ONE Body

Read about Reading (alternate title: Read? I’ll just wait until the movie comes out)

2015-06-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

I originally posted this at blog.emmanuelbaptist.com

No there is not a movie based on this post coming soon.
But I do want to remind each of us of the importance of reading.

As a Christian writing about the topic of reading, I must begin with an very obvious and necessary reminder.

In the book Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books, Tony Reinke writes “Scripture is the ultimate grid by which we read every book. Scripture is perfect, sufficient, and eternal. All other books, to some degree, are imperfect, deficient, and temporary. That means that when we pick books from the bookstore shelves, we read those imperfect books in light of the perfect Book, the deficient books in light of the sufficient Book, and the temporary books in light of the eternal Book.” (p. 26)

We, the pastors of Emmanuel Baptist Church, have recommended many different books. We actually have several classes, like our current Christ-Centered Church study, that are based on books other than the Bible. I was tempted to list some of them but decided not to AT THIS TIME. However, if you have read a book recommended by an EBC pastor, post the title below. You could even include a comment or two about the book.

One of the reasons we recommend books is because there is a lot of teaching on topics and specific issues we would like to do but we realize
Godly, Bible saturated books have been written on these topics
we and you don’t have the time to sit in a classroom to learn about every topic
we want to equip you become self-feeders.

Two online resources to help you read more:

Don Whitney writes “By reading one page per day you can read 365 pages in a year, or the equivalent of two full-length books. That may not sound like much, but it’s far better than not reading at all. Moreover, by some accounts this would place you above half the U.S. population in the number of books read each year.”
http://biblicalspirituality.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Read-One-Page-Per-Day.pdf

Here is an article by Tim Challies on how to read more.
http://www.challies.com/articles/read-more-read-better

For a post on how parents can ignite in others a love for book reading, click HERE

HOW PARENTS CAN IGNITE IN OTHERS A LOVE FOR BOOK READING

Thank You for Your Support!!

2015-04-28T23:38:00.000-04:00

Krista and I want to thank you very much for your financial and/or prayer support for our Jamaica/Fairview Baptist Bible College (FBBC) trip.

Here is a video summary our church put together of the trip.

We had a great week working on the administration building at Fairview! Krista was a painter most of the week. I was a painter, stainer and drywaller. We were able to put up office walls, lay tile, put in two student bathrooms, install windows and doors, and do A LOT of painting and staining! While we didn't get everything completed, the Jamaicans should have the work finished by May 1st. You can read and see more about the work at http://ebcjam.blogspot.com/

The teens along with some adults taught the children’s church class at church two the two Sundays we were there.

I also had a last last minute but great opportunity to preach the first Sunday there.

We also were able to go into three area schools and share the Resurrection story and the hope we have in Christ.

One of the great truths I was reminded of during and after the trip is that God is doing great things in Jamaica and around the world.

God is not dependent upon me to do what He wants to do. However God does give me the opportunity to be part of His plan!

If you want to read more about the trip and check on the ministry at Fairview, you can go to http://ebcjam.blogspot.com/

I wanted to share a little bit of what I shared with Emmanuel after we got back.

Here is a picture of me with some of the students I had the chance to reconnect with on our trip. And I want to use this picture to remind of the impact of your help on the church in Jamaica.

Many of us see homeless people around the city and look away or drive away.

Marvin, the FBBC on the right, saw the same man at the same corner on the bus route he regularly takes.

One day Marvin decided to stop and talk to this man. They have had several conversation about many different things including the Gospel.

When I first saw Marvin on this trip, he came up to me and said “Hello sir! We need to talk about some ministry things.” Later that we talked about how to share the Gospel with someone who says he is insane.

Krista also had the great opportunity to connect with one of the female students, Deandra, the only girl in the picture. She is a Biblical Counseling major who is prayerfully considering going to Brazil, Canada or China to use what she has been learning.

Marvin is a passionate young man who had a rough childhood but God grabbed a hold us his heart and Marvin wants to share Jesus with others.

