Martin Luther and Halloween (Lou Gentry)

On Sunday evening, October 3, we celebrated the beautiful ordinance of the Lord's Supper. I will always be grateful that Jesus established this wonderful remembrance of His sacrifice for His followers to reverently celebrate together.

The ordinance was preceded by another thought-provoking sermon by Pastor Osborne. The theme of the sermon was God's amazing grace. Other than Jesus, what person do we most often associate with the word, "grace?" I believe most of us would answer, "Martin Luther."

Did you know Luther posted his ninety-five reasons the Church needed to reform on the day now celebrated as Halloween? It was October 31, 1517 when this humble monk turned the religious world of his time upside down. He knew how desperately the world and the Church needed to know we could gain grace only through faith. He dedicated his life to discovering and preaching this truth.

Luther was born November 10, 1483, into a poor family of German woodcutters. Realizing that their son was gifted, Luther's parents scrimped and saved to send him to the university, where he studied law. Returning home from school on foot, he and a friend were caught in a thunderstorm, and his friend was struck by lightning and killed. This terrified Luther, and he vowed to enter a monastery so he could search for God. One question plagued him without ceasing: How could he, a sinful man, ever become pure enough to stand in the awesome presence of a holy God who was an all-consuming fire? Luther spent years trying every way he knew to purify his soul. He spent hours each day confessing his sins. He beat himself with a whip until he became bloody and unconscious. He prayed for six weeks, fasted, and slept very little. He stayed out all night long, naked, in the deep snows of Germany.

But one day the Lord spoke to him through the Scriptures, specifically Romans 1:17: "The just shall live by faith." Suddenly Luther saw the gospel! He discovered God's grace! He realized that only those justified by faith in Christ's blood will live and those who seek to justify themselves in any other way shall not live. Luther spent the rest of his life promoting and defending this truth. Even when he was on trial, faced with being burned at the stake, he clung fiercely to it. Justification by faith is still our great hope and joy.

(Taken, in part, from, New Every Morning, by Dr. D. James Kennedy.)

Birds of the Bible - Spain

I have enjoyed getting to know the Tim and Pam Darling, our missionaries, while they have been in transition from the field of Venezuela to Spain. We have all been praying for them to get their Resident Visas so they can get on over to Spain to start their new ministry. They now have the Visas in hand, which is a great answer to prayer. They are busy getting packed up and will go to Spain around the 10th of November.

Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) by Nikhil

This blog is in honor of their friendship and to help them get to know the birds they may encounter in Spain. Thanks, Tim and Pam, for your friendship and our prayers will follow you as you travel and reach those in Spain for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Of course the Sparrows will be over there. The House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Rock Sparrow and the White-throated Sparrows will help you to remember

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah (Psalms 84:3-4 ESV)

Along with them you will get to meet the Eurasian Hoopoe. A favorite of mine. There will be Swifts - Common, White-rumped, Little, Pallid and Plain Swifts. Also the Swallows - Red-rumped and the Barn.

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle(dove) and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 KJV)

Lots of Doves and Pigeons to be on the lookout for - Rock Dove (pigeon), Eurasian Collared-Dove, Oriental Turtle-Dove, Laughing Dove, European Turtle-Dove, Bolle's Pigeon, Laurel Pigeon and a Stock Pigeon. Only found the Common Crane listed there.

There are 9 kinds of Owls, 6 Falcons, 3 Kites, 3 Bitterns, 2 Cormorants, 4 Herons, 3 Storks, 3 Hawks, 2 Lapwings, the Osprey, 3 Partridges, 2 Quails and the Bobwhite, and 4 Swans.

There is the Common Raven and you know what the Word says about the Ravens.

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (Luke 12:24 KJV)

Tawny Eagle by Africaddict

Saved the Eagles for last, not because they are bad, but because of the promises that use them as examples. In Spain they have the Adalbert's, Golden, Greater Spotted, Imperial, Lesser Spotted, Tawny, Short-toed Snake-Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle and the Booted Eagles.

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:5 KJV)

The Darling's are definitely not going to Spain to obtain earthly gains, but to gain heavenly rewards.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

Tim and Pam, our collective prayers will go with you.

Hymn of the Month - From Greenland's Icy Mountains

A few years ago, I was asked to teach a singing class for a semester at a local Christian school.  The class consisted of 8-10 students.  One of the things we did each day in the class was sing a hymn.  My purpose in doing this was to expose the students to excellent hymns, both new and old, that may have been unfamiliar to them.  What surprised me was how often those hymns proved to be an encouragement to me.  One of those hymns was From Greenland's Icy Mountains.

