Psalm 42:5 - "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God."
Blake's last post got me thinking about Psalm 42:5 and the importance of talking to ourselves. I know that sounds strange, but we talk to ourselves all the time! There is a constant inner conversation going on and we see this in Psalm 42:5. David asks his soul why it is cast down.
What I want you to see from this text is that David tells his downcast soul to do something. Many of us let that inner dialogue go rogue all the time. We lose control of it and it can cause us to be discouraged. Maybe you had an argument with your wife, or maybe you have bills that need to be paid and you don't have the money. Or for you baseball guys maybe you are 0 for your last 20, or couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Fear begins to slither into your inner dialogue and anxiety begins to suffocate you. It is at this point that you have to take control and talk to yourself. It is at this point that you need to start telling yourself the truth.
So what does David do? He speaks to himself. And what does he tell his soul to do? Hope in God! He says "soul! hope in God!" Inwardly he asks the important question, "why do I feel the way I do," and then he gives himself the remedy, which is "hope in God."
Daily we are in a battle and the frontlines are in the mind. I challenge you when you are heavy hearted, anxious, or fearful to speak words of truth to your soul and lift up your soul with the Word of God.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Emotions are commanded in the Bible
Hope
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?" -Psalm 42:5
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." -1 Peter 1:13
Contentment
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'." -Hebrews 13:5
Peace
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful." -Col 3:15
Zeal
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." -Romans 12:11
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?" -Psalm 42:5
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." -1 Peter 1:13
Contentment
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'." -Hebrews 13:5
Peace
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful." -Col 3:15
Zeal
"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." -Romans 12:11
Friday, October 7, 2011
Strength in Weakness
Great quote from Paul Tripp in his book War of Words:
"Our weakness will not get in the way of what the Lord wants to do in us. Our delusions of strength will! The power of God is for the weak! The grace of God is for the unable! The promises of God are for the faint! The wisdom of God is for the foolish!
"Our weakness will not get in the way of what the Lord wants to do in us. Our delusions of strength will! The power of God is for the weak! The grace of God is for the unable! The promises of God are for the faint! The wisdom of God is for the foolish!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Conisder Others More Important than Yourself
“But in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3b
Wow, what does that look like? How on earth could I possibly consider others more important than me? It sounds good, but I know my heart too well. The only way you or I can count others as more significant than ourselves is, as Paul says, “ in humility.” The problem is humility is unnatural. Because of the fall, my natural inclinations have been toward pride and self-centeredness, not humility.
In fact, I have spent my whole life trying to get others to see how significant I am – not how significant they are – and my guess is you have done the same thing. This is a result of our sinful nature, and according to Paul this breed’s disunity, back-biting, gossip, covetousness, and other unity destroying sins. This is not the way of the cross: the way of the cross is lowliness, humility, and service to others.
In the letter to the Philippians, Paul is writing to a church that is being persecuted from the outside and experiencing division from within. They need a Word from God and the Word He gives is look at others as more important than you. The supreme example of this counting others as more significant than ourselves, is God Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. Paul says that “though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:6-8). It is only through the power of Christ – given to us in the Holy Spirit – that we can follow the example of Christ and count others as more significant than ourselves. This is impossible without the supernatural power of God working in our lives.
So what would this really look like? What would it do to our marriages if we counted our wives as more significant than ourselves? What about our children? I mean really. I have a nine month old daughter named Rachel. What if from this day until the day I die I communicate to her – through my actions – that I think she is more significant than I am. What about at work? What about on your team? What about in our church? I think it would be revolutionary.
I know we all want unity in our families? I know you want unity on your team? I know we all want unity at the workplace? I know we all want unity in our churches? This being the case, let’s ask God to help us cultivate humility in our life. Let’s confess our sin of selfishness and pride and ask God to help us to begin considering those around us as more significant than ourselves.
