Biblical Greek

After a lot of discussion about the best way for Jim to do classes this year we decided he would do a modular course for Biblical Greek (online with a couple sessions on campus). After watching the first lesson with Jim I am so glad we decided to do it this way. Anyone who knows me knows that the one thing I really want to study at seminary is Biblical languages. I love languages and wish I could speak them all. I am also grateful for the ability to learn and pick up on most languages pretty easily. Greek seems to not be an exception. Almost immediately I have been able to read some of the words I have looked at while cutting up flash cards for Jim. I am excited to learn more along side of him. The best part has been listening to Jamey. He knows and sings the Greek alphabet song! It's so cute and he is still learning how to pronounce it correctly, but he knows it. This will be so much fun learning Biblical Greek as a family.

Sovereignty and Suffering Part 2

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:8-11



"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:16-18


Paul talked a lot about suffering and he knew a lot about it. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul gives a list of the ways he had suffered here on the earth. But even with all that he endured, Paul knew that the sufferings of this world were nothing compared to the glory that awaited for him in Christ when he joined the Lord in Heaven. 


"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." Philippians 1:29


He also recognized that if we are in Christ that we will also suffer as Christ suffered for us. Jesus loved us so much that He suffered the most horrific death ever produced. He endured mocking, beating, and ultimately an agonizing death by hanging on a cross nailed by His hands and feet. Not only that He took the shame of being completely exposed and suffered the weight of the sins of the world on Him as He died. Jesus suffered the death we deserved because we have offended a Holy God.


Knowing how much Jesus suffered for us, how can we not expect suffering in this world? Jesus told us that if we followed Him that we would be hated and deal with persecution.


"You will be hated by all for my name's sake." Luke 21:17


This is repeated in Matthew and Mark. It is said before this that we would be given over by parents, brothers, relatives and friends. People we love and trust will turn against us because of our beliefs. That is suffering for the sake of Christ. If we truly desire to have a life after Christ, we will endure suffering of all kinds for His sake and the Glory of the Lord.

Sovereignty and Suffering

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's lovehas been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5


No one likes to suffer because no one likes pain of any kind. Honestly who really wants to suffer? I think it is easy to believe as Christians that we should not face suffering of any kind because we are saved. But the reality is even though we are saved we still live in a fallen world with fallen people and in bodies that are still riddled with the effects of sin. These verses in Romans I have recently learned thanks to a CD of Bible verses and they have both comforted me and allowed me to encourage others.


God allows suffering in our life to make us more like Jesus. This is called sanctification. Because God loves us so much He does not leave His children where they are. Instead He teaches us and guides us through life and circumstances He both puts and allows in our lives. Some circumstances are extremely painful and very difficult to bear, but like everything God does in His children's lives, they are to draw us to Himself, realizing we need Him and we need a Savior. We cannot make it in this world alone; we were not made to go through life alone. God designed us for a need to Him and suffering shows us that need and the hope that we have through a life with Jesus Christ. 

Becca is Here!

For about 9 months we have been talking about Becca moving up here with us, and it has finally come. Ready to take classes and learn she has such a wonderful attitude about it. We know it will be an adjustment for all, but we are all looking forward to her being with us for about 2 years. It is such a blessing.

Lord willing we will be moving into our house in about 3 weeks. What a wonderful time. :)

The Great Commission for All Part 2

Another way you can be a part of what God is doing around the world is to give. Give time, money, resources, whatever you have to give.

Give time to pray either alone or with others for the work being done.
Give time to talk with a missionary and encourage them through Skype or phone.
Give time to spread the word about what great things the Lord is doing so that more can join in.
Give time to make a short trip to another place.
Give money to aid in projects the missionaries are doing.
Give money to help the people they are ministering to.
Give money to pay for sending care packages or buying things to send to the workers.
Give resources to help them when they come home for a time. Ex) cars, furniture, place to live, food, gift cards, etc.
Give your talents to help spread the Word in different ways.
Be Creative!

I want to delve in a little more on making a short trip for a moment. This is a practical way to "go". There are many ways to go about this, but I would encourage every believer to do this at least once in your life. It will open your eyes to the reality of the rest of the world in a new way. Whether you go with a medical team, as Jim and I have done in the past, or do to VBS/kids camps or conference, you will see the world in a new way. I think many times this is what hinders people from going: they are afraid to be changed. But I tell you, a life in Christ brings about change and Jesus cares about all of these cultures. We are told there will be people from every tribe, tongue and nation around the throne of God praising His Name and I trust that it will be so. But how will they hear if no one goes? Do not be so afraid of what it will do to you that you miss what God is doing in others.

Come Ye Sinner

by: Joseph Hart

Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched, 

Weak and wounded, sick and sore; 

Jesus, ready, stands to save you,

Full of pity, joined with power. 

He is able, He is able;

He is willing; doubt no more.

Come ye needy, come, and welcome, 

God's free bounty glorify; 

True belief and true repentance,

Every grace that brings you nigh. 

Without money, without money

Come to Jesus Christ and buy.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,

Bruised and broken by the fall; 

If you tarry 'til you're better, 

You will never come at all. 

Not the righteous, not the righteous;

Sinners Jesus came to call.

Let not conscience make you linger,

Nor of fitness fondly dream; 

All the fitness He requires

Is to feel your need of Him.

This He gives you, this He gives you,

'Tis the Spirit's rising beam.

Lo! The Incarnate God, ascended;

Pleads the merit of His blood. 

Venture on Him; venture wholly,

Let no other trust intrude.

None but Jesus, none but Jesus 

Can do helpless sinners good.

The Great Commission for All Part 1

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

If you have gone to church for any length of time you are probably quite familiar with this passage. It is personally one of my favorites as the Lord has given me a great heart for the nations and we hope to one day be serving Him in another country. I do realize the context of this was given to the 11 after Jesus's resurrection, but I also believe it has implications for all believers today. As I grow and learn I am realizing that those implications will look different for each person. Because the command is "go" it is easy to think this is only directed at those who are called to full-time overseas missions service, but I do not believe that is so. As a follower of Christ we are called to make God's Name great among all nations. So if you are not called to move to another country and be in the culture what else can you do?

The best way is to pray. There are many working overseas, and the thing they ask for more than anything else is prayers. General things to pray for:

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of people around the world. Pray that God would soften them and reveal Himself to people. 
• Pray for those who are overseas, sharing the Gospel of Christ. Pray that they would be bold and unafraid. 
• Pray for receptivity as we know that God calls His own and they respond to the stirring of the Spirit when they hear to Good News of Christ. 
• Pray for growth of new believers in other countries.
• Pray that churches would be planted and run by the Spirit through local believers.
• Pray for local missionaries. Pray that they, too, would have a heart for lost people in their nation as well as other nations. There are some countries that Americans cannot get into that people from surrounding countries can. This is a huge need!
• Pray for stamina of missionaries to teach and disciple new believers as well as stamina to keep telling the Good News when they see no fruit. Both can be equally overwhelming. 

There are other things you can generally pray for, but you get the idea. For more specific requests contact a missionary or someone who knows them and find out what they are doing and what they need prayer for. This really means more to them than anything else you can do. Why? Because those that are in the trenches know that only God can win souls and bring about new life as well as meet all of their needs. If you would like some specific ways to pray for those overseas, let me know and I would be happy to share with you!