Most people think of the last day in October as a time to dress up in costumes and gather as much candy as possible in one night. However, something very significant occured on one particular October 31st. In 1517 a relatively unknown monk posted a document on the door of a church in Whittenberg, Germany listing a number of issues he wanted to have reviewed and discussed. Martin Luther's October 31st posting of his "95 Thesis" ended up sparking the Protestant Reformation.
So happy Reformation Day!
By Sola Gratia, Jeff
Friday, October 31, 2008
Spiritual Discernment is Essential to Saving Faith
This past Sunday I preached on Matthew 15:29-16:12. In this passage Jesus heals and provides a miraculous feeding to a gentile audience, rebukes some religious leaders for demanding a sign and criticizes His disciples for lack of faith in thinking about earthly realities instead of spiritual ones. The title of the sermon, and main point, is "Spiritual Discernment is Essential to Saving Faith." Spiritual discernment means thinking about things from a heavenly and not earthly perspective. If you would like to listen to the sermon click here.
By God's Grace, Jeff
By God's Grace, Jeff
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tumbleweeds
On Saturday the Central McLean football team (co-op of Underwood and Turtle Lake) had its first play-off game. It was a windy and cool day and we had some problems hanging on to the ball early on but rallied from a 7-0 defict to win 36-7. The game was in Turtle Lake which is about 15 miles east of Underwood. Both on the way there and back we had to dodge tumbleweeds being blown across the road. Much of the land between Underwood and Turtle Lake is owned by the coal mine and therefore is not cultivated like most of the surrounding land which is used for farming. Our next game is this Saturday. Go Cougars!
On Friday we made our semi-weekly trip down to Bismarck. I like to joke with my wife about enjoying date night with her in the "big city". Which is all the more ironic since we both have only lived in metropolitan cities before coming to small town North Dakota. But I think because of this we've grown an appreciate for, rather than taking for granted, things like Target, Starbucks, movie theatres and fast food. When the nearest McDonalds is 50 miles away you begin to value it more than if it's just around the corner.
While in Bismarck we saw the movie "The Express". It's about Ernie Davis who was the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner. He also died of leukemia at 23, after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns but before ever playing a down in the pros. One of the scenes I really appreciated in the movie was the grandfather leading a devotional time in the Bible with all the kids and grandkids around the table after dinner. One of the skocking aspects of the movie that my wife and I noticed was the severe racial hatred that Davis and other African-American players faced. Some people long to return to the so-called "Christian" times of the 1950s but I'd encourage anyone who is tempted to think this way to consider the widespread racial hatred that existed. Sometimes it seems that we can identify the sins of our own times but have a revisionist history when it comes to the past.
By God's Grace, Jeff
On Friday we made our semi-weekly trip down to Bismarck. I like to joke with my wife about enjoying date night with her in the "big city". Which is all the more ironic since we both have only lived in metropolitan cities before coming to small town North Dakota. But I think because of this we've grown an appreciate for, rather than taking for granted, things like Target, Starbucks, movie theatres and fast food. When the nearest McDonalds is 50 miles away you begin to value it more than if it's just around the corner.
While in Bismarck we saw the movie "The Express". It's about Ernie Davis who was the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner. He also died of leukemia at 23, after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns but before ever playing a down in the pros. One of the scenes I really appreciated in the movie was the grandfather leading a devotional time in the Bible with all the kids and grandkids around the table after dinner. One of the skocking aspects of the movie that my wife and I noticed was the severe racial hatred that Davis and other African-American players faced. Some people long to return to the so-called "Christian" times of the 1950s but I'd encourage anyone who is tempted to think this way to consider the widespread racial hatred that existed. Sometimes it seems that we can identify the sins of our own times but have a revisionist history when it comes to the past.
By God's Grace, Jeff
Monday, October 20, 2008
There's a little Cowboy in Everyone
Knock, knock...yah...see there's a little cowboy in everyone (If you did it right you should have said "yah who"). This was just one of the fun moments we had on Friday afternoon as we helped a family from church vaccinate and weigh their calves. Harmony filled syringes while I worked the gate. They picked a great day to work cattle as it was sunny and in the mid-50s. We had a great time but were certainly exhausted afterwards.
