"We are back from bush...everything went well. thank u for praying...look forward 2 seeing each of you soon Lord willing."
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JC Ryle's Sermon, "Duties of Parents" is an excellent read! I'm planning to lean on portions of it Sunday.
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As I'm preparing for Sunday's sermon, I was reminded of a post I saved a while back...
From Anthony Carter:
Most of you know that my wife and I homeschool our children.
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Black Friday is a product of, and contributing factor towards, Christless American consumerism. The Advent Conspiracy is an attempt to fight the cultural sin that sweeps away millions into into its ocean of stupid debt. Join the conspiracy!
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Some people say big things about things are actually small. They overexaggerate. But then, sometimes, people don't overexaggerate. They are spot-on. Like when Tozer said in The Knowledge of the Holy, "Every man's greatest need is a greater view of God." That's true. That's not wow-factor talk. Nothing is more important than God. Nothing is more needed than knowing Him through Christ.
That lead me to suggest a great Christmas gift. Samuel Rutherford's The Loveliness of Christ. Get it. Give it away. It's not a 'normal book'. It can be read in about 1 hour.
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"This is Nathan again. All is well and we are very much encouraged in the Lord. We are set to leave for the bush tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and your family sends their love."
A couple of attempted explanatory notes:
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Continue praying fervently for the Nigeria mission team. Remember that tonight (Tuesday) they will begin sleeping in the "bush" (three nights). This, I trust, will be tremendously profitable in the advance of meaningful partnerships and the expanse of the gospel.
Please
pray also for today's TCT Network meeting that I'm a part of in
Minneapolis. This meeting (all day yesterday and today) has been
devoted to dreaming, planning, and praying through the Lord's
intentions to use us to become a church planting movement. So far today
we've heard visions from planters aiming at planting reproducing
churches in St. Paul, San Deigo, and South Africa (and reaching into
the pre-modern portions of the African Continent).
Oh Lord, let the nations rejoice and be glad in Jesus!
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"This is Nathan Sawyer...we have arrived in Nigeria and are awaiting our luggage...not sure how much we will be able to communicate...thx for your prayers."
Amen. May Jesus be embraced by, and advanced through, the team!
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The Nigeria mission team leaves tomorrow evening (Friday) and is scheduled to return next Sunday, November 23.
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Check out all five parts...again and again! (start at the bottom and work up)
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The sufficiency of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, is the theme of the current meetings at Grace, and He is the theme song of all who know Him as Lord. From the far-reaching corners of the expanse of galaxies, to the intricate detials of sub-atomic particles, Christ sustains everything, and everyone, by the word of His power.
Oh my soul, can He not fill you with His limitless sufficiency?
If you are in the Memphis area, I hope you will join us Wednesday evening at 6:30PM at Bridges for the final (application) sermon in the series, "The Majesty & Glory of Jesus Christ."
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Come join Grace any evenings this week you're able. Hope to see you tonight. We're meeting at Bridges (our normal spot).
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With a praying heart for God's Self-revelation, gaze upon the beauty of Christ in the Word. Here are the songs that will be used in corporate worship tomorrow morning:
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Nine and 1/2 reasons Grace is hosting "The Majesty and Glory of Jesus Christ" Services beginning this Sunday morning through Wednesday evening (details here).
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If you are a Christian today, it has a lot to do with the Lord leading Martin Luther to do a little hammering on October 31, 1517! Happy Reformation Day!
Yo, Martin. Sweet hat.
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In our FAQ section, we recently supplied a response to the frequently asked, "Why do you call it a 'God-centered gospel?'" Thoughts?
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That's the title of this week's sermon at Grace.
As part of Grace's ongoing church health series, and being strategically arranged at the end of the gospel of Mark--where we've seen the Great Disciple-Maker at work--Nathan Sawyer will seek to unfold from Paul's second letter to Timothy the biblical foundation and practical application for life-on-life discipleship. Pray for him. Pray for all who will hear.
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Grace Church, you are such a joy to pastor! Your pastors love you!
Disclaimer: Neither thought original with me.
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Here's some news and updates about the this Sunday's Community Reformation Service that I received today via email.
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As a follow-up to last Sunday's Sermon: (From FI)
“If you want rest come to Christ in Gethsemane, to Christ on Calvary, to Christ risen, to Christ ascended. If you want rest, O weary souls, ye can find it nowhere until ye come and lay your burdens down at his dear pierced feet, and find life in looking alone to him.”
