SV 308

Four year reunion for the Dordt College Southview 308 ladies.

As much "in love" with one another as ever.

GOD is working in each life in such special and unique ways,

and GOD has sustained the friendship throughout these years (and distances!)

"Selling Jesus"

There is an definite information overload today, yet I am very thankful for some of the quality resources that exist. My pastor, Rev. Royall, has been encouraging his congregation to check out "The Whitehorse Inn" (http://whitehorseinn.org/index.htm). I did....and have been very impressed, encouraged, and challenged by what I'm reading and hearing so far.

One program I listened to this morning was entitled "Selling Jesus." Here are some of the main highlights that are definite concerns regarding our "Christian" culture / churches today:

~ People are trying to "improve" on the dead Adam rather than allowing Christ to create a new man; our greatest problem is no longer seen as our sin nature.

~ Individuals are turning away from the church and are becoming "self-feeders" rather than sitting under the Word, the sacraments, and the church leadership.

~ Church is being "marketed" and people are claiming to do this in the name of Christ, which is totally contrary to how Christ lived and taught.

I recommend listening to Selling Jesus, May 18, 2008. It's a free download....and you can easily play it as you clean or drive or walk or something.

May we as Churches and Christians preach and share the content of the Gospel!!!

http://whitehorseinn.org/previous_programs.htm
(Scroll down a while...and as you do so you will so a lot of other good information!!!).

"searching for the Spirit"

An excerpt regarding the current trend / obsession? to "experience" the Holy Spirit....

Whereas in older days our Protestant forefathers saw this search for the Spirit revealed in the Anabaptist separation of the Spirit from the Word, the problem today is bigger than that. In our time, people are taught to search for the Spirit apart from the church. The reasoning goes a little something like this: If individual Christians are "temples of the Holy Spirit," then they are self-sufficient seekers, free to look for experiences with the Spirit and spiritually energizing moments on their own.....

The purpose of this article is to instill confidence in you that the Holy Spirit is not found through secret mantras or merely in feel-good ways, but that he is inseparably linked to the visible ministry of preaching and the sacraments in the visible church.

Daniel R. Hyde, "In Search of the Spirit."

Check out the entire article at http://www.modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var1=ArtRead&var2=948&var3=issuedisplay&var4=IssRead&var5=100

satisfaction

Our gnawing hunger for purpose and significance can be satisfied by looking unto Jesus: by knowing Him and being united to Him.

Throughout the history of mankind, people have tried to "fill" themselves with every kind of medium. Yet only One can satisfy.
Our desires aren't necessarily bad - in fact, most are God-given - yet when they become "epi-desires" (over-desires), we put them above our need for God.
He has commanded that He is first place. No substitutes allowed.

"Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty,their soul fainted within them.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way till they reached a
city to dwell in.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!

For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things."

Psalm 107: 4-9 (ESV, emphasis mine)

another voice

it's been a while since i've posted

but if you're looking for something to reflect on

you could check out pastor darren's blog and reading wed august 6th

(and keep scrolling for more thought-provoking stuff further down too)

http://forhisglorybyhisgrace.blogspot.com/

....to GOD be the glory, great things he has done.....!!!