Break Over!

I have had an incredible two months off work… it’s been great to rest, not preach, do lots of reading and the ultimate thing… spend stacks of time with my family! I know I am bias but I love my wife and kids – a lot. They better me.

I preached at Evangel Church (www.evangelbc.org) in Kelowna this morning. It is always an honour to be asked to preach in your home church and I count it as a high privilege to be trusted enough to share. Thanks Pastor Will – you are a great friend and I love the church!

About two weeks ago I started to think about what I should speak on. I am used to having to prepare four or five sermons a week so the process of my sermon preparation doesn’t always allow me to be able to think about just one sermon at a time. But this one…? This one consumed me. I think it is because I haven’t spoken for two months and so I had a mass of things flying around my mind. This one was from the heart… really.

I have been studying Romans for a couple of months now and I was drawn to speak from Romans 1:1-7. The passage summerizes the whole of the book but it also is a bold statement made by Paul about his priorities in life. The first thing he wants the Roman Christians to know is that he is a “Servant of Jesus Christ”. It was his priority, his job description, his supreme focus. He wanted to make Jesus first – his supreme. This is the challenge God presents to me everyday – is He (Jesus) my supreme? Above all else?

Can I echo Paul’s words that he wants to honour Christ in his body whether it be in life or death (Phil 1)? Can I look my children, wife, co-workers and friends in the eye and (with hypocrisy) state that Jesus is my supreme? Does my life back up my claim? Do my finances? My goals? My dreams? My work? My preaching?

God has been challenging me… I communicated this challenge at Evangel. I asked the question and then left it to God and His gospel. It is my prayer that many repented and were drawn back to Him.

It is also my prayer that this year, He will be made known. At school, the message of Jesus will be sounded loud and clear. That He would be supreme.

Welcome back…

Bible Arcing… again!

Excellent post and resource!

Bible Arcing

Freedom 151

I was a proud man today. A grade 8 student (Malcolm) and a grade 9 student (Maddy) stood up in front of 450 of their fellow students and pleaded the cause of thousands of child sex slaves.

They spoke with confidence and passion and asked their friends to think about how they could support them in their goal to free 151 slaves. This is going to cost $151,000. There mission is called “Freedom 151“.

Their dream is big but so is their determination and committment to the cause. The incredible thing is that they are already more than half way there after only 5 months – $75,000 has already been given through creative fund raising efforts!

I am delighted that Malcolm and Maddy are showing that with a lot passion, effort and determination – big dreams can come about – well done guys… keep up the great work. Continue to set an incredible example to us all.

If you are interested in learning how to help, please check out their website – freedom 151

Thanks Maddy and Malcolm!

Next Resources…

Some excellent sermons from the “NEXT” conference… I highly recommend that you take time to soak them in…

The Preeminence of Christ Joshua Harris

Christ’s Incarnation D.A. Carson

Christ’s Life Kevin DeYoung

Christ’s Death C.J. Mahaney

Christ’s Resurrection Sinclair Ferguson

Panel Discussion Josh Harris, Mark Dever, Kevin DeYoung, Sinclair Ferguson, C.J. Mahaney

Just Do Something Kevin DeYoung

Radical Womanhood Carolyn McCulley

Entrust: The Transfer of the Gospel Dave Harvey & Jared Mellinger

Scottish slap

I rely heavily on my wife (Sarah) to bring accountability and sanity to my life BUT it still comes as shock when she sits me down and points out things that she (and God probably) wants me to know. I had one of those experiences in the last couple of days.

Due to  my travels and preaching (eighteen times in two weeks – a lot for me) I haven’t had a full day off in three weeks. My kids were starting to ask if they could ‘help me’ in a way that a Home Depot employee asks when you are wondering around the plumbing section with a confused look on your face. I have clearly been ‘out of sorts’ and need to take time to hang out with them and remind myself that I am a husband and Daddy first after making Jesus supreme in my life. KCS and pastoring come somewhere down the list.

However, recognizing this is the first step to some hefty problems. The problem for me is saying ‘no’. This is where Sarah comes in the verbally slap me and remind me that I am doing too much.

Saying ‘No’ to people is never taken well. If you venture to explain why (I’m too tired) you sometimes get a look that says “YOU think YOU are busy… harumph… you should look at my life. We ALL know Pastors don’t do anything apart from pretend to read their bibles”. To avoid this I hear myself mumble “Okay – I’ll be there” and then the dazed look returns and I get another slap from your wife (in nice gentle but VERY Scottish way).

So what to do? Simple…

1. Make Christ supreme

2. Listen to my wife

3. Say “No” more

4. Spend time with my family

So there we have it. I should write a book… genius.

I wonder whether people will understand? Probably not. But at least I will be rested, I’ll be seeking Christ, chatting with my wife and my kids will love me.

Fair deal.