TD
Wow, what does that look like? How on earth could I possibly consider others more important than me? It sounds good, but I know my heart too well. The only way you or I can count others as more significant than ourselves is, as Paul says, “ in humility.” The problem is humility is unnatural. Because of the fall, my natural inclinations have been toward pride and self-centeredness, not humility.
In fact, I have spent my whole life trying to get others to see how significant I am – not how significant they are – and my guess is you have done the same thing. This is a result of our sinful nature, and according to Paul this breed’s disunity, back-biting, gossip, covetousness, and other unity destroying sins. This is not the way of the cross: the way of the cross is lowliness, humility, and service to others.
In the letter to the Philippians, Paul is writing to a church that is being persecuted from the outside and experiencing division from within. They need a Word from God and the Word He gives is look at others as more important than you. The supreme example of this counting others as more significant than ourselves, is God Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. Paul says that “though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:6-8). It is only through the power of Christ – given to us in the Holy Spirit – that we can follow the example of Christ and count others as more significant than ourselves. This is impossible without the supernatural power of God working in our lives.
So what would this really look like? What would it do to our marriages if we counted our wives as more significant than ourselves? What about our children? I mean really. I have a nine month old daughter named Rachel. What if from this day until the day I die I communicate to her – through my actions – that I think she is more significant than I am. What about at work? What about on your team? What about in our church? I think it would be revolutionary.
I know we all want unity in our families? I know you want unity on your team? I know we all want unity at the workplace? I know we all want unity in our churches? This being the case, let’s ask God to help us cultivate humility in our life. Let’s confess our sin of selfishness and pride and ask God to help us to begin considering those around us as more significant than ourselves.
TD
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Re-Introduction
It has been so long since I have been involved in the E-Fellowship conversation that I feel I need to re-introduce myself. My name is Tyler Durham. I am a former player for the St. Louis Cardinals organization and one of the original contributors to the E-Fellowship blog (that was a long time ago and this thing is still going!). I am currently finishing my Masters of Divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in my hometown of Fort Worth, Tx. I have been married for 3 1/2 years to my wife Ariane and we have a 9 month daughter named Rachel.
My desire, Lord willing, is to finish my MDiv in May, then enter the PhD program here at Southwestern. Ultimately, I want to teach and preach the Bible in whatever place the Lord has for me, whether in the classroom or the church.
What I want to do in this post is share with you several reasons why I want to return to the E-Fellowship blog:
1. Even though I have not seen many of the guys who contribute to this blog in years, I still consider them good friends and through this blog hope to continue our friendship.
2. I want to help the followers of this blog grow in their Christian walk. Whether it is through a biblical passage that I have been wrestling with, a great quote in a book that I am reading, or a personal story of my struggle with sin, I want to be a means of encouragement to those who follow this blog.
3. I want to share what I have learned in these last 3 years of seminary. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to get a masters level education at a solid, bible-believing, evangelical seminary. By God's grace I have been granted this opportunity and I feel a certain responsibility to share the things I have learned, not keep them to myself. What better way than on the E-Fellowship blog?
4. I want to benefit and contribute to the conversation that his been going on through E-Fellowship over these last several years.
5. I want to be a part of what God is going to do through E-Fellowship in the future.
Well, that is a little bit about who I am and why I am back. I thought before I starting throwing out posts I should re-introduce myself.
My desire, Lord willing, is to finish my MDiv in May, then enter the PhD program here at Southwestern. Ultimately, I want to teach and preach the Bible in whatever place the Lord has for me, whether in the classroom or the church.
What I want to do in this post is share with you several reasons why I want to return to the E-Fellowship blog:
1. Even though I have not seen many of the guys who contribute to this blog in years, I still consider them good friends and through this blog hope to continue our friendship.
2. I want to help the followers of this blog grow in their Christian walk. Whether it is through a biblical passage that I have been wrestling with, a great quote in a book that I am reading, or a personal story of my struggle with sin, I want to be a means of encouragement to those who follow this blog.
