Amazing Grace the Movie

Amazing Grace, a new movie about the life of William Wilberforce, the man who led the fight to end slavery in Great Britain, opens on Feb 23. This is definitely the type of movie believers should support. Do some research on William Wilberforce, and of John Newton, the author of the song Amazing Grace. You will have some great information to share with your family.

Here's the link to the movie: www.amazinggracemovie.com

Maybe we can schedule a family night at the movies at the end of February!

Travis, Ginger, are you there?

Are we reaching the lost?

I found this posting by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary associate archivist Nathan Finn to be absolutely devastating to my prideful spirit:

http://nathanfinn.blogspot.com/2006/11/some-possible-solutions-for-what-ails_30.html

This is his second treatment on the topic of evangelism. Look at the previous posting to get Part 13.1. Be prepared to be convicted by the Holy Spirit.


Oh God, break my hard heart that I may see and love those who don't know you and share your good news with them. Amen.


These 'parts' are a series of postings that he has done to look at some of the issues the modern church, specifically Southern Baptist churches, face. They cover a lot of the 'fighting issues' going on in the SBC. I've found these postings to be extrememly illuminating without being divisive. A seminary professor I respect, Dr. Alvin Reid, weighs in in several of the comments section, so check those also. He is the author of Radically Unchurched, a book about our unchurched culture that I read this summer.

Sandy Osborne will be teaching God As He Longs for You to See Him this week as Don Schisler continues with 1 John. See you next week!

Unpacking Goodness and Sovereignty

I feel I kind of rushed through the chapters on God's goodness and God' sovereignty in the Chip Ingram study, so we're going to expand on these two attributes a bit more this Sunday. Some questions to consider:

Do I believe that when something "bad" happens that God is smacking me around? Do I have any areas of my life that I'm withholding from God's plans because I don't trust Him?

Do I believe, by either thought or action, that God is not in control of my life?

All of these questions lead to one last provacative question: Is my life in Christ one filled with great passion for seeing God glorified, or one of lifeless routine?

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God...

In our first lesson of God As He Longs For You to See Him, I encouraged you to look at how God reveals himself through his creation, his Word, and his Son Jesus. Psalm 19 will help you along the way for at least 2 of those goals.

Psalm 19 starts with the awe inspiring phrase:

'The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork'.

In our fast paced lives, it is rare that we stop and spend time contemplating the awesomeness of God as he reveals himself through his creation. This week we've been "stopping to smell the roses". Yes, I did go on a hike Sunday afternoon with the family...but yes, I was able to fit the RAMS game into that schedule!!!!

Psalm 19 goes on to say:

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

Are you letting God reveal himself through his Word this week? Do you desire his Word (law/testimony/statutes/commandments/judgements) more than gold?

Let God use verse 11 to encourage you to spend time in his Word today.

This Sunday: The Goodness of God

Slight change of plans!

Study plans for next 3 weeks

Sep 24
Travelling Light by Max Lucado
Tough Questions from Penn State part II w/Ravi Zacharias

Oct 1
Travelling Light by Max Lucado
Tough Questions w/Ravi Zacharias

Oct 8 thru the end of the year
1 John
Attributes of God (God How He Longs For Us to See Him by Chip Ingram)

Lesson Plans for the next few weeks

Sep 17 -

• Travelling Light by Max Lucado
• Case for Christ - finishing the study chapter 14

Sep 24 -

• Travelling Light by Max Lucado (completing?)
• Ravi Zacharias Tough Questions from Penn State

Oct 1 thru the end of the year

• 1 John
• Attributes of God (God How He Longs For Us to See Him by Chip Ingram)

On the radar (so far) for next year...

• The Gospel of Jesus by John MacArthur
• Galatians

Since the predominant view of the large group is that the ideal size of a study group is 12-15 people, we need to have 2-3 more offerings starting in January. If you have a book of the Bible, or some book about the spiritual disciplines, scripture, evangelism, or doctrine (perhaps the famous Baptist Faith and Message!) you would like to study/teach, please let Travis know.

Let God surprise you by equipping you to lead a study!

The Road We Travel: the peril of practical atheism

A good word from Oklahom pastor Rick Thompson on the danger of biblical illiteracy in the church.

The Road We Travel: the peril of practical atheism

Another good reason why we will continue to focus on Bible book studies and doctrine studies on Sunday mornings!