By: Johnathan Todd
How can you be used for the Kingdom?
One way is through Youth Visions Job Shadowing Program. Share your occupation with a student from Youth Visions and provide them with a window into your world. For us, it's just a minor adjustment to our regular schedule; for them, it is the opportunity to envision what their future might be like.
Watch this video to get an idea of what Job Shadowing is all about:
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Song of the Week (06.17.09)
By: Johnny Coggin
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me. I know better, but my brain succumbs to the modern Western brainwashed ideal that God really wants me to have a smooth ride, all the time, no matter what, and any bumps in the road must be "outside of his will" somehow. What a load.
But when you're used to having it so good (as, relatively speaking, most of us do), and then the economy crumbles, jobs are lost, marriage is hard, and the kids grieve you (or just drive you mad!), it's easy to grumble. In fact, it's hard not to.
But what does that say about our hearts? Or should I say, what does it reveal about what we treasure most? It's called idolatry.
Idolatry often looks like this: Loving the gifts more than the Giver. And so I may be happy when things go well and God pours out blessings in my life... but then gripe to him when things go sour for a season, uncovering the lesser "gods" my heart is really after. (by the way, check out Job's wise response to pain and suffering.)
This week's "Song of the Week" gets the attitude right. It's another great song from Sovereign Grace Music called, "As Long As You Are Glorified" (click to hear a sample - it's track 3). I sang this song at Grace Evan on the last Sunday morning of 2008. Thankfully, their recording is much better. Oh, to have the mindset of these lyrics emblazoned on our hearts and minds!
*Do yourself a favor: Read the lyrics, and make them your prayer today, tomorrow, every day.
(available to purchase from iTunes or directly from Sovereign Grace)
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me. I know better, but my brain succumbs to the modern Western brainwashed ideal that God really wants me to have a smooth ride, all the time, no matter what, and any bumps in the road must be "outside of his will" somehow. What a load.
But when you're used to having it so good (as, relatively speaking, most of us do), and then the economy crumbles, jobs are lost, marriage is hard, and the kids grieve you (or just drive you mad!), it's easy to grumble. In fact, it's hard not to.
But what does that say about our hearts? Or should I say, what does it reveal about what we treasure most? It's called idolatry.
Idolatry often looks like this: Loving the gifts more than the Giver. And so I may be happy when things go well and God pours out blessings in my life... but then gripe to him when things go sour for a season, uncovering the lesser "gods" my heart is really after. (by the way, check out Job's wise response to pain and suffering.)
This week's "Song of the Week" gets the attitude right. It's another great song from Sovereign Grace Music called, "As Long As You Are Glorified" (click to hear a sample - it's track 3). I sang this song at Grace Evan on the last Sunday morning of 2008. Thankfully, their recording is much better. Oh, to have the mindset of these lyrics emblazoned on our hearts and minds!
*Do yourself a favor: Read the lyrics, and make them your prayer today, tomorrow, every day.
(available to purchase from iTunes or directly from Sovereign Grace)
As Long As You Are Glorified
by Mark Altrogge
Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long as You are glorified
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long as You are glorified
So quiet my restless heart, quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in You
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long as You are glorified
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Song of the Week (06.10.09)
By: Johnny Coggin
Our song this week is called "Depth of Mercy" (click to hear an extended clip), and it comes from the music of Red Mountain Church in Birmingham, AL. Red Mountain Music focuses on resurrecting all-but-forgotten hymn texts of the Christian faith, and writing new tunes for those texts.
One particular verse of the song caught my attention today. This week, I'll be preaching God's word to our Jr. High students on the Fall Creek Falls trip, and one night I'll be making a brief point about Paul's loathsome self-description, "chief of sinners" - my preaching point being that anyone who truly "gets" the gospel and begins to understand his own soul will feel the exact same way as Paul - "I must be the worst offender on the planet."
Yet God's mercy is lavished on even the chief of sinners, like myself - and by this, I'm stunned:
(This song can be purchased from iTunes or directly from Red Mountain Church)
Our song this week is called "Depth of Mercy" (click to hear an extended clip), and it comes from the music of Red Mountain Church in Birmingham, AL. Red Mountain Music focuses on resurrecting all-but-forgotten hymn texts of the Christian faith, and writing new tunes for those texts.
