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We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Rabbi Rabbi means teacher. 38   Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” (John 1:38) What it reminds me?  Jesus teaches us.  As a lifelong learner, I am excited to learn more about Jesus each and every day.  I love discovering how deep the gospel is.  I am thankful that Jesus reveals and teaches who He is. What a great God that wants His people to know Him.

Today's song is in honor of my kids.  I heard it on the radio a few weeks ago around graduation and I thought about all the parents with students graduating.  It's hard to believe that I have 3 teenagers and an almost nine year old.  Mitchell, Mackenzie, Megan, and Molly-I am your biggest fan and I have enjoyed watching you grow up, but you could "Slow Down" just a little bit.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 8  But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9  As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)   11  For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. (Galatians 1:11)

“ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

This is a now a regular feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts and this usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth. The law shows what God requires—perfect righteousness. We aren’t perfect. Jesus is and He paid our punishment for sin. #thegospelprojectkids The but God in Neh. 9 reminds us God is gracious & merciful despite us as humans being stubborn & disobedient @JL_Martin God's approval comes before our strivings & successes & failures, not after them. It is not contingent on performance. @mockingbirdnyc The most repeated command in the Bible? “Do not fear.” The reason? “For I am with you.” @scottsauls  God told Israel to build a tabernacle so He could dwell with them. God se

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Immanuel Immanuel means God with us. 23   “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,      and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:23) What it reminds me?  God is with me always.  This used to cause fear because I believed God knew all of sins and was wanting to punish me.  Now, it a great assurance because I know God is for me and cares about me because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.  He is with me empowering me to love Him and others.  You are never alone!

Here is another great song reminding us of who we are in Christ.  You are not defined by your mistakes or exterior but by God.  Enjoy this new song by For King and Country. Mirror mirror, mirror on the wall Tellin' those lies, pointing out your flaws That isn't who you are That isn't who you are It might be hard to hear, but let me tell you dear If you could see what I can see, I know you would believe That isn't who you are There's more to who you are So when it's late, you're wide awake Too much to take Don't you dare forget that in the pain You can be brave, hear me say I see you dressed in white Every wrong made right I see a rose in bloom At the sight of you (oh so priceless) Irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable Darling, it's beautiful I see it all in you (oh so priceless) No matter what you've heard, this is what your worth More than all the money or the diamonds and pearls Oh this is who you are Yea this i

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 7  Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? (2 Corinthians 11:7) 6  I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7  not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.   (Galatians 1:6-7)

“ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”  (Romans 8:1)

Today, I am at Tabor College training counselors for Jr. Kids Camp for the Southern District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.  I am helping as the co-director for my first time.  I have helped at Jr. Kids Camp over the years with All Camp Activities.  This will be my first year to be at camp all day, every day. Campers arrive tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for: counselors who are with the campers the majority of the time. worship band as they lead in worship our speaker for the week, Russ Claassen Ellen Funk and myself as co-directors other staff such as all camp activities, nurse, daily activities, cafeteria workers, etc. campers and their families as they travel and throughout the week

To all you dads out there, Happy Father's Day!  Enjoy time with your families.  I am thankful for my dad and what he taught me about hard work.  I am thankful for Bethany's dad and how he influenced her to be the woman she is.  Happy Father's Day to the dads in my life!

This is a now a regular feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts and this usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth. If you tell people that they are beloved children of God, they will raise their eyes off themselves to behold him. That's how that works. @SarahTaras My job is not to keep you from sinning. It is to remind you who you are in Christ so you don't want to sin. @ShaunShahan Proverbs 31 is the personification of wisdom. Ladies, you don't have to run an estate, raise kids, do community service, etc. You're free. @BenjiMagness Paul's prayers for Ephesus reveal spiritual growth doesn't begin with being intentional about behaving but a heart reformed by beholding. @pauld

Lisa Yoder is leading a book study on this book this summer at Hesston MB.  Join us for good discussion on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Yahweh Magen and Ezer Yahweh is the Hebrew Name for God. It is "I AM". It is used over 6000 times in the Old Testament.  It was such a holy name that the Jews would not even say it.  Magen means shield. Ezer means help. 20  Our soul waits for the Lord ;      he is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20) What it reminds me?  God protects us.  God helps us. No matter what life throws at us, we can know God protects us.  He also helps us in the middle of our difficulties and struggles. We are never without God's help. When we get to heaven, I think we will al

In recent sermons, I have talked about the importance of our view of God.  A.W. Tozer writes, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." So, I was glad to find this song today that is playing on the radio by Love and the Outcome.  I hope you will discover the "God I Know" not some false or inaccurate view of God shaped by culture or the church. If It Was All About Religion What To Do, What To Say, What To Wear On A Sunday All About Perfection Black And White, Wrong Or Right, Never Grey Well I'd Never Make It I'd Never Be Good Enough I Tried To Walk The Line, Pray That I'd Find Somethin' That I Knew Was Real Began To Realize, The Harder I Tried The Colder I'd Start To Feel Until The Moment The Second I Met Your Love (Chorus) And Then I Threw My Hands Up Worries Down I Remember When He Showed Me How To Break Up With My Doubt Once I was lost but now I'm found No Strings Attached When He Saved My

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 16  so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. (2 Corinthians 10:16) 4  For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corin. 11:4)

Today, Bethany and I have been married for 18 years.  You can donate here to help Bethany and J.L. get to Hawaii for our 20th--it's only 2 years away! I am thankful for the woman I married and love her more everyday.  Over the years, we have had some great experiences together.  We also have had challenges which have helped us trust one another and God more. Marriage is a gift from God. Happy Anniversary, Bethany!

