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15. That I live in a country where food abounds even in a recession
14. For computers – Though they can be frustrating sometimes, they sure do help!
13. For the internet – I love how I can connect to people and ideas all over the world with the click of a mouse!
12. To live in a country where there can be intense political debate, and at the end of the day the matter is settled peacefully without violent attempts to seize power by military force
11. For a challenging and meaningful job that I really, really enjoy with Every Nation Ministries
10. For an amazing church-family at Every Nation, Tallahassee who have helped to shape me into a man that is more like Jesus than I was 9 years ago (when I started going to my current church)
9. That gas prices are finally going down!!
8. To be debt free!! (Thanks, Dave Ramsey!)
7. That I have had the opportunity to visit Israel and see many of the places I had always read about – if you ever have the chance – GO!
6. For the opportunity to pursue a seminary education!
5. For amazing in-laws that, contrary to the in-law stereotype, I actually really enjoy being around
4. For a house that is climate-controlled (We had no A/C for a while last summer – it was not a pleasant experience in hot and humid Tallahassee, but we made it through)
3. For the ability to read – ( I love learning!)
2. The amazing wife that God has generously given me – she is everything I could have ever hoped for in a wife and more
1. The love of God expressed through Jesus. – Seriously, nothing else matters more than this, and all else pales in comparison to the significance of this wonderful reality.
5. I eat much more regularly and much better food than I did when I was single
4. The walls of my house actually have these things called “pictures” hanging on them now
3. The fact that there are way too many incredible things about being married to Katie to even fit on a list like this
2. Saying “goodnight” is no longer the same thing as saying “goodbye”
1. I get to kiss my wife now
It’s been a great first six months, babe. I look forward to many, many more! Love you so very much.
I just finished reading Knowing God by J.I. Packer.
In the close of the book he says something I thought well worth sharing here:
“From current Christian publications, you might think that the most vital issue for any real or would-be Christian in the world today is church union, or social witness, or dialogue with other Christians and other faiths, or refuting this or that ism, or developing a Christian philosophy and culture, or what have you. But our line of study makes the present-day concentration on these things look like a gigantic conspiracy of misdirection. Of course, it is not that; the issues themselves are real and must be dealt with in their place. But it is tragic that, in paying attention to them, so many in our day seem to have been distracted from what was, is, and always will be the true priority for every human being – that is, learning to know God in Christ. [Knowing God, p. 279]
I hope this stirs your heart like it did mine.
The Campus Harvest Conference 2009 is coming up in just a few months. This is always a powerful christian conference, geared towards college students, which emphasizes knowing God, and on mobilizing students to impact their generation for Christ.
It will be held at Kings Park International Church in Durham, N.C. March 27-29. To register online visit the Campus Harvest website. If you are a student from Tallahassee who would like to travel with the group from FSU or FAMU contact us ASAP to arrange your transportation and lodging at famuencm@gmail.com.
(Note: The cost of bus transportation and your hotel stay if you pay before January 15th is $150, which we will be receiving in three payments of $50 between now and then. Conference Registration is a separate cost from this which each student needs to take care of on their own through the Campus Harvest Conference website.)
Check the video from last year’s Campus Harvest Conference:
Don’t be left wondering why you didn’t go when you hear all the great testimonies of those who did and come back changed!
Pray for your Leaders – Even if You Didnt Vote for Them
November 5, 2008 in Bible, Cultural Commentary, politics | Tags: election 2008, historic, leaders, mccain, obama, pray | Leave a comment
As the first ever African American to hold this high office of public service, it is an exciting hurdle to cross and a day to be remembered for all of American history! Praise God that someone from a people group once so oppressed and deprived of opportunity has achieved the high honor of serving as President of the United States!
Though I disagree with many of Obama’s views (most notably his views on abortion) I am excited by the historic nature of his achievement and hope that it will help to unify Americans from all ethnicities to see that this nation really is a place for all. The historic nature of this achievement should be celebrated, even if you didn’t vote for Obama and even if you disagree with his political views. To have a Black man in the white house is a huge milestone to cross in this nation!
Furthermore, I recognize the sovereign hand of God in the events of history. God raises up and deposes kings and rulers at His choosing, not ours (this still applies in a democracy, in case you were wondering). During the election season some Christians seemed to almost “know” who God’s choice was. To their credit, they assessed where the candidates stood on various issues and tried to determine which one best represented the values they found in their Bibles. This is good. It’s exactly what I did, and I think what Christians ought to do. We have an obligation to study God’s word, pray and to vote in alignment with those convictions.
However, God’s sovereign decisions may or may not match your vote. He does not always do what we think He should do. After all, that’s part of what makes Him God, and us human. He doesn’t have to ask our permission before He makes a decision. He uses selfish and corrupt leaders as well as noble and righteous leaders to accomplish His purposes for a nation. But to say that is not to say that one of the candidates was entirely selfish and the other was entirely noble in their perspectives on federal government either. Presidential candidates, like all people, have a blend of Biblical, and unBiblical world-view in their thinking.
During Roman times the Caesars were outspokenly anti-Christian (they started this policy when they murdered Christ). And yet God placed these authorities in place to accomplish his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 13:1 makes it plain that “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” As it relates to our current scenario in the U.S., God ordained that Barack Obama would be elected president.
Beyond that, we are not only called to submit, but to pray with thanksgiving for those leaders: “I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2)
At the beginning of John McCain’s concession speech, many people were booing when McCain said that he had called Barack Obama and conceded. Taking into consideration the verses above, booing the President-Elect is not the right course. Christians should not follow this example. Instead, we need to submit to our leaders and pray for them with thankfulness whether we voted for them or not. The race is over, let’s put the rhetoric behind us and move forward.