Deandra has a gentle caring spirit who grew up in a pastor’s home. She and her brother attend Fairview.

Casey and William are two unsaved gentlemen who were invited by area pastors to come to Fairview to work alongside us.

PRAY FOR MARVIN AND DEANDRA AS THEY PREPARE! PRAY FOR CASEY AND WILLIAM

PRAY FOR EACH OF US TO TAKE THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD BEGINNING IN OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS

Acts 20:24 is a reference I put at the bottom of my emails. It reads “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Thank you so much for your support in helping us testify to the good news of God’s grace not only on our trip to Jamaica but also in our ministry in general!

Stress is not about your circumstances!

2015-03-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

At least one Sunday a month one of the pastors head down to the Aurora for a Bible study/Biblical counseling time.

During these meeting the ladies study a topic like worry or thankfulness.

On March 15, I had the opportunity to teach the on Stress: Peace Amid Pressure.

Here are some thoughts from the time.

Setting up the learning/teaching:

Women from Emmanuel Baptist Church have been going to the Aurora House, a transitional home for women and their children www.auroraprojectinc.org, for the last several years. On Sunday nights they have taken meals, organized a game night or planned a Bible study. EBC women have brought some women from the Aurora House to our Christmas events and Sunday morning services.
What a great way to share God’s love and Word with others.

Over the last couple of months one of the pastors has gone down once a month to cover various Biblical counseling topic.
On March 15, I taught from the booklet entitled Stress: Peace Amid Pressure.
I want to share a couple of great reminders and challenge I took from this booklet.

What was my learning/teaching:
What I really love about this specific booklet s the fact that it is a study of Psalm 131, “a show-and-tell for how to become peaceful inside” (p. 2). One of the points Powlison makes at the beginning of the booklet is that “composure i learned, and it is learned in relationship” (p. 4).

Psalm 131:1: Deliverance from the Noise

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.

This first verse reminds us that much of the noise, pressure and distraction of life is because of what we are treasuring in our hearts, watching with our eyes and concerned about.

Psalm 131:2: The Process of Peace

But I have calmed and quieted my soul,like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Here is a big truth to remember as you think about calming and quieting your soul.
“Only one thing is strong enough to overpower a stormy life: what God promises to do in and through Jesus Christ” (p. 13).

Psalm 131:3: The Reason for Peace

O Israel, hope in the Lordfrom this time forth and forevermore.

Read Psalm 130 to see some of the things we are to hope in…
there is forgiveness with God
with the LORD there is lovingkindness
and more.

The final, overview section of the booklet is about personalizing Psalm 131.
Powlison uses a great image to help us do that.

Identify ladders to nowhere (Ladder of achievement, ladder of appetite, ladder of avoidance). Stress is often caused when we “chase after impossibilities.” Stress is more ME than my circumstances. You are your biggest problem.
Come to know Jesus. Psalm 131 overthrows the powers-that-be to establish the reign of HIm-who-is. Jesus saves you from sin. He saves you from yourself.
Live the mindset of Psalm 131. Set your hope in the right place

We all need to remind ourselves of Biblical, life changing truth over and over again.

If you are asking yourself the question “Why am I stressed?”
Consider these two questions:
“What am I pursuing?”
“Is my heart set on Christ and the things of God?”

Krista and I are going on a Mission Trip to Jamaica

2015-02-02T22:31:00.003-05:00

Here is some of our Jamaica Mission Trip Letter and Information:

Greetings from the Rodgers!

We are very thankful for your friendship over the years and the role you have played in our lives and in our ministry. As many of you may know Krista and I met while serving the LORD in the Dominican Republic. We also had the amazing privilege to serve there four years as a married couple. We have a great opportunity to serve on an Emmanuel Baptist Church mission team together. We will be complete the construction on one of the buildings at Fairview Baptist Bible College in Jamaica along with serving the college and students in any other ways needed.

