Review of The Confessions by St. Augustine

Over the past few months I have been wading through St. Augustine's Confessions.  The story of one of the great theologians in the history of the church and how he came to that point are all in there.  Here's my take; 

Overview

The book is considered the first autobiography in the Western world.  It's a Christian classic that stands the test of time.  One unique attribute of the book is its audience.  Augustine writes this work as a confessional to His Heavenly Father.  It is addressed to God, and as such Augustine confesses sin, his awe of God, and need for the one true God in his life.  The book begins at the time of Augustine's birth as even then Augustine points out ways in which God was blessing him, particularly the love of his believing mother.  Augustine marches through his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood all the while pointing out his sin, and rejection of Christianity.  Augustine shows himself to be lost, without hope, but enjoying the sin he committed all the while.  In book XII, Augustine reveals his miraculous conversion at the words of a little girl and the book of Romans.  Augustine concludes with his reflections on God's sovereignty over the world and love for mankind.  

Positive Aspects

• The precision with which Augustine not only remembers specific events, but also God's working through them is utterly astonishing and should challenge all readers to look at the workings of one's life in their context and seeing how God is using each instance to conform us to the image of Christ.  His high view of God, and His sovereignty is clearly in view in this work.
• Augustine truly bears his soul in the pages of his Confessions.  He is open and honest about his sin, such as his fornication, even having a child out of wedlock.  Sometimes I wish we all could be that open about our sin, it certainly would give us  a greater understanding of  how Amazing God's grace truly is.
• Augustine is truly indebted to his mother Monica, who prayed countless times for his conversion.  Without her ministry to him, it is doubtful that he would have become the great theologian and pastor that he became.  God usually uses people in our lives to bring us to Him and  conform us to what He wants.  Its funny to me that this woman may have seemed insignificant to her neighbors, but through her ministry to her son and his ministry in the church she had a tremendous impact on millions.

Negative Aspects

• The language of the book is not exactly in modern English.  The translation of the book leaves a reader needing to concentrate on Augustine's argument through the entirety of the book.  I found myself day dreaming while reading, especially  in the last two chapters.  
• The reader should probably have some foundational level of understanding of the timeframe Augustine wrote and the major foes of Christianity in North Africa during that time.  The version I read provided the basic understanding of a Manichee and other facts that were necessary to understand if the reader is to fully comprehend Augustine's background.
• The historical context is also essential to remember when you are looking for theological lingo.  Augustine discussed similar subjects that we do, but uses different wording for them.  Also, Augustine's conversion is not necessarily a "free grace" worded conversion.  Its important for us to be generous in our judgements on this, and to remember that wasn't an issue at that time.

Final Analysis

In conclusion, the book was a wonderful read.  I walked away challenged to be more aware of God's blessings in my life, and thanking Him for them.  I also have felt convicted about my own pride, in thinking I am better than I really am and trying to analyze my motives, etc. and confessing those impure one's to God.  I also think its essential for us to acknowledge the influence that Monica had simply by ministering to her son.  Ministry takes place first in the home (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).  We as parents should be laboring in prayer for our children.  I would encourage  you to read this book, be aware that the language can at times be difficult to wade through, but many of the issues and questions Augustine addresses our culture is still seeking answers to.  Its marvelous book written by a wonderful man about an Awesome God.

To live  is Christ,

Jay

Where to go from here...

I'm sure most blogs will be focusing today on the election and the historic win of Barack Obama so I decided to join in the fun!  Over the past few months the election has dominated television, radio, and the printed newspaper.  It seems that over the past few weeks conservatives have seen the inevitable, that there candidate John McCain would lose.  And now while they wallow through depressed feelings and try to decide whether to head to Mexico or Canada I wanted to mention  a few of my own observations about the election;

1. I found it absolutely incredible to watch Obama's speech last night and see the jubilation on the faces of his supporters as they listened to him.  I saw tears, laughter, jumping in joyful celebration, and loud roars and applause.  Like him or not, Barack Obama inspires hope and excitement in millions of people.  I am interested to see if Change does take place in Washington.  I hope for his sake and ours that the parties can come together and fix some of the problems our country is currently facing.  