“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ” (2 Corinthians 5:17)  

This is a new feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts.  This usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth.                            When a sinner is justified, two things happen: 1. God does not count his sin against him 2. God imputes to him the righteousness of Christ @dornanm The Bible is not primarily concerned with a quest for personal meaning & fulfillment. It's a story about God, who is so good he cares for us @MichaelHorton_ the function of the law was to fix your eyes on yourself...the function of the gospel is to fix your eyes on Jesus @RelevantChris As a parent, do you feel like a failure w/guilt and shame? @JL_Martin  The "application" part is simply living out wh

Today, I have another teenager in my house. Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter, Megan!

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Yahweh Sabaoth Yahweh is the Hebrew Name for God. It is "I AM". It is used over 6000 times in the Old Testament.  It was such a holy name that the Jews would not even say it.  Sabaoth means host and is often explained as heaven's armies. Who is this King of glory?      The Lord of hosts,      he is the King of glory! Selah (Psalm 24:10) What it reminds me?  We are never alone.  God has angels watching over us.  These angels offer protection and do battle on our behalf.  It also an encouragement when I am afraid or weak that it is not my strength that is i

Here is a new song on the radio by Finding Favour called "Refuge." I love the line that talks about God's love for us.  Enjoy! Though the earth should change And the mountains slip away You will keep me safe Who You are will still remain You're the place, You're the place that I call home You're the fire that I feel inside my bones You're the One, You're the One that won't let go My soul, it sings to You Oh God, You are my refuge I will cling, I will cling to You My shelter through the storm My peace when waves of troubles roll I will cling, I will cling to You I could search the stars I could swim across the seas And never find a love That's as strong as Yours for me You are my refuge

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have chosen the word, gospel, to think about and meditate on in 2016.  Gospel in the Greek literally means, "good news."  My best definition of gospel is the "life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ." I hope to have a deeper understanding of the word and definition at the end of 2016. Check out previous posts on this topic. 13  By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, (2 Corinthians 9:13)   14  For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:14)

“ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Introduction: My introduction last week focused on various views of God that people in the church and in our culture have.   We looked at who God is based on Nehemiah’s prayer.   God creates, God keeps his promises, God rescues, God provides.   Opening : How do you view yourself? How do you view humans? How do you view characters in the Bible? Abraham-lied, Noah-got drunk, David-committed adultery, killed someone, Peter-denied Jesus, Paul-killed Christians ·          As I mentioned last week, Nehemiah 9 is the longest recorded prayer in the Bible. The emphasis throughout the prayer is on what God has done. [1] ·          Pattern in this prayer but they (Israelites)….but you (God) They …but God was forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger abounding in love (vs. 16-17) ·          Vs. 16-arrogant & stiff necked & did not obey- o    “Stiff-necked” is a common biblical expression for stubbornness. The imagery is that of an animal that struggles ag

This is a new feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts.  This usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth. It is God's kindness that leads us to repentance, not our repentance that leads God to be kind. We have to get this right. @scottsauls The law does not produce sanctification. Instead we are transformed by a work of the Holy Spirit. @RelevantChris The reason we sin is because we turn inward. The only leverage I have over sin is to trust in the One who has overcome it. @RelevantChris Christianity is about Christ crucified for sinners. @ZackJamesCole If we see Jesus as just our example, we'll be crushed when we fail. He is our substitute. We fail & run 2 Him b/c He did it perfectly for

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. This is a new feature on the blog on the names of God.  Why?  Because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Yahweh Ori Yahweh is the Hebrew Name for God. It is "I AM". It is used over 6000 times in the Old Testament.  It was such a holy name that the Jews would not even say it.  Yahweh means I am. Ori means light. The Lord is my light and my salvation;      whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life;      of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) What it reminds me?  Even when life is dark and it seems like evil is all around, God is light.  It encourages me to know that despite circumstances around me, I can trust in the Light to guide me in this

As I have continued to study the names of God, this song caught my eye today.  It focused on the "I AM" Listen to who God is and what He has done in the lyrics of this great song by MercyMe.  I've been the one to shake with fear And wonder if You're even here I've been the one to doubt Your love I've told myself You're not enough I've been the one to try and say I'll overcome by my own strength I've been the one to fall apart And to start to question who You are You're the one who conquers giants You're the one who calls out kings You shut the mouths of lions You tell the dead to breathe You're the one who walks through fire You take the orphan's hand You are the one Messiah You are I am You are I am I've been the one held down in chains Beneath the weight of all my shame I've been the one to believe That where I am You cannot reach You're the one who conquers giants You're the o