Thank you

Megan and I wanted to thank all of those who have been so generous by giving to us for our mission trip. I was, unfortunately, becoming very anxious this time last week as we were over $1000 away from being able to go to Mexico. In the past week, both God and His people have been very faithful, and we are now only $345 away from being able to go to Mexico on our first mission trip together! I feel funny putting in actual amounts in this post, but I wanted everyone to know exactly how blessed we have been. This has been an amazing week, and we are so thankful to those who have given, as well as those who have committed to pray for us. We are now about a month away from heading South of the border, and please pray for us and our team that we would be used as much as possible in our short time down there.

Megan said it perfectly this week: "may we always be as generous as people have been with us."

A Featured Hymn - 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Hymns have become more and more intriguing to me. Not only are they full of wonderful theology, but every hymn has a great stories behind it. Below I've put together some of the background of "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" from a variety of resources.


(from http://www.igracemusic.com which is a great site)

“’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” was written by a woman, Louisa M. R. Stead. Out of one of her darkest hours—the tragic drowning of her husband—this hymn was penned.
Louisa Stead was born in England. She felt the call of God upon her life for missionary service. She arrived in America in 1871. In 1875, Louisa married a Mr. Stead, and to this union was born a daughter, Lily. When the child was four years of age, the family decided one day to enjoy the sunny beach at Long Island Sound, New York.
While eating their picnic lunch, they suddenly heard cries of help and spotted a drowning boy in the sea. Mr. Stead charged into the water. As often happens, however, the struggling boy pulled his rescuer under the water with him, and both drowned before the terrified eyes of wife and daughter.
And out of her struggle with God during the ensuing days, flowed these meaningful words—“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”
(from http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/tissosweettotrustinjesus.htm)

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me’
Neath the healing, cleansing flood!(Refrain)

3. Yes ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.(Refrain)

4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.(Refrain)

Sermon Jams

I have to admit that putting some music in the background adds something. Maybe a new staff position can be "Pastor of DJing" to give sermons a little more zing. Here's a few of the better ones I've found...


Ravi Zacharias - "Death is Dead"


John Piper - "Real"


Ravi Zacharias/Alistair Begg - "Antinomy"

And here's the main site where there's a number more...

http://www.relevantrevolution.com/download.html

Homeless World Cup

I stumbled onto this- it reminded me not only that sports can have a tremendously positive impact on someone's life, but also that the Church's heart should break for the homeless and love them very much (just as Jesus does).

Letting Paul Speak for Himself - 1 Timothy 6:11-21

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.

Grace be with you.

"The Great Debate"

If you ever have a while to sit and listen to something I would highly recommend what I have posted below. It is a link to one of the most famous debates of the 20th century and is still referred to as "The Great Debate." This debate is between Greg Bahnsen (pictured above), a brilliant Christian apologist, and Gordon Stein, the well-known and equally intelligent atheist. Stein quickly has to go into retreat due to Bahnsen's incredible ability to reveal the illogical nature of the foundation of Stein's argument against God. Granted, it will probably make your head hurt, but if you have any sort of interest in apologetics this would probably be right up your alley. It's amazing how often you hear about debates between Christian apologists and atheists, but rarely can you find one to listen to. Well, here is one for your listening pleasure.

http://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/greg-bahnsen-vs-gordon-stein-the-great-debate/

Image of a Winning Shot

I thought this was a pretty cool picture, and also that I should take advantage of the Carolina Gamecocks winning a game against a ranked opponent (#23 Ole Miss). This is Dominique Archie's reaction after hitting a game-winning 3 pointer with 6 seconds left. I think the best part is the Ole Miss crowd's reaction in the background.