2. I don't think Obama is a bad man, a Socialist, or a  Muslim as some suggest.  I think Barack Obama is a fallen man, just like John McCain who desperately needs our prayers and support.  This past sunday the pastor at the church I attended (I was out of town, so this wasn't J.B.) spoke about respecting whatever man won this office.  How do we as Christians respect and honor a man that we  disagree with on so many issues? I see the historical context of Scripture as profound and challenging.  Think of the rulers when Paul wrote to respect those in authority over you (Romans 13)?  There was widespread persecution against the Christians and yet Paul commands them to respect their authorities?  Or what about Peter's command to honor the king (1 Peter 2).   Peter was writing at the same time Nero was ruling over the Roman Empire.  The same man that later used Christians as street torch lamps in Rome was supposed to be honored and respected?? Obama is a far far cry from Nero, yet the command is still the same for us today.  Responses like complaining, bad-mouthing our rulers or the situation reveals a lack of trust in God's sovereign plan.  We would all say that God is in control of the situation, so who would say that God can't mightily use Obama for good rather than evil? Not me. Let God's will be done.

3. As with every political campaign season whether presidential or not, I am reminded why I am apathetic with all things political; because in my soul I long for a monarchy.  That's right I long for a king who will rule in righteousness and justice.  Obama and McCain, Bush, Gore, Clinton, the name makes no difference they have and will continue to mess up because they are mess ups and I am a mess up.  I am hopeful that America will become a greater country, but frankly I'm pessimistic of that happening.  I'm pessimistic of any government ruled by sinful men of ever becoming great.  When Jesus Christ comes to rule in His Millennial Kingdom on this Earth, that will be greatness, a government that will bring Change.  That's why we should pray as Christ taught his disciples, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)  

Over the last eight years President Bush has been open about his faith and relationship with Jesus, and we as Christians seemed to respect him and urge one another to pray for him, that God would give him guidance in the decisions he makes.  In I Timothy 2, Paul says, "First of all then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority."  Lets be faithful to do that for Obama, no matter his race, party affiliation, or religion, knowing that He needs God's guidance now more than ever... 

To live is Christ,

Jay Felker

My boy is becoming a man...

Well, not really.  However, yesterday he fell in the bathtub, hit a plastic dolphin and has a nice little cut above his eye.  Jen was so worried about it that she drove across town to let me see it and tell her this is not worthy of an E.R. trip.  Its pretty bruised looking today, but I'm doubtful it will leave a scar.  I told one of our students about it yesterday and he gave Hudson the nickname, "Scarface".  Let's hope this isn't a sign of clumsiness that the boy will forever live with...  

The Shack

My grandmother recommended the Shack to me a few weeks ago. She had read it and wanted someone to discuss it with her. Here are some of my thoughts about this popular novel...

The Shack
William Young

Overview
The Shack is a fictional story about an average man named Mackenzie. “Mack” as he is called is a successful businessmen, happily married, and has five children. While on a camping trip the youngest, Missy is kidnapped and brutally killed by a serial killer. Mack and his wife Nan try to adjust, but Mack specifically finds it difficult to accept this from God. He receives a note in the mail box one day inviting him too “the Shack” where Missy’s blood stained dress was found. The note is signed by Papa, an endearing name for God that Nan used. Mack hesitated, but finally decides to go to the shack. There at the Shack Mack spends a weekend with God. God the Father first appears as an African American woman, Jesus as an flannel wearing Middle Eastern carpenter, and the Holy Spirit as a Far Eastern woman whom fades in and out of sight.

During that time Mack interacts with all three members of the Trinity on questions ranging from God’s purpose in evil, the need for Christ, and the necessary act of forgiveness. Mack comes to the point where he quits blaming God for allowing Missy to be killed, he forgives his father who was an alcoholic and beat him and his mom. He also forgives the man who killed Missy. Mack also gains a greater understanding of God’s desire for his children to think in terms of a relationship with Him, and not see it as a list of rights and wrongs, or religion. The book concludes with Mack returning home with a new view of life and God. Mack is able to locate the body of Missy, which eventually leads to the arrest of the killer. Mack’s desire is to meet with him, and share God’s love with Him.

