Stories Of Change from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.

Throughout my time several things rose to the forefront of my mind:

1. I read way too much secondary material (systematic theologies, etc) and not enough Bible. We had to teach on various topics at a moments notice and I was slow to pull up Scripture in my mind and nervous to shoot from the hip. Secondary material is good but the Bible is better. The Bible is more needful. The Bible must remain numero uno priority.
2. I’m like the guy who loves to talk about fishing but rarely fishes. Forget just talking about fishing, I love going to conferences about fishing, reading about fishing, talking about fishing, buying sweet lures to increase my fishing effectiveness but I rarely drop a lure in the water. My brothers and sisters in India put me to shame in their evangelistic zeal for the Lord.
3. I don’t believe in the power of the gospel. Becoming familiar with philosophy is good (it’s strengthened my faith) and studying apologetic issues is good. But through studying these things I have inadvertently put less faith in the gospel. Not everyone struggles with philosophic issues and not everyone needs to hear the cosmological or the teleological argument for the existence of God. The gospel is simple and it’s profound. The gospel saves brilliant men and illiterate men. Not everyone needs heady arguments, they need to hear the gospel. The gospel is powerful and effective even if it’s proclaimed by some hick preacher down by the river.
4. I love comfort.
5. Seeing worship done differently half-way across the world makes me inclined to be less dogmatic about methods of corporate worship.
6. The gospel is not western. The gospel applies to all people of all cultures of all times. It doesn’t require people to become western. It requires people to trust in Christ alone and follow Him.

I’m excited about going. I don’t know about you, but unless I intentionally do things to remind myself of the nations then I just start to think that the world revolves around me and my family and school and work. Please pray that the Lord would work mightily through us and that we would support the efforts of the long term missionaries on the ground.

If you want some real missionaries to pray for then take a look at Nick’s blog and The Heinrich’s blog. These guys are faithful soldiers that could use your prayers.

It was my first time to hear CJ Mahaney, John MacArthur, and John Piper preach in person. I almost became a postmillinialist when I heard  7,000 men singing their hearts out to the Lord. It was overwhelming to hear the whole convention center filled with voices and I thought it was just a small, very small, preview of the praise that will occur in heaven.

However, despite the rockin conference, there was a particular experience where my sinful heart was painfully exposed.

Let me paint the picture for you.

In between one of the sessions I was outside on a park bench trying to catch up on some reading for greek when 2 dudes sat down right beside me and started smoking. The wind happened to be blowing at just the perfect angle too, so that the smoke went right in my face. How did I respond? Was I joyful at the opportunity to talk with two guys who may have no idea who Jesus is? Was I praying for an opportunity to share the gospel with them? Nope. I was just annoyed that I was getting smoke blown on me and their conversation was distracting me from reading my book for class. It was almost like I was saying “I don’t care if you guys are going to hell, I’ve got a book to read here!” I’d like to report that I repented of my hard heartedness and shared the gospel with these guys but I didn’t. I just sat there. Annoyed. And then they left. About 10 minutes later a buddy of mine sat down on the park bench opposite me and visited with a homeless dude for about 10 minutes. He offered him some dinner and shared the gospel with him. At this point I felt wretched. Here I am at seminary, at T4G, preparing for ministry, and instead of welcoming an opportunity to share the gospel I would have rather kept my head in a book. Lord, forgive me.

“This I do know, if God chooses to heal me, then God is God and God is good. If God chooses not to heal me and allows me to die, God is still God and God is still good”.

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Click Here to view the video.

O Lord of the Oceans,

My little bark sails on a restless sea,

Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;

Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;

Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;

Bring me to harbour with flying pennants,

hull unbreached, cargo unspoiled.

I ask great things,

expect great things,

shall receive great things.

I venture on thee wholly, fully,

my wind, sunshine, anchor, defence.

The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,

but my helm is held steady,

thy Word secures safe passage,

thy grace wafts me onward,

my haven is guaranteed.

This day will bring me nearer home,

Grant me holy consistency in every transaction,

my peace flowing as a running tide,

my righteousness as every chasing wave.

Help me to live circumspectly,

with skill to convert every care into prayer.

Halo my path with gentleness and love,

smooth every asperity of temper;

let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;

may I strive to bind up every wound,

and pour oil on all troubled waters.

May the world this day be happier and better because I live.

Let my mast before me be the savior’s cross,

and every oncoming wave the fountain in his side.

Help me, protect me in the moving sea

until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.

99 Balloons from Igniter Media on Vimeo.

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Naomi, 6, had a busy year. She is in the first grade, taking piano lessons, and played soccer on a team that B.J. coached.  In November (on B.J.’s birthday) she fell after her last soccer game on top of her trophy and broke her collar bone. She is not wearing her sling anymore and is doing great.  We are so proud of her efforts and her positive attitude.

Ethan, 4, kept us entertained this year. Ethan is learning along side Naomi. He loves to play games, play catch, fish, or just do anything that involves moving. Ethan also played soccer this year and loved it. I think I am getting a glimpse of what B.J. was like when he was a little boy.

Levi, 1, has also kept us entertained this year. He is such a lively little boy.  He could be described as silly, stubborn, tough, active, noisy, and fun.  He is learning words, kicking a soccer ball, loves music, and laughs all the time.

I (Christin) am  staying busy schooling Naomi and Ethan, playing with Levi and Ethan, keeping Levi and Ethan out of trouble, keeping Naomi on task, and keeping Ethan busy.  A friend told me a saying that I think fits my home perfectly: “Cleaning the house is like brushing your teeth and eating an Oreo cookie at the same time!” So true!! With three kids and a dog, this saying describes it perfectly.   The duties in the home are never done.  I know I will miss it one day.

BJ just finished his second full semester at Southern Seminary. He loves the godly professors and the rich, challenging content of his classes. He recently changed jobs and works as a sales rep. for Verizon Wireless (anybody need a cell phone?). Although he’s very busy with school and work we’ve grown in our relationship this year and are grateful for God’s grace to us during this hectic time.

As Christmas is upon us we pray that your hearts are directed to the child who came to the earth to redeem us from the curse. May you bask in His goodness and find your satisfaction in Him this Christmas season.

Enjoy a few pictures from 2009.