www.fbcstudentministries.net
so go there and check out what he has to say. his words and thoughts are much deeper and more enjoyable than mine :)
But you can check back from time to time to see what my latest rant is......
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Why I love the Church
I was talking to my husband the other day about how great this past year was for us. Some of our friends had said to us just two weeks earlier that we must have been discouraged last year because it seemed hard for us. Nick and I were quick to respond and say that this year at FBC Weymouth might have been one of our best years yet.
How could that be, one might ask with all the struggles we have had? Well, the first year at a new church is hard. Nick had to cast his vision for ministry and pray a lot, we moved 1200 miles with a 2 month old baby, and to top it all off we got pregnant after only 4 months of being here. WOW! Nonetheless, we know we are at the center of God's will for our lives.
How? looking back we see growth:
First, in us. We see maturity in us becoming mommy and daddy. We are learning how to love and nurture our little ones. Therefore we are able to empathize with parents and understand the task God has given them.
We are also experiencing radical commitment to a vision and a ministry. We are excited to move forward and recognize that any resistance or criticism is just Satan attacking. We have become sensitive to and felt a love for our home church. Once you really understand all Christ did, you have to love His Church. We are His body.
Second, in the church. Many of our students were challenged this year. They were faced with drastic changes and a good group of students trusted. They trusted that God called us here to equip them. This shows commitment and submission.
Also, we have seen students grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and also in their walk with him. It has been so encouraging to see fruit blossom in the lives of these young people.
Overall, we have had a challenging year, but i think that is what we have come to expect. Ministry is a rewarding and great vocation. However, it doesn't come with out heartache and pain, but does anything that is really great?
How could that be, one might ask with all the struggles we have had? Well, the first year at a new church is hard. Nick had to cast his vision for ministry and pray a lot, we moved 1200 miles with a 2 month old baby, and to top it all off we got pregnant after only 4 months of being here. WOW! Nonetheless, we know we are at the center of God's will for our lives.
How? looking back we see growth:
First, in us. We see maturity in us becoming mommy and daddy. We are learning how to love and nurture our little ones. Therefore we are able to empathize with parents and understand the task God has given them.
We are also experiencing radical commitment to a vision and a ministry. We are excited to move forward and recognize that any resistance or criticism is just Satan attacking. We have become sensitive to and felt a love for our home church. Once you really understand all Christ did, you have to love His Church. We are His body.
Second, in the church. Many of our students were challenged this year. They were faced with drastic changes and a good group of students trusted. They trusted that God called us here to equip them. This shows commitment and submission.
Also, we have seen students grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and also in their walk with him. It has been so encouraging to see fruit blossom in the lives of these young people.
Overall, we have had a challenging year, but i think that is what we have come to expect. Ministry is a rewarding and great vocation. However, it doesn't come with out heartache and pain, but does anything that is really great?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Learning from Piper
Often you can hear us quote John Piper. We love his ministry and support his vision. So, I wanted to pass along an article that was posted on one of my favorite blogs.
So take some time and read Why I Listen To John Piper.
So take some time and read Why I Listen To John Piper.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Elisabeth Christine
She's here! Ellie was born at 12:29 am on January 24th. She was 6 lbs. 12 oz. and 20 in. long. Both mom and baby are doing great. Lord willing, we will be home on Saturday.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Forgetting Grace?
We live in a world full of victims. Often we have churches full of victims. Where has the doctrine of Total Depravity gone in the modern church? Have we lost it? Are we hearing but never understanding?
Do we really believe that this is the natural condition of out hearts? This is contrary to the world's way of thinking. The latest pop psychology tells us that we have been wronged and we should demand something better. Why are Christians believing this lie?
In our flesh, it is so easy to make all of life about us. We can point to this or that and claim that our needs aren't being met. But what are our needs? And who can meet them? We often think of the Gospel as something we accepted to grant us a ticket into heaven, but it is so much more. It is our guidance for holy living now. IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN MEET OUR NEEDS!The gospel is powerful and it is for the believer as well as the unbeliever. The more we meditate on and study the work of Christ, the more we see our sinfulness and need for grace EVERYDAY. A man once asked Martin Luther why all his sermons are about the gospel and why they couldn't move on to something new. Luther Responded, "because week after week you come in here looking like a people who have forgotten it from last week. There is nothing deeper."
