Giving Thanks

We all have much to be thankful for. 

One of the things that this time of year causes us to reflect on is that we are blessed to live in a country founded upon the pursuit of religious freedom (among other things...).  As you sit around your tables this weekend, looking at your families and friends, and as you gather with your larger family at church, take the time to thank God for such gracious blessings--

--and don't forget those who can't share in that sentiment because they have yet to hear the gospel or because their faith in Jesus Christ has caused their families to disown them or worse yet put their lives in jeopardy.

I encourage you to check out the Joshua Project and to pray for those areas in the world that are desperate for the gospel.  Below is today's Unreached People Group. 

A Political Haiku

Pelosi and Reid,

source of my consternation;

political dire

Our Timetable

Over the past couple of weeks, several friends have asked us what our timetable for moving to Bakerfield looks like.  The discussion quickly moved into what will that first year look like.  Here's what we hope to see happen in the next 16 months.

Feb/March 2009: Make the 36-hour move from Charlotte to Bakersfield

Spring/Summer 2009:  Adjust to our new location and make contacts with people.  Begin developing our leadership team, as well as relationships with unchurched friends, neighbors, acquantainces, etc.

Sept 2009: Formally begin our Considering Christ Groups.  Begin meeting with the leadership on the Launch Team

Jan-March 2010: Continue with Considering Christ Groups. Preparation for launch of worship services.

March 2010: Launch our public worship services.

As you consider this timetable, please pray for the myriad of logistics and opportunities that will need to come together for this to happen.

12 Days of Warfield

A writer over on espn.com has a lengthy weekly article. In it he muses on a variety of topics. One of those topics is entitled "Christmas Creep".  He keeps a log of how early radio stations, shops, malls, etc get started on selling "Christmas" merchandise.  It really is "creep-ing."

Recently, I dug out a book from seminary that I never read fully. (Disclaimer: we were only required to read one chapter from the book and very few us actually bought the book; I did.) It is a collection of sermons, articles and reviews on the topic of the Holy Spirit written by B.B. Warfield. Check the link if you don't know much about him.   

In this collection were 12 sermons, hence the 12 days of Warfield song that is now stuck in my head. I plan on reading one a day. Last night I read his sermon "The Spirit's Help in Our Praying" from Romans 8:26-27:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

I found his sermon to be both intellectually stimulating as well as heart penetrating. Additionally, it was especially timely for me and for many of you who are praying for us.  When I consider the overwhelming nature of planting a church from scratch, it is easy to feel lost as to what to pray for.  When people ask me what they should be praying about I sometimes struggle with either giving too many details or to only give generalizations.  This passage is a good source of instruction and encouragement.

As you pray for us, for our support raising and eventually for our church plant keep the follow points from Warfield in mind.  When summarizing his thoughts on this passage Warfield gave these four points of application:

1. The Holy Spirit quickens us to the perception of our real need

2. The Holy Spirit frames in us an infinite desire for this needed thing

3. The Holy Spirit leads us to bring this desire in all its unutterable strength before God

4. God, who sees it within our hearts, cannot but grant it, as according to his will

Thank goodness we have a Helper at work within us!

Results and Reactions

Proposition 8 in California looks like it will pass with roughly 52% of the vote.

Here's a breakdown of the state: California County Breakdown

Kern County, the county where Bakersfield resides, had 75% vote for Prop 8. This is a surprising victory in California. 

Also, check out Randy Alcorn's reaction and challenge for the church. Very insightful response to the Presidential election.

I especially appreciate this line: 

America may or may not unravel in coming decades, but God’s kingdom certainly won’t.

A Further Reminder

Here's a timely quote from John Piper's book A Hunger for God; which you can download for free here.

God alone never changes, but the outpourings of his blessings ebb and flow in ways far too mysterious for our small minds to judge. The moment we think righteousness holds sway, some sinful plague is spreading in the midst. And just when we think the darkness is so thick that all is lost, someone grabs a rope that rings a bell and brings an army with torches. We will only maintain our stability and unshakable confidence if we keep our focus on the unchanging God and take every rising or receding tide as a work of infinite wisdom for the accomplishment of God’s holy purposes.

The Sovereignty of God, the Presidential Election and Church Planting

Here's a question for your consideration: will the outcome from tomorrow's vote (hopefully, we will know tomorrow!) be outside of the sovereignty of God?

The simple and clear answer is "no!"

Yet, I am sure you have seen, heard and read on television, radio and the Internet, that many people feel as if life as we know it is over if their political figure doesn't win.  Truth be told, life as we know it will definitely change with the outcome of the 2008 presidential race but that still does not make it outside of the plan and sovereignty of God.  We have the duty as citizens of this country to make an informed vote tomorrow.  We need to understand the fundamental differences between the two men seeking this office, as well as the fundamental differences between the parties they represent.  We vote based on what we have know, not simply on what we hope. But, and I repeat, the outcome will not come as a surprise to God.  There is tremendous peace in knowing that God is sovereign over presidential elections...as well as support raising.

We began raising support in late July and have sort of plowed along ever since.  In those months we have witnessed a crumbling economy, a distracted and divided nation, and a sense of uncertainty make its way through the lives of people in this nation.  Greater than these issues, however, is that we have also seen tremendous provision through sacrificial people and churches.  Of course, there have been moments of discouragement...times when we think some churches and people will jump on board but they don't...those pale in comparison to the truth that God is sovereign over the funding and timing of when we will get to Bakersfield.  There is tremendous peace in knowing that God is sovereign.