Archive for March, 2006
Final Four Bound
March 26, 2006 5:29 pm
Even More Common Grace
March 24, 2006 9:39 pmSavor The Flavor: Humility, Part 1
March 23, 2006 7:34 am
One of the flavors I want our trip to have is humility. Really, this is THE flavor, because it is the basis for the other two flavors: serving and gratitude. There are two verses that come to mind for me on this topic, one that addresses how we view ourselves, one that addresses how we view others:
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3) Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
Over the next few days, we’ll consider what this should look like while we are in Mexico.
FATHERS AND SONS AND SPORTS AND SUNDAYS
Some of you may know by now that CJ Mahaney is blogging (along with Al Mohler, Mark Dever, and Ligon Duncan) on the Together For the Gospel Blog.
The joy of reading the banter on this blog is only surpassed by the benefit derived from the wisdom and insight of these men. This blog is worth your time. CJ has served up two heaping helpings of wisdom that I want you to know about.
In his post “Fathers and Sons and March Madness“, CJ has addressed the topic of sports, in particular how he trains his 13-year-old, Chad, in sports. A taste of the wisdom that awaits:
“Playing sports holds great potential for growth in godliness for our sons, but only if we as fathers lead our sons theologically and strategically. I fear that all too often our sons devote significant time to playing sports with little growth in godliness. Here is where the example and leadership of a father can make all the difference. It is our responsibility as fathers to teach and prepare our sons with biblical priorities prior to a game (or practice) and not to assume that we have fulfilled our fatherly responsibility simply by attending the game.”
One of the fun parts of the Together for the Gospel blog (affectionately known as T4G) is that we get to sit in on a running conversation between these four men. For anyone who has ever said, “I wish I could be a fly on the wall at that meal,” well–your wall is waiting. Buzz on over. After the post I referenced above, Mark Dever asked CJ,
“Dear CJ, Now that I know you ask Chad those questions EVERY time after a sporting event like a basketball game (I asked CJ on the phone, and he told me) my question is this–>do you prepare him like that for going to church on Sunday? If so, how.”
CJ responds in his post entitled, “Fathers and Sons and Sundays.” Even more practical and relevant help on an even more important topic. CJ offers wisdom on his own practice of parenting as he trains Chad in greeting, serving, encouraging, singing, and learning.
Dads, I want to encourage you to read CJ’s posts and consider how to apply his wisdom and advice to your own parenting. This won’t mean blindly mimicing CJ’s words, but thinking through how to emulate his example in your own life. Talk to another dad about what it could look like for you.
Do Not Be Anxious, Part 3
7:21 am
A final word about Philippians 4:6-7. We often quote these verses to each other when we are in the midst of difficult circumstances. But it is easy to forget that these words are based on a half sentence in Philippians 4:5: "The Lord is at hand…" It is so important to make this connection. We're not to abandon anxiety just because we know it is wrong, or it is silly, or irrational. 'That the Lord' is at hand is the basis and the motive for trust in God. His nearness gives us good reason to trust Him. His nearness gives us good reason to pray to Him. Whatever circumstance you are in that tempts you to anxiety, remember that the Lord is near. He is at hand. If you are studying for finals, the Lord is at hand. If you are filling out college applications, the Lord is at hand. If you are in a protracted conflict with a family member, the Lord is at hand. If you are interviewing for a summer job, the Lord is at hand. Trust Him and pray to Him, because He is near.
Meetings This Weekend-Women
March 22, 2006 9:15 pm
Meetings This Weekend-Men
9:14 pm
Rancho 3M Newsletter
8:37 pm
If you don’t get the Rancho 3M Newsletter, I’m sure you’ll be encouraged to read this:
Rancho 3m Christian Orphanage & School
Update March 2006
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Through God’s grace & mercy our seventeen month long battle is over here at the Ranch. But first allow us to update you on some of the other exciting happenings around here.
THE SCHOOL
Many of you know that a while ago we received written permission from the state government here in Mexico to operate our school. But what we didn’t have was the actual license number in hand until the other week when we finally received it. We are so excited. It is the culmination of three years of work by a lot of people. Thank you Lord!!!