Positives
• As a new parent,  the grief of losing a child is much more imaginable. Frankly, I’m scared of what I would become if something ever happened to Hudson. Many of the questions Mack asks about the nature and allowance of evil by God are honest and understandable. At the climax of the story, in Mack’s court session where God is on trial the question is posed,

“Isn’t your just complaint, Mackenzie? That God has failed you, that he

failed Missy? That before the Creation, God knew that one day your

Missy would be brutalized, and still he created? And then he allowed that

twisted soul to snatch her from your loving arms when he had the power to

stop him. Isn’t God to blame, Mackenzie?

These questions are heart-felt and in many ways reflect the pain and sorrow that we all feel when we experience tragedy in this life. The answers to these questions and others seem to balance God’s sovereign reign and man’s free will rather nicely as God points to man’s choice as the cause of evil (this going all the way back to the Tree of knowledge of good and evil) and God working through our inferiorities to bring about His will.

• I can’t imagine trying to write a fictitious book including Trinity in characters. As has been mentioned above all three members of Trinity are present with Mack at the Shack. I found this pleasantly surprising, as much of our culture seems to view God from a Unitarian perspective. I also did not have as hard a time with God as an African American woman as some reviews I have read. God even states, “Mackenzie, I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature. If I choose to appear to you as a man or a woman, it’s because I love you.” He goes on to say that Mack could not picture him as a father because of the negative experience he had with his own father. Later, after Mack and his father reconcile, God appears as an older man.
• The details of the book and Mack’s experience with God at the shack were well written and presented in a way that captivated my imagination. In many ways the book was a reminder of the greatness of God, and the future home we have in heaven. This home is not a place of clouds, harps, and pillow fights, but will be real and is beyond our comprehension or imagination.

Negatives
• I appreciated the author’s desire to communicate that our faith should be about a relationship, not a system of do’s and don’ts, of right’s and wrong’s. I felt at times the idea was rather vague, as we are just supposed to please Him, and somehow we will have a feeling about it. I thought he could have expounded on that.
• At times the Trinitarianism was a little unclear. This would be difficult to communicate clearly, but at times its as if he is saying they are one, just expressed differently, instead of three distinct persons. For example, Papa (God the Father) has scars on her hands from the cross, just as Jesus did.
• There was certainly a hint of Eastern Mysticism especially with any conversation or experience Mack had with the Holy Spirit. This is extremely concerning and should be tread upon carefully.

Final Analysis
The Shack serves as a wonderful reminder for us when we experience tragedy, that God more than anyone else understands the pain and the sorrow we are experiencing. For it was Christ Jesus who unfairly hung on the cross as a result of our sin. He was our Substitute. It also reminds us that we must trust God in those circumstances, knowing that He allows them not because He is not good, but because we as human beings chose independence over unity with Him. That independence has caused this fallen world, and all the evils that take place.

The book also serves to remind us that forgiveness is necessary first of all for us. I can’t imagine forgiving someone who would harm Hudson, yet it was Christ Himself who declared from the cross, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Overall, I would recommend this book to those who would be interested in it. Warning them not to base one’s theology on the teachings of it particularly in the Trinitarian area, but rather to focus on the sovereign plan of God in trials and the message of forgiveness.

Perfection is the goal...

Last Sunday, a blown call from the official, Ed Hochuli cost the San Diego Chargers the game.  The call was made with less than a minute to play and Denver down by seven points and about to score.  The quarterback, Jay Cutler took the ball back as if to throw the ball, but while he was taking it back it slipped out of his hands.  The ball was recovered by a San Diego player and meant victory for their team.  The problem was that Ed Hochuli blew the whistle and called the play an incomplete pass, a call that is not reviewable by instant replay.  Denver scored on the next play and then made a two point conversion to win the game.  The Chargers had lost a game they should of won solely because of a missed call by the official.   

Here is an exert from Kevin Acee, a San Diego Union Tribute writer about Hochuli's response to the foul up; 

  

No one, it appears is taking the mistake and its ramifications harder than Hochuli.  "He's devastated," said Mike Pereira, the NFL's supervisor of officials." ...I was talking to Ed within 10 minutes after the game was over, and he was sick.  He's still sick (yesterday).  "Everybody works so hard and wants to be perfect in a game you're not likely to ever be perfect.  I've talked to him three times.  He's really struggling with the fact he made such a bad call."

