Before we left for vacation I bought a Flip camera. It is a digital camcorder that is around $150. I wanted a camera I could take to the beach and not freak out about sand and saltwater. I love it. The quality of the image is good, and it is very easy to use. As far as the whole bury your kids in the sand thing — how else was Kimberly and I going to have any peace and quiet, and have long walks on the beach? Sand is cheap, babysitters are not.

I had about 16 hours on the drive down and about 13 hours on the drive up. (Don’t ask about the missing hours). I read a commentary on Nehemiah by James Montgomery Boice, it was great and I picked up some very helpful things for my next preaching series. The other was Lord Save us from Your Followers, by Dan Merchant. It is a book that discusses how the way Christians are perceived by non-Christians is generally negative and he theorizes why that is. The writing style is fun natured and is a fun read.

A few months ago I read Love Jesus, Hate Church by Steve McCranie. The difference between the two books is like night and day. McCranie’s book is chapter after chapter of how the church is crummy and has hurt him. It’s like reading a morgue file (the church is dead, it’s decayed, horrible, etc…) Merchant’s book seeks to focus on non-believers and their perception — but far more importantly, how to change that perception. He gives at least three very powerful (and funny) examples of how to approach people and enter into a dialog. He focuses on the question “Why is the Gospel of love dividing America?” I won’t tell you what these clever ploys are — but I would suggest you get the book.

Apparently there is a movie, I plan to pick it up.

http://www.lordsaveusthemovie.com/home.html

The only constructive criticism that I would offer is that Merchant throughout the book refers to all people as God’s children. Merchant reports “Denise was so moving and such a clear expression of love for another of God’s children that it was undeniable.” (p. 202)Denise was ministering to a homeless person by washing his feet. Perhaps he was a Christian but the interviewed seemed to lean the otherway.

Romans 8:14-17
“. . .14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,[h] Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.“

The children of God are those who have been adopted by the heavenly Father because of their relationship with Christ through their faith in Him. Merchant seems to have confused “made in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27) with “Children of God” who are those who have put their faith in Christ alone for salvation. This is a minor point in looking at the overall concept of the book, but if you read the book I just wanted to make this point.

My family just got back from vacation today. We spent two weeks in Fl. and the picture is our traditional beach family picture. Kimberly wants to have it enlarged and put above our fire place. So if you have checked in lately and have found no new updates — sorry. We had a great time and I am ready to get back to work.

Today was our last day of going to sites and official “mission” activity. We went to two senior centers where we played cards, sung some songs (I’ll fly away, Amazing Grace, and some silly songs), put puzzles together, and just hung out.

At our last site we met with about fifty seniors. The workers there were Christian ladies who when we began to sing, would sing louder than we did. They clapped and danced with the residents. There was true joy before the Lord as we enjoyed a few hours together.

As we sung Amazing Grace one woman who could barely speak began to stand, lift her hands, smile, and sing (she remembered all the words). As we went through the song she began to weep and one of the workers hugged her and they stood embraced and worshiped the Lord together. The Lord’s Spirit was there and I am glad that the Lord allowed me to be there among them.

Tonight at our group devotion time we had one salvation among our group and we prayed for each other. I believe that God brought me just to experience this time of prayer. I was able to tell some of the youth how special they are to me, and was blessed by their prayers for me and my family.

I am looking forward to getting back and preaching on Sunday.

At M-Fuge I don’t have e-mail (but I do have internet access, so Cathy, Phil, and Matt here’s the sermon outline for Sunday. Everyone else sorry for the “insider” stuff on my blog — but it’s my only way to get them the outline — God bless.

When Those We Love Fall
Ezra 9

I. Responding To a Turned Life (vv. 1-4)
• 2 Samuel 10:4-5

II. Responding To the Fallen Life (vv. 5-15)
A. Get Up and Kneel Down (v. 5)

B. Own It (vv. 6-7 )

C. Show What’s At Stake (vv. 8-9)

D. Recognize the Sin (vv. 10-14a )

E. Cry Out For God’s Mercy (vv. 14b-15)

Scripture Memory: same
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:5-15 (congregation to read vv. 9-13)