Fairview Baptist Bible College has a very special place in our hearts. David has been there 3 times:

As part of a training/evangelism trip with other Baptist Bible Seminary students in 2007.
As part of library construction team with Emmanuel Baptist Church in 2013.
As a Biblical counseling teacher for the students at Fairview in November 2014.

One of the amazing benefits of building relationships like the one Emmanuel has with Fairview is we have been able to see individuals move from being students at the college to pastors of local churches.

We are very much looking forward to working with Ken and Clea Rathbun, a missionary couple supported by Emmanuel. Ken is the Academic Dean at Fairview. Here is the mission of Fairview Baptist Bible College “to train competent, compassionate, effective servant leaders for the ministry of Christ in the local churches of Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world.” They are doing this and we are very excited to partner with them.

As a group we have committed to raise funds through donations to cover our travel expenses and some of the construction cost. If you are able to financially support our JAM ‘15 team, please send your check to:
Emmanuel Baptist Church

4207 W. Laskey Road

Toledo, OH 42623

In order to keep within IRS regulations, we ask that all checks or money orders be made out to the Emmanuel Baptist Church with Jam '15 on the memo line. Doing it this way will allow you to use a tax-exempt deduction at the end of the year.

We would very much appreciate your prayers and if possible your financial support for the Jam 15 team as we look to minister to the students at Fairview Baptist College and the people of Jamaica. You can check out ebcjam.blogpost.com for updates on the trip and posts from our previous trip.

Serving the Lord,

David & Krista Rodgers

Here are some of the students I taught in November.

My posts are not my own. They are....

2015-01-06T10:30:00.000-05:00

Recently I posted the following on my facebook page. I wanted to explain why I wrote it and why I wrote it the way I did.

My FACEBOOK FRIENDS, please read this especially if you have posted or read the other "legal statements" on people's feeds.

This is my personal rewrite of a "legal notification" being shared on facebook.

As of January 5th, 2015 - I do not give MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS permission to continue facebook hoaxes that clutter my and other people's newsfeed.
I give notice to MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS that each of us need to think twice before posting hoaxes we have not verified, thoughts we have not committed to the Lord or videos we have not watched all the way through. Violations of these principles can lead to unwanted spam, spread of lies and other things I cannot think of right now.
All FACEBOOK FRIENDS must realize that the statement "I am not sure if this is true or not but..." should not be used in the real world OR the social media world. "I am not sure if this is true but I heard Dave is a liar" is not acceptable in conversation and should not be acceptable among our FACEBOOK FRIENDS.

Check out this link from CBSnews about this resurfaced facebook hoax.

Why make a post like this on facebook knowing that many friends have posted this?

I know there are many people who have seen these "legal statement" posts and realize they are not true but they don't do anything about it. Recently, I began private messaging people about some videos they were posting and/or liking that contained a link to information they did not want to promote. Each person was appreciative of my message. There are reasons why I chose to do one through private message and another through a public post but I don't want to get into that right now. The point is we need to help one another grow in the truth. I know in most cases when the Bible talks about growing in the truth it is referring to the Gospel. BUT isn't part of growing in THE GOSPEL TRUTH growing in speaking and typing the truth.
Too many people are too passive about what they post and what they read on facebook.
Too many people are too quick to become too passionate about the wrong things on facebook. We are quick to attack someone holding an alcoholic drink or a movie that we don't agree with BUT we don't respond to little white lies and false truths or celebrations of gluttony.

Why write a post the way I did?

Part of the spread of this hoax every couple of months the facade of legal language this statement has in light of changes in facebook's terms of service. The original statement sure sounds good but it is not a binding legal document. Sounding good but not saying anything good is not... I don't know how else to say it. Sounding good but not saying anything good is not good.
I believe writing the post using the same legal tone connects the lack of substance of the original post to what I am trying to say.

What I am not saying by posting this email?