3. I want to share what I have learned in these last 3 years of seminary. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to get a masters level education at a solid, bible-believing, evangelical seminary. By God's grace I have been granted this opportunity and I feel a certain responsibility to share the things I have learned, not keep them to myself. What better way than on the E-Fellowship blog?
4. I want to benefit and contribute to the conversation that his been going on through E-Fellowship over these last several years.
5. I want to be a part of what God is going to do through E-Fellowship in the future.
Well, that is a little bit about who I am and why I am back. I thought before I starting throwing out posts I should re-introduce myself.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Fish Fry with Jesus
"When the disciples got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21)
I was thinking about this scene the other day and just got lost in the idea of how awesome it would have been to be apart of this breakfast. It would be so awesome to have a great morning of fishing followed by a fish fry with the resurrected Jesus around a camp fire just off shore. Wouldn't that be an amazing experience? Don't you wonder what that would have been like?
Well, guess what? One day we will get to experience this first hand. One day we will sit and dine with our King! What an amazing day that will be!! When I look to heaven with this type of anticipation then the things of this present time seem incomparable to what Jesus has in store for me. Man, I can't wait for a meal with my King. I look forward to seeing you there.
- Terry
Monday, September 19, 2011
Loving The Haters
Once upon a time there was a pastor who asked his congregation if they were willing to go out and do something nice to someone who openly hates them. Backing up this crazy idea with scriptures and the teachings of the man Jesus. The pastor knew that there were many in the crowd who were murmuring under their breath that they weren't willing to do that. So he cleared the moment of silence with another question, "Now tell God that you won't love someone who hates you." The congregation grew silent as his question had pierced many hearts, then the pastor drove home his point like a hot knife through butter with this... "That's what we do everyday.".......
The pastor was Francis Chan and the church was Cornerstone Church in Southern California.
The pastor was Francis Chan and the church was Cornerstone Church in Southern California.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Displaying the Works of God
[9:1] As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. [2] And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [3] Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. - John 9:1-3
Why do we suffer hardships and setbacks? Why are some of us born with disabilities? A clear all-inclusive answer to each circumstance is not given. However, Jesus declares that hardship and disability is not to viewed as punishment but rather as God working mysteriously and mightily through the particular circumstance. God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and therefore we should attempt to encourage one another with this truth. This particular man was born blind for a specific purpose even though him and his family had spent their entire lives up until this point having no idea why he had to be born blind. We can’t always see God purpose but we can rest assured that He always has one.
- Terry
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
And the Word Became Flesh
To begin his gospel, John describes Jesus as "the Word" which I find interesting and helpful. Describing Jesus as the Word helps me better understand His deity. When we speak, our words often tend to describe, explain, and reveal our thoughts and character. My words express who I am, they reveal things about me, they’re a revelation of me, they reveal my character, my nature, who I am deep within. They essentially can define everything about me. If you were blind and could not see me or see my face how else would you get to know me or understand me except for my word? My words are not something separate from me, they are begotten by me, they are apart of me. Jesus, the Word, is the direct revelation of God the Father.
No one has ever seen the Father, but He makes Himself known through Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews puts it this way, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power.” (Hebrews 1:1-3) The eternal presence of God's revelation became a man and walked and lived among us, and in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. (Colossians 2:9). The glory and nature of the One True God of the universe can be seen by anyone and everyone who seeks to know the One we call Jesus.
- Terry
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Results
"Following Jesus doesn't make life easier, it makes life simpler. God's expectations are the only ones that ultimately matter." - Brandon Cash
Statistically I've had my worst 3 weeks of the season. It's not fun by any means, and I battle with leaving it at the field and not taking it out on my wife, family and friends. I'm sure all the current and former athletes reading this understand the struggle! But by who's standards am I measuring my success by? The game of baseball or God's? If my joy in life is in and through baseball I'm setting myself up for a heck of a roller coaster ride. If I measure my success under Christ then that's something I can succeed in every single day! I've had more discussions about Jesus the past week than I've had all year. What a tremendous opportunity we have everyday to share Christ with someone!!! By no means am I saying that I'm not taking my job seriously but the freedom and peace I've felt lately has been undeserved. His grace and wisdom have really been revealed and I felt inspired to share that with you all.
