My Christian Blogs

Here is a great link to find a good library of links to some really good and well worth your time Christian blogs.

I would bookmark this page for quick references and good info. from around the blog-sphere!

My Christian Blogs.

Ray Ortlund Jr and Sam Storms on Missional Living on the Campus

I got the privilege along with the rest of Desert Springs’ staff and other pastors from local churches in Albuquerque to have lunch with Ray Ortlund Jr. and Sam Storms. today.

During this time we had a Q and A session in which we could ask them a question. So below I posted my question along with the answers from these 2 awesome men!

Q: Being a director of a college ministry I interact with many young adult christians who go to UNM and CNM. These campuses are not very friendly to Christianity and those that would share the gospel. How can I encourage those that come to The Well in how they engage the campuses?

(Answers)

1. (Ray Ortlund Jr.) Be prepared to suffer. It is like a quote from “Braveheart” where it is before a battle and someone asks William Wallace “Where are you going?” and he replies “I’m going to pick a fight.” We must have the same mindset. We will suffer. Darkness hates light. We cannot be afraid to pierce the darkness, even in the face of persecution and rejection. Christ was crucified and told us that we should not expect any different treatment, the servant is no greater than the master. Suffering is what brings about revival, not comfort, not safety, suffering!

1. (Sam Storms) Have a good understanding of the sovereignty of God. Understanding that doctrine will not mean that suffering will not happen, but makes it bearable. Knowing that God will grow the seed, that God changes hearts and that nothing, not even persecution is out of His hands will change how we approach it all. It should free us up to evangelize and suffer well.

Teaching Toddlers God's Word

Having a 3 year old, 1 year old, and one on the way, this is timely advice on how to teach small children God's Word.

From Desiring God Blog.

1. Have an open Bible on your lap during story time. This reinforces where the story comes from—God's word.

2. Use short sentences and few words. Too many words overwhelm young minds.

3. Be animated in your facial expressions and tone of voice. This will help keep children engaged.

3. Incorporate movement into the story and singing. Children this age need to move their bodies. Movement helps them learn and remember what you're teaching them.

4. Create routines during the story/circle times by using songs, finger plays, etc.

5. Use repetition to cement biblical concepts in children's hearts and minds.

6. Keep it short and sweet. A story time of 5-10 minutes is the maximum children this age can attend to and sit for.

Clarus 09 Starts Today

My church, Desert Springs' conference called "Clarus" kicks off today. The topic this year is the convergence of doctrine and delight in the christian life.

If you are in the Albuquerque area I encourage you to come on by. If you are a young adult student, the tickets for the entire weekend is only $5! Wolverine will be there Sunday night, don't miss this chance to hear from these great speakers.

The featured speakers are Ray Ortlund Jr. and Sam Storms.

Click Here to go to the Official Clarus Website for schedule of events, and ticket information.

We Need More of This

Stories of the transforming power of the Gospel like this one are beautiful, and needed!

This is from a baptism service at Covenant Life Church.

Props: Josh Harris

He Sings Over Me!

“The Lord your God is in your midst,

a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing”

Zeph. 3:17

Have you ever had a verse that the Spirit just kept putting in front of you? This verse is just that for me. A couple weeks ago I watched an amazing video featuring Louie Giglio where he read the lyrics from the song “Mighty to Save”. This song seems to be inspired from, or at the very least quotes this verse. I could not stop singing, listening and dwelling on the truth found in this song. Follow that up with a few people, including a speaker from last weeks’ conference quoting this verse over the past couple of weeks. Then upon reading Sam Storms book “Convergence” he also speaks of this verse.

Needless to say today I quieted my heart, got on my knees and asked God to reveal what is going on. Why this verse?

Honestly I think it was God’s way to reassure me that He is here with me. That His purposes will not be thwarted. This has been an extremely heavy week at our church. With the excitement and busyness of our upcoming Clarus conference there have been a few funerals as well as tough situations involving marriages, relationships and put simply, sin.

I think this verse was put in front of me to show me, that God is bigger. God is mighty, He is Great, and Greater than I know or can fathom. That He is saving and renewing even in these valleys. And that in the chaos of everything I need to look upon the cross and be quieted by His Amazing Love! I need to learn to seek His face and sit at His feet.

When I do that He does not just smile or nod. He actually rejoices. More than that He sings over me, He sings loudly! Wow, God, the creator sings over me! Me, a rebel, a sinner, a loser who stresses out over such little things, God sings over me!

He sings because of His Son Jesus. Because His Son’s righteousness covers me. Because His Son took my punishment on the cross, and conquered death by His resurrection! I am a son of God, I am His child. Not “like a son”, but an actual son. I have been adopted into His family, and when I go to Dad, when I sit and love and enjoy Dad, He sings over me!

Awesome, Refreshing, Awakening!!!!

Be Ready For The Super-Natural

Do we get that last line from Sam Storms? Are we doing that?

“We must always preach the Word of God. We must always cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. We must always proclaim the gospel to the lost. But we must also always be available for the miraculous work of the Spirit, whose power resides within each of us who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.” (pg. 77, Convergence, Sam Storms)