One particular verse of the song caught my attention today. This week, I'll be preaching God's word to our Jr. High students on the Fall Creek Falls trip, and one night I'll be making a brief point about Paul's loathsome self-description, "chief of sinners" - my preaching point being that anyone who truly "gets" the gospel and begins to understand his own soul will feel the exact same way as Paul - "I must be the worst offender on the planet."
Yet God's mercy is lavished on even the chief of sinners, like myself - and by this, I'm stunned:
Depth of mercy can there beYes, he spares even me. But only because:
Mercy still reserved for me
Can my God his wrath forbear
Me the chief of sinners spare
Jesus speaks and pleads his bloodWhat a glorious thought for the worst offender on the planet. (No, not you... ME.)
He disarms the wrath of God
Now my Father's mercies move
Justice lingers into love
(This song can be purchased from iTunes or directly from Red Mountain Church)
Depth of Mercy
Words: Charles Wesley, 1740
Music: Jeff Koonce, Brian T. Murphy, Clint Wells, 2003
Depth of mercy can there be
Mercy still reserved for me
Can my God his wrath forbear
Me the chief of sinners spare
I have long withstood his grace
Long provoked him to his face
Would not hearken to his calls
Grieved him by a thousand falls
I have spilt his precious blood
Trampled on the Son of God
Filled with pains unspeakable
I, who yet, am not in Hell
I, my master have denied
I afresh have crucified
And profaned his hallowed name
Put him to an open shame
Jesus speaks and pleads his blood
He disarms the wrath of God
Now my Father's mercies move
Justice lingers into love
There for me the savior stands
Shows his wounds and spreads his hands
God is love, I know, I feel
Jesus weeps and loves me still
Pity from thine eye let fall
By a look my soul recall
Now the stone to flesh convert
Cast a look and break my heart
Now incline me to repent
Let me now my sins lament
Now my foul revolt deplore
Weep, believe and sin no more.
© 2003 Red Mountain Music
www.redmountainmusic.com
Monday, June 8, 2009
Be Still and Know
By: Johnathan Todd
When I was a child, my favorite summertime activity was playing outside as long as possible. As an adult, my favorite summertime activity is to sit on my front yard bench as the sun is setting while my children are playing outside.
This past Monday evening I was enjoying my bench when I experienced one of those “Be Still and Know” moments. The hot afternoon was fading into the comfortable evening when I looked up and saw the moon. As I gazed at its features, the thought swept through my mind of God having created the moon, the earth, and all that is in it. The seasons, the rotation of the earth, the phases of the moon – all these and more continue because my Lord has ordered it to be so!
I felt small and insignificant, yet reassured that this same Lord was my Lord. He not only knows every feature of this giant rock millions of miles away reflecting light to the earth, but he also knows the very hairs on my head. He knew me before I was born and he knows all the days of my future.
I thoroughly enjoy such moments - when joy reigns and all seems ordered and correct - yet they are so fleeting and isolated. Just moments later the drive to "get up and do" conquered the moment. I recall the moment, but am unable to recall what I left that moment to go and do.
Was it important? Was it eternal? Why do I choose to live in such a way that restricts those moments? Seems pretty stupid.
Here is the Psalm where we find the command to "be still and know":
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
When I was a child, my favorite summertime activity was playing outside as long as possible. As an adult, my favorite summertime activity is to sit on my front yard bench as the sun is setting while my children are playing outside.
This past Monday evening I was enjoying my bench when I experienced one of those “Be Still and Know” moments. The hot afternoon was fading into the comfortable evening when I looked up and saw the moon. As I gazed at its features, the thought swept through my mind of God having created the moon, the earth, and all that is in it. The seasons, the rotation of the earth, the phases of the moon – all these and more continue because my Lord has ordered it to be so!
I felt small and insignificant, yet reassured that this same Lord was my Lord. He not only knows every feature of this giant rock millions of miles away reflecting light to the earth, but he also knows the very hairs on my head. He knew me before I was born and he knows all the days of my future.
I thoroughly enjoy such moments - when joy reigns and all seems ordered and correct - yet they are so fleeting and isolated. Just moments later the drive to "get up and do" conquered the moment. I recall the moment, but am unable to recall what I left that moment to go and do.
Was it important? Was it eternal? Why do I choose to live in such a way that restricts those moments? Seems pretty stupid.
Here is the Psalm where we find the command to "be still and know":
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Ask the Pastor: How should Christians view the recent murder of a late-term abortion doctor?
