Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Razor Light



"the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined." ~ Is. 9:2

I have seen the great light! I saw it and it pierced me like a razor. I broke through my heart of stone and delved into the deep. It carved out the disease within. It sucked out the poison and washed me clean.

I have been set free. Sin and death no longer have power over me. Today I walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and I am very strong in Him!

Worship the LORD Jesus Christ in the spender of holiness and ascribe to Him the glory due His name. Heaven and earth are full of his glory!

Holy is the LORD God Almighty who was, and is and is to come.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Untangle

UNTANGLE this if you can!!!

Update: I made it to level 12

I am thankful for Satan.

What!? Did I really just say that I am thankful for Satan? Yes!!! The reason is this: he drove me to my Father this morning.

I have been having a difficult time sleeping lately. There are probably a number of reasons for this, but one is that the Devil has been tormenting me in my sleep. Early this morning I was awoken by a vile and wicked dream that was so disturbing I can not even tell anyone about it.

I know where this dream came from. I am not unaware of the schemes of the Devil (2 Cor. 2:11). I was deeply troubled by this dream and, praise be to God, I was compelled to get out of bed and seek my God.

Why am I thankful for the Devil? Because he was the catylist that got me out of bed 45 minutes early. This allowed me to spend an extra 45 minutes in prayer and in the word seeking the grace of my Father.

What a loser the Devil is now and forever. Does he not know that my Father will guard me and lead me in the everlasting way? Does he not know that the love of Jesus Christ is upon me in glorious and magnificent ways?

Whether he knows it or not my God used him like a dishrag to bring glory to his holy name.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
~Ephesians 6:11-13

A PSALM OF DAVID.
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!
~Psalm 29:1-11

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
~John 10:27

Monday, February 25, 2008

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Things that make a Dad proud

Last night I was doing some teaching with a group of about 25 people. As I was reading the Scripture Asher was very enthused. At various points of my reading of 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 he would begin clapping very joyfully.

It is fun to see my little boy responding to the public reading of Scripture in a positive way like this. My constant prayer is that he would grow up to be a man of prayer and a man of the word of the Living God. It brings me great joy to see those things already developing within him at the ripe old age of 19 months.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Another Morning in Brainerd

Today I woke up to -23 degrees with a wind chill of -50. I am definitely ready for some warmer weather. Something in the +20's would be really nice right about now.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Church Planting - Living the Dream Baby!!!

"Church Planting will make you feel alive, and it can push you to the brink of insanity. It will give you a new sense of God's presence and convince you that Satan is alive and well. You will celebrate the birth of a new church with unearthly joy, and experience betrayal from friends and family in ways you never thought possible. As a church planter, you will experience high highs and low lows. It's dangerous and dramatic. As they say on television - kids, don't try this at home."
~Stephen Gray

It is as the man says it is. Buckle up - were living the dream baby!!!

Asher with Grandpa and Nana


Grandpa and Nana came up for a quick visit a few days back. Asher loved seeing them and Grandpa brought him a new table and chairs of his very own. Asher loves to sit at his table and read, color, and have all sorts of fun.

Asher says, "Thanks for coming to see me. I love you! Come up again soon."

Watch StAn (and Anne's Belly) Grow!

18 Weeks

Monday, February 18, 2008

Absolute Perfection

“Whoever is not satisfied with Christ alone, strives after something beyond absolute perfection.”
~ John Calvin, Commentary on John

Friday, February 15, 2008

Meet Mark Bjorlo

This is my friend Mark. He is the Lead Pastor of The Journey North here in Brainerd, MN. There are a number of reasons why I really like Mark. One reason is that he can grow a super bad goatee. Another reason is that we share a passion to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ through Church Planting.

Something amazing is taking place with The Journey North and Pointway Church. This Sunday I will be 'co-preaching' with Mark and will share the vision to plant Pointway Church. I will also be inviting people to seek the LORD and ask if He would be calling them to join us in our mission.

A phrase Mark regularly uses is that sometimes God redeploys his troops. This is not just a nice catch phrase for Mark. He believes it and he lives it! This partnership is amazing because Mark is releasing people and money from TJN to go towards our mission.

On one hand this seems like not big deal in light of the teaching of the New Testament concerning the Kingdom of God. On the other hand it is a big deal for at least two reasons.
  1. The sad truth is that many pastors feel like other pastors in their community are competitors rather than team mates. Mark and I do not see each other as competitors. We are fellow soliders in the Kingdom of God.
  2. The Journey North is a part of the Baptist General Conference and Pointway Church is a part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. It is rare to see this kind of partnership between denominations, though it should be a more common occurrence. My hope is that our partnership extends beyond the planting of Pointway Church to joining together to saturate our community with the gospel and planting many churches together (both BGC & CMA).
It is my prayer that God would be glorified through our partnership and that hundreds of people would come to know the grace of God in Jesus Christ through our efforts. Pray for Mark that God would continue to give him wisdom and discernment as he leads The Journey North. Join me in thanking God for his friendship and his commitment to building the Kingdom of God through Church Planting.