Saturday we had a really nice day (for this time of year in ND) and so I took advantage by getting in what may have been my last 18-holes until May (though I may get in some golf when we visit our family in LA). Then on Saturday night my wife hosted a teen night at the library. About 20 junior and senior high kids showed up for a night of video games and volleyball (among other activities). They seemed to have a great time and certainly want to do it again. I even rehashed my coffee-making skills by using our expresso machine to make decaf mochas. But I think the highlight was my singing of "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi (a.k.a. the theme song for the TV show "Deadliest Catch") on Playstation's "Rockstar" game.
What does a Pastor do all week especially if he doesn't have to preach on Sunday? Well, I found out this week as Troy Shirley who works with Campus Crusade in North Dakota visited our church and gave the morning message. It gave me extra time this past week to do some other things in ministry that I'm not usually able to get to, including planning for our upcoming elder board vision retreats. Also on Sunday the congregation thanked my wife and I for our service to the church and gave us a gift as October is Pastor appreciation month. We feel very appreciated here! And if you haven't thanked your pastor yet, it's not too late.
By God's Grace, Jeff
Friday, October 17, 2008
Your Heart Exposes Your Home
Last Sunday I preached on Matthew 15:1-28 which includes Jesus' confrontation with religious leaders from Jerusalem about human tradition vs. God's commands and His interaction with a Gentile woman. The title of the sermon is "Your Heart Exposes Your Home." This is a variation of the cliche "home is where the heart it" and explains that the main point of this passage as it relates to us is that what comes out of our hearts is what really matters because it shows what we really value and desire. If you'd like to listen to the sermon click here.
By God's Grace, Jeff
By God's Grace, Jeff
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Top Ten List for Husbands and Wives
In light of having recently seen the movie "Fireproof" (and if you haven't see it yet, start by doing that), I wanted to share some thoughts that my wife and I have had with regard to fostering a healthy marriage. So here's my top ten list for husbands and wives. Enjoy!
10. Have only joint checking/savings accounts and credit cards. You don't need seperate accounts and having them will deter you from discussing finances, making purchasing decisions together and will increase the risk of using money sinfully.
9. Go to bed together. Unless you have jobs that start at radically different times it is a good practice to go to bed at the same time. In addition to protecting against sin there's also something to your spouse being the last one you see when you close your eyes and first one you see when you wake-up.
8. Be intentional about doing things together. This could include having a regular date night, working out, doing chores around the house (e.g. dishes) or running errands (e.g. grocery shopping). Obviously this is complicated when you have kids but even then it seems like a good practice to carve out regular time to spend doing something together.
7. Make it a regular pratice of telling your spouse "I love you" before you go to sleep and before departing for work or other activities. This will both remind you of your commitment to the covenant of marriage and be an encouragement that you are loved.
6. Eat meals together regularly (and not in front of the TV). Make it a habit to eat as many meals as possible together on a regular basis. This provides a great opportunity to talk about your day and anything else that might be on your mind.
5. Sit next to/cuddle with your spouse while you're watching movies or TV shows. We've made it a point to have a couch rather than recliners in front of our TV so that we can be close to each other while we watch shows.
4. Try to regularly contact each other once a day to see how things are going. Call your spouse at work or home to check-in, say hi, and see if he/she needs anything.
3. Know the best time for you and your spouse to be intimate and then set aside that time regularly.
2. Learn each other's quirks and then respect them. If your wife wants the toilet seat down, work on making that a regular practice instead of complaining about it or purposely leaving it up. This expresses love and care for your spouse.
1. Spend time regularly reading Scripture and praying together. This can be ackward at first but persevere in it. Ask your spouse once a week how you can pray for him/her and then do it.
This list is certainly not exhaustive but I believe it contains helpful suggestions for building and maintaining a healthy marriage. Also, none of this can replace the centrality of Jesus Christ in a healthy marriage but these can be practical ways that the gospel shines forth in the covenant commitment of marriage. If you have other suggestions I'd love to hear them.
By God's Grace, Jeff
10. Have only joint checking/savings accounts and credit cards. You don't need seperate accounts and having them will deter you from discussing finances, making purchasing decisions together and will increase the risk of using money sinfully.
9. Go to bed together. Unless you have jobs that start at radically different times it is a good practice to go to bed at the same time. In addition to protecting against sin there's also something to your spouse being the last one you see when you close your eyes and first one you see when you wake-up.