As we begin to understand the Gospel, it changes our lives. The way we see ourselves and others will radically change. When we really understand that "our righteousness are but filthy rags" we begin to be less judgemental and finger pointing begins to cease. Understanding our sin is key to understanding the Gospel. If we remind ourselves each day of the power of gospel and how we so don't deserve the grace that is lavished on us sinners, then we begin to see life in a different manner. It's not all about us, but about God and giving Him glory.
Let's take the words of Matthew to heart next time we seem to dwell on the sins of others instead of searching our own hearts:
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
I'll leave you with a token of wisdom from Derek Webb: (WOW! Being honest and transparent really hurts)
I Repent, By Derek Webb
I repent of my pursuit of America’s dream
I repent, I repent of living like I deserve anything
Of my house, my fence, my kids, my wife
In our suburb where we’re safe and white
I am wrong and of these things I repent
I repent, I repent of parading my liberty
I repent, I repent of paying for what I get for free
And for the way I believe that I am living right
By trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I am wrong and of these things I repent
I repent of judging by a law that even I can’t keep
Of wearing righteousness like a disguise
To see through the planks of my own eyes
I repent, I repent of trading truth for false unity
I repent, I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
By caring more of what they think than what I know of what we need
By domesticating you until you look just like me
I am wrong and of these things
I am wrong and of these things
Oh I am wrong and of these things I repent
(-Amanda)
"Man is nothing but a subject so naturally full of error that it can only be eradicated through grace. There is nothing to show him the truth, for everything deceives him. The two so-called principles of truth--reason and the senses--are not only not genuine but are engaged in mutual deception. Through false appearances the senses deceive reason. And just as they trick the soul, they are in turn tricked by it. It takes it revenge. The senses are influenced by the passions which produce false impressions." Pascal
Do we really believe that this is the natural condition of out hearts? This is contrary to the world's way of thinking. The latest pop psychology tells us that we have been wronged and we should demand something better. Why are Christians believing this lie?
In our flesh, it is so easy to make all of life about us. We can point to this or that and claim that our needs aren't being met. But what are our needs? And who can meet them? We often think of the Gospel as something we accepted to grant us a ticket into heaven, but it is so much more. It is our guidance for holy living now. IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN MEET OUR NEEDS!The gospel is powerful and it is for the believer as well as the unbeliever. The more we meditate on and study the work of Christ, the more we see our sinfulness and need for grace EVERYDAY. A man once asked Martin Luther why all his sermons are about the gospel and why they couldn't move on to something new. Luther Responded, "because week after week you come in here looking like a people who have forgotten it from last week. There is nothing deeper."
As we begin to understand the Gospel, it changes our lives. The way we see ourselves and others will radically change. When we really understand that "our righteousness are but filthy rags" we begin to be less judgemental and finger pointing begins to cease. Understanding our sin is key to understanding the Gospel. If we remind ourselves each day of the power of gospel and how we so don't deserve the grace that is lavished on us sinners, then we begin to see life in a different manner. It's not all about us, but about God and giving Him glory.
Let's take the words of Matthew to heart next time we seem to dwell on the sins of others instead of searching our own hearts:
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
I'll leave you with a token of wisdom from Derek Webb: (WOW! Being honest and transparent really hurts)
I Repent, By Derek Webb
I repent of my pursuit of America’s dream
I repent, I repent of living like I deserve anything
Of my house, my fence, my kids, my wife
In our suburb where we’re safe and white
I am wrong and of these things I repent
I repent, I repent of parading my liberty
I repent, I repent of paying for what I get for free
And for the way I believe that I am living right
By trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I am wrong and of these things I repent
I repent of judging by a law that even I can’t keep
Of wearing righteousness like a disguise
To see through the planks of my own eyes
I repent, I repent of trading truth for false unity
I repent, I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
By caring more of what they think than what I know of what we need
By domesticating you until you look just like me
I am wrong and of these things
I am wrong and of these things
Oh I am wrong and of these things I repent
(-Amanda)
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
A Challenge to Women
I(Amanda) love to find great resources for women's ministry and pass them along. This article by John Piper is such a wonderful list of challenges for women. I challenge you to read this and really think about our God given call as women, no matter what your current state may be.