Thanks for your time as always,
Blake
Sunday, August 21, 2011
GOD.....YOU ARE AMAZING
It's 1:40 in the morning, and i have just finished my 5th fantasy football mock draft on the espn site only minutes ago. While I was "mocking", there was a guy on there that was saying random things that didn't quite make sense to me. So, what do I do? I call him out. I ask him what the heck he's talking about and ask him to explain himself. Long story short, he went on to quote several movies and admit that he was an atheist and some other stuff. So I asked him whether he was an atheist or just an agnostic. He said he wasn't sure but either would do. All throughout this conversation I asked God to arm me and be my voice of reason. As the talk started winding down he revealed how he actually didn't think he was atheistic or agnostic and just was somewhere between believing in God and...not believing in God. I challenged him to keep digging and find out for himself, then I was suddenly booted off the website. This convo lasted about an hour.
I walked away hoping that God would do something in his heart...then it hit me. Then I realized what had really just happened. I have been going through a few week long lull as far as my walk goes. I haven't been diving into the word like I should, I haven't been praying like I should, and I hadn't been talking to God like I should. That whole time i was talking to that person I didn't even know I was calling out to God to armor me and be my voice of reason. That whole time....God and I were interacting. We were a team....we were just like He calls us to be all the time. Thanks God, nice hangin' with ya. I love you. Thanks for bringing me closer, and hopefully that other guy too.
-waino (the guy that's always looking to heal someone else's heart when sometimes all I need is to let God heal mine)
I walked away hoping that God would do something in his heart...then it hit me. Then I realized what had really just happened. I have been going through a few week long lull as far as my walk goes. I haven't been diving into the word like I should, I haven't been praying like I should, and I hadn't been talking to God like I should. That whole time i was talking to that person I didn't even know I was calling out to God to armor me and be my voice of reason. That whole time....God and I were interacting. We were a team....we were just like He calls us to be all the time. Thanks God, nice hangin' with ya. I love you. Thanks for bringing me closer, and hopefully that other guy too.
-waino (the guy that's always looking to heal someone else's heart when sometimes all I need is to let God heal mine)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
When God Answers 'NO'
"And [Jesus] withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:41-42)
Have you ever stopped and really considered what's going on here in these verses? Jesus is praying and asking if there is a way in which He can be relieved of the suffering that He is about to endure. And what is the Father's answer? Well, we know what Jesus endures next and therefore we can conclude that the answer was 'no, this is my will and this is what must be done'. Jesus Christ - God in the flesh, He without sin - prays for possible deliverance from the wrath of God and the answer is 'no'.
So have you ever felt like you have prayed and requested something from God so earnestly and fervently only to have your request not granted? Well guess what, you're not alone. The real question is how do you respond when God answers 'no'? Do you respond much like Jesus who put the Father's will over His own and pressed forward to endure the suffering that laid before Him? Or do you respond a little differently?
You see, I can't tell you why God answers 'no' sometimes but what I can promise you is that God's will is perfect and holy and ours' is certainly not. God works with eternity in mind rather than we who most of the time get can't see past our short finite lives here on this earth. God went on as planned and violently poured His wrath out on Jesus, but He also raised Him on the third day and has exalted Him and has bestowed on Him the name that is above every name and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow on heaven and on earth and every tongue will confess that He indeed is Lord. So be encouraged that suffering here is only temporary and God has great reasons for such suffering. For the apostle Paul considered that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. God knows what's best and there is great peace to be found in His provision and sovereignty.
