Obedience for the sake of His name

Romans 1: 5 "...through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ."

The obedience to the faith is for the sake of His name, that is Jesus Christ. Paul says that he has received grace and the calling of his apostleship for the sake of this very purpose. To us today, though we are not apostles, we have the same call as ministers of the gospel, including all Christians, to take the gospel and the doctrines of the faith to the world that they may obey Him. This is not a new idea but one part struck my heart this morning in a way that it never has before.

Paul said that it included the Romans to whom he was writing. Our focus should always be on the nations, including those right next to us. We many times think of missions as somewhere else, but our somewhere else is home to them. Did you ever consider that we live in some body's "somewhere else." Where you live, where you work, where you shop is included in the nations.

May I have that focus for my neighbors and those who surround me. They are the nations that must come into obedience to the faith for the sake of His name.

God's Amazing Summer

Summertime is always lots of fun for me and the family. Having a three year old who is about to turn four makes the summer days fun with his excitement and love for the outdoors and his swingset. But this summer had a bit more in store for me than previous summers of my entire life.

Starting I knew that it would be busy. A trip to Brazil, youth camp, Kent Island, MD work (both jobs), family, somebooks that I wanted to read, and preperation for possible ministry postitions through resumes and interviews all vied for my time. Little did I know that God would have so much in store.

The short of the summer is, God allowed me to be a part of more than 85 people coming to know Christ this summer! I never expected to be a part of so many amazing outpourings of God's Spirit in and around my life. More than anything I have been encouraged as I look back. God is still at work and does amazing things through simple people who are willing to follow his lead. In the midst of it all it didn't seem like much but looking back God is amazing!

Thoughts from "Everlasting Dominion"

I am reading the book Everlasting Dominion by Eugene Merrill currently and the section on God's Holiness has really set strong in my heart.

His discussion of God's Holiness and how that compels worship has made me think of why people worship, or for that matter do not worship God. In a way Michael Jordan helps to resolve the issue. God is holy that means he is "separate from all else that exists and his holiness is translated into ethical and moral perfection" (56).

Now I know comparing Michael Jordan and God is like comparing an acorn to a mighty Oak Tree and saying, "See the resemblance" but just bare with me. Jordan has a small talent. He can play a little basketball and so those of us who are not as talented look at the things he did on the court and talk about how amazing they are. "Did you see the way he flew from the free throw line all the way to the goal!" Then after years of play you no longer mentioned his play just his name represented how awesome he was a basketball. "Jordon is amazing" Then people began to where his symbol, his jersey, his number, his shoes, his cologne, Hanes underwear, and drink Gatorade all because they wanted to "Be like Mike" In a word they worshipped him because of his ability in basketball.

The term loosely used as worship in describing people's reaction to Jordan can take on the true meaning in a description of why we should worship God. He is completely other, capable of what we can never do. His deeds are far superior to any on this earth and his name represents what we will never be. So we read his Book, talk with him, emulate and follow Him, and tell of how amazing he is. We speak His name which represents His holiness

Just a little food for thought

Just a few Photos from the Brazil Mission

Here is some of the pictures form the mission to Brazil. We had an amazing time and it was great to see that the Word of God through the power of the Spirit of God changes lives in big ways. There were over 60 salvations during our time there! I had the opportunity to preach at asmall church in town that was a part of the mission of Chapada Baptist Church.
The Banks of the Amazon in Manaus.
The third cutest child on the face of the earth. He was the son of the camp caretaker.
In the Amazon the tools for pulling tree stumps consists of picks, boards, chains, car jacks, and sweat.
On Saturday Night the Chapada Baptist Church held a bilingual Night for the Englsih students as an evangelistic outreach. Dr. York preached that evening.
This is a morning picture of the camp where we stayed and built a cabin.
This was the team who was with me at Brazil. They were a great group and I enjoyed the time with each of them.
I don't remember the name of these eateries, but when you said yes they gave you meat and lots of it!
I swam in the Amazon and was not eaten by one fish, even though some of them were bigger than me!

31 Girl: Submission the motivation for Fidelity

The Baptist Press today ran a number of articles on the overwhelming problem that pornography is having in our culture today. This is not only outside the church walls but is infecting the very ranks of the church from the pew to the pulpit. As a young man I fear for the effect that the easily accessible Internet porn is having and will have on an up and coming generation of young ministers, particularly as the Baptist Press pointed out, those who are under the age of 30.

The culture that I have been raised in and Internet technology has made the sin of pornography easily accessible without the stigma of buying the magazine at the store. The sin is quiet, but deadly. The struggles are enormous and the battle is currently being won by the enemy, the Devil. Sin is crouching at our door men, and it wants to destroy our lives.

In thinking about this epidemic that is ripping at the foundations of those called to lead the church I asked myself an honest question as to why I am motivated to fight any and all temptations. Why I desire to avoid the snare of deceitful pleasure? All thoughts point back to my wife.

In a conversation with an amazing woman of God, Tanya York, wife of my seminary professor Hershael York, she pointed out a truth that I had never seen. We were discussing my wife, as the entire mission team floated down the Amazon for a Tuesday afternoon swim off the boat. She pinpointed for me the reason that I am so concerned with fidelity to my wife. Ann Miller trusts me. That's it, she submits to me as the leader of the home and places her full confidence in me as her husband and as God's point man for our home. This is motivation!

I rethink every decision and pray over every change in our families situation. I ask her input and make every effort to make right decisions the first time because I know she is counting on me. She does not second guess me and that requires that I choose right. She has sacrificed her family, her home, her dream of teaching, her friends, the list goes on, for me and our family. That humbles me in a way that I cannot explain. It also pressures and reminds me constantly that I cannot make mistakes. It reminds me that I must lead our family well and I cannot do anything to jeopardize the most amazing wife this world has known.

Her submission motivates my fidelity. When I am tempted, I am quickly reminded that even the slightest failure can put into motion jeopardizing my family. I am committed to her because she is whole heartedly committed to me.

Ladies, I don't know you circumstance or your marriage but I know that Ann's submissiveness to me motivates my fidelity. I would venture to say that it will do the same for your husband. I would not ever want to exchange her for some cheap picture, some momentary pleasure, some uncommitted home wrecking bimbo on screen, across the street, or at my computer!!!!!

She is God's sanctifying grace! This 31 Girl (that is for Proverbs 31) holds my attention because she has staked her provision and family on me! What a responsibility! What a privilege! May God deal with me be it ever so severly if I ever set my path in a way that would destroy this blessing!

I love you Ann and I thank you that you are the wife God has called you to be!

I thank you Tanya York for being used of God to enlighten me even more of the gift
Ann is to me.

Thank you Dr. York for the example you and Tanya have been in our lives.