- Charles Spurgeon, Rest, Rest
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The cross and tomb of Jesus. The locations where the two most important events in the history of the world were accomplished. We'll visit there Sunday, Lord willing. My prayer is that you and I are there now!
Suggestions to prepare your heart & your family:
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Update: Bring your chili in a crockpot (already hot, yo).
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Ten highlights from last night's church Member's Meeting:
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Received today...
thank you so much for your reply and prayers. by the grace of god vijay is doing well and good. we are hoping that to day he will be discharged. and after this we need to take him to heart and lungs specialist for compleate checkup so please pray for him continuesly and also pray that god will meet our all needs.
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Below is a portion of an email I received Sunday morning about two
hours before Grace's prayer meeting. My heart sunk. Strangely, in that moment, I was moved by the Spirit to reaffirm belief in the sovereignty and goodness of God. Vijay is a God-centered missionary to his own people in India. He loves
Jesus. I feel compelled to invite you all to join his team of
intercessors. Please pray...
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The cross and resurrection of Jesus are the focal events of the entire Bible (and history of the world!). God has always had this great expression of His glory and our good in mind.
Lord willing, this Sunday at Grace we will look deep into the heart of God through the lens of Mark 15. There, if our eyes are opened, we will see love that surpasses knowledge. Pray that we will know this unknowable love.
"Here is love, vast as the ocean; lovingkindness as a flood. That the Prince of Life, our ransom; shed for us His precious blood."
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Just read the sermon text (several times)...
The parrallel accounts would be helpful too:
See you Sunday, Lord willing.
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On behalf of the people of Grace Church, I thank God for you Rick and Jim! Such a sweet time this evening. Wow.
A fellow elder among you...
Jordan
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Have now been posted to our webstie. Happy devotional reading to all!!!
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Dan Cruver will be preaching on the theme: "The Beauties of Spiritual Adoption". Be warming your heart at the fire of God's adopting love for us (wow?!?!?!) as you prepare to gather with God's people this Sunday.
Also, pray for Pastor Bryan who will be preaching at New Beginnings Community Church where our friend Sam Murrell pastors. Pray also for Pastor Nathan Sawyer who will be preaching again at Unity Baptist Church.
Finally, make every effort to be part of Grace's first Elder Ordination and Installation Service this Sunday evening at 6PM. You may view the program below...
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Join us this coming Sunday evening, October 12, at Bridges at 6PM for a special ordination and installation service for Grace's two newest elders--Rick Cupples & Jim Suggs. You will not want to miss this special event in the life of Grace Church. This service is open to all.
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.- Acts 20:28
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Jesus wants us to have His joy in us that our joy may be made full. Therefore, we should seek the fullness of our joy in Jesus, in Whose presence is fullness of joy. That's Christian Hedonism 101.
A question... So, if I want you to have full joy in Jesus, and your joy in Him comes in part from serving me, then my self-service is not a sinful thing, right? Whatever the conclusion, I cautiously submit to you this thought from Thabiti:
Hey, have you prayed for or encouraged your pastor today? At the risk of sounding self-serving, could I suggest that every Christian church member consider one of their main ministries the ministry of encouragement for their pastors and elders. I received an email from one brother stating that he knew of over 20 pastors leaving the pastorate in one region of the U.S. I've had opportunity to interact with at least three pastors experiencing deep struggle. That doesn't include the normal battles for encouragement, joy, and perseverance that are just normal to pastoral ministry. So, have you prayed for your pastor(s) today?
HT:JT
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I am continuing to rejoice in Sunday's affirmative vote from the people of Grace Church proving the Lord's will to add Rick & Jim to the eldership team.
Here's an email I sent to the membership last week as a means of trying to help prepare us for Sunday's vote:
Grace and peace to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
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From the "events" list (on the left of this page)...
Grace's Fall 2008 Nigeria Mission Team will be gone November 14-24. They will be taking three tubs full of requested donations along with them. Between now and November 9th you have the opportunity to consider donating some of the items that our Nigerian friends have identified as their greatest material needs.
Pastors in Nigeria are in need of:
Because space is limited, please only bring these requested items. Crates will be set-up at church each week for people to bring these items. The last Sunday for you to bring these materials will be Nov. 9th.
