Notes from Pastor John

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December 2010

Here are some books that I recommend for reading or for study to grow as a disciple of Jesus. Already in the lead article I recommend reading through the Bible for the year. I also recommended the ESV Study Bible. I have found no single volume with as many helps and resources both in the footnotes and in the articles included. It is well worth the money and the weight/size.

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November 2010

The job of elders is to act as shepherds for the congregation. One element of that is to watch out for the doctrine of the church, to make sure that what is being taught and believed is biblical and orthodox and not heresy or false teaching.

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October 2010

One of the truths that I hope I convey regularly is that God is looking for people who know that they are broken so he can use them. I think too often we think God is looking for superstars or very gifted and talented people who can sing or preach and never sin so that he can do his work. That thinking is not right. In fact it is a dangerous lie from the devil to keep us from serving God.

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September 2010

Willow Creek Church used to describe their mission as "turning atheists into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ." That is vivid way to describe that the Christian life is a life of transformation. No one can be a believer in Jesus Christ and not have his life changed. If we do not experience change it is because we have not understood how seriously flawed our life is apart from Jesus and how radically the life of Jesus differs from the life we are used to.

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August 2010

Psalm 119:18 gives us a good prayer to pray before reading or hearing God's Word. "Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is his Word. Sometimes I think we approach it like, "how many minutes do I have to read so God won't be angry with me?" Or "What is the minimum I can read and get away with?"

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July 2010

Here are some suggested readings for the summer:

Anything by Tim Keller – "The Reason for God" answers seven most common questions that nonbelievers would ask. "How could a good God allow suffering?" "How can a loving God send people to hell?" Also covered are chapters on Science, one true religion, and "You can't take the Bible Literally." The next seven chapters give the strongest reasons for believing in God and his Son Jesus. This book is written for everyone who has doubts or knows someone who does.

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June 2010

Followers of Jesus Christ do not so much "go to church" or "do church" as we are the church. Do you realize that wherever disciples of Jesus are, the Church of Jesus Christ is there? The church is not a what but a who. It is not a building or a geographical location but it is the people of God.

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May 2010

If someone came to you as the Philippian Jailer came to the Apostle Paul in Acts 16 and said, "What must I do to be saved?" do you know what you would say? The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 3:15-16 "but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." Are you prepared?

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April 2010

I was encouraged in my devotion time as I read the story of Gideon from Judges 6-8. It was a really down time for the nation of Israel due to their disobedience. They had not obeyed the Lord to drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land when they conquered it. Those they left came back to antagonize them as well as fight them and defeat God‘s people because they had not obeyed God. In his grace God provided a number of judges who would lead Israel to a temporary victory.

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March 2010

We have entered the season of Lent, 40 days prior to the annual remembrance of the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior Jesus. Traditionally this is a season for self examination. People usually think of it as a time to give up something but the purpose is to abstain or fast from a food or activity that we like is so that it will cause us to examine our own lives. It is not primarily about giving up chocolate or meat but practicing to find our deeper satisfaction in our relationship with Christ than in food or physical pleasure. John Piper observes that we most glorify God when we are most satisfied in him.

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February 2010

On June 8, 1975 I began in pastoral ministry as Director of Youth and Music at Jefferson Park Evangelical Free Church in Chicago, Illinois. (See Seth, I began as a director too!) That was quite a week. Two days before, I finished my final signed copy of my thesis. Two days after our first son, Matthew was born. And on June 13th I graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. As you can see, this June I will have been in pastoral ministry for 35 years.

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January 2010

I am in the discipline habit of reading through my Bible each year. I try to vary something about the reading to keep growing and to keep it interesting. In 2009 I tried two different approaches both of which proved very enriching.

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