Now some people might begin to wonder that if God is sovereign and does as He pleases then do my prayers really mean anything? The Bible would be quick to let you know that prayer is meaningful and actually changes things from time to time. For exactly how that works see someone with much more intelligence than myself. The Bible has plenty of examples of God answering 'yes', and God still answers 'yes' today. But I also think there is much more to prayer than getting a 'yes' or 'no' answer. Prayer is more about God's glory rather than about our own happiness and comfort. Prayer is an expression of our complete dependancy on God for everything. He does not have to give us everything that we ask for, but we do have to ask Him for everything. I am lovingly not going to give Asher (my son) everything that he asks for, but he knows that he has no shot of getting anything without first asking me. This clearly exhibits his complete dependancy on me. Prayer is a submissive act of becoming like a child and reaching out to God our Father. Prayer denies any authority of our own and acknowledges the sovereignty of God.
So be encouraged to let all of your requests be made to God but continue to ask with an eternal mindset ready to accept whatever answer He gives. Maybe God will say 'yes' or maybe He'll say 'no' but regardless, honor Him by asking.
- Terry
Have you ever stopped and really considered what's going on here in these verses? Jesus is praying and asking if there is a way in which He can be relieved of the suffering that He is about to endure. And what is the Father's answer? Well, we know what Jesus endures next and therefore we can conclude that the answer was 'no, this is my will and this is what must be done'. Jesus Christ - God in the flesh, He without sin - prays for possible deliverance from the wrath of God and the answer is 'no'.
So have you ever felt like you have prayed and requested something from God so earnestly and fervently only to have your request not granted? Well guess what, you're not alone. The real question is how do you respond when God answers 'no'? Do you respond much like Jesus who put the Father's will over His own and pressed forward to endure the suffering that laid before Him? Or do you respond a little differently?
You see, I can't tell you why God answers 'no' sometimes but what I can promise you is that God's will is perfect and holy and ours' is certainly not. God works with eternity in mind rather than we who most of the time get can't see past our short finite lives here on this earth. God went on as planned and violently poured His wrath out on Jesus, but He also raised Him on the third day and has exalted Him and has bestowed on Him the name that is above every name and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow on heaven and on earth and every tongue will confess that He indeed is Lord. So be encouraged that suffering here is only temporary and God has great reasons for such suffering. For the apostle Paul considered that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. God knows what's best and there is great peace to be found in His provision and sovereignty.
Now some people might begin to wonder that if God is sovereign and does as He pleases then do my prayers really mean anything? The Bible would be quick to let you know that prayer is meaningful and actually changes things from time to time. For exactly how that works see someone with much more intelligence than myself. The Bible has plenty of examples of God answering 'yes', and God still answers 'yes' today. But I also think there is much more to prayer than getting a 'yes' or 'no' answer. Prayer is more about God's glory rather than about our own happiness and comfort. Prayer is an expression of our complete dependancy on God for everything. He does not have to give us everything that we ask for, but we do have to ask Him for everything. I am lovingly not going to give Asher (my son) everything that he asks for, but he knows that he has no shot of getting anything without first asking me. This clearly exhibits his complete dependancy on me. Prayer is a submissive act of becoming like a child and reaching out to God our Father. Prayer denies any authority of our own and acknowledges the sovereignty of God.
So be encouraged to let all of your requests be made to God but continue to ask with an eternal mindset ready to accept whatever answer He gives. Maybe God will say 'yes' or maybe He'll say 'no' but regardless, honor Him by asking.
- Terry
Sunday, July 10, 2011
When I Get Done
Some quotes from my past and present that always seem to resurface....
When I get done with Spanish 2 I'm gunna keep practicing so I don't forget all the stuff I learned. Yeahhh...I'm gunna be fluent.
When I get home from this season I'm gunna take some carpentry classes so I don't have to call a handyman to fix every little thing broken.
When I get done with baseball and have a lot of time on my hands I'm gunna dive into my Bible everyday and memorize all kinds of scripture.
When I get done with baseball I'm gunna get ripped so I can wear super tight shirts and show off all my new muscles.
