The Decline and Renewal of the American Church by Tim Keller
https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/decline-and-renewal-of-the-american-church-extended/
Feb 21
Tim Keller on the Decline and Renewal of the American Church
Tim Keller, who I respect very much, has written an extensive article on the decline of the American church. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/tim-keller-decline-renewal-american-church/
It is, in fact, part of a yet larger work. Fuller article here.
I am one who does believe in the virgin birth, life, death, physical resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, ongoing need for our confession of our selfishness, and a trustworthy Bible. As one who has attended mainline protestant churches (born, in fact, in the 1950s) all my life, this article is like a punch in the stomach and makes me sad.
I’ve also recently attended churches that Keller, I believe, would label as conservative Protestant. They are growing. They are teaching about a biblical Jesus Christ, the trustworthiness of the Bible, and the compassion and service that Jesus taught (while trying not to succumb to modern secular thought).
I love my church and pray that there is hope.
Jan 28
Notes for January 2023
2 Wonderful Hymn/songs
Creator God, Our Sovereign Lord, by Nathan Clark George. Lyrics are included. Spotify link.
Jesus, Saviour, by Joyful Noise. Lyrics are included.
The Soul
Three questions one asks oneself to define their soul
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- Who am I?
- Whose am I? Suggestions: Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 1 John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
- Why am I here?
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Seven Practices for Developing the Soul
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- Praise God.
- Be contrite.
- Practice gratefulness.
- Leverage grace’s strength.
- Abide in Christ – guidance.
- Seek growth. Grow in Christ. Sanctifying grace.
- Develop humility.
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Jan 17
The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires.
The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires.
Online from a poem by Omar Khayyam (1048-1131) the very influential Persian mathematician, philosopher, & poet.
Follow this link for an insightful analysis of the poem.
https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/K/KhayyamOmar/4NowNewYear/index.html
He was certainly not Hebrew or Christian.
Jan 16
God is Working For Us, In Us, and Through Us
God is Working For Us, Providence, Prevenient Grace
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. – Acts 17:24-25
In Us, salvation, growth mindset, fruit of the spirit.
“Work out your own salvation, for it is God who works in you, to will and to work.” (Philippians 2:12–13) “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). More
and Through Us, co-agents with God. Second great commandment. We are created in gods image.
Jan 14
The Parable of the Broken Door
Good story. Explanation in meaning of the parable are also included.
https://brokendoorministries.com
(May need to scroll down a bit.)
Jan 11
January 6 (‘21), Brazil recently (Jan. 2023), The American Revolution, and the French Revolution
Good reflection and perspective on January 6, Brazil recently, The American Revolution (which was fundamentally Christian), and the French Revolution (which was fundamentally atheist).
The Briefing: Wed., January 11, 2023
https://albertmohler.com/2023/01/11/briefing-1-11-23
https://twitter.com/drolsen314/status/1613210578058727430?s=61&t=lFPu0N1J06iZkhm6BrDXuw
Dec 15
Christmas 2022
On Dec. 18, 2022 I’ll be preaching on Flowers of Providence. This is also my Christmas box for this year.
Flowers of Providence: Notice them and Share them
Jehovah-Jireh
This page (and many others on the internet) provide the meaning of Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide.
George Washington
Information about the book, The Ways of Providence, Religion and George Washington, by Frank E Grizzard, Jr. can be found here. The book can be can be borrowed online here.
The 10 George Washington Quotes Pointing to God’s Providence can be found here.
The Philanthropist’s Christmas
For the children’s message I’ll be sharing the wonderful story The Philanthropist’s Christmas. I like this short story of a rich man, rather parallel to Ebenezer Scrooge (from A Christmas Carol), but the the Philanthropist is is not as completely cruel as Scrooge, and the story does not have ghosts, but a dog ☺️.
- Audio reading of the story – scroll down to #22.
- Text of the story
In fact, this is a story of divine providence.
Aug 13
Notes for August 2022 – The Second 3 Reasons: Love, Co-Agency, and Free Will
This month the title of my sermon this month is
The Second 3 Reasons: Love, Co-Agency, and Free Will
I’ve compiled a list of 20 Reasons to Have Faith in God. These are reasons for everyone, but I’m thinking about the non-believer. They are foundational. My long-term goal is to preach on all 20 reason, each discussing 2 or 3 of the reasons.
This sermon is on reasons #4-#6.
- God seeks our love. God wants a two-way loving relationship with each of us. We engage with God in various ways, including prayer. The first commandment is to love God.
Bible verses: Deuteronomy 7:9; John 1:10-13; Revelation 3:20.
Song: How To Be Yours by Chris Renzema – lyrics - We are co-agents with God. God makes us co-agents in the world. God wants the best for his people. God gives us responsibility for both taking care of the earth’s resources and the people of the earth. When we care for other people we do it on God’s behalf.
Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Peter 2:9-10
Songs: He Who Began a Good Work in You by Steve Green – lyrics
Do Something by Matthew West – lyrics - Free will. God created us with the free will and the power to choose between good, apathy, and evil. There are choices that are beneficial for us and the world and
there are choices that are detrimental to ourselves and others. We should choose the former, but often we do not.
Joshua 24:15; Proverbs 16:9; Galatians 5:13.
Songs: (there’s Gotta Be) More to Life by Stacie Orrico – lyrics
Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House
On our mission trip to Granite City, IL we toured and worked for the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis, IL.
Information about the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House can be found at 
https://lessiebatesdavis.org/. This is part of the Golden Cross ministries of our UMC Conference.
https://bit.ly/JRO-Sunday-Aug-2022
Jun 02
Possible books for 2023
I I’m looking for a devotional book for daily reading for 2023. In 2022 I worked through the book life under God the kingdom agenda by Tony Evans. It has been excellent.
One possibility is Devoted to God by Sinclair Ferguson.