Barley Biscuits

Last summer I got to speak at the National Collegiate Week in Ridgecrest, a gathering of college students from all over the states. Threads media posted my brief closing challenge. This was an amazing week. Any time I can preach the Bible to a group of people in a t-shirt and Chuck Taylors, it is a good time.

If you are intersted in the barley biscuit message, they posted it here:

http://threadsmedia.com/life/article/prayer-and-barley-biscuits/emid=Threads-emailCRD20090226

This coming August, I will be speaking at the same event, but only this time in Glorietta, which looks like the moon. You can find our more information here:
http://threadsmedia.com/collegiateweeks/

Reclaimed Praise

Yep. She's famous. Kimberly made Baptist Press yesterday: http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=29951

The article describes Andrew Pressley's CD Project called Reclaimed Praise.

Kimberly also sang William Cowper's God Moves in a Mysterious Way on Wednesday night. I think it is my favorite tune that she does. Perhaps, it is because it is one of my favorite songs ever, and that was the first time I have ever heard it actually played. Cowper, who struggled with fits of depression, wrote it in the 1700's (some say while in a mental institution). He gave us some of the most inspiring lyrics about the sovereignty of God in the history of the church. He also wrote "There's A Fountain" which was Spurgeon's favorite song.

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” -- Jesus (John 13:7)

Georgia Football Coach Mark Richt: Adoption

Great story here.... I love Coach Richt....

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/video?id=3663225

Healthy Adoptive Families

These are orphans in Ethiopia (the white dude in the middle is my brother-in law). Most of you who read this blog know the story of my sister and brother in-law who have adopted three kids from Ethiopia, and they're not done yet! They are amazing parents. And I hope I can be a percentage of the dad that Ryan is to his kids. He is a doctor, a doer of global missions, a soccer coach, and a dad of 6+. He and my sister make a great team (Sis is like Mother Theresa to me).

I've been thinking a lot about adoption these days, in light of our recent news about possibly traveling in May or June, the movement of orphan ministries at Temple, the number of adoptive families in our church, and the recent journeys of the Jordans and the Mortons, etc.

You can read about the Mortons at mortonadoption.blogspot.com (you will find out that Rick is actually an accomplished ice skater - yes, it's true). It is exciting to see this movement of people at Temple who are caring for the fatherless.

I've been reading a lot about adoption as well. One book in particular is called The Whole Adoption Book: Realisitic Advice for Building A Healthy Adoptive Family. Below are some helpful points for families to remember:

"Healthy adoptive parents recognize six factors of success that can guide them through the experience":

1. Healthy adoptive parents have explored their motivations and expectations for adoption in an open manner and are in agreement.


2. Healthy adoptive parents demonstrate stability and quality in their interpersonal relationships.


3. Healthy adoptive parents demonstrate flexibility and openness in their family system.


4. Healthy adoptive parents know the importance of creating a family environment that openly acknowledges and communicates about adoption.


5. Healthy adoptive parents understand the core issues of adoption that may affect their child and the triggers that can create crisis.


6. Healthy adoptive parents understand that adoption is a lifelong commitment and maintain that commitment through difficult times.

May God raise up many more "healthy adoptive parents."

Short-Term Missions

I recently read through Engaging the Church: Analyzing the Canvas of Short-term Missions, which is a practical book on short-term mission efforts commonly emphasized in the church. Temple has a number of short-term trips every year, and I was helped by reading some of the selected chapters. One chapter in particular is called "Short-Term Trips Are Great, IF...."

Here are some helpful reminders:

1. Short-term missions are great if volunteers remember that the career missionary knows the field better than they ever will.


2. Short-term missions are great if participants remember that their primary responsibility is to be servants to the missionaries and national partners.


3. Short-term missions are great if they increase the mission spirit of the church back home.


4. Short-term missions are great if they call people into career service.


5. Short-term missions are great if volunteers remember to give God all the glory and the missionary credit for the planning, preparation and labor that made their trip a success.


6. Short-term missions are great if they are never viewed as substitutes for career missions.

I would add a number 7 to the list (mentioned elswhere in the book); namely, that short-term mission teams work great if there is a long-term commitment to an area, and communication is sustained with the long-term missionary. One of the new emphasis at Temple is the fact that are short-term trips are plugging into long-term commitments with various ministries in Ukraine, London, East Asia, East Africa, Puru, and other places.