I am not saying we need to go out and hunt for every email, facebook hoax or falsehood out there BUT when you see it, especially when you see it over and over again, you need to do something about it.
I am not saying every correction situation needs to be a public post for the world, or at least my facebook friends, to see. As I mentioned above, I have handled different situations different ways. Think about what you want to say and what is the best way to say it.
I am not saying this type of posting is the biggest issue in the world today. It is not first and foremost about what you are posting on facebook. It is about who you are trusting in. Your faith needs to be in Jesus Christ who said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

It is my prayer that my initial facebook post and this blog post will help you think about what you post and why you post it.

Instead of claiming your rights to your pictures and posts have you thought about it this way...
"My posts are not my own, they belong to the Lord."

Merry Christmas from the Rodgers family!

2014-12-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas time we have been reminded of the great truth in the Christmas carol “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” In Christ, God and sinners are reconciled! We are so thankful for the life that we have in Jesus Christ (1 John 4:9).

As we think back over 2014, we have been blessed by so many old and new friends. God has given opportunities to encourage and be encourage by others.

Over this past year our family has been growing in many different ways. The picture to the left shows that Joel is now taller than Krista. In this same picture Krista is wearing a Jamaica hat. Dave went to Jamaica for two weeks in November to teach a class on Biblical counseling in the church. It was a great time! We are very thankful for awesome grandparents and friends who helped Krista and the kids. Thank you to those who were praying for this time.

At this year’s Emmanuel Baptist Church Christmas eve service, David was able to share about what God wants for Christmas. We want to close this brief update with what he shared. The picture to right shows what God wants. Not a selfie of David. He wants you and your worship.

You can read more about Dave’s trip to Jamaica, the Christmas eve lesson and other thoughts about our year at www.boonedy.blogspot.com

Have a Merry Christmas and an Amazing 2015!

What God Wants - Christmas Eve service at EBC

2014-12-24T22:00:00.000-05:00

Tonight I had the opportunity to share with Pastor Duke at Emmanuel Baptist Church's Christmas eve service.

While I may not win an Oscar for my acting, I was very excited to share the truth of God's Word with those who were there.

The two specific things I shared were a poem and a couple of verses.

The poem was adapted from the Christmas devotional What God Wants for Christmas. Here it is.

What God wants for Christmas. Now here’s the surprise

In this box is where it’s been disguised.

Peek in the box, for so long you have waited.

What God wants is you – the one He created!

“Me?” you ask. “Why is this so?”

”I cannot wrap me and put on a bow!”

No you cannot; but what you can give

Are the choices you make in the life that you live.

God wants you to know Him and love Him within.

And this is called worship, an offering to Him.

To do this trust Jesus, who died in your place

When you didn’t deserve Him – that is called grace

Give him control of your life and your heart

Say, “Jesus I need You. I’d like a new start.

Forgive me today for the sins I’ve committed

So one day in heaven I will be permitted.”

When you this way, the heavens rejoice
That you have made worship of God your life’s choice.

God wants you to know Him, so choose every day

To love God and thank God

And give Him all Praise.

The verses were 1 John 4:9, 10, which are part of this quarter's memory verses at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

1 John 4:9 says "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."

The reason Jesus was born was so that we might live through him. We have abundant, eternal life because Jesus - God in flesh appearing died on the cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.

1 John 4:11 says "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

What God did for us in Jesus Christ should impact they way we live in this life.

In my ministry at EBC as pastor of children/family ministry and soul care, I want to help people live out the faith in their families, among believers and in their communities. I was very thankful for the opportunity to share on Christmas Eve. It is my prayer that the evening encouraged people to focus on Christ this Christmas time.

Looking back at my time in Jamaica

2014-11-28T22:23:00.001-05:00

Here is most of the class with their Christ Centered Biblical Counseling books. Click HERE for some reviews of this book.

Each of the students received a copy of this great Biblical counseling because of the generosity of Emmanuel Baptist Church's members.

Here is the campus!

The small white house in the middle of the hill is where I stayed.