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From the Faith & Ethics Commission website:
The 40/40 Prayer Vigil consists of 40 days of prayer from September 24 to November 2, 2008, culminating in 40 hours of around the clock intercession during the last 3 days of the Vigil. The Vigil focuses first on personal spiritual revival. It then covers an expanding circle of prayer concerns, from the church to the nation.
Instead of joining the thousands of arm-chair pundits lamenting the state of our nation, join the prayer challenge to seek the face of God for your own soul, your church, and your nation.
To get involved, check the 40/40 Prayer website for:
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Concerning the potential addition of two new elders in Grace Church--Rick Cupples and Jim Suggs--every
member is urged to continue diligently in prayer for the Lord to
confirm His will through the vote of His people this coming Sunday
morning.
Dear Rick & Jim,
On behalf of the current elder team, and the entire congregation, I want to issue a public "thank you" for the many ways the Lord has used the both of you to shepherd our souls. You have been "elding" us all apart from the motivation of officially holding the office of overseer. We would not be hard-pressed to list a multitude ways that our love for Christ has grown because of your influence on us. Thank you. We join you in looking upward in anticipation of receiving the unfading crown. May the Lamb Who was slain receive the reward of His sufferings!
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." - 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NIV)
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Nathan Sawyer's House (599 Greenlaw Place, 38105).
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Jim Suggs and I have spent the last two days at the TCT church planter's network meetings. I love these brothers! Our times
together are always so remarkably fruitful. Our cups are jammed full of
blessings. Now, we are preparing to go to the Desiring God National
Conference to get filled up again. Wow.
The Psalmist prayed similarly:
12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
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Reminder: Dan Cruver will be preaching at Grace Church on October 12. The day before, he and Jason Kovaks will co-lead a seminar in Tupelo. Check it out here.
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We at Grace have come to love the truth that...
God's primary methodolgy for the global glorification of His Name, the edification and equipping of His saints, and the evangelization of the lost is the establishment of more Christ-exalting churches.
So pray for church planters. Pray for more of them to be thrust out into the harvest of the world.
Pray also for four specific church planters: Nathan, Joey, Justin, and Drew. They are in preparations to be sent out two by two from North Wake Church to the Washington D.C. area and to Tampa, FL. I have the joy of spending today with them in hopes of encouraging them in their great work.
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...That Grace Church would get involved in a community-wide yard saleFiled under Grace Church
That's the answer to the chatechism question that my 7, 5, and 4 year old children recite almost everyday (The two year old simple says, "God").
The question is: "Can God do all things?"
Obviously there is a clear sense in which it would be accurate to say "All things are possible with God!" We certainly believe that! But there is also a sense in which the "all things" must be clarified with Biblical parameters. Can God do all things? To put it bluntly, a wrong answer would be, "Yes, God can do all things." There are things God cannot do.
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Its about 7:15 on Saturday morning. She walks up to the tables and
racks not really needing anything, just looking. You engage her in a
conversation. Soon into the talk you ask if there are any
ways you can pray for her. She briefly shares that her children are having a
hard time with their father. There, at the table, with her permission,
you pray for her family on the spot.
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Grace Church is only two-week's deep in our corporate prayer journey through Psalm 119. Thus far, we've prayed through the first 32 verses.
A few of the benifits of praying through a Psalm that have stood out to me in these first two weeks are:
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John MacArthur
As long as it takes to cover the passage adequately! I do not think the length of the sermon is as important as its content. At times I have preached fifty minutes and it has been ten minutes too long. Other times, I have preached an hour and twenty-five minutes and it has been just right. The important thing is to cover the main point so that people are convinced of its truth and comprehend its requirements. If you have nothing worthwhile to say, even twenty minutes will seem like an eternity to your people. If you are interesting, they will stay with you.
HT: A friend via email (who, about 5 years ago, would regularly listen to me preach for a long time :-).
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As part of an almost daily routine I checked the news early this morning, and caught only a small caption of the horrible train collission in LA. During today's sermon I mistakenly suggested that I thought the crash might have happened in Britain.
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Why would you ask? We at Grace are realists. While anticipating eternity, we are a people who live in the now. Nope, we're not "worried about tomorrow," much less November! That's fine and good, but there's a difference between worry and anticipation, right?
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An excerpt from the Life Choices website...
