Josh Wilson - Amazing Grace

Gomer Pyle, the Dancer!

Who needs Michael Jackson or Britney Spears when you can have Gomer!

Next Step...

We have been officially invited to the Career Orientation for CrossWorld! This is the next step of our missionary journey. We will be going to Philadelphia for two weeks in June. At the end, or soon after, of the training weeks we will know if we are appointed as missionaries. WooHoo!

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.

Ministry Update 12-19-2008

Well, God definitely opens and shuts doors. While I thought I knew for sure what God wanted me to do about 6 months ago, doors have shut in my face. At least it didn't hit me in the nose! But God has opened a door wide open and said, "This is what I want you to do because this is what I gave you a heart to do."

Lona and I were invited by a mission agency (www.crossworld.org) to go to their missionary training this summer. We will spend two weeks in June in Philadelphia preparing to go on the mission field. Our hope is for Ireland. We will see what God has in store. Please keep praying for our time in Philly and I will keep you all posted.

Friday Funny

A Special Metal 12 Days of Christmas

My favorite line is "2 pair of spandex pants" sung(?) by the drummer. Cracks me up every time!

Make My Life a Prayer

Instead of a Friday Funny, I have a remembrance to my favorite Christian artist, Keith Green. Enjoy.

"In the Beginning" Is Available!

Leanne Thomas' book, In the Beginning, is available on Amazon. Get one for you and give one to someone for Christmas!

Friday Felicities - 28 November 2008

Here is a list of things I am thankful for and Happy Thanksgiving thoughts:

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Redemption
4. Eating the Thanksgiving meal with friends and family
5. Pumpkin Pie
6. Setting up the Christmas decorations
7. Breakfast cinnamin rolls
8. Snow on the ground
9. Enjoying conversation and laughs with family and friends
10. Playing cribbage and other games with Chris

This is the day after Thanksgiving, but giving thanks isn't limited to one day a year. I am thankful for each of my friends that read this weird blog and for you, the unknown reader, because God placed you here for a reason. I pray that you find God and what His plan is for life.

John Daker on American Idol

Go hear John's audition on American Idol and see how he fared.

My Name is John Daker

Friday Funnies (yes, I have posted this before but it is so priceless!)

Take the Mic Away...PLEASE!!!!!

Here is this Friday's funny!

The Kindness of God, or A Redemption Story

The Sunday School literature my church uses is called "Explore the Bible" (this is actually 1 of 3 different types available for the adult classes). It is a decent overview of books of the Bible. During a typical quarter we will go through one or two books of the Bible. We actually spent 6 months going through Genesis and could have spent a couple of years. Currently we are going through 1 & 2 Samuel. We are taking huge chunks of the books to get through it in 13 weeks. This week was supposed to be 2 Samuel chapters 9-12, with the focus being chapter 11 and 12 discussing David's sin. This seems to always be the focus of the lesson from 2 Samuel. There is a great story in chapter 9 which tells of David's kindness to Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth. I am working through the outline and will also incorporate some thoughts from my friend, Rolland, who did a lesson on this several years ago. After I work through it, I will post it on line next week. Meanwhile, read the story.

Friday Felicities - 14 November 2008

Oh Happy Day!

1. Morning Snow
2. Snow melted by noon!
3. Talking to friends about ministry
4. A cat doing a somersault
5. College basketball games
   

I Am Changing Over to the Spinach Party

More Friday Funnies