The reality is nobody is perfect, not in officiating, or any other profession.  To take this a step further nobody is perfect period.  We as believers should be quick to assert that we constantly mess up, but like Hochuli our goal should be perfection in our daily walk with the Lord (see I Peter 1:14-16).  Fortunately for us, unlike the statement above we will reach perfection someday.  Not as a result of our own hard work, or  goodness, but as a result of Christ's transforming ministry in our life.  Philippians 3 tells us that Christ, "will transform the body of our humble state into the body of His glory by the exertion of power which He has even to subject all things to Himself."   

This side of heaven we'll sometimes  have big foul ups that remind us of our former selves, sometimes our mistakes will be minute.  I guess that's what is so amazing about transformation.  God is taking a person who by their very nature ran from Him, and now is changing them into  a holy being in the likeness of His Son.  So often those mess ups remind me of my great need for a Savior, of One who was perfect and exchanges His righteousness with my sin debt.  I hope Ed Hochuli is able to see his mistake in a similar light and bounce back.  

By the way you notice my Green Bay Packers are 2-0 :)

To live is Christ,

Jay  

Too busy for the essentials...

Recently I taught on Acts 6:1-7 which is a wonderful little passage on prioritizing and delegating within the local church.  The passage deals with the crisis raised when Hellenistic Jewish widows are not being fed.  These women were literally going without food because someone was not taking care of the situation.  I found it interesting and convicting, especially in light of my own experiences within the local church.  

So often within a church something is always taking place, things are being setup for an upcoming event, someone needs help finding envelopes, the list is never ending.  Often times these "to-do's" are seen as priorities within the church.  It's thought, "if the tables aren't up we might as well cancel the fellowship supper."  So whoever is there goes into crisis mode to complete the task.  And we leave feeling like we did our job, the ministry. 

The apostles on the other hand, decide not to take over the project of feeding the widows.  Can you imagine a project more important than feeding widows their daily bread?  Instead they decide to stay devoted to sharing the word and praying.  I don't think they were saying they were too good to serve, certainly they were servants as their Rabbi was (Mark 10:45), instead the task was so large it would have prevented them from praying and teaching the word.  

Rather they decided to choose seven men to take over the task of feeding the widows.  The men they chose were not chosen because of their abilities physically, but rather were to be men Spirit filled and of good character.  Its also somewhat ironic that these men who were supposed to be servants, are actually well know for teaching the word (e.g. Acts 6-7 Stephen, Acts 8 Philip).  There goes the notion that I have the spiritual gift of service so I don't have to share my faith!

My estimation is that often we as products of our culture would rather "do" something for another because of our own feelings of self-worth instead of spending time praying for another.  When I "do" something I can check it off my to-do list, when I pray I humbly submit to God's sovereign plan, awaiting for Him to work it out in His perfect timing and perfect way.  So often I prefer to go do something around the church, I find it more fulfilling to help a lady get the tables set out, or cleanup a mess from last night.  Nothing is wrong with helping each other out, but if I haven't devoted myself to praying for my students, and instead serve another, then I believe I have become too busy for the essentials of ministry according to the apostles...  

Mission Trip Observations

Well our trip to Arlington went well. It was a great time for our group to serve the Hispanic Bible Church in Arlington. Our contacts were Craig and Barbara Prather, who are Countryside missionaries and work at the church. We ran three bible clubs a day in different neighborhoods designed to create contacts for the church to follow up on. Our programs included games, crafts, skits, puppet show and songs, basically it was a mini-VBS. Our students did a marvelous job of preparing and presenting the material. They took their responsibilities seriously and worked hard to make sure that the kids knew they cared for them, and wanted them to grow in their relationship with the Lord.

I think the part that was the most exciting for me personally was the unity that my group formed with one another. I don't think it was anything that I personally did, but we did a lot of Spirit-led praying. This seemed to do wonders for us and gave us a peace that surpasses my comprehension (hmm seems familiar). I forget how much I enjoy praying with others. There is such a wonderful thing about coming together with brothers and sisters and lifting up requests to the Father. It especially was encouraging to hear our students pray for the bible clubs, for the kids and for one another. Its always encouraging to hear their prayers for one another and the desire they have for God to work in the lives of those they are ministering to. Thanks for your prayers and remind me in a few months to continue praying with them...

To live is Christ,

Jay

Why can't we all just get along...

I've come to the realization that having a blog that is barely updated is worse than not having one at all. I'm setting a goal to write at least once a week.  