Life Choices is committed to saving the lives of precious babies as well as the lives of their mothers, fathers, and family members. We know that life only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Help us make an eternal difference for the kingdom by Walking for Life and recruiting sponsors to ensure that the life-affirming work continues - John 3:16. We know that all of us are going to have to go the extra mile this year with the concerns of the present economy, but our Heavenly Father owns all the riches we need for abundant life - John 10:10. Thank you for serving and giving.
I deeply regret that I am just now blogging this year's Walk for Life event!! It is NOT too late to get involved. If you are free this Saturday at 10:00AM (or not!!) you can make a difference in the life of an unborn child (and his or her family!).
Call Beth McCalman at (901)388-1172 to find out how to obtain your pledge form before Saturday, or to let her know you will be registering at the event.
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Sent today from a friend in India (posted with permission):
Urgent Prayer Request:
Violent attacks against Christians in the eastern state of Orissa continued [for an] 11th day. There is a progom being carried out against Christians in the Indian state of Orissa by right wing hindu organisations led by Viswa Hindu Parishat (VHP) and the Rashtiya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) .
At least 16 people, mostly Christians were killed, churches destroyed and 10,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes as violence spread. One woman was burnt alive.
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Every congregation takes on a culture, or cultures, and that while keeping Jesus the gospel. As the love of God is poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, there are certain irresistible repercussions (like loving our neighbor). May God grant to Grace a culture of adoption, not as the gospel, but as an expression of the gospel!
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Grace's "Church Card" contains lots of information in a small space. The card pictured contains important details for September thru December.
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Grace Church will NOT be meeting in dowtown Memphis this Sunday (Aug 31) due to our all-church retreat. But, I have a feeling that no matter how much we try to get the word out, someone (like a visitor that's never seen this website) will show up at Bridges ready to meet with the Lord and His people.
I'm asking a favor and offering a suggestionWould someone who's staying back in Memphis volunteer to hang out on the sidewalk at Bridges from 8:45-10:15AM to notify eager worshipers of our excursion?
And, for everyone else who'll not be joining us at the retreat, I would encourage YOU ALL to worship with New Beginnings and be blessed by worshipping as my good friend Sam Murrell expounds the Word of God. (And, for anyone who's not baptistically convinced, then I would encourage you to attend New Beginnings every week!)
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If you are one of the several people or families that have mentioned (or not told us yet) that you'll be driving to the retreat to join us for worship this coming Sunday (31st) please submit a contact letting us know (again!) so we can prepare enough food for everyone. Thanks!
You can click "read more" to see the Sunday schedule.
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Please Take Note
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It was September 2005. Neither the city of Memphis, nor the name "Grace Church" had been made clear to Bryan, Nathan, or myself as the location or name of the church that we were called to plant. At the time, we knew we were called to plant a Christ-centered church together, we just didn't know where, or what it would be called. The Smith's and Sawyer's came to Minneapolis so we could meet with some of Bethlehem's staff, attend the Desiring God National Conference, and spend time praying, planning, and dreaming together. The fellowship was precious and priceless.
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I hope you are anticipating the upcoming cycle of Grace Groups. I trust that Clyde's book will be a timely study for our congregation.
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We're continually trying to update the Grace Church website.
This week we began adding responses to some of our most frequently asked questions.
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Grace Churchers... notice on the events tab (to the left) we have changed corrected the date (to the 24th) of the GraceKids Worker Orientation (and corrected the title from "Leader" to "Worker").
Basically, if you are on the "Spiffy Worker Spreadsheets" for GraceKids or Nursery, then you are urged to be at this orientation.
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On October 12, Lord willing, Dan Cruver will be a guest preacher at Grace Church. He will seek to unfold for us
the beauties of spiritual adoption. Pray for him, and for those who
will hear.
Dan recently wrote a tribute in honor of Maria Sue Chapman and his own son, Daniel. In his tribute, Dan clearly and biblically expounds the vision of the people of Grace Church. One line in particular stood out to me:
"We asked our God for grace. Grace to let Daniel go for His glory and Daniel's eternal joy."
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As far as discipleship is concerned, our first responsibility is to
our own soul, our spouse, and our children. Most of this takes place in the home, and
usually through informal settings that arise during "teachable
moments."
Tracy and I are encouraged and challenged by the families of Grace. We've seen several ways that parents have been thoughtfully preparing their children for corporate worship.
