Shawn for One

Serendipity led me to a path of discovery about the great missionary, Eric Liddell.  Browsing the "Friends of the Library" books at Davenport Public Library I stumbled upon an book on audio CD -- a format that I prefer over straight reading to let me lighten the cognitive load of reading -- called " For the Glory: The Untold Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire. "  Eric Liddell, a pastor's kid and missionary's kid with Scottish parents, was born in Tientsin, China and lived his first six years there.  His parents then brought him to a foreign land - for him, where they enrolled him in a boarding school, Eltham College in South London.  As he grew, his sporting abilities were noted as a rugby and cricket player.  But they also noticed his humility and his headmaster is quoted as saying he was "entirely without vanity." At 18 he enrolled at University of Edinburgh to study physics and chemistry.  Without significant training, he wa

*This is a message to my future self.  I do not know when I may need it, but I hope I get it when I do.  If you're not me, I hope you may need it now. 1. Don't trust your senses. When Eve looked at the apple and took a bite, I am guessing her senses said "looks tasty" and "tastes great."  She trusted her senses over what God told her.  Set your minds on things above (Col 3:2) and be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Rom 12:2).  Re-read God's promises. Then you will be able to discern what is God's will versus what seems right according to your senses -- with sensory input crafted to deceive you. 2. Don't trust your feelings. It sounds like good advice: "Trust your feelings" or more innocent-sounding, "Follow your heart."  That advice however leads to destruction. He who trusts his own heart is a fool, according to Proverbs 28:26.  Both Jonah and David trusted their feelings in running from doing the right thing.

I never took note of the lyrics of Casting Crowns' Just Be Held (2014) until today, and was struck by the lyrics.  Keep your eyes on the cross, not on the storm that surrounds us... If your eyes are on the storm You'll wonder if I love you still. But if your eyes are on the cross, You'll know I always have and always will. Or, from a more traditional hymn-- Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

The past year has been a difficult one. My oldest brother is a cancer survivor, but meningitis attacked his brain. Why? We don't know. For most of us, it has been a time of intense prayer and returning to God's truths. He loves us. He will never forsake us. He has good things planned for us. He sometimes gives us more than we can handle . What ? Thankfully, yes. Because we can't really handle anything without Him. Colossians 1:17 "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." So if you hear that 'God does not give us more than we can handle,' think of this verse. And remember that He's already handling everything . Give Him the praise and the glory for letting you see Him at work in the most difficult situations. Hebrews 12:6 "The Lord disciplines the one He loves..."

The past six months I've been working through some foundational Bible courses on biblicaltraining.org . These courses are free to audit (the certificates cost a small fee) and are much like a condensed college-level course on Bible topics, taught by leaders from national seminaries, and I would highly recommend these to anyone. Dr. Hugh Downs teaches the "Biblical Overview" course that ties together the big picture of the Bible, both OT and NT: Foundational, Historical, and Instructional.  Not everything fits into these puzzle pieces perfectly but it gives a good "big picture." In the Book of Acts overview he notes how there is a cycle that I had not fully recognized or reflected on: Leaders arise and preach People listen and respond The church grows Opposition arises  God rescues and protects his people If the cycle in Acts still applies today -- and I suggest it does -- where is the North American church in this cycle?  Even though we are seeing

I don't remember now where I heard it (probably during the missions conference at Harvest), but the following thought has stuck with me recently: "We ought not love our neighbors to  save them...but  because of   our   salvation." It's a changeup in prepositions that changes the whole proposition of propitiation (sorry, couldn't resist...)  Of course, God is the one doing the work of salvation anyway, and He commands us to simply love our neighbor, period.  However, if you're burdened with the weight of realizing the depth of suffering in store for those who don't have salvation, the tempting thing to do is to try to cure them now  when they do not yet want (supernaturally) to be cured.  There is a time and place for a gospel conversation, and the wise Christian and the Holy Spirit will discover the correct time, as a team .  I've realized I need to work to pray for neighbors and pray for wisdom in knowing how to be loving and winsome as an