 Over the last few months I've been doing some reading in Bruce Demarest's The Cross and Salvation.  The book is required reading for a Soteriology class that I am planning to take with Dr. Horrell in a few weeks.  The book is extremely thorough, almost to a fault, but I find that I have really enjoyed reading it.  The study of salvation and all of its terms could take lifetimes to fully study, yet I am trying to master it in a few weeks!  

One question that I have considered as a result of reading this book is this; is there a way in our churches for Arminians and Calvinists (or other theological systems such as Wesleyans), for those who view doctrine differently to unite to worship, study the Word and serve one another as one body.  So often doctrine divides, but this side of heaven can we put aside those differences and focus on those things that we have in common.  Now I'm not saying we let anyone and everyone in.  Its just that from a theological standpoint many of us share a lot in common.  We hold that the Bible is God's Word, practical for our lives.  Jesus is the Eternal Son, who became a man, lived perfectly and paid for sin on the cross.  He physically rose and offers eternal life.  I firmly believe John Calvin is in heaven, along with Jacob Arminius, Martin Luther, John Wesley, D.L. Moody, and a host of other people whose beliefs were different than mine or yours.  We all together represent the large circle of orthodoxy, of the the body of Christ.   

I'd like to think its possible for me and an Arminian and a Calvinist to be able to form a church that has a foundation broad enough for us to worship and study together, encouraging each other in our faith, but also allows freedom in these differences that we have.

I know this is idealistic, but if we acknowledge that there will be people in heaven who have differences of thought, etc, then shouldn't this be our goal while on earth?  I don't know how you would handle conflicts that would inevitably come over these doctrines other than just to say it would take mature, humble yet confident Christians on both sides of the disagreements who could understand the focus shouldn't be on winning the argument, but  on influencing our local community together.  Just thoughts to consider...

To live is Christ,

Jay

Baby Steps

Hudson and Jen recently spent two weeks in Mississippi. Our reason was that my brothers concocted a plan to graduate college and high school two weeks apart (even though they are 6 years apart) just to spend more time with my son. I stayed the first week, but came back the second week to work on our Youth Sunday festivities. I feel like its such a blessing and answer to prayer that my wife and and parents/brothers enjoy spending that much time together. But that's a side note to this post, while there my mom had a walker toy for Hudson where he walks around in a circle while playing with toys on a tray in front of him.

On our return, Jen and I have found that Hudson is no longer content sitting and playing with a toy (my favorite stage thus far as a parent), instead he now wants to walk around as he holds our hands. Thus begins the toddler stage and his long quest for mobility and independence. Whether its baby steps, even fifteen year olds and cars are an illustration of kids and their great desire for independence. As a parent its exciting to see Hudson grow, but something within me wants to protect him, keep him from going too fast or falling too hard. How do I as his father give him freedom, yet protect him from hurtful situations? That's probably a question Jen and I will ask thousands of times over the next few years. I want Hudson to grow and become independent. I can't wait for him to be the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, but at the same time I like him dependent on Jen and I. I realize there will be plenty of time with him at home while he still looks to Jen and I for protection and provision. But that time will go by just as quickly as the last eight months have progressed, I just wish they didn't grow so fast! It's already started because it all goes back to baby steps, so thanks Mom, thanks a lot...

To live is Christ,

Jay

Corporate vs. Individual Bible Study

I have been thinking through this subject for some time and finally sat down to write about it.  Recently my wife, Jen and I were discussing our personal devotional life.  As a person who grew up in Southern Baptist churches I have a background of the personal "quiet time" and its importance to a believers life.  In fact, I struggle with being legalistic about its importance.  How so?  For example, while on vacation at times I have considered having my quiet time of greater importance than spending time with family, at times even my wife.  For me it can be a temptation to live by the checklist.

Jen on the other hand, has mentioned how difficult it can be for her to find time daily to spend time with the Lord on her own.  Between taking care of Hudson, cleaning up after me, straightening up our house and finances, not to mention being an all-time Youth volunteer can take a lot of her time.  She talked about the importance she finds in spending time with other believers studying the word of God.  Monday nights I take Hudson while she meets with some young women in our church in a small group bible study.  You see for her, she finds this time in the Word of  great importance 

So which one is right; individual or corporate?  Its funny that you don't see Abraham, David, or Paul spending time daily in God's Word on an individual basis.  It wasn't possible, in that culture and time frame everything was done within the context of a community.  Individuals didn't have access to the Word of God.  Within Scripture almost all people encounter the Word of God in corporate settings.  In the Old Testament, Moses' address of the first five books was to the nation of Israel, or Nehemiah's reading of the law to the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem.  In the New Testament,  Synagogues and the temple were places that jewish men met to learn and discuss the Word of God.   This idea of the "quiet time" seems to be something strongly tied to the American brand of Christianity with its high emphasis on the individual.  