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For Pastors Only - Prayer of a Minor Prophet
By A. W Tozer
This is the prayer of a man called to be a witness to the nations. This is what he said to his Lord on the day of his ordination. After the elders and ministers had prayed and laid their hands on him he withdrew to meet his Saviour in the secret place and in the silence, farther in than his well-meaning brethren could take him. And he said:
O Lord, I have heard Thy voice and was afraid. Thou hast called me to an awesome task in a grave and perilous hour.
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Attempting to avoid the haughty presumption that we could see all that Christ sees in Scripture, we are well-served to remember that Christians have the same Spirit indwelling them as Christ has indwelling Him.
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I'm guessing that many of you have already come across this CNN article by Steven Curtis Chapman on the physical and spiritual beauties of adoption.
A striking opening line:
"...there are 143 million children in the world who have lost one or both parents."
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Syllogisms are arguments that lead to obvious conclusions. They work like this: If "A" is true, and "B" is true, then "C" must be true.
Would this syllogism hold up for every Christian?
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Other than a few details of the gory events, and providing sufficient
detail to evidence the verifiable historicity of the events, the
gospels have relatively little to say to us by way of spiritual
application of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. At times it
feels a little bit truncated to read the crucifixion chapters of the
gospels. The believing heart wants to see the application. Don't fret, that's what the remainder of the Bible is for.
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From "Counselor A":
"It was a joy for me to give them the truth about our ourselves from Scripture and then share the gospel and to see the LORD hit them with [His] truth. Also, the pleasure of driving to camp with one camper and talking, then with soft music playing, watch a little boy fall asleep in a quiet comfortable environment. I guess it really made me look forward to pouring in to my own son."
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Last week when Westminster was running a 50% sale, I used puppy-dog eyes and a little
sweet-talkin' that somehow convinced (not the norm!) Tracy to order
for me a copy of Thomas Shreiner's New Testament Theology. I feel like a kid in line at the ice-cream shoppe waiting for it to arrive!
As I'm anticipating its arrival, here are three questions:
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There was a shooting tonight (Wed) at the corner of 4th and Keel. It is our understanding that at least one person died.
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It was the Spring of 2001. D.A. Carson's, The Difficult Doctrine of
the Love of God was assigned reading for a seminary class. I didn't
realize how much I needed to read that book.
While praying about direction for future sermon series for Grace (And having leanings toward one on the love of God), I felt prompted to pick Carson's treatment up again and give it another read. It didn't take long to remember why I was so immensely helped by it the first time.
Take, for example, Carson's balanced explanation of the (oft-heated debate concerning the) Sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. Carson makes the plea that compatibilism is the only biblical view.
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The
main reason we are taking larger chunks of Mark's gospel for our sermon
text each week as we near the end of his evangelistic tract, is mainly
because we want, as much as is possible, with the help of the Spirit in
saved sinners, to get ourselves into the same vein of thinking and
feeling as Mark himself as he draws nearer to his climax...which is
also the climax of all eternity.
Gear up, we are on the brink of the truly amazing... God dies... for sinners... be stunned!
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Please be in prayer for Grace Church's first annual Urban Boys Camp, July 21-23. This year's theme is John 17:3. We're looking forward to lots of fun, fishing, cooking, cleaning, and dealing with the challenges of having a group of inner-city guys out in the middle of nowhere. Especially pray for the four main sessions which will focus on biblical views of God, man, sin, and salvation. Soli Deo Gloria!
"And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." - John 17:3
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The people of Grace Church are being urged to do something monumental: Make a home for a child who doesn't have one.
"The language of adoption just litters the New Testament," said pastor Jordan Thomas.
Flipping through a well-worn Bible, he quotes: "In love, God predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ."
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Grace's Sunday sermon text will be Mark 10:1-12. The theme of the text, and therefore the sermon, is Christ's teaching on divorce and remarriage.
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Grace's summer Burning Heart groups have been a joy for everyone involved. Most groups have recently
completed their reading & discussion of Andrew Murray's, Humility.
As part of the Summer of Spreading Christ, I've asked one of Grace's members to point our blog readers to Jesus by sharing a few thoughts about the impact that Murray's book is having on his life. Our prayer is that the following thoughts will stir you to seek Jesus--The Humblest of All.
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Attention Grace Church Kids!!Did somebody say "bike race?" Parents, this will be a great way for Grace Church people to connect with others from the Uptown community.
This Saturday, July 19--Registration at 3p, Race at 4p. Prizes for everyone!
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