It has been described as one of the greatest Missionary hymns ever written.  Some of the language can be difficult to understand at first glance, but it is well worth the effort to think through the text.  The text was written by Reginald Heber (also authored Holy, Holy, Holy, etc.) in 1819 and the tune, MISSIONARY HYMN, was the first published hymn tune written by Lowell Mason, the father of American Music Education.  Sadly, I have no recollection of ever singing this song in a corporate worship service.  It is too good a hymn for us to allow to pass into obscurity.

From Greenland’s icy mountains, from India’s coral strand;
Where Afric’s sunny fountains roll down their golden sand:
From many an ancient river, from many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver their land from error’s chain.

What though the spicy breezes blow soft o’er Ceylon’s (Sri Lanka) isle;
Though every prospect pleases, and only man is vile?
In vain with lavish kindness the gifts of God are strown;
The heathen in his blindness bows down to wood and stone.

Shall we, whose souls are lighted with wisdom from on high,
Shall we to those benighted (plunged into darkness) the lamp of life deny?
Salvation! O salvation! The joyful sound proclaim,
Till earth’s remotest nation has learned Messiah’s Name.

Waft, waft, ye winds, His story, and you, ye waters, roll
Till, like a sea of glory, it spreads from pole to pole:
Till o’er our ransomed nature the Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator, in bliss returns to reign.

Consider stanza 3 again.  Shall we deny "the lamp of life" to those whose souls are plunged into darkness?  No.  We must proclaim, "Salvation!  O salvation."  We must press on "till earth's remotest nation has learned Messiah's Name."

Sermon Archives: Living Water

As you already know (hopefully), Pastor Osborne is preaching his way through the Gospel of John.  Early in the series, on September 27th, 2009, he preached a message from John 4 entitled Living Water.  You can also view the powerpoint notes.

In this message Pastor Osborne examined the Living Water that Jesus offered to the Samaritan Woman.  He concluded with the following five thoughts:

1. A sinner’s greatest need is the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
2. A believer’s greatest need is to understand and do the will of God.
3. For you who are empty – like the Samaritan woman – God is offering the incredible gift of eternal life through the blood of Jesus Christ.
4. For you who believe – like the disciples – God is offering you the opportunity to do His will and share in the joy of the harvest.
5. We have an incredible Savior – Jesus Christ – who gives us the grace to receive Him and gives us the grace to serve Him.

Headlines - October's Links

Here are this month's 'headlines' - things from cyberspace that have recently caught our attention.  Enjoy!

•  9marks eJournal - The latest eJournal from 9marks is now available.  The topic of this issue is Hell:  Remembering the Awful Reality.  You can read the journal online at their website or you can download the entire journal as a pdf.
     
• Trey Totman recently turned 5 - It looks like he had a great birthday party!
     
• Does Using Apple Products Make You a Better Christian - Here's a humorous article on the never-ending debate between Mac and PC  (via Tim Challies)
     
• The Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood ~ Here's another journal to satisfy your reading appetites.  It appears that this one is published twice annually.  The current issue is the Spring 2010 issue.  I just printed it out last week and am looking forward to reading it.  Like many other Journals, you can read in online at their website or you can download the entire journal as a pdf file.
    
• Here's a video created using a clip from a John Piper sermon.  There are lots of these floating around.  Maybe you've already seen this one.  Even so, it's still worth watching again.

Who are the Totmans and What Do They Do? (Dave Totman)

I’m the kind of guy who likes charts (in color if possible). If you’re anything like me, perhaps this post will interest you.

I know when I read letters from missionaries I sometimes have to pause for a moment and do some mental gymnastics. What country are they in (and what continent is that on)? How old are their kids? What is the focus of their ministry? What are their biggest challenges? What language(s) is/are spoken there? Etc.!! Well, here are some charts and graphics (in color of course) to give you some snapshots of our ministry in Niamey, Niger, West Africa.

Who are the Totmans?  We are a family of five.  Dave is the Youth Pastor at an international school in Niamey (Sahel Academy).  Anora supports that ministry, holds the family together, teaches Trey & Zoe at home and is pursuing a graduate degree in professional counseling!  (Yes, she's very busy.)