When I get done with this season I'm gunna start keeping a spiritual journal of my walk with the Lord.
When I get done with baseball I'm gunna learn to play the guitar like my buddy Glenn who can play every song imaginable...Maybe even start a band?
When I get done with this season I'm gunna start a Bible study for me and some of my friends so we can grow together in our faith.
The fact is I could keep writing those all night. When I get done.... that's an often used phrase for me. Let me ask all y'all something? Why does everything have to be "when I get done" with whatever. It's pathetic. What if Jesus would have done that. What if Jesus was like "Dad, I know you want me to go down there and rescue humanity but I got this sick game of scrabble going with Gabriel. When I get done in a few thousand years I'll rescue those guys...probabaly." Praise God that He didn't do that! I'm a dreamer, there's no doubt. But, why can't I do cool, useful stuff right now. Why does everything have to be later. Especially when it involves my faith. Man, if you ask me, when I get done playing baseball I'll be the second coming of C.S. Lewis. Holding my own revivals like Billy Graham... inviting Jesus into everyones hearts. Yep, things will be great.... one day.
Here's some truth. I may not be any of those things now, but I want to be. And, I may want to do those things later, but if I don't watch out I'll find an excuse not to. Right now my excuse is baseball, but when I'm done it'll change to "After the kids go off to college." I can already see that one coming. Why is that? It drives me crazy! I'm going over what I wrote at the top, and if I would just get some motivation I could be a "bilingual, wood working, scripture spoutin', super jacked, spiritually growin', guitar rippin', Bible study leadin', HUNK OF A MAN! Well maybe not that last part, but you get my drift. So here's my challenge.... If you can relate to me at all in this, and you're putting stuff off... Make a list and do it. Don't wait til tomorrow to do something that needs to be done today. Let's realize that some things don't need to be put off.
Final thoughts. We can be great, and we can be great right now. Don't let this fallen world come in between you and Christ. Jesus was great for us... let's be great for Him.
-Adam W.
Acts 20:24
When I get done with Spanish 2 I'm gunna keep practicing so I don't forget all the stuff I learned. Yeahhh...I'm gunna be fluent.
When I get home from this season I'm gunna take some carpentry classes so I don't have to call a handyman to fix every little thing broken.
When I get done with baseball and have a lot of time on my hands I'm gunna dive into my Bible everyday and memorize all kinds of scripture.
When I get done with baseball I'm gunna get ripped so I can wear super tight shirts and show off all my new muscles.
When I get done with this season I'm gunna start keeping a spiritual journal of my walk with the Lord.
When I get done with baseball I'm gunna learn to play the guitar like my buddy Glenn who can play every song imaginable...Maybe even start a band?
When I get done with this season I'm gunna start a Bible study for me and some of my friends so we can grow together in our faith.
The fact is I could keep writing those all night. When I get done.... that's an often used phrase for me. Let me ask all y'all something? Why does everything have to be "when I get done" with whatever. It's pathetic. What if Jesus would have done that. What if Jesus was like "Dad, I know you want me to go down there and rescue humanity but I got this sick game of scrabble going with Gabriel. When I get done in a few thousand years I'll rescue those guys...probabaly." Praise God that He didn't do that! I'm a dreamer, there's no doubt. But, why can't I do cool, useful stuff right now. Why does everything have to be later. Especially when it involves my faith. Man, if you ask me, when I get done playing baseball I'll be the second coming of C.S. Lewis. Holding my own revivals like Billy Graham... inviting Jesus into everyones hearts. Yep, things will be great.... one day.
Here's some truth. I may not be any of those things now, but I want to be. And, I may want to do those things later, but if I don't watch out I'll find an excuse not to. Right now my excuse is baseball, but when I'm done it'll change to "After the kids go off to college." I can already see that one coming. Why is that? It drives me crazy! I'm going over what I wrote at the top, and if I would just get some motivation I could be a "bilingual, wood working, scripture spoutin', super jacked, spiritually growin', guitar rippin', Bible study leadin', HUNK OF A MAN! Well maybe not that last part, but you get my drift. So here's my challenge.... If you can relate to me at all in this, and you're putting stuff off... Make a list and do it. Don't wait til tomorrow to do something that needs to be done today. Let's realize that some things don't need to be put off.
