Checkbook Of The Bank Of Faith by Spurgeon

Hey folks,

I realize I haven't updated my "whatcha read'n?" section in a while, so I wanted to pass on you this particular resource that is absolutely outstanding! I realize this has a strange name to it, and for some folks it might sound like something out of the "name-it, claim-it" faith movement, but it is not. It is this little devotional that Spurgeon put together entitled, "The Checkbook of The Bank Of Faith." And it is outstanding. My wife and I have been going through this in our devotions and we have found it to have a wonderful affect on our hearts over a season of just studying the great promises of who God is and what we have in the gospel. The affect that we have found is that our hearts have grown in biblical faith and trust in our Soveriegn, Grace Giving God. It is a wonderful daily resource and just to read Spurgeon's introduction to this devotion that he constructed is worth the price of the book itself. For those of you from Providence Community Church, we have this for sale on our booktable...or you can order it through http://www.monergism.com/ I trust after you have spent several weeks reading it, you will find its same affect on your own heart that we have - an increasing love, faith and hope in God's hand at work in our lives through the Cross of Christ. Outstanding book!

Peacemaking Q & A

Below is a copy of an e-newsletter that I receive from time to time from Peacemaker Ministries which is an outstanding ministry aiding believers to resolve conflict biblicially. I have referenced them before, but I wanted to do so again, as I have personally found their material, especially the book, Peacemaker by Ken Sande, expremely helpful.

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Peacemaking Q & A

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brotherhas something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

If you learn that someone has something against you, God wants you to take the initiative in seeking peace - even if you do not believe you have done anything wrong.

Food for Thought
Q: What if I had no idea that I had offended Jim?

A: If you had no idea, then you're not responsible. But if you learn or overhear or even get a vague sense that things aren't quite right between you and Jim, then you are responsible.

Q: So I'm responsible to do what? Talk with Jim? Confront him? What?

A: We must remember that taking the initiative always has a goal - seeking peace. Peacemaking may begin with conversation and progress to confrontation. Then again, it may involve extending kind words or clarifying hurt feelings. There are many different facets, but the gem is called making peace. And the first step is to "go."

Q: But what if I haven't done anything wrong to Jim? To take the initiative seems so counter-intuitive.

A: It's all a matter of obedience. The heart of the matter is not, "Were you right or wrong?" but "Will you be obedient?" God asks you to take the initiative in seeking peace. Yes, it may feel counter-intuitive, but the ways that seem right to us oftentimes lead to death. God's ways lead to life. It's not just because He said so. It's because He loves us so.

After 16 years I STILL can't believe I got to marry Anna!

Last Friday, my beautiful bride and I had a wonderful time recounting 16 years of God's grace in our lives. Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." In Anna, I have, by God's grace found a tremendously "good thing"! What a blessing she is!

Sovereign Grace Ministries graciously gave us a gift for our marriage anniversary so we were able to go out and splurge at this incredible restaurant. What a blessing men like C.J., Steve, Brent, Dave and Pat are! We are so blessed to be serving in this family of churches!

I wanted to pass on this unashamed date night hint...If you are looking for an idea for a "Big Night Out" check out "The Melting Pot" on the Plaza. It is pricey, but worth every penny! The atmosphere is very quiet and peaceful. And because it was our anniversary, they gave us private tables for two down a back hallway called "Lovers Lane." The food is incredible, but expect to make it an entire evening, because it is about a 3 hour dining experience. Wonderful place, we highly recommend it! Also, you have to make reservations! Here is a link to their website that offers directions as well as a copy of their menu. Go and have a great time! http://www.meltingpot.com/KansasCitymo/home.html

"I Can't Believe I Got To Marry Anna!" August 31, 1991

"I can't believe I got to marry Anna!" Those were my thoughts then, and I still have now 16 years later. I stand absolutely amazed at God's grace displayed in my life through the greatest "means of grace" God has ever given to me, my beautiful wife, Anna. Besides the day of my conversion, today I get to celebrate THE most wonderful day of my life, that being when she said, "Yes!" to me! Here are some of the details, that led up to that wonderful day...

On March 30th 1991, after we had been in a courtship for about 6 months (though we were good friends for two years before this) I took Anna out to a restaurant (that neither of us could afford). (I was 19 years old at the time.) It was a beautiful restaurant that had its own acre garden behind it. After our dinner, the sun had already set and we went for a moon lit walk in the garden. Behind its trees and spring flowers, we found pathways that led to ponds, fountains and little gazebos. Having never been there, I was looking for just the right spot to this memorable occasion. As we turned one corner, there it was...a beautiful white bridge crossing over one of their many little ponds. It was a full moon, and beneath us was the sound of not only the rippling waters, but two small swans resting against one another, asleep, softly snoring beneath us. And, by God's grace and for His glory, that evening I asked sweet Anna to be my bride...and then the most wonderful thing happened! She said, "YES!" That evening, for the very first time, I kissed the only woman I have ever kissed, my sweet dear and precious Anna. As we drove home to tell our families, the Lord then graciously provided for us a shooting star that shot across the sky, flaring up, not once, but twice. In that moment, both of us sat there in awed silence thinking, "Thank you Lord! It doesn't get any better than this."

Well, we were wrong...it does and it has. This morning, as I was drinking my coffee on my back porch, I stood amazed, as I have done many other times, reflecting on our years of marriage together - thinking, "How can it get any better?" But year by year, I find myself almost shocked at how God's grace keeps pouring out is kindness on our little marriage together.

What a blessed man I am! I still can't believe I got to marry Anna! (Check out those glasses!)

Our Soul As A Watered Garden

In light of this last Sunday's message when we looked at Mary's unashamed adoration of and devotion to Jesus (John 11:47 - 12:11), I wanted to pass on to you a quote from Mr. Spurgeon that speaks of having "one's soul under heavenly cultivation." Enjoy and have a wonderful day adoring our Savior!

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Their soul shall be as a watered garden. (Jeremiah 31:12)

Oh, to have one's soul under heavenly cultivation; no longer a wilderness but a garden of the Lord! Enclosed from the waste, walled around by grace, planted by instruction, visited by love, weeded by heavenly discipline, and guarded by divine power, one's favored soul is prepared to yield fruit unto the Lord.

But a garden may become parched for want of water, and then all its herbs decline and are ready to die. O my soul, how soon would this be the case were the Lord to leave thee! In the East, a garden without water soon ceases to be a garden at all: nothing can come to perfection, grow, or even live. When irrigation is kept up, the result is charming. Oh, to have one's soul watered by the Holy Spirit uniformly -- every part of the garden having its own stream; plentifully -- a sufficient refreshment coming to every tree and herb, however thirsty by nature it may be; continually -- each hour bringing not only its heat, but its refreshment; wisely -- each plant receiving just what it needs. In a garden you can see by the verdure where the water flows, and you can soon perceive when the Spirit of God comes.

O Lord, water me this day and cause me to yield Thee a full reward for Jesus' sake. Amen.

ALL MP3 Teaching & Preaching Messages From Sovereign Grace Ministries Are FREE!!!!!!

Hey folks,

Here is a great deal! All the messages that Sovereign Grace Ministries has on its website are now available for FREE on their website! Messages by CJ, Carolyn, Joshua, Bob and many many more! Click here for more details! http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/default.aspx Enjoy!

Our New Church Building!

God is so very good to us! Come and visit us this Sunday at our new permanent facilities @ 10113 Lenexa Dr. Lenexa, KS. 66215!