My conclusion may seem a bold statement. “Genuine ‘kingdom people’ are always grateful people.” The Gospel of Luke contains a significant amount of material not found in the other two Synoptic Gospels (Matthew and Mark). Much of the material unique to Luke appears after the second prediction of Jesus’ death (Matt. 17:22; Mark 9:31; Luke …
Monthly Archives: November 2008
What Motivates Thanksgiving? (2 Corinthians 9)
“(6) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, …
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Am I wise?
“But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him” (2 Chr. 10:8). Age and wisdom do not always go together. One may become old and not wise, one may be wiser than his years. In our text, Rehoboam, the son …
Margins
Richard Swenson provides a helpful insight and corrective in his book, Margin. The primary meaning of the word margin (it share a common origin with mark) is a border or limit. It has come to denote the area surrounding something (as the margin on a page, usually blank). We reflect this concept in the phrase, …
“Back in the Saddle”
After almost two weeks in Ecuador, it is good to be back in the office and able to resume a more normal schedule. The last week has been one of intense travel–seven consecutive nights in a different bed each night, but also a week of intense beauty and encouragement. The opportunity to see what God …
PAL: Post-Tour Update
After brief visits on Friday to the equator (Mitad del Mundo–Center of the World) and Arasha (a rain/cloud forest resort and biodiversity hotspot), we have spent the last four days visiting churches across Ecuador. On Saturday we visited the church in Santo Domingo, Sunday we worshiped with the church in Portoviejo, Monday evening we were …
PAL: Wednesday Update
Today found us on an altered schedule. After Phil Slate’s presentation on Paul’s mission strategies (a most helpful series of lessons which will undoubtedly bless many churches seeking more effective mission work), we left for Otovalo, a native Indian market. Otovalo is the oldest continuously-operating market in the Western Hemisphere, a place where native Indians …
God at Work
Every year, a highlight of the Pan American Lectureship is the inspirational speeches and helpful mission information. Even better, in my mind, are the reports of what God is doing across Latin America and around the world…new resources for Hispanic families and churches, a program for strengthening churches in Brazil, amazing things in Nicaragua, new …
A Wonderful Day
What a great Lord’s Day we shared! Sharing worship in a bilingual service with the North Quito church was in itself an experience. The Supper was especially meaningful. Bob Brown preached a masterful sermon, four baptisms followed, the choral selections from the students at QSOBS were a special treat, lunch together, and more entertainment from …
Prayer: A Sunday in Quito
Thank you, Lord, for this new day we have never seen nor experienced before. Thank you for its possibilities. Help us to see the freshness of each day, not only in the new experiences of travel and meeting and sharing with brothers and sisters we did not know before, but also in the routines of …