Ereina is 8 and in 3rd grade (at Sahel Academy)

Trey is 5 and in Kindergarten (homeschool)

Zoe is 3 and doing preschool alongside of Trey

Where in the world is Niger?
Well, Niger is listed as a West African nation. Most of our country is in the Sahara Desert, but the part we live in is at the very bottom edge of it which is called the Sahel Region (hence the name of our school). We live in Niamey, the capital city and are located right on the south bank of the Niger River as it passes through the city.

For more information about Niger, you can visit the following sites: 

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5474.htm

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/niger

What is an international school?
It is difficult to truly have an international school since each country has its own educational standards. Meeting the requirements for Niger, America, Canada, Australia, Nigeria and Korea all at the same time is next to impossible. We call ourselves an international school because we have students from all over the world (all inhabited continents!) and we partly use a North American curriculum alongside the IGCSE (British) curriculum. This is to try to meet the needs of our students who wish to go on to university in North America, Europe or Australia. Here are some specifics on the nationalities of our students this year. As you can see, we’re quite a blend (24 nations and blends represented!).

Not only do our students (and their parents) come from all over the world, but they also serve throughout West Africa. Some are in traditional mission efforts (such as serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators (SIL or WBT) or Serving in Mission (SIM) and others work for Non-Government Organizations (such as World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse). We have the privilege of supporting families (by educating their children) who are serving in Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Niger. It’s truly an amazing ministry post that we are very blessed to have been given by God.

Still Waiting... (Jared Malcolm)

This past month has really flown by for me here in Brazil. There is still no news as of yet on the camp sale. We should be hearing some things very soon now that the elections are upon us now. We are praying that the final paperwork will come quickly, and then we can really begin the search for new property. We had a successful retreat at the camp a few saturdays ago. The next scheduled event is a get together for everyone as a final day at the camp once we get the final paperwork.

As far as I go I am doing just fine. I learn something new everyday here in Brazil. From things to buy and also where to buy things for the best price. There is so much for me to learn here that I take for granted while in Florida. It is so much easier to get things done in Florida than it is here in Joao Pessoa. This has been one of the hardest things to adjust to for me.

I am still continuing to run everyday. The other day while out on the streets someone pulled up and asked for directions. I was able to tell them to drive ahead and then make a right turn and continue on ahead. Now I know that you all are really proud of me right now because I was able to tell someone in Portuguese some directions. However, I had no idea what the place was they were going and no idea of the directions to get there. I made sure I walked away fast. I did tell them my name though Pr. Pedro from Florida (Portuguese for Pastor Peter). They are probably still talking about that Pastor from Florida that gave them some directions.

I also had an adventure at an indoor go-kart track. The first was the driving suit they wanted everyone to wear was too small. Then when I got to the car they moved the seat all the way back. The steering wheel was still between my knees. The steering wheel was also egged shaped so everytime I turned it would stuck on my legs. I would have to fight to just get the kart straight again. The last problem was with the seat all the way back I was litterally on top of the engine. I have heard of the saying "The roof is on fire" well the roof wasn't on fire that night, but I can sure tell you that the BACK PORCH really got warm.   I still had fun though representing the USA and came in second. I guess that tells you I watch too much NASCAR.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

In His service,

Jared

Learning From The Birds - Overwhelmed

A Shiny Cowbird chick being fed by a Rufous-collared Sparrow ©Wikipedia

But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; (Job 12:7 NKJV)

Brood parasites are organisms that use the strategy of brood parasitism, found among birds, fish or insects, involving the manipulation and use of host individuals either of the same or different species to raise the young of the brood-parasite. This relieves the parasitic parent from the investment of rearing young or building nests, enabling them to spend more time foraging, producing offspring etc. Additionally, the risk of egg loss to raiders such as raccoons is mitigated, by having distributed the eggs amongst a number of different nests. As this behavior is damaging to the host, it will often result conflict between parasite and host.

Interspecific brood-parasites include the Old World Cuckoos in Eurasia and Australia, Cowbirds and Black-headed Ducks in the Americas, and Indigobirds, Whydahs, and the Honeyguides in Africa.

Common Cuckoo being raised by a Reed Warbler©WikiC

Among specialist avian brood parasites, mimetic eggs are a nearly universal adaptation. There is even some evidence that the generalist Brown-headed Cowbird may have developed an egg coloration mimicking a number of their hosts.