Speaking of school, we have our first “child,” that we know of, to go directly from the orphanage to college. Josylin started at the beginning of this school year and is doing very well, despite the challenges with transportation to and from Juarez. At present she is studying Social Services to be able to get a job with DIF, the department here in charge of women and children. It is the same governmental department that has authority over us as an orphanage. She says that she would like to work there to be able to help children like the ones that come to the Ranch to live.
THE STAFF
Speaking of children. All of the staff and teachers here had the privilege of attending the Ted Tripp conference on “Shepherding a child’s heart” at Comunidad Cristiana in Juarez. Some brothers & sisters from that church where kind enough to come here to the Ranch and watch our kids for a day and a half while we all stayed in Juarez. Thank you guys very much!!! We highly recommend the aforementioned book to anyone with children still at home. We have already gone through the book together as a staff and tomorrow I will be explaining to al! l of our kids some of the things that we all learned. Good stuff.
Speaking of conferences, a fellow orphanage director called me the other day who was feeling pretty down and out. While we spoke, the Lord brought great conviction about something that He had placed on my heart to do two years prior. That is to get together with other orphanage directors and their key staff for the purpose of edification and education. It won’t be a conference with speakers but rather we have devised a list of questions and each director will be allotted a period of time to share to the rest of us how they do or handle a particular task or challenge. None of us does it all correctly so we are excited about learning from others! That will take place this weekend here at the Ranch.
Sadly, my administrative assistant, Erin Jones, left the Ranch after almost three years of hard and excellent work. We will miss her terrible and pray the best for her. Thank you Erin for all you did for us. She left to continue her studies.
THE KIDS
Also, some sisters from our home church recently came in town for a long weekend to have talks with our older girls about modesty and Biblical womanhood issues. Thank you guys for doing that. It is already bearing fruit.
With the boys, we have been teaching some of them how to weld. We have a three year plan of building and installing a fence around the Ranch for the children’s safety. We are using rebar in the back which the boys are welding up into ten foot sections. Mr. & Mrs. Boyd will match any donations for the fence up to 7,000 dollars a year. Thank you for your generosity and kindness for the care of the children here.
Also with the kids, we replaced our Thursday service with “home groups” or “care groups”. Something I have been wanting to do for sometime now. We divide the kids into four groups by age and gender. It enables us to hear from them better. On Sundays we are preaching through the Westminster Catechism and on Thursday we talk about it and challenge them to apply what they learned to their lives.
SUMMER GROUPS
We are looking forward to all of the summer groups that we are blessed to serve this summer. Thank you guys for desiring to come and bless us here at the orphanage.
THE BATTLE
As I mentioned above, the battle is over. Jair just finished his last chemo a couple of weeks ago and is now totally clean. He even had the radioactive isotope test again to see if he has any cancer cells in his body. He was 100% clean thanks to the Lord. So the battle is over! There were many ups and downs. There were a number of kids that he went through chemo with that died. Teo & Lety have grown a lot in their faith and it reemphasized the need for sound doctrine in all of us. For those of you that are new in receiving this letter, we have a staff couple who have a little boy who had cancer until the Lord completely healed him of a deadly Duraplastoma tumor last January. Teo and Lety wanted me to thank everyone who prayed for, fasted for, and gave money for his treatment. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who so graciously and sacrificially support this orphanage & school through you offerings and prayers. We couldn’t exist apart from God using you in such a mighty way. We are humbled by your generosity and care. Thank you!!!
Because of the cross of Jesus Christ,
Dean Adamek
Director
Ed Update: 03/22/06
7:03 am
Do Not Be Anxious, Part 2
6:58 amA follow-on to yesterday’s post. In his exposition of Philippians 4:6-7, Dr. Carson provides this hymn as an encouragement to us to trust God and not be anxious:
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.William Cowper, God Moves in a Mysterious Way, quoted in Basics for Believers on p. 112-113.
Is there a “frowning providence” in your life? A situation that is difficult or anxiety-inducing? Remember that behind that frowning providence is God’s smiling face: the situation is custom-designed by God to help you to “trust him for his grace.”