Soli Deo Gloria - to God alone be the Glory

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Global Warming

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering -since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
~2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Win Free Stuff from Tim Challies

February Giveaway

Click here for a chance to win some DVD's!!!

Happy Birthday David

Today is the Birthday of Biblical Scholar and good friend David Graves. Happy Birthday David! May the grace of God be abundant in your life and may His hand alway be upon you. I treasure your friendship and I am encouraged by your faith. Thank you!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Drag The Dot

This is very challenging and very fun. I made it to level 6 before my eyes bugged out.

Pregnancy Cravings

Tonight Anne insisted that I help her make an apple pie! I tell ya those pregnancy cravings can be really strong. A husband really has to put up with a lot sometimes.

The weird thing about it is that I am the one who had the craving for the apple pie. I suppose it was only right that I help make my own pie!

By the way, how many apples can you fit into one pie anyway?

Let it be known to all that I have the best wife ever!

Update:
This pie is about to get sliced and smothered with vanilla ice cream and warm caramel!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Discipline

It is one thing to be disciplined to do the things you need to do. Its another thing to be disciplined to do the things you need to do well!

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Thanks Nana


Asher got a special package today and it had a monkey in it. He was quite amused and is thankful that his Nana thought of him.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Asher is a little helper


Asher is getting to be quite the little helper. Today I had the unfortunate experience of catching some kind of stomach bug. I came home early this afternoon and spent much of that time in the bathroom. After one of my visits my helpful little boy ran into his room and grabbed a diaper. He then ran over and offered it to his daddy.

Thats my boy! Always ready to help when he is needed!!!

What Wondrous Love Is This

This morning I woke up and felt the heaviness of darkness around me. It has been a while since I have slept peacefully. Lately I have felt the presence of the Adversary. Our work, which had seemed to be moving ahead unhindered, has hit a bump in the road. The clouds have moved in and have obstructed my vision.

Just as discouragement and despair began to pursue me my faith brought sight. This morning I did not know how to proceed with our work so I found a quiet place and set myself to seeking my LORD. He seemed distant and my heart longed for his presence with me.

“Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD – how long?...I am wary with my moaning…My eye wastes away because of my grief… ~Ps 6:2, 3, 6, 7

In my sad state I knew of only one thing to do. I bowed down and worshiped my God. I cried out to him in prayer and I asked him to draw near to me. My heart sang to him and he heard my cry.

…the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. ~Ps. 6:8, 9

I sat and starred out of my window into the sky and through the thick gray clouds I saw a faint light. It was the sun piercing through the darkness. As I sang… “What wondrous love is this that caused the LORD of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul ” the clouds parted and the sun shone brightly upon me and I could feel the heat of it on my face.

I sank back into my chair and realized that my Father was reminding me that he is never far off, but always near to me. Sometimes things cloud our vision, but be assured the LORD is near. I have been reminded again today that my God is faithful and true. I have been reminded again that his hand is upon me and that no one can thwart his plans.

The Adversary may come and shoot his fiery arrows at me; he may come and torment me in my sleep; he may try to steer me off the path that Jesus Christ has set before me, but I will never ever ever believe his lies!

I am a child of the living God! I am a disciple of Jesus Christ! I know in whom I believe and I will serve him until I breathe my last breath.

What Wondrous Love Is This

American Folk Hymn

What wondrous love is this,

O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this

That caused the Lord of bliss

To bear the dreadful curse

For my soul, for my soul,

To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down,

Sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down, sinking down,

When I was sinking down

Beneath God’s righteous frown,

Christ laid aside His crown

For my soul, for my soul,

Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb

I will sing, I will sing,

To God and to the Lamb I will sing,

To God and to the Lamb

Who is the great “I Am,”

While millions join the theme,

I will sing, I will sing,

While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free,

I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.

And when from death I’m free,

I’ll sing and joyful be,

And thro’ eternity

I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,

And thro’ eternity I’ll sing on.

I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed; I have Holy Spirit power; the dye has been cast, I’ve stepped over the line, the love of God controls me, the decision has been made - I’m a disciple of His.

I won’t look back, let up, slow down or back away; my past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure; I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless streams, tame visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals; I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits or popularity; I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded; I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk in patience, live by prayer and labor with power; my face is set, my walk is fast, my goal is the Kingdom of God; my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear; I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed; I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversaries, negotiate at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity; I won’t give up, shut up or let up until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and must go until He comes, give until I drop, teach until all know and work until he stops me - I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST!

~Author Unknown