8. Be intentional about doing things together. This could include having a regular date night, working out, doing chores around the house (e.g. dishes) or running errands (e.g. grocery shopping). Obviously this is complicated when you have kids but even then it seems like a good practice to carve out regular time to spend doing something together.
7. Make it a regular pratice of telling your spouse "I love you" before you go to sleep and before departing for work or other activities. This will both remind you of your commitment to the covenant of marriage and be an encouragement that you are loved.
6. Eat meals together regularly (and not in front of the TV). Make it a habit to eat as many meals as possible together on a regular basis. This provides a great opportunity to talk about your day and anything else that might be on your mind.
5. Sit next to/cuddle with your spouse while you're watching movies or TV shows. We've made it a point to have a couch rather than recliners in front of our TV so that we can be close to each other while we watch shows.
4. Try to regularly contact each other once a day to see how things are going. Call your spouse at work or home to check-in, say hi, and see if he/she needs anything.
3. Know the best time for you and your spouse to be intimate and then set aside that time regularly.
2. Learn each other's quirks and then respect them. If your wife wants the toilet seat down, work on making that a regular practice instead of complaining about it or purposely leaving it up. This expresses love and care for your spouse.
1. Spend time regularly reading Scripture and praying together. This can be ackward at first but persevere in it. Ask your spouse once a week how you can pray for him/her and then do it.
This list is certainly not exhaustive but I believe it contains helpful suggestions for building and maintaining a healthy marriage. Also, none of this can replace the centrality of Jesus Christ in a healthy marriage but these can be practical ways that the gospel shines forth in the covenant commitment of marriage. If you have other suggestions I'd love to hear them.
By God's Grace, Jeff
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Is your Marriage Fireproof?
On Saturday my wife and I made our bi-monthly/semi-weekly trip to Bismarck. Besides picking up some items that we can't purchase locally and eating some comfort fast-food (that we also can't get locally), we also had the opportunity to see the movie "Fireproof." I strongly recommend that every married couple and anyone who might possibly consider pursuing marriage at some point in their life go and see this movie! This is the third movie produced and directed by Alex and Stephen Kendrick ("Flywheel" and "Facing the Giants"). I really appreciate how they are able to create high quality films and interweave the gospel in everyday life. This is a great exmaple of Christians redeeming culture.
Friday night we attended the second to last regular season football game for the Central McLean Cougars (Underwood and Turtle Lake co-op). They are still undefeated and looking really good. This week they play Wilton and then it's off to the 9-man playoffs for CMC.
The weather is starting to cool off. In fact, this weekend some communities in southwestern North Dakota, in addition to Montana, received double digit inches of snow. Fortunately by the time the weather system reached us it only produced rain. Although, yesterday we had flurries for quite awhile even though it was well-above freezing (mid-forties). I guess it's an early reminder of what's coming!
By God's Grace, Jeff
Friday night we attended the second to last regular season football game for the Central McLean Cougars (Underwood and Turtle Lake co-op). They are still undefeated and looking really good. This week they play Wilton and then it's off to the 9-man playoffs for CMC.
The weather is starting to cool off. In fact, this weekend some communities in southwestern North Dakota, in addition to Montana, received double digit inches of snow. Fortunately by the time the weather system reached us it only produced rain. Although, yesterday we had flurries for quite awhile even though it was well-above freezing (mid-forties). I guess it's an early reminder of what's coming!
By God's Grace, Jeff
Friday, October 10, 2008
Trust the One in Complete Control
This past Sunday I preached on Matthew 14:13-36 and the sermon was entitled "Trust the One in Complete Control." Through the accounts of Jesus' feeding of the 5000 and walking on water, Matthew desires his readers (us!) to understand that because Jesus is both the promised OT Messiah as well as God-in-the-flesh we can trust that He is in total control of all things including the minute details of our lives. And knowing this should lead to us trusting in Him; including believing that what He has called us to do He will enable us to accomplish. If you'd like to listen to the sermon click here.
By God's Grace, Jeff
By God's Grace, Jeff
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
A Busy Week
The past week or so has been pretty full for both Harmony and I. Harmony substituted in the sch0ol library twice in the past week and once in first grade. Having been a high school teacher she wasn't sure how she'd do with first graders but it went well (some last minute advice from my Mom, an elementary teacher for over 40 years, helped). Substituting periodically been a good chance for her to make connections with teachers, staff and kids in the community.