The picture is taken from the classroom door.

Here is the last day of class!

David and the rest of the class gave me several gifts.

The two weeks of class were great!
I really enjoyed getting to know the students.

Preparing to land in Detroit, which is colder than Jamaica.

2014-11-23T01:18:00.001-05:00

The pilot just informed us Detroit is warmer than it was earlier today and this week. 44 degrees.

Telling people coming from 80+ Jamaica it is a "warm" 44 degrees brings no comfort to my soon to be chilled body.

It was a great two weeks. I missed my family during the time. There were many challenges. BUT God is good. Actually God is awesome.

After a 3.5 hour delay in Jamaica I am looking forward to seeing my family and worshipping with my church family tomorrow.

Over this next week I am going to be posting some thoughts and reflections on my time in Jamaica. This will include some pictures of my pets for the weeks (no I am not talking about students), ministry thoughts and prayer requests for me and for Fairview.

Thanks for your prayers!

Good day despite not feeling so good

2014-11-19T11:30:00.000-05:00

Thank you everyone for your ongoing prayers.

Yesterday was a rough day health. I was not feeling well the whole day.
I am feeling much better this morning. I would very much appreciate your prayers for strength to get through the day.

Also, pray for the students, pastors and churches in Jamaica. In some conversations with the students and one pastor who has been sitting in the class, they have stated that the things we have been talking in class have been challenging and need to be fleshed out in the churches of Jamaica but it is a challenge to get people to be more involved in one another's lives - beyond surface level friendliness. Pastor Black, the president of FBBC, has a real passion for Biblical Counseling training. He has been to Faith in Lafayette for several tracks.
It is exciting to think about disciple making going on around the world. In Africa, as we heard about during our missions emphasis month. In Jamaica, as I am experiencing these two weeks at FBBC. In Toledo, as we continue Biblical counseling training and other discipleship training at EBC.

Here is some class info from yesterday and today.

Yesterday we talked about depression and sharing THE HOPE OF CHRIST with others.

This is a quote I shared with the students...
“The God of all comfort, comforts you in your specific trouble so that you can comfort those in any trouble with the infinitecomfort you receive from the God of all comfort.” Bob Kelleman

Today we are going to be talking about idols and addictions.
For those of you who have been through Track 1 in the Biblical Counseling you are familiar with this Y-chart.
For those you who have not been through Track 1, first I want to encourage you to take Track 1 next year and second this video refers to a counseling diagram that is used in Biblical counseling.
For everyone, I want to encourage you to watch this video. Not merely for the sake of review or first time information but more so for self-examination.

Sunday at Dalistron

2014-11-18T19:11:00.001-05:00

I posted this video from Dalistron Baptist Church in Jamaica on facebook.
But I realized not everyone has or checks facebook regularly.

I had the privilege to preach there this past Sunday and
then had dinner with Pastor Thompson and his wonderful family!

Monday afternoon tradition & Overcoming Despair with Hope

2014-11-17T21:33:00.002-05:00

Here is what has become a Monday tradition these two weeks
at Fairview Baptist Bible College!!

No it is not having class out on the basketball court!!

No electricity on Monday afternoons.

Last week it was during the whole 4 hours of class.

This week it was only during the last hour or so.

One of the students said I handled the no electricity very well.

I told the students their electricity is great compared to what the Dominican Republic's was when we were there.

No projector! No fans! No lights! No fans!

Did I mention NO FANS!

No breeze!

Now I know some of you right now would not understand this right now but it is hot here.

One of the Jamaican students suggested we move outside because the room was so hot!

It was a very good idea!

In the picture are 10 of the students.

The other one, Mark, is taking the pictures. Thanks Mark!!

Today we talked surrendering anger with humility.
A great start to the last week of classes.

While the time has been great here, it has had its challenges.
I would definitely appreciate your prayers as we continue with the class and speak on Romans 5 and the hope we have in Christ.

Here is an excerpt from Jerry Bridges' book The Gospel for Life that I am going to share with the students tomorrow.

