concerns, give some advice, share time in the Word together, and get a similar experience.  This is really the end game.  Our group (mostly pictured above) was also able to make new friends (Webstar from Kenya is in the middle of this shot).  Camp is really about relationships.
  2. Fun – camp is a fun place to be.  The setting we chose this year stood out…surrounded by the Rockies on every side.  But, games of rec, fun in the rooms/free time, and even meals give camp an energy.
  3. Teaching – our camp pastor was Afshin Ziafat.  He did a great job of incorporating daily devotions, the theme of the day at camp, and helping us make progress through a wise understanding of the Bible.  He was a blessing to us.

I don’t know if you attend camp, but you’d be welcome to join us next summer as we head back to Estes Park for Generate 2019, July 15-19.