Another helpful set of reminders is provided by Jim Lo in a chapter entitled "What Have We Done?" Lo shares four reasons why short-term missions have gotten out of hand. We will do will to keep these in mind:

1. Lack of Training - Even though we "are all missionaries" sometimes Christians leave for other countries without adequate training. This includes everything from apologetic training to social customs and physical fitness training. Often Christians go to foreign countries and complain about the food, the amount of walking, etc. They end up being a distraction rather than a help in these cases.
2. Tourists or Servants - Lo is also concerned that mission trips are sometimes "spiritualized vacation trips." Mission teams must go with a mindset of service and help.
3. Self-centeredness - Lo provides some expressions of American self-centeredness like our quest for immediate results in evangelistic presentation, which is sometimes more about personal glory the the good of others. Another example is wanting to go on a trip because it is a new location or other selfish reasons that have nothing to do with the Gospel.
4. "Youth Camp" Mentality - Lo cautions us to guard against taking youth who are unready for the mission field. Granted, many of our students will do well, but unprepared students may create more of a headache for the long-term missionary. If students must be "entertained" then they are not ready for certain experiences.

These are some helpful reminders for us as we seek to make disciples of all nations.

May God be gracious to us and bless usand make his face to shine upon us, Selah2 that your way may be known on earth,your saving power among all nations.3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;let all the peoples praise you! (Ps. 67:1-3)

What is the Recession For?

I find some sweet encouragement and challenging instruction in regard to the present economic situation in Piper's recent sermon on "What Is the Recession For?" You can read or watch the sermon here: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2009/3566_What_Is_the_Recession_For/

Below is the outline....

(Some of) God’s Purposes in This Recession

1. He intends for this recession to expose hidden sin and so bring us to repentance and cleansing.
2. He intends to wake us up to the constant and desperate condition of the developing world where there is always and only recession of the worst kind.
3. He intends to relocate the roots of our joy in his grace rather than in our goods, in his mercy rather than our money, in his worth rather than our wealth.
4. He intends to advance his saving mission in the world—the spread of the gospel and the growth of his church—precisely at a time when human resources are least able to support it. This is how he guards his glory.
5. He intends for the church to care for its hurting members and to grow in the gift of love.

Penn Says: A Gift of a Bible

Sunday I shared a video that was made known to me through Ed Stetzer's blog, a good friend. Ed is the leading researcher at Lifeway and speaks all over the country to various evangelical groups. He graciously accepted my offer to write the forward of Faithful Preaching, my first book, which is to be released in Sept. 2009 by Broadman and Holman. I wanted to make the video available here.

This is an amazing clip about what a guy on the "outside" thinks about evangelism. In the words of Penn, "How much do you have to hate someone not to tell them?" One man's loving obedience impacted Penn, and I pray for his conversion and the conversion of other unbelievers who are seriously considering the claims of Jesus.

Ephesians: Coming Soon (Tentatively)

Tomorrow I will be meeting with Jana and Dan, two of the unsung heroes of Temple, to talk about particular theme elements for the new Ephesians series that will start in May. I am incredibly excited about this new study, which will take about 18 weeks. I have attached the tentative schedule. I say tentative because only God knows the future. I also say tentative for another reason....

Kimberly and I received word today that we have a "date to get a date" regarding our adoption. Basically, our information will be submitted March 16th, and hopefully we will hear something in a few weeks following the submission about when we can travel to go get some kids! There is a chance that we may travel in May or June, which would, of course, interfere with my preaching calendar (even though the staff could easily continue our study). Only God knows how everything will play out.

Interestingly, two great themes in Ephesians chapter 1 are (1) God's sovereignty over all things (1:11) and (2) the fact that the Father has adopted us sons (1:5). God's people can rest in the arms of a loving and sovereign Father. His plans never fail.

The Mortons are about to legally become parents of an adorable oraphaned boy from Ukraine maybe by this time tomorrow. I'm sure they could give a testimony about these two great themes when they return. May God bring them back to us soon. We need them back, and I need Rick to get the small group stuff ready for Ephesians!

Here's the tentative overview: Ephesians%20Overview.doc

Memorizing Scripture

Here are my notes from the Deacons Retreat on Memorizing Scripture.

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col. 3:16)


Psalm%20119%20listeningguide.doc

Deacon Notes

This weekend we had an amazing Deacon retreat; that's right, deacons. We have a tremendous group of servants in our church. A particular blessing this weekend was to have their wives with them. I am grateful to God for each of them.

I talked about three issues Friday night, all of which relate to the heart: (1) Loving God; (2) Loving Spouse; (3) Serving through Temple Baptist. My prayer at Temple is that we would be a people who live out of the overflow of the heart.

Below are the notes for the weekend, as well as a list of accountability questions that I mentioned in the "Loving God" message. We use these questions on staff and I commend them to others. They are taken from John Piper's pastoral staff questions, with a few changes.