By: Johnny Coggin
You may have heard the news about the murder of late-term abortion doctor, Dr. George Tiller, this past Sunday. This event raises significant questions for Christians who believe that abortion is also murder.
*Was the murder justified because of the multitude of horrific abortions performed by this doctor? Or even because the lives of many unborn babies may now be spared?
*Or is murder simply wrong, regardless of the intent and the potential for positive outcome?
Dr. Jimmy Young offers an answer here.
(For further thoughts on this issue, read the responses of Dr. Al Mohler and pastor James MacDonald.)
You may have heard the news about the murder of late-term abortion doctor, Dr. George Tiller, this past Sunday. This event raises significant questions for Christians who believe that abortion is also murder.
*Was the murder justified because of the multitude of horrific abortions performed by this doctor? Or even because the lives of many unborn babies may now be spared?
*Or is murder simply wrong, regardless of the intent and the potential for positive outcome?
Dr. Jimmy Young offers an answer here.
(For further thoughts on this issue, read the responses of Dr. Al Mohler and pastor James MacDonald.)
Song of the Week (06.03.09)
By: Johnny Coggin
This week's "Song of the Week" comes from Indelible Grace, a ministry of Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN that's closely tied to RUF ministries. We sing some of their songs in our worship times here at Grace Evan ("Arise, My Soul, Arise" is one example that comes to mind). If you're not familiar with them, here's a brief description of their mission:
Isaac Watts wrote the words, so you'd expect them to be stellar. How about this line, in response to our deep slavery to sin: But there's a voice of sov'reign grace, Sounds from the sacred word: "O, ye despairing sinners come, And trust upon the Lord."
Listen to the cool tune, but most importantly, drink in and pray the lyrics, and cry out to God, "Oh help my unbelief!"
(This song and the full Wake Thy Slumbering Children album can be bought from iTunes or Amazon, as well as directly from Indelible Grace)
This week's "Song of the Week" comes from Indelible Grace, a ministry of Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN that's closely tied to RUF ministries. We sing some of their songs in our worship times here at Grace Evan ("Arise, My Soul, Arise" is one example that comes to mind). If you're not familiar with them, here's a brief description of their mission:
Our hope is to help the church recover the tradition of putting old hymns to new music for each generation, and to enrich our worship with a huge view of God and His indelible grace.They do a great job of it, and this week's featured song is no exception. It's called O Help My Unbelief (click, then click on track 2 on that page to hear the song).
Isaac Watts wrote the words, so you'd expect them to be stellar. How about this line, in response to our deep slavery to sin: But there's a voice of sov'reign grace, Sounds from the sacred word: "O, ye despairing sinners come, And trust upon the Lord."
Listen to the cool tune, but most importantly, drink in and pray the lyrics, and cry out to God, "Oh help my unbelief!"
O Help My Unbelief
Words: Isaac Watts // Music: Justin Smith
1. How sad our state by nature is!
Our sin, how deep it stains!
And Satan binds our captive minds
Fast in his slavish chains
But there's a voice of sov'reign grace,
Sounds from the sacred word:
"O, ye despairing sinners come,
And trust upon the Lord."
2. My soul obeys th' almighty call,
And runs to this relief
I would believe thy promise, Lord;
O help my unbelief!
To the dear fountain of thy blood,
Incarnate God, I fly;
Here let me wash my spotted soul,
From crimes of deepest dye.
3. Stretch out Thine arm, victorious King,
My reigning sins subdue;
Drive the old dragon from his seat,
With all his hellish crew.
A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,
On thy kind arms I fall;
Be thou my strength and righteousness,
My Jesus, and my all.
© 2007 Justin Smith Music
(This song and the full Wake Thy Slumbering Children album can be bought from iTunes or Amazon, as well as directly from Indelible Grace)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Ask the Pastor: Why was polygamy so rampant and unpunished in the Old Testament?
By: Johnny Coggin
Dr. Jimmy Young answers the question: Why was polygamy so rampant in the Old Testament? And if God is so opposed to it, why does it seems as if he just let it continue unhindered and unpunished?
(If you have a question you'd like answered, email it to Johnny Coggin in a concise form, and we'll do our best with it.)
Dr. Jimmy Young answers the question: Why was polygamy so rampant in the Old Testament? And if God is so opposed to it, why does it seems as if he just let it continue unhindered and unpunished?
(If you have a question you'd like answered, email it to Johnny Coggin in a concise form, and we'll do our best with it.)
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