Most avian brood parasites will remove a host egg when they lay one of their own in a nest. Depending upon the species, this can happen either in the same visit to the host nest or in a separate visit before or after the parasitism. This both prevents the host species from realizing their nest has been parasitized and reduces competition for the parasitic nestling once it hatches.

Most avian brood parasites have very short egg incubation periods and rapid nestling growth. This gives the parasitic nestling a head start on growth over its nestmates, allowing it to outcompete them. In cases where the host nestlings are significantly smaller than the parasite nestling, the host nestlings will often starve to death. Some brood parasites will eliminate all their nestmates shortly after hatching, either by ejecting them from the nest or killing them with sharp mandible hooks which fall off after a few days.

Whoa! This is NOT NICE! What is so amazing is that if not detected in time, many times the birds do find the intruding egg and toss it out, but most times, the unsuspecting parents raise this young bird as if it were it's own.

What can we, as observers of this behavior, learn from the birds? I want to consider the host birds who have quite a challenge to face. They either fix the problem or they could be very "overwhelmed" with situation at hand.

My first thoughts were from a physical need. When faced with a health problem, we pray and visit the doctors and try to remedy the situation. Sometimes the ailment is not cured and we may be faced with an "overwhelming" need. Do we accept whatever the outcome and:

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: (Philippians 4:11 NKJV)

Another lesson that could by learned by observing this "overwhelming" task might be in sharing the load. Often in churches, the ones who are willing to serve the Lord become very involved because of others not volunteering or helping. They keep taking on more responsibilities, not complaining, but in time they could become "overwhelmed." We should find a way to:

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 NKJV)

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NKJV)

Bald Eagle Flying by Dave's BirdingPix

The host birds accept the situation and do the best they can to raise the young bird. How do they do that? One worm at a time! When we become "overwhelmed," that is just what we need do. No! Not by catching worms, but by taking one step at a time and harkening to the following promises:

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. (2 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV)

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9 KJV)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
(Philippians 4:13 KJV)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

(Some information from Wikipedia)

Book Review - Singing and Making Music

Singing and Making Music:  Issues in Church Music Today

Paul S. Jones

P & R Publishing Company, 2006

This past summer, Pastor Brock and I went to the Ligonier National Conference in Orlando.  During the conference they setup a large bookstore and then scheduled large blocks of ‘free time’ during the day when we could browse and fight the temptation of covetousness :)

Needless to say, I succumbed to the temptation and bought a few books.  One of those books was Singing and Making Music:  Issues in Church Music Today.  I had never heard of this book, but as I picked it up and perused it, immediately my interest was piqued.  It is a book filled with essays that deal with various theological and practical issues in church music.  It is the kind of book that you can jump in and out of.  Each chapter can stand alone, allowing you the freedom to browse the table of contents and then jump right to the specific issue that you are interested in.

I need to say a word about the author.  Paul S. Jones is the Organist and Music Director at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.  Presbyterian church music is very different from GARBC church music.  There is nothing inherently wrong with this.  They have their traditions and we have ours.   It is just helpful to keep in mind that Dr. Jones writes from this perspective. 

There are total of 31 chapters/essays.  Some of the chapters that I enjoyed the most were:

• Applause:  For Whom Are You Clapping?
• Leading in Worship as Accompanist
• Authenticity in Corporate Worship Music
• Service Music:  What’s It All About?
• Hymns in Your Church
• Teaching Children Music at Church
• Music in the Small Church:  Where Do We Go From Here?

Authenticity in Worship

By far, the chapter that stuck with me long after I finished the book was the chapter on Authenticity in Worship.  This chapter stretched my thinking.  I am still wrestling with some of the arguments made by the author.  Dr. Jones argued that much of what passes for church music today is inauthentic.  “In church music, at times one encounters false performances, fake instruments, and even phony worship.”  He specifically argued against Inauthentic Performance, Inauthentic Instruments, and Inauthentic Worshipers.

• Inauthentic Performance, wrote Jones, includes the use of prerecorded music and accompaniment tracks.  He argued that this is “like hiring an agency to worship in our stead.” 
• According to Jones, Inauthentic Instruments are any non-acoustic instruments.  Some examples would include electric guitars, keyboards, electronic organs, etc. 
• Inauthentic Worshipers include you and me whenever sin reigns in our lives.  We must fight the danger of being an inauthentic worshiper every Sunday. 