Mercy%20Ministries.doc
Loving%20God.doc
Wedding%20Message2.doc
Personal%20%20Ministry%20Accountability.doc

Fasting is Feasting

Last night during our Wednesday night prayer experience, I spent about 15 minutes talking about fasting. We had a good size group there, due to the number of students who joined us (they are coming once a month now). It was great to have the students in there. I love seeing them dig into the Word. In case you were not there, I thought would present my notes because I don't know when we will get back around to this subject on Sundays. I have been blessed to read three books in particular on fasting: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, and A Hunger for God by John Piper. I drew on some of their thoughts in this talk.

Pursuing God through Prayer and Fasting
Selected Texts

Richard Foster couldn't find a single book on fasting from 1861-1954.

Fasting is actually a means by which we experience the satisfaction of God.

Two Passages on Jesus' expectations of his disciples to fast...

(1) Matthew 6:16-18 – note (A) the “When you fast” not “If you fast” (B) How not to Fast - like hypocrites; (C) the promised reward

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(2) Matthew 9:14-15 - note his expectation after He (the bridegroom) leaves

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

5 Questions

1. What is Christian Fasting?
· What it is not: a thermometer for spiritual depth, the substitute for daily obedience, not just abstaining from food; not saying food isn't good.

· What it is: Fasting is abstaining from any normal activity for the purpose of pursuing Christ. The normal activity is abstaining from food, but any good thing could be abstained from for spiritual purposes. You are saying to God, “I want you more than anything!”

One of the reasons camps are so powerful for students; and mission trips are so life-changing is that they are actually “fasts.” They take you away from normal activities for spiritual purposes.

2. What kind of fast are taught in the Bible?
A Normal Fast: Fasting from all food, but not water (Matthew 4:2)
A Partial Fast: A limitation of the diet but not abstention from all food (Dan. 1:12, Matt. 3:4).
An Absolute Fast: Avoidance of all food and liquid, even water, (Ezra 10:6)
A Supernatural Fast: Abstaining from food and water for 40 days, (Deut. 9:9, I Kings 19:8)
A Corporate Fast: A group of people abstaining from food for spiritual purposes (Joel 1:14).

An Alternate Fast: Abstaining from other normal activity for spiritual purposes (1 Cor. 6:12)
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.” – 1 Cor. 6:12

3. What are the purposes of fasting?
Fasting begins with a longing for God
Fasting removes all substitutes for God
Fasting tests the authenticity of our faith
Fasting reveals what controls us
Fasting increases humility and dependency
Fasting gives more time for prayer
Fasting helps us in our fight against temptation
Fasting is ultimately for the glory of God

4. What are the dangers of fasting?
• Extremes
• Pride
• Thinking that we are manipulating God
• Substituting it for obedience

5. How do I begin?
• Wisely: Corporate, Normal; Partial; Alternative
• Gradually
• Privately
• Purposefully – Why are you fasting? What could some reasons be?

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." (John 4:34)

12 Ways to Bless Missionaries

We have recently been blessed to watch serveral of our members leave for short-term or long-term mission ministries. Last week we prayed for Nick, a young college student who will be serving in India for a semester at the "Home for the Dying," which is where Mother Theresa served in Calcutta. Nick will be doing everything from bathing dying people to burying them, helping them die with dignity. They will be bringing these people in from the streets. I pray for his ministry as he shares and shows the Gospel to these people; and for his own spiritual stregnth.

Recently, John Piper posted a blog on "13 Ways to Bless Missionaries Without Paying Postage." Here are 12 of them (one of them went along with another).

Try the following...

1. Pray specific Scripture for them and their ministry, and then email it to them.

2. Call or email their parents.

3. Purchase phone minutes for an international calling card through an online service like OneSuite and email them the account number.

4. Donate frequent flier miles to them.

5. Purchase an iTunes gift card for them. Have it sent to you and email them the account number.

6. Commit to pray for them on a specific day of the week for a year.

7. Write a song or poem or story for them. Email them the text and a recording of you reading or singing it.

8. Get friends and family together to create a holiday video greeting for them using Google Video or YouTube. Include lots of people you know they miss.

9. Make a year-end gift through their missions board or agency.

10. Call their local florist (not everyone is in the jungle these days) and have flowers delivered, or their local Pizza Hut and have pizza delivered—with corn and shrimp as toppings!

11. Donate to a charity that means a lot to them.

12. Make a monthly commitment to support them financially.

(Remember to use discernment in written or video communication if your missionaries work in security-sensitive locations.)