A Challenge to Women
By John Piper January 1, 1995
1. That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God.
2. That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing.
3. That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven.
4. That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching. That meditation on Biblical truth be the source of hope and faith. And that you continue to grow in understanding through all the chapters of your life, never thinking that study and growth are only for others.
5. That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you; and your spiritual influence would increase at home and at church and in the world.
6. That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God undergirding all these spiritual processes, that you be deep thinkers about the doctrines of grace, and even deeper lovers and believers of these things.
7. That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific role, that you not fritter your time away on soaps or ladies magazines or aimless hobbies, any more than men should fritter theirs away on excessive sports or aimless diddling in the garage. That you redeem the time for Christ and his Kingdom.
8. That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.
9. That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow; that you encourage him in his God-appointed role as head; that you influence him spiritually primarily through your fearless tranquility and holiness and prayer.
10. That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the children, and giving to the children that special nurturing touch and care that you are uniquely fitted to give.
11. That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world. That you not only pose the question: Career vs. full time mom? But that you ask as seriously: Full time career vs. freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom— to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God's free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God's business prosper? And that in all this you make your choices not on the basis of secular trends or yuppie lifestyle expectations, but on the basis of what
will strengthen the family and advance the cause of Christ.
12. That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life's ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc. No chapter has all the joys. Finite life is a series of tradeoffs. Finding God's will, and living for the glory of Christ to the full in every chapter is what makes it a success, not whether it reads like somebody else's chapter or whether it has in it what chapter five will have.
13. That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might, and maximizing your joy in ministry to people's needs.
14. That in all your relationships with men you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in applying the Biblical vision of manhood and womanhood; that you develop a style and demeanor that does justice to the unique role God has given to man to feel responsible for gracious leadership in relation to women—a leadership which involves elements of protection and care and initiative. That you think creatively and with cultural sensitivity (just as he must do) in shaping the style and setting the tone of your interaction with men.
15. That you see Biblical guidelines for what is appropriate and inappropriate for men and women in relation to each other not as arbitrary constraints on freedom but as wise and gracious prescriptions for how to discover the true freedom of God's ideal of complementarity. That you not measure your potential by the few roles withheld but by the countless roles offered. That you turn off the TV and Radio and think about...
The awesome significance of motherhood
Complementing a man's life as his wife
Ministries to the handicapped
hearing impaired
blind
lame
retarded
Ministries to the sick:
nursing
physician
hospice care—cancer, AIDS, etc.
community health
Ministries to the socially estranged:
emotionally
impaired
recovering
alcoholics
recovering drug users
escaping
prostitutes
abused
children, women
runaways, problem children
orphans
Prison ministries:
women's prisons!
families of
prisoners
rehabilitation to
society
Ministries to youth:
teaching
sponsoring
open houses and
recreation
outings and trips
counseling
academic assistance
Sports ministries: neighborhood teams
church teams
Therapeutic counseling:
independent
church
based
institutional
Audio visual ministries:
composition
design
production
distribution
Writing ministries:
free lance
curriculum development
fiction
non-fiction
editing
institutional communications
journalistic
skills for publications
Teaching ministries:
Sunday school: children,
youth, students, women
grade school
high school
college
Music ministries:
composition
training
performance
voice
choir
instrumentalist
Evangelistic ministries:
personal witnessing
Inter Varsity
Campus Crusade
Navigators
Home Bible Studies
outreach to children
Visitation teams
Counseling at meetings
Billy Graham phone bank
Radio and TV ministries:
technical assistance
writing
announcing
producing
Theater and drama
ministries:
acting
directing
writing
scheduling
Social ministries:
literacy
pro-life
pro-decency
housing
safety
beautification
Pastoral care assistance:
visitation
newcomer
welcoming and assistance
hospitality
food and clothing and
transportation
Prayer ministries:
praying!!!
mobilizing for major
Concerts of Prayer
helping with small groups of prayer
coordinating
prayer chains
promoting prayer days and weeks and vigils
Missions:
all of the above across cultures
Support
ministries:
countless jobs that undergird major
ministries
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