Now, before we jump to any quick conclusions, Dr. Jones did admit that, due to financial constraints, his church uses an electronic organ (an inauthentic instrument).  He presented his arguments as a best case scenario which all churches should strive towards.  For example, a church without an accompanist should not just resolve itself to the use of accompaniment tracks.  While it uses accompaniment tracks, it should fervently pray for an accompanist.  It should seek to train someone from within the church to be an accompanist.  It should possibly even consider hiring an accompanist. 

This chapter forced me to evaluate my own beliefs and convictions in regards to corporate church music.  He presented arguments that I have not heard before and am still trying to process.  I was challenged to set my standards and expectations higher instead of looking for the easy or popular path.

I highly recommend this book to you.  It is a book that is easy to read.  I anticipate returning to this book from time to time.  While I don't agree (and doubt that you will either) with everything the author wrote, the vast majority of what he wrote was helpful and practical.  It is available at Westminster Bookstore or Amazon.

The Anatomy of Anxiety (Matthew DelValle)

Luke 12:22-34:

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

In this passage Jesus gives 8 reasons why anxiety about God’s provision is unnecessary. Let’s look at each reason closer and consider how we can fight off anxiety by God’s power and grace.

1.  Anxiety Comes From Unbelief

“But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (Luke 12:28).

Anxiety arises from not trusting in the sufficiency of God’s provision through godly means; it seeks more than what God has promised for our contentment. This is the ultimate reason why we worry: we fail to trust in the promises and character of God. Anxiety comes from of a root failure to fully believe in the sovereign, omnipotent God of the universe. Therefore, anxiety is very serious and should be combated on all fronts. Work daily to cultivate your faith in God, and you will cut the root of unbelief that leads to anxiety.

2.  Anxiety Has Misplaced Priorities

“For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Luke 12:23)

Anxiety elevates certain things—even necessary things—to unhealthy levels. It reshapes our priorities to align less with God’s and more with the desires of our flesh.

3.  Anxiety Undermines the Value God Places on Us

“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! […] Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (Luke 12:24, 27-28).

Since God is so carefully involved with nature to make sure that the birds get fed and the lilies grow and the grass gets clothed, and you are more valuable than them, then it stands to reason that God values you immensely more than animals and land. It's not that birds never work for food, but that they do not worry about the future because God provides for them. So you should do the same. Since “God so clothes
the grass of the field,” which only last for a moment, then He definitely cares for you, His child whom He loves with an everlasting love that cost Him the death of His Son to redeem (Rom. 8:29-32). That is a great reason to trust God no matter what the circumstances of life may bring. Trust in Him, and He will direct your paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

4.  Anxiety Doesn’t Accomplish Anything

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Luke 12:25).

The parallel passage in Matthew says that nobody can by being anxious “add a cubit to his stature.” It doesn’t help us grow; it doesn’t help us to live longer. So then, it is virtually useless to worry. It will not help at all. Anxiety can only make things worse.

5.  Anxiety Doesn’t Make Sense

“If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” (Luke 12:26).

There is no legitimate reason to worry about God’s provision if you are His child. “Why are you anxious?” Jesus asks. Well, what’s the reason? Is there a good one? Nope. Our God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). If God is so merciful to His enemies, how much more will He provide for the needs of His children?

6.  Anxiety Is Characteristic of Unbelievers

“And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things” (Luke 12:29-30a).

A sixth reason why anxiety is due to a lack of faith is that it is characteristic of unbelievers. You want to look like the world? Be a worrywart. Anxiety should not characterize the church of God.

7.  Anxiety Doubts the Wisdom of God

“And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them” (Luke 12:29-30).

Anxiety about the future should not mark God’s people who know that their heavenly Father knows exactly what they need and will take care of them. Therefore, cast all your anxieties on God, because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).

8.  Anxiety Does Not Operate from an Eternal Perspective

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:32-34).

Friends, our greatest need is not food. Our greatest need is not clothing. Our greatest need is not a spouse. Our greatest need is to be delivered from the righteous wrath of Almighty God, and God has met that need at the cross. He did not spare his own Son but gave Him up for us all. He will give us the kingdom out of his good pleasure. How then will God not meet our much smaller needs? Trust His wisdom, trust His sovereignty, and trust His love.

