Randy Alcorn on "Earning Rewards"

Hey folks,

Here is a very helpful article I ran across from Randy Alcorn's ministry "Eternal Perspectives Ministries" on the question, "Can we really earn eternal rewards?"  I have to confess, studying the topic of "rewards" is a new one for me, as it might be for many of you.  Very clearly laid out, while also very challenging as well.  Enjoy!  http://www.epm.org/resources/2010/Mar/5/can-we-really-earn-eternal-rewards/

Revolutionaries and Plodding Visionaries

Today I had the privilege of talking with two godly men who are church planters in this city - one, an inner city pastor and the other a Hispanic pastor.  What I respect about them even at their beginnings is that they are not seeking to be "the next biggest thing" in Kansas City - - instead, they are seeking to be faithful preachers of the gospel calling the lost to Christ.  They are not seeking to be hip, trendy or revolutionary - they are "simple men" (I say that as a fellow simple man, with the deepest of respect) seeking to open their Bibles and to call people to love Jesus with their whole hearts!  In a day where so much is written on how to be a pastor and what someone is suppose to do in order to be relevant and "transformational" in our culture, it is so refreshing to see men committed to being visionaries to labor for the gospel!  Read this link by C.J. Mahaney on this topic http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Blog/post/Plodding-Visionaries.aspx- it is very encouraging!  (It was sent to me by my loving wife who is "plodding" along with me, to encourage my heart!  Thank you sweetie!)  Jason and Mario, you guys are my heroes!  Thank you for loving the gospel and loving His people!

Fear Not! Death & The Afterlife From A Christian Perspective

I just finished reading this book by Ligon Duncan, and I have to say that I believe this is THE book to give to someone who is in the process of dying or to give to their loved one.  It is so clear and concise as he brings you to the hope in the resurrection, while answering some very fundamental questions about dying and what happens to us when we die.  Very, very good!  It is a small book and a very easy read, while it helps the reader plumb the depths of this issue.

"My God Is True!" A Journey Down Cancer's Dark Road

In the last couple of years I have been reading a steady diet of books on the topic of suffering.  There are a lot of books on the topic, but not all of them are very helpful.  Here is a book that I would say is THE book to give to a fellow believer who is walking through the dark news of cancer.  It is written by a pastor who went through cancer a couple of years ago - it is part memoir and part theological instruction addressing the spiritual issues and concerns one goes through during this time.  It is a very, very helpful book, and there is much in the way of teaching that could be applied to many issues of suffering in one's life.

Family Helps In Movie Watching

I personally love a good movie, however it can be so hard to find good ones!  Here are a couple of links I have come across that I have found so helpful as a parent:

http://www.kids-in-mind.com/

http://www.pluggedin.com/

Lot & His Daughters...

The story of Lot and his daughters is not normally a passage of Scripture we spend a lot of time studying, nor is it one that we find ourselves searching for messages on it.  Last week, as we were preaching through the book of Genesis we found ourselves coming upon this very uncomfortable text.  Many I have talked to said they were a bit nervous coming up to this Sunday, wondering how I would be handling this text.  However, since that time I have heard from many that they have found it to be very helpful and practical sermon to help us evaluate our hearts as there are many times we find ourselves in "strange places" in our thinking and how to recognize the subtle drift of the human heart.  The title of the message is "From False Treasures To False Saviors."  I trust you will find it as help as I did when going through it.  It is posted on our church's website at www.providencecommunitychurch.net or the direct link: http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1229416/m/FalseTreasureToFalseSaviors042510.mp3

Family Reading "The Hedge Of Thorns"

Last night we just got finished reading a book that we have read several times as a family, the book, "The Hedge of Thorns" published by Lamplighter Publishing based on the true story of John Carroll written back in 1611. It is an absolute must read, re-read and re-read for the entire family!  It is a small book that can be read in a couple of settings, it is handsomely bound and is a great addition to the family library.  It teaches on the Providence of God in the midst of suffering, sickness & affliction and how we are to trust in God's care and kindness over our lives as He does put "hedges" in our lives for our own ultimate good.  Below is the publisher's description:

"Based on a true story, here is a gripping account of a young boy who learns the hard way that the choices we make can harm those we love the most. Because he desperately wants to know what is on the other side of a hedge of thorns, he puts his little sister in great danger. From his experience, we learn that God places boundaries in our lives because He loves us. "