Interesting Week

This has been an interesting week. A few lows, a couple of highs and a lot of same-oh, same-oh. Because of a misunderstanding at work, I had to pay a big hospital bill with monies set aside for seminary. That meant I had to drop a class (preaching). I will only take 1 seminary class this semester (New Testament II). We need to be debt clear by the end of the year, not counting the house mortgage, so that we are ready to go to the mission field whenever God allows.

The highs centered around our application process with CrossWorld. We had to list several references and each one was emailed or mailed a reference form this week to fill out. The process is going and we are excited. The week started with a high when I got to preach Sunday night. Not sure if that was a high for anyone else, but I enjoyed it! The week has ended with a high since I get a 3 day weekend!

I am ready for next week and to start my next, and possibly last, seminary class Monday afternoon. I say last because, if we are accepted by the missions agency after the summer training, then we do not want to do anything that will cost more money. I will endeavor to continue my studies overseas or online.

I also get to deal with a cavity on Tuesday to keep me humble. Have a great weekend!

A Misquoted Proverb

The sermon is now online. Once you are at the sermons page, click on "additional sermons" and then look for the title. My name is not there yet, but should be added soon. The sermon is there, but my name is not listed with it.

Last Night's Sermon

I thought last night went well. There are always things I wish I had said or could have stated better, but regardless of my mistakes God's word was heard and a lot of people said it was a good message. The next time I preach is March 22 and, since I will be taking a preaching class at seminary, I will use a sermon for both purposes.

Preaching from Ezekiel

I get to preach this Sunday night. I have been intrigued with the book of Ezekiel for some time and have bought 2 more commentaries recently. I got volume 1 of Daniel Block's commentary and the NIV commentary by Iain M. Duguid. I started studying Ezekiel about a year ago, but didn't get far. My plan is to do a better job this time around. I have read alot of the background material, but am focusing on chapter 18 at the moment, then next week I will go back to the beginning.

I will attempt to add my own commentary on this blog, but please forgive me if I fail to be consistant. As far as chapter 18 goes, I will briefly give you my outline.

1. Israel's Complaint - The chapter starts with a proverb that had been quoted by the people for a long time. It is not a Biblical proverb. It says "The old men eat sour grapes and sets their children's teeth on edge." The meaning is that one generation sins and their children are judged based on those sins.
   
2. God's Correction - God says Israel cannot use that excuse anymore. Each man's soul is God's and God will judge each man according to his own sin or his own righteousness. Ezekiel lays this out in 3 case studies, with variations.
3. God's Remedy - Repent and turn away from your sins. Man can do this by reading and following God's laws, living a life of integrity and righteousness (echoes of Psalm 15, don't ya think?).
4. God's Compassion - God does not want any soul to die. He takes ownership of ALL souls and finds no pleasure in any death of a soul. Repent and live!

I am nervous about this sermon. I haven't preached too often, so that is part of it, but also tackling Ezekiel, even though this is an easier section of Ezekiel. Any prayers would be appreciated!

Looking Ahead to Ministry

2008 ended with a new direction for my family and 2009 started with a commitment to that direction. We sent in the applications on Friday, January 2, to CrossWorld to start the process of being missionaries with this organization. Our hope is that we will be in Ireland. The "when" is up to God. If our applications are accepted, we will go to their Candidate Orientation (CO) for 2 weeks in June in Philly. If we are accepted after that two weeks, then God's timing kicks in. It actually is engaged now, but we know nothing happens between now and the end of June. Please pray for us as this is a huge step for our whole family.

Congratulations!

My friend, Rolland, has been appointed as the pastor of a church in Wiggins, CO. Yeah!! While I will hate to see him go, he has been waiting for this opportunity for several years.