The Cure for Anxiety

So how can we eliminate useless worrying from our lives? We must have faith in the goodness of God. In verse 32 Jesus says, “Fear not, little flock.” Why Jesus? Why should we not be afraid? “For it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” God will not abandon His flock. Our Father won’t leave His children as orphans; our Shepherd will guard his sheep. It is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. In light of this great truth, what do we have to worry about?

Therefore, make it your priority to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Strive to make God's sovereign rule and your relationship with Him and obedience to His Word the focal point of your life. Anxiety goes against this priority, as it doubts God's providential care for your life and sets your eyes away
from the finish line.

So I implore you: entrust your soul to your faithful Creator (1 Pet. 4:19) and believe the words of Paul: “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). Believe the words of Jeremiah: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23). Trust God. Trust His Word.

Reflections from the CBM National Conference (by Stephen Simpson)

Over Labor Day weekend I had the privilege of leading the congregational singing at the CBM (Children’s Bible Ministries) National Conference. The conference was held at Camp Gilead and marked the 75th anniversary of CBM. Pastor Osborne was there as well doing the preaching in all of the main sessions.

Children's Bible Ministries
CBM was started in 1935 by a man named Walter Jensen. It has grown from a small camp in Polk City, FL to encompass ministries in Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. (Click here for a listing of all of their ministries/camps)  Its ministries focus on Summer Camps, Released Time/After-school Bible clubs, and Bible Correspondence Lessons.

One of the highlights of the conference was hearing the reports from the various ministries. Time and time again we heard fascinating testimonies of God’s provision. CBM missionaries told of land, facilities, labor, and money all being graciously provided by God. It was so encouraging to see God working all across the country.

It was also staggering to consider the number of children that are ministered to by these various ministries. Thousands of children are taught the Bible each month through Released Time classes. Thousands more attend one of the summer camps each summer. Praise the Lord – many children have been saved through these ministries. 

Substitute Song Leader
The usual song leader for these National Conferences was unable to attend this year and so I was asked to ‘fill-in.’ My assignment was to lead the congregation in singing during each of the sessions. Normally, this would not be a difficult or daunting assignment. However, I had to play the piano and lead the congregation at the same time – a new experience for me.

To prepare for the conference, I selected roughly 20 or so songs and began to practice singing while playing. My thought was to have a collection of songs ready for use and then just plug them in throughout the conference as they are needed.  I made many mistakes, but I trust the Lord still used the songs to speak to the hearts of those who were there.

Here is a list of the songs we ended up singing:

• Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
• And Can It Be?
• As Long As You Are Glorified – I sang this as a solo during one of the sessions
• Be Thou My Vision
• Great is Thy Faithfulness – Conference Theme
• How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
• How Great Thou Art
• In Christ Alone
• It is Well With My Soul
• The Power of the Cross
• The Solid Rock
• To God Be the Glory
• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Conclusion
CBM is a unique ministry. No two ministries within CBM are exactly alike. Some are well-established. Others are just beginning. Some have large staffs. Others have just a few. The one area in which they are all alike is that God has used each ministry for His glory. May God bless CBM with another 75 years of faithful ministry.

Alaska Report (Hannah Wilkins)

This past summer, Hannah and Rebekah Wilkins went on a short term missions trip to Glennallen, Alaska.  I asked Hannah to share some of their experiences with us.

As you may or may not know this summer my sister Rebekah and I were very fortunate to serve God in the remote town of Glennallen, Alaska. While there we worked at KCAM which is a station under the Northern Light Network - a mission formed for one purpose: reaching the lost in Alaska for the cause of Christ.

Two weeks into our time in Alaska there were some major staffing changes. Old management was replaced and Rebekah and I feared we would be sent home since our original agreement was to work with the old management. We prayed that God would work through the situation, and to the praise of God's glory we were asked to stay on and help the Northern Light Network through this time of transition.

The Lord extremely blessed us while in Alaska and we are ever thankful for the experience.

Radio missions in Glennallen is a hard, slow, tedious, yet highly rewarding ministry. Every day while we were there we were given new challenges and to the praise of God’s glory we were able to overcome them.

My responsibility as an on-air personality was a direct answer to prayer. I was able to obtain serious hands-on training that I could have never received in school. In the extremely small area of Glennallen, Alaska, KCAM is the only AM station on the dial. It was a blessing to be able to see first hand the direct influence of the station on the community.

While working with KCAM Rebekah was able to finish the preliminary work on the KCAM website and worked with the Northern Light Network’s missions advertising manager Lou Ulrich and his wife Andrea.