Last Wednesday was a really busy day for me. For most of the day I attended a training event for a program that our community is participating in. The Horizon's program seeks to help small towns lower poverty and grow in leadership. Harmony and I have both signed up to help Underwood implement this program. For my part I will be facilitating a study group (focus group) consisting of asking people in the community for their insights into poverty and the resources we have and need to fight it. On Wednesday I was trained to lead this group.
Then in the afternoon we had the first "Kid's Club" event of the year. Harmony has taken on a larger role putting on the monthly bible study for elementary kids at school this year. Even though it took a lot of planning and exhausted us, we had over 50 kids attend! We'll be meeting the first Wednesday of every month through April so please be praying for us to be able to reach the kids in the community with the gospel.
Then on Friday Pastor Dean and I were asked to MC the homecoming parade. So at 1:15 we met at the school and lined up the floats and then at 1:45 MC'd the parade down main street. I provided the play-by-play and Dean added the color commentary (i.e. jokes). We had great weather and a lot of people from the community came out in support. That night Harmony and I attended the homecoming game, which Central McLean won (they're undefeated so far).
Fortunately we were able to bum around Saturday and get some things done around the house. So all-in-all it was a tiring but very good week. Please pray for the church as we begin a new adult Sunday School series this week on God's attributes. Pray also that I would be intentional about seeing my time as God's time, especially in using my "free" time wisely.
By God's Grace, Jeff
Last Wednesday was a really busy day for me. For most of the day I attended a training event for a program that our community is participating in. The Horizon's program seeks to help small towns lower poverty and grow in leadership. Harmony and I have both signed up to help Underwood implement this program. For my part I will be facilitating a study group (focus group) consisting of asking people in the community for their insights into poverty and the resources we have and need to fight it. On Wednesday I was trained to lead this group.
Then in the afternoon we had the first "Kid's Club" event of the year. Harmony has taken on a larger role putting on the monthly bible study for elementary kids at school this year. Even though it took a lot of planning and exhausted us, we had over 50 kids attend! We'll be meeting the first Wednesday of every month through April so please be praying for us to be able to reach the kids in the community with the gospel.
Then on Friday Pastor Dean and I were asked to MC the homecoming parade. So at 1:15 we met at the school and lined up the floats and then at 1:45 MC'd the parade down main street. I provided the play-by-play and Dean added the color commentary (i.e. jokes). We had great weather and a lot of people from the community came out in support. That night Harmony and I attended the homecoming game, which Central McLean won (they're undefeated so far).
Fortunately we were able to bum around Saturday and get some things done around the house. So all-in-all it was a tiring but very good week. Please pray for the church as we begin a new adult Sunday School series this week on God's attributes. Pray also that I would be intentional about seeing my time as God's time, especially in using my "free" time wisely.
By God's Grace, Jeff
Top Ten Benefits of Growing up in ND
Here are the top ten benefits of growing up in small town North Dakota. Enjoy!
10. Snow Days actually occur
9. You can leave your bike unlocked outside
8. The school year is over before Memorial Day
7. Smaller classes mean better chance to be Homecoming King/Queen
6. Youths are actually encouraged to shoot guns (i.e. hunt)
5. No school activities on Wednesday evenings or on Sundays
4. There's no school on the first day of Deer Season
3. During the summer it's light out until 11pm
2. Smaller classes mean no cuts for sports teams
1. You can get your driver's license at 14!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Misunderstanding Leads to Rejection
This past Sunday I preached on Matthew 13:53-14:12 (Jesus' unwelcomed homecoming and John's beheading by Herod). The title and main point of the passage as I saw in how it relates to us is "misunderstanding leads to rejection." Jesus was willfuly misunderstood by the citizens of Narareth who didn't want to believe that someone they grew up with could have become greater than them. Jesus and John were both willfuly misunderstood by Herod Antipas who preferred pleasing people than acting like a "king". We do the same thing today when we hold on to our misconceptions and doubts about Jesus and the Bible instead of considering if the problem might actually lie with us and being willing to accept the truth in spite of our questions or concerns. If you'd like to listen to the sermon, click here.
By God's Grace, Jeff
By God's Grace, Jeff
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