One morning I was reflecting on my sin, which for some reason was particularly painful to me that day. In my discouragement, I blurted out "God you would be perfectly just in sending me to hell." Immediately, on the heels of those words came this thought "No you would not because Jesus satisfied your justice for me."

Tomorrow's theme for the afternoon is Overcoming Despair with Hope!

A great first week of classes and a great opportunity tomorrow!

2014-11-15T20:10:00.002-05:00

It has been a great first week of class!
The students have been challenged and so have I.
One of the students came up to me after one of the sessions and
said "I don't know if I am going to survive this class."
I told him he could get the work done.
Then, he told me he was not talking about the class load.
He was talking about conviction.
If you have done any of the Biblical counseling tracks,
you know exactly what he was talking about.

Looking forward to a great opportunity to preach on Romans 1 tomorrow.
I will be at Pastor Thompson's church, which is about 1/2 hour from the college.
He teaches a couple of classes at the college.
If you are reading this tonight pray for me as I preach tomorrow morning.
If you are reading this after the morning service,
pray that the people who heard the message will apply the truth to their lives.

Bible College Never Made a Man a Pastor

2014-11-14T17:41:00.000-05:00

This is the message I preached in chapel today.

"No theological education ever made a man a minister."
"A degree without a divine calling is not a God given ministry."
These are quotes from Alistair Begg I believe.

This school is designed to sharpen your skills so you can do what God has called you to do.

Now let's open our Bible to Colossians 1:28, 29

Who is the "whom" referring to?
Jesus Christ
Paul's message JESUS CHRIST.

It is not Biblical counseling. It is what Christ can do in you and in others.
It is not church history. It is what Christ has done for God's glory throughout time in His church.
It is not theological information. It is about what God has done, is doing and will do through Jesus Christ.

Paul's message was not information or action. It was a person.

THE MESSAGE IS JESUS.

So how does Paul communicate this message? What methods does he use?
Warning
Teaching

Why warning?
Because sin is serious. We need to warn people about the effects and the result of sin.
Matthew 5 and 18 talk about the serious of sin.

Why teaching?
Because we need to know the truth.
Because we need to know the way.
Because we need to know what real life is.

Why everyone?
Romans 3:23. All have sinned.

Now look at Colossians 1:29.

I work, other translations say "toil."
I work
according to his working
which works in me

God is the one working in me.
God is the one who provides the strength and power for me to do what He wants me to do.

Remember this Hudson Taylor quote:
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."

Today: Basics of Biblical Counseling

2014-11-14T13:56:00.000-05:00

Today we are beginning the basics of how to do Biblical Counseling.

I would very much appreciate your prayers today.
End of the week.
Four hours of class.

Pray the students, who have been doing a great job, would stay focused throughout today's class.
Pray that I would have the strength to finish the week well.

This weekend I will be preaching at a nearby church on Sunday.

Great Conversation under the big tree on campus.

2014-11-13T14:00:00.000-05:00

After chapel today I had the chance to sit and talk with Pastor Black, the president of the college, and Pastor Dwayne, the pastor of Hillview Baptist Church in Montego Bay.

Two things about the conversation were great...

Pastor Dwayne had great memories of the BBS students who visited in 2007 (http://bbsjam07.blogspot.com/). While it was a great trip for those of us who went, it was an encouragement to hear that he and other pastors were encouraged by our coming down and sharing with them.
Pastor Black and Pastor Dwayne were very appreciative of Emmanuel sending me down to teach a class on Biblical counseling. They both shared how Biblical counseling has impacted their lives and ministries.

Please pray for these two pastor and the ministries in the churches and the college.

Pastor Black is working on his doctorate through Baptist Bible College and is coming to the end the program. Pray for endurance and wisdom so he can finish his final class and his thesis well. Pray for wisdom as he applies the things he is learning to his life and ministry.