My conclusion, is that regardless of when and where we encounter the Holy Word of God we should be challenged and leave convicted and with new applications for our own life.  This may take place as we read on our own, or as we gather for a Sunday morning worship service as a community of believers, regardless the importance lies in being a doer of the word, and not merely a hearer...

Hero or Legend

In one of my favorite movies , the Sandlot, there is a terrific quote about the difference between a hero and legend, "heroes get remembered, but legends never die."  As I finished To the Golden Shore and considered the life of Adoniram Judson, this quote stood out in my mind.  For whatever reason Adoniram seems to be a forgotten man.  Judson was a missionary to the nation of Burma in the 19th Century.  He was a contemporary of William Carey, and is the first American foreign missionary. His life is marked by tragedy and triumph as he lost children and wives, yet still managed to convert many Burmans, and  translate the Bible into their tongue. Many within Christian circles consider the lives of Jim Elliot, Hudson Taylor, and William Carey as the benchmarks of great missionaries, but for whatever reason Judson's life isn't on the same plain as those three.  As someone who has read and researched the lives of the first three it is with some credibility that I say in my own estimation that Judson's name belongs on equal status.  

To the Golden Shore is a 500 page biography on his life, but left me craving for more.  Something about him and his story challenged my own walk with the Lord and my own ministry.  Here are a couple lessons I took from the life of Adoniram Judson:

• Adoniram's faith in the midst of suffering seems unparalleled.  He lost two wives, stillborn children, children who died early in life.  He suffered imprisonments, diseases and ridicule from the Burmans.  His chief rival for suffering seems to be the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11!  Not once through this suffering does he question God's call of his life in Burma.  Such dedication seems foreign to me...
• Second, Adoniram's wife Ann was an equal partner in ministry and is considered one of the great female missionaries of all time.  It is doubtful Adoniram would have lived through his imprisonment from 1823-25 without the help of Ann, whose encouragement must have given him hope to go on.  I am so fortunate to have a wife like Ann.  Jen has been a great asset to the ministry I lead.  Her input is always sought and her leadership and organization are essential to what we do at Countryside...
• Third, the greatest spiritual battle Adoniram seems to face is that of pride over his accomplishments.  He identified this sin after Ann's death and through soul-searching believed much of his  ministry was done out of wrong motives.  From that point on he refused to tell stories of the great things he had done, because he didn't want to promote himself.  Such humility should be an aim for all of our lives...
• Finally, Adoniram's balance of ministry is practical for my life in particular.  He balanced evangelism and the translation of the Bible into Burman so well that he was able to be successful in each.  Balance is a target we all must seek to hit, whether it be work, family, friends, ministry, etc. it all needs to be done in moderation.

So there you have it, I encourage you to pick up To the Golden Shore if your looking  for a good read that is both inspiring and challenging.  Then you can be the judge on whether Adoniram should be considered a hero or legend...

To live is Christ!

Jay

Getting Started

Well I suppose its long overdue, but I'm starting my own blog. I am starting this because at this point in my life I'm excited as I watch my family grow. In particular, my young son Hudson, who is growing like a weed (now I really sound old). Jen (my wife) and I are coming up on five years of marriage, which I think will officially mark us as no longer "newly-weds". I also have the distinct pleasure of taking classes from Dallas Theological Seminary and at the same time serving as a youth pastor at a local church. Both of these opportunities gives me the chance to study God's Word and to seek to implement it into the ministry of a local church. To say the least this is a busy time of life, that I wish wouldn't end because of the excitement and joy I find.

As a result, this blog will be a report on family observations and insights that I gain, and also ministerial or theological nuggets that I am wrestling with. I can't say how often I'll be updating it, but will seek to keep you, the reader (all 3 of you) up to date as much as possible. Until next time,

To live is Christ!

Jay