Dallas Willard: Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge
Kevin DeYoung: Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be
Dallas Willard: Revolution of Character: Discovering Christ's Pattern for Spiritual Transformation
Stephen M.R. Covey: The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything
Carlo D'este: Warlord: A Life of Winston Churchill at War, 1874-1945
Anne Rice: Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession (Unabridged)
Master Chaplain, C.T.S., Dr. David Fair: Mastering Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
On Friday evening most of the the staff from the church and their families attended an event put on by the Columbus Symphony called Picnic with the Pops. Prior to the hour concert there was face painting, a chance to play some instruments, an animal or two and some COSI stations. Here are a few pictures from the evening. Proud to be doing ministry with these folks.
Great bunch of families and kids!
"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on Me when you are in trouble and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory." Psalm 50:14-15 NLT
"But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23 NLT
In my life I have tried to practice two things with faithfulness. One is being faithful to God and the other is being thankful for all that God does in my life. According to what I read in this Psalm those two things are really important to God. In fact, I believe that obedience and thankfulness are two things that God will bless more than most of the stuff we do to "gain" his favor.
A few years ago someone wrote a book that talked about a prayer from the Old Testament prayed by an obscure character. The masses took from the book that if you prayed this prayer on a daily basis God would bless you. Around the same time someone got the idea of wearing WWJD bracelets however for the most part it didn't change anyone's behavior.
I am convinced that change only comes when our hearts and minds change. We change when we believe that God is real and that He demands and expects obedience from our lives. I don't know any other way to live. The most prominent theological flavor in the world today says that it is impossible to live above sin. People have willingly bought into the fact that we have to sin every day in word thought and deed. If this is true then God is just plain sadistic because all through the Bible He has one standard and that is "live holy lives." We are encouraged, commanded and prodded to be holy. We are told that with every temptation there IS a way of escape. I believe it is possible to live without sinning butI believe that most people I know have found a comfortable place in the cradle of a sinning faith. This is almost more than I can take. I don't know any other way to preach then to tell it like the Bible says it but truly I understand how Elijah felt after coming down from Mt. Carmel. I am some where between the "broom tree" and the cave. (you may have to do a little Bible study to understand that line)
I am tired of preaching the same thing over and over yet going up against every major Christian author and legitimate radio and TV preacher who tell people on a regular basis to just live by grace and whatever you do will be okay because Jesus will not see your sin. The idea is that there is nothing you can do to ever lose your salvation. Sorry don't buy it and never will. Obedience matters and it always has.
Holiness is what I long for, Holiness is what we need.
On June 17 I rode along with the Licking County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals on a fugitive roundup. Five teams split up and covered the county looking for people with outstanding federal warrants. Our team made three arrests and enjoyed a lunch at Miller's before ending our day. Here are a few pictures from that day which couldn't be released unitl the nationwide operation ended the last day of June.
This last picture was self taken with my cell phone just prior to hitting the streets. Everything is backwards including the word sheriff on my vest.
About a month ago, friend and artist/illustrator, Tim Bowers came to my home to drop off a copy of the just released book he illustrated. This book was published just as the Obama's were getting a new dog for the White House. After some quick last minute changes Tim drew in a new dog to match the actual dog they were bringing home. The book has done well and received a lot of attention in the major press around the country.
I always like to get copies of what Tim has worked on and have a collection of signed posters from the annual Granville Hot Licks Blues fest. When I opened the book, I noticed that it was signed with a personal note but was not prepared for what I saw on the acknowledgment page. As an act of our friendship, Tim dedicated his work on this book to. . . .me!! What a nice but surprising thing to do. Here are a couple of pictures from the book.
Tim and I in his studio about 3 years ago. Thanks Tim (and Keryn) for your kindness. To know more about Tim visit www.timbowers.com
A couple of weeks ago Lenore and I went to the farm in West Virginia and spent a couple of days relaxing. Here are some pictures of shooting and a few humming birds. (Yes that is Lenore shooting her Smith and Wesson hammerless 38.)
The hummingbirds were in WV but these twins were born about a week and a half ago basically in our backyard. The mother laid in our yard for two mornings just prior to their birth. One last picture from today July 4th. Spend a few hours riding shotgun with Sgt. Slayman.
Here is a pictorial recap of today's events. The Licking County Sheriff's Office responded with class and dignity in laying to rest one of their own. It has been inspiring to see an organization care and provide support for each other and a hurting family. Really glad to be a part of this group of men and women.
This past week I spent four days in New Mexico facilitating a New Start Assessment Center. I never have much time during these assessments but in this case I had to drive from Albuquerque so I got to see about a 180 miles worth of landscape. On the way to the airport Friday I was stopped by the U.S. Army Security and informed that missile testing would be taking place for the next two hours so all traffic was stopped in both directions. This left me with the option of backtracking about 15 miles and taking back roads for the next two hours. I saw a lot of wildlife including African Oryx, pronghorn, jackrabbits and road runners. Here are a few pictures from my wild and fast ride through some remote territory in the south central part of New Mexico. Notice that the pronghorns pay no attention to the no passing zone sign.
After a long day of graduation exercises at Trevecca Nazarene University I enjoyed being with friends and family at The Ryman. Here are a few pictures of the evening. Besides Garrison Keillor and his team of musicians, sound effects people and actors the guests included Brad Paisley and mandolin player extraordinaire Sam Bush. The last picture would be Bush playing on a resonator mandolin. Overall it was a really good show with exception of Keillor's continued obsession with sexual content humor. I won't pay to see him again. Loved the music.
This past Saturday we sat in the light drizzle and watched our son graduate from college. Next ear we plan to sit in this same spot and watch our daughter finish her college experience. Here are some pictures to document this event.
Once again I am under the pressure of no time for blogging. This is a very busy season in my world and frankly I wouldn't have it any other way. There are times my thought turn to spring and I remember my days in Central Pennsylvania. Here is a picture of what it was like to live in the heart of dutch country. I love these mountains and sweeping valleys.
I am working hard to lead through some changes at church and in the ministry of Newark Naz. but can't talk about it here yet. Spring is a time for plowing and then you plant and then you wait for growth. I am plowing some new ground and will see how that works. For now I am taking a break although the pictures are stacking up and waiting to be blogged about. Check back and if possible I may post again in a couple of weeks.