We spent a lot of time with Lou and Andrea Ulrich while in Alaska. As an older couple with no children they sort of adopted us and made sure we had everything we need. This was extremely crucial for us since we were in such a new and strange place. They saw that we got to church every Sunday. We attended a church called Tazlina Fellowship which was a half native half white church on an Ahtna indian reservation. It was a blessing to see God moving in the native community. We were so happy to be in a church that preached the exclusiveness of the Gospel and that salvation comes only through belief in Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This was especially refreshing since a lot of Alaskans adopt the mindset of "many paths to heaven".

We know that we were called to Alaska for "such a time as this" for the three and a half months we were there. Right now we're praying and seeking God's will on wether it's His will for us to return. Continue to keep us in your prayers as we seek jobs in this current economy. We love you all very much and are very glad to be home. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Lessons Learned from The Trellis and the Vine (Josh Brown)

Josh Brown has just recently finished his summer internship at FBC. Most notably, he was our VBS director. Josh is currently a High School Senior dual enrolled in Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School and Polk State College. In May he will graduate with his high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree.

One of his assignments this summer was to read The Trellis and the Vine and write a book report. Here are some highlights from that report. In his report, Josh typed out a quote from the book and then included his comments after the quote. I've put all of Josh's comments in italics.

1. “If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell, or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that, well, it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward… How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean, if I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that…” (p. 53)  This came from an atheist. That really struck me. The example with the truck is such a strong one because that is so true. 
     
2. “Did you get that? Epaphroditus was distressed not because he was ill, but because they heard that he was ill.” (p. 66)  Wow, when I am sick I definitely do not think like this. It’s really something to think about though. Next time I am sick I will try to refrain from complaining so much.
     
3. “We must be willing to lose people from our own congregation it that is better for the growth of the gospel.” (p. 83)   I am not a pastor, but if I were I could see how this would be a huge challenge. While you are working to build the local church that you minister in, it is not just about “your church” but about “the church.”  I often get caught up with numbers and things like that as I look at particular congregations, but it is not about that. It is about the church as a whole.
      
4. “Think about people individually.”  I like the example on page 88.  “Seeing each of my patients individually and diagnosing their illnesses is just too difficult and time consuming. Instead, I’m going to get all my patients to assemble together each week, and I’ll give them all the same medicine…”  We do need to focus more on individuals and their struggles and successes. On page 89, the author says that, “There needs to be inefficient, individual people ministry, as well as the more efficient ministries that take place in larger groups.” Sometimes we get caught up again in numbers and how many people we can reach all at once.
      
5. On page 108 the authors ask, “Are some structures or regular activities long past their use-by date? Saying ‘yes’ to more personal ministry almost always means saying ‘no’ to something else…even freeing up some time in the diary may still leave us feeling swamped with the amount of ‘people work’ there is to do. That’s why we need co-workers.”  This brings me back to a fault of mine – I like to do everything myself. If I freed myself of some of the tasks that have nothing to do directly with training people I could probably make a bigger impact.
      
6. “It doesn’t all depend on us, praise be to God!” (p.110)  This is a great thing to remember all throughout ministry and in everything we do. “Ministry becomes all about problems and counseling, and not about the gospel and growing in godliness.” (p. 111)  Although helping people with their problems and counseling people is important, it is not the most important thing. The gospel and people’s growth is the most important.
      
7. “The Bible doesn’t speak of people being ‘called’ to be a doctor or a lawyer or a missionary or a pastor. God calls us to himself, to be Christian. Our ‘vocation’ is to be Christ’s disciple and to obey everything that he commanded – including the commandment to make disciples of all nations. In that sense, all Christians are ‘ministers’, called and commissioned by God to give up their lives to his service, to walk before him in holiness and righteousness, and to speak the truth in love whenever and however they can.” (p. 130)  All Christians are ministers not just those who are paid and on a church staff. We and I sometimes need to be reminded of that. As it said somewhere else in the book, sometimes we may feel that since it is not our “job” then it is only the responsibility of those who are paid to minister, but that is not correct.
      
8. “It won’t come from you going on and on about training, and harassing people until they finally sign up!” (p. 165)  I like this line, because it seems like many times in our programs and events this is exactly what we are doing.  I’m especially thinking of trying to get volunteers for VBS, Awana, etc. I guess that is the difficult part – switching “from using people to growing people.” (p. 19).