Final thoughts. We can be great, and we can be great right now. Don't let this fallen world come in between you and Christ. Jesus was great for us... let's be great for Him.
-Adam W.
Acts 20:24
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Bible
The Bible-
-39 old testament books and 27 new testament books.
-Written in Hebrew, Greek, and a little in Aramaic.
-Written in 3 continents Africa, Asia and Europe over the span of 1000 years.
-The authors were Kings, Peasants, Philosophers, Fisherman, Poets, Statesman, Scholars, etc...
-Books cover sermons, legal documents, love letters, church letters, hymn books, travel diaries, family tree history, and architectural specifications.
-It covers 100's of controversial subjects with incredible unity from different cultures across 1000 year period in different languages.
-Lastly; this books teachings run contrary to the desires of most men.
And yes this is why I choose to base my whole life on this text.
How about you?
-39 old testament books and 27 new testament books.
-Written in Hebrew, Greek, and a little in Aramaic.
-Written in 3 continents Africa, Asia and Europe over the span of 1000 years.
-The authors were Kings, Peasants, Philosophers, Fisherman, Poets, Statesman, Scholars, etc...
-Books cover sermons, legal documents, love letters, church letters, hymn books, travel diaries, family tree history, and architectural specifications.
-It covers 100's of controversial subjects with incredible unity from different cultures across 1000 year period in different languages.
-Lastly; this books teachings run contrary to the desires of most men.
And yes this is why I choose to base my whole life on this text.
How about you?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Trials - the Highway to Steadfastness
You may or may not have noticed that we haven't sent out an email in the last two weeks. Well, I can take the blame for that being that it's been my turn this whole time so let me catch you guys up real quick with what's been going on with me over the last two weeks. Two weeks ago today I went home to Georgia for 4 days to be with my wife for the birth of our second son, Jude Michael Evans. She had originally planned to have the baby out in Fresno with me but two weeks into the season I was taken off the AAA roster and it looked as if I was possibly about to be released. With that going on we prayed about it and it seemed clear that she should just go ahead and get back home and have the baby there so if something did happen with me we wouldn't be stuck in Fresno having a baby. So anyway, everything went great with all of that and so after 4 days at home, I flew back to Fresno to join the team. I was excited to get back because I had finally started playing well again and it looked as if things were going to work out after all with me staying with the team in Fresno. Well two days after being back, I get called into the manager's office only to find out that the Giants were releasing me. So I gathered my things, took care of apartment stuff, and began the 36 hour drive home to Georgia the very next day. On my third day of driving, my agent informs me that the Phillies would like to sign me but put me in AA to start with. Again, I prayed for clarity and guidance and it seemed like this was were I was supposed to go so I agreed to sign with the Phillies. I got to spend 3 days at home with my wife and the two boys before I was jumping on a plane and heading to Reading, PA to meet up with my new team. So obviously, as you can see, its been a very eventful two weeks for me and my family and it would take a much longer email than this to really get into the mental aspect of all these events. So here I am, in my hotel room in Reading writing this email, and I want to quickly share with you what I've realized through these two weeks now that I've had some time to process this whirlwind.
One thing that I've noticed throughout these two weeks is how at ease and peaceful I've felt through it all. It's been mentally draining for sure, but I haven't really been stressed or worried about all of this. In fact, my initial thought when I got released was the disappointment of having to leave some teammates of mine that I have become dear friends with during our short time together this season. I wasn't worried about baseball possibly being over or what I was going to do now that it might be over. I was just sad that I had to leave my brothers in Fresno and the amazing fellowship that we had shared. But as far as looking to the future, I felt God's sovereign hand all over me and my circumstances. It actually puzzled me how I felt about all of this so I thought long and hard about why I felt so calm and I came up with this.