Recently, a long time member of Hillview Baptist Church passed away. The funeral is on November 23. Pray for Pastor Dwayne and others as they minister to the friends and families in the area who have been impacted by this death.

The Role of the Local Church in Biblical Counseling

2014-11-13T11:00:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your prayers.

Yesterday I didn't post because I was, and still am, working through a couple of technology issues.
The class time has been great.
There are 11 students in the class.
About half of them are taking the class for credit and the other half are auditing the course.

Yesterday our lesson focused on who is the Holy Spirit and what is the Bible.
We finished the day out with a 25 minutes overview of the whole Bible.
Their first assignments were also due.

Today's class is going to look at the role of the church in Biblical counseling.
We have been stressing over and over and over again that...
Biblical Counseling is disciple making.
And that will be the emphasis of our discussion today.
One of the quotes from today's lesson is...
"Is your church an audience of spectators or fellowship of disciple-makers?" David Platt

I mentioned earlier in the week to be praying for my health, especially as it relates to my diabetes.
I am happy to report that my numbers have been great.
There is something to be said for walking everywhere in 79 degree weather.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Today: A Study of the Human Heart

2014-11-11T13:50:00.000-05:00

Each day we are beginning each class with a 20 to 30 minute devotional.
Today's devotional is one of my favorite Psalms.
Psalm 42.

This quote from Paul Tripp goes well with what we will be talking about today.

Praise:

FBBC's projector was not here.
Came up with an alternate plan using paper copies.

Printer was out of ink. Copies not possible.

Student found another projector I could borrow.

Set up projector up.

Electricity went out 15 minutes before class (1:45) and was out until 45 minutes after class was finished (6:45).

Begins getting dark around 5:00.

During the last half hour students were using cell phones and flashlights to take notes.

BUT, do you know what?

it was an AWESOME class. Great time of interaction in the Word of God with students.

I am so thankful that the point of the class was not powerpoint.

I am so thankful that the point of the class was the power of God's in every circumstance.

about Fairview Baptist Bible College

2014-11-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here is FBBC's website: www.fairviewbbc.com

1st day of class and pics from yesterday

2014-11-10T13:45:00.000-05:00

Earlier today, I posted the class description, textbook and schedule.
In this post I want to share a little bit on why I am excited to teach this class to some of the students at Fairview Baptist Bible College.

I am trying the first stage of an online experiment today with the students.
You can view the powerpoint presentation as live, click by click, with the students here in Jamaica. At least, I am planning on that. Click on this very long link below:
https://bn1-broadcast.officeapps.live.com/m/Broadcast.aspx?Fi=646aa40fa14ba260%5F0feee0ff%2De0d0%2D4bba%2D9410%2D69c444772177%2Epptx

I am going to try to add audio to it on Wednesday or Thursday.
I really would appreciate it if someone could see if this link works. Here is what would be very helpful.

Click on the link at between 2:05 and 4:00 and see if the presentation changes over the next ten minutes or so. There will be no audio. That is the next step.
Post a reply below or email me.

In thinking about the disciple making mission of Biblical counseling I am very excited about the possibility of helping pastors and the churches here in Jamaica grow in their disciple making.
As I teach this first day, I really want the students to see that everyone should be doing Biblical counseling.
The pastor and certified Biblical counselor do it scheduled times an in a structured way.
Every believer has the opportunity to counsel people from the Bible when they are asked to share their thoughts or opinions about an issue.
This week the students are going to need to know 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, a common verse, for their end of the week quiz.

It is my prayer that the class would be informational and very practical.

It is my prayer that the students and I would be reminded of the truth Milton Vincent writes about in the Gospel Primer under the section My Inheritance in the Saints.

The Gospel is not just a message of reconciliation with God, but it also heralds the reconciliation of all believers to one another in Christ....

The more I comprehend the full scope of the gospel, the more I value the church for which Christ died (Eph. 5:25), the more I value the role that I play in the lives of my fellow Christians, and the more I appreciate the role that they must be allowed to play in mine.

