Desiring God Conference

This past weekend I was able to attend the DG National Conference called Calvin in the Theater of God as we celebrated the Biblical vision of God cast through the life of John Calvin. But the conference wasn't about Calvin at all, it was all about God. Any doubts you can just listen to the last message Pastor John gave on Sunday morning. Check it out, all the video and downloads are free! And may you be blessed with a greater and more glorious vision of Jesus Christ!

http://www.theaterofgod.com/summary

Life-Guard

I feel overwhelmed with work these days, and glory! Oh to have time to sit and reflect on these wonders that wash over me everyday! God be praised!

May the shortness of this post bless you nonetheless. Life-Guard, what do you think of when you hear the word? Probably someone in a red swimsuit sitting on a tall white chair near a pool of water, right? Sun-glasses, sun-screen, sun-visor...the works. Well, when Rachel and I think about that term we cannot help but think of our good God.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

your preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

and your right hand delivers me."

Our Life-Guard has been so good to us in these recent days. Rachel has a string of interviews that she is going through right now, day after day! Wow! Silence for so long and now the stream continues to roll over us and we are overwhelmed! Thank you for your prayers, continue to join us as we wait on the Lord for his provision.

Oh, and their all for job interviews looking for a good life-guard.

Band of Brothers

Every Monday and Thursday these are the 14 other guys I spend all day with. Right now we're wrestling through Paul's Greek in Ephesians 1:3-14, crafting our understanding of corporate worship, and nailing down important background issues to studying the Pentateuch. Whew! Sounds like a lot of work - challenging but glorious.

I love the cooperative attitude in our classes. There is no competition here, we're soldiers of Christ in training together and helping each other along. Each guy in this picture is dealing with unique challenges and struggles as this seminary pathway opens up to each of us. Would you take a moment and pray for each one - then for us as a whole. Thank you!

The Mighty Hand of God

Just came from chapel, a joyful experience each week when we come together as students, apprentices, and faculty to exult in those truths we're learning in class! Today we were led in the word by a brother who ably communicated the wonder and weight of I Peter 5:6-7.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you."

Trials and suffering in this life must be view and responded to in the right way: 1) They are from the mighty hand of God! All of them, without exception, he ordains our pain and suffering in this life. And here we echo Job's cry, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!" 2) God's plan in this pain is to remove pride from our lives, to humble us; what a mercy that is! But we, in the power of the Holy Spirit, must respond and humble ourselves. Here is our opportunity to make the most of suffering in this life - humble ourselves under His mighty hand!

Oh, there was so much more but I'll leave it at that for now. We are certainly under his almighty hand these days, surrendered to his will, calling on Him to help us, to save us, and all our hope is in Him. Let me just recount the ways since school began:
-Rachel's had 3 job interviews!
-On our first day of orientation we were given a miniature library from Desiring God since we would need numerous resources they print in our next 4 years of study!
-We found out that we can pay our tuition in increments (no interest) which frees up funds for other necessities.
-A gift in the mail from someone who wanted to bless us as we seek to be faithful to God's call on our lives.
-Rachel and I were invited to someone's lake-home over labor day to relax and be refreshed.
-Numerous times my manager at work has saved "sample" food for me - I smile and pray "thank you Lord!" (we're still eating, don't be too alarmed, in this I mean to draw attention to the fact that God can provide us everything, anytime!)
-When we were at a difficult time looking for jobs I simply prayed, "Lord, give us a phone call" and 30 seconds later a friend called with two employment opportunities for Rachel. (30 seconds, really)

I could go on longer and deeper into the many internal mercies of the Lord these days, how he is humbling us and in his mercy making us utterly dependent on him! Rachel is officially on day 41 of her job search and with all her encouragements has still yet to hear back with an actual job offer. We continue to thank you for your prayers and ask that they continue. School has been wonderful thus far!! It is so encouraging to be in class with many like minded guys, to grow in skills that allow us to dig deeply into God's word, and to pursue the glory of God among all the nations together! But, more on school next time. Thanks for your faithful support as you keep up with us and pray. May the Lord bless you today as you live under his mighty hand.