James says that we are to count it all joy when we experience trials of various kinds because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. Now the definition of steadfastness is resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. That's exactly how I felt. I didn't feel like I was being tossed around by all of this, but rather I felt firm and unwavering. But why or how? Thats when I realized that I felt at peace and firm through all of this because I had been prepared for this. Now we don't have time to get into everything, but the last couple years of my career have had their fair share of trials (success, demotion, success, failure, success, injury, question marks, uncertainty, etc.) But through all of these trials, I could always look back and see God's hand all over them and rejoice in what He had done. So now these past two weeks, I felt unwavering because my previous experiences had taught me not to worry when things seem to be out of control because God's hand is definitely in the midst of the trials. The constant testing of my faith had apparently produced some steadfastness. I'm at peace and I know without doubt that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him because I've experienced His goodness over and over again already.
Now I know that a "trial" is a relative term and while the aforementioned trials of my own experience are light compared to others, I still consider them trials in that they exposed weakness within me. Tough times are a gift that expose our faith and are meant to strengthen it. They draw us nearer to God and create dependancy on His strength and comfort to get us through. Upon getting through, we come out closer in our relationship with Him than we were before. If we find ourselves communing with the Triune God more frequently during times of trial rather than times of triumph then perhaps prosperity isn't in our best interest. God cares more for our growth than our worldly success or comfort. So while its been a crazy season thus far and I'm not sure why I am here, I have no doubt that I am right where God wants me and my wife and two boys back home are right where God wants them and there is overwhelming peace in that.
Thanks for listening and it was tough trying to keep this email even this short, Ha.
- Terry
One thing that I've noticed throughout these two weeks is how at ease and peaceful I've felt through it all. It's been mentally draining for sure, but I haven't really been stressed or worried about all of this. In fact, my initial thought when I got released was the disappointment of having to leave some teammates of mine that I have become dear friends with during our short time together this season. I wasn't worried about baseball possibly being over or what I was going to do now that it might be over. I was just sad that I had to leave my brothers in Fresno and the amazing fellowship that we had shared. But as far as looking to the future, I felt God's sovereign hand all over me and my circumstances. It actually puzzled me how I felt about all of this so I thought long and hard about why I felt so calm and I came up with this.
James says that we are to count it all joy when we experience trials of various kinds because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. Now the definition of steadfastness is resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. That's exactly how I felt. I didn't feel like I was being tossed around by all of this, but rather I felt firm and unwavering. But why or how? Thats when I realized that I felt at peace and firm through all of this because I had been prepared for this. Now we don't have time to get into everything, but the last couple years of my career have had their fair share of trials (success, demotion, success, failure, success, injury, question marks, uncertainty, etc.) But through all of these trials, I could always look back and see God's hand all over them and rejoice in what He had done. So now these past two weeks, I felt unwavering because my previous experiences had taught me not to worry when things seem to be out of control because God's hand is definitely in the midst of the trials. The constant testing of my faith had apparently produced some steadfastness. I'm at peace and I know without doubt that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him because I've experienced His goodness over and over again already.
Now I know that a "trial" is a relative term and while the aforementioned trials of my own experience are light compared to others, I still consider them trials in that they exposed weakness within me. Tough times are a gift that expose our faith and are meant to strengthen it. They draw us nearer to God and create dependancy on His strength and comfort to get us through. Upon getting through, we come out closer in our relationship with Him than we were before. If we find ourselves communing with the Triune God more frequently during times of trial rather than times of triumph then perhaps prosperity isn't in our best interest. God cares more for our growth than our worldly success or comfort. So while its been a crazy season thus far and I'm not sure why I am here, I have no doubt that I am right where God wants me and my wife and two boys back home are right where God wants them and there is overwhelming peace in that.
Thanks for listening and it was tough trying to keep this email even this short, Ha.
- Terry
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