Here are some pictures from yesterday

Here is the one lane road to Bird Mountain Church yesterday.

The pastor, several members of the church and I went to visit a senior saint in the church yesterday.
The woman, her daughter and baby granddaughter live in this two room house.
She didn't want us to leave.
We sang songs with her, Pastor Wright read scripture and we prayed for her.

Here is the class description, textbook and schedule.

2014-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here is the class description.

"This class will assist the student in understanding and developing a Biblical counseling ministry in the church. General Biblical principles along with specific tools to be used in counseling depression, anger, addiction and other problems will be studied."

Here is the class textbook.

Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling: Changing Lives with God’s Changeless Truth by James MacDonald, Bob Kelleman and Steve Viars (2013). Harvest House Publishers.

Here is the class schedule.

Monday, 11/10: Clarification and Philosophy of Biblical CounselingTuesday, 11/11: The Role of the Human Heart in CounselingWednesday, 11/12: The Role of the Holy Spirit and Scripture in CounselingThursday, 11/13: The Role of the Local Church in CounselingFriday, 11/14: Basics of Biblical CounselingMonday, 11/17: Four Main Heart Issues, Part 1Tuesday, 11/18: Four Main Heart Issues, Part 2Wednesday, 11/19: Specific Issues in CounselingThursday, 11/20: The Role of Homework in CounselingFriday, 11/21: Exam and Final Thoughts.

first sunday in jamaica

2014-11-09T14:00:00.000-05:00

This morning I had the opportunity to teach at a nearby church.

Taught from 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - 15. Unexpected and exciting opportunity.

Would appreciate your prayer as I visit another church this evening and look over tomorrow's lesson.

At FBBC in Jamaica

2014-11-08T18:10:00.003-05:00

A little later than 2:00 pm. Getting settled in.
Thank you everyone who was praying for my flight today.

Things at the beginning and the end of the flight were good.
The flight itself was probably one of bounciest I have ever had.

I am getting settled into the guest house on a cool Jamaican night in the mountains.
In getting settled in I would love for you to pray for a couple of specific things;

Health related: While I am very much looking forward to jerk chicken at Border Jerk (those who were on the JAM13 trip know what I am talking about), please pray that I would be wise with my diet. Diabetes creates a real challenge in cross cultural situations.
Teaching related: I am very much looking forward to teaching and I have many ideas and principles I want to share. Pray that I would have wisdom in what and how to share and when to listen and help students discover things.
Ministry related: This a very personal request for me. I love ministry opportunities God has given me. In thinking about "my" ministries at EBC, help me to remember that they are the Lord's. My mind is racing through details I may have forgotten but I know first of all, there are godly, wise people who are able to do the work of the ministry without me there. The second truth I know is we serve an amazing God is able to do great things. Pray for me to trust in God.

Thank you so much for your prayers.

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock. TImes is quickly passing

2014-11-06T14:03:00.002-05:00

Today I am planning to finish up lesson preparation.
I would especially appreciate your prayers for this work.
Pray for wisdom in planning 40 hours of lessons that engage the students.
I want the class to be so much more than an information dump.

Some Specific Prayer Requests

2014-11-05T14:13:00.003-05:00

I would appreciate your prayers for the following items over the next two and a half weeks.

Pray for my final preparation for the class
Pray for Krista and the kids while I am away
Pray for the students, pastors and teachers who will be taking the class. For updates on the trip and the topics we will be studying each day, go to http://boonedy.blogspot.com You can check this blog, boonedy.blogspot.com, at 2:00 every day for the next three weeks for more about the trip.
Pray for the ministries of EBC that I oversee and so many of you and others serve in, specifically the children & family ministry. Pray for Andrea as she works with the children’s ministry and the disciple makers. Pray for Mindy as she directs UPWARD. It is exciting to see what God is doing and going to do with these ministries to families in our community. To read how you can be praying for these family ministries go to www.ekidzministry.blogspot.com