mission-net

Follow here on the mission-net website!

Mission-net continues until Sunday evening. We are really enjoying being here and so thankful for this privilege. I have 2 more seminars on Sunday to interpret but it is going well. Thanks for your prayers.

The worlds' leaders are coming to Germany are you?

This weekend will see the worlds' leaders descend on the French-German border for a NATO summit (about 1 hour north of us). Preparations have been ongoing for months and the locals are having to put up with a number of restrictions on their movements during the weekend.

What most of the delegates probably don't know is that around 3,000 young people from all over Europe are expected to descend on Germany (8-13 April) for a summit that could make an even bigger mark on history – the mission-net congress.
CEF and 150 other mission organisations, Bible colleges etc will be there. Through the speakers, seminars and conversations at the missions exhibition, we are seeking to mobilize young people who will go out across Europe to tell men and women and boys and girls the Good News of the Gospel. What about you? Are you coming? It's not too late to sign up! You can still register online.

"I don't know"

He's on TV all around the world preaching but what does he believe? Larry King puts him on the spot but watch how he dodges the questions and count how many times he says "I don't know".


"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6-8.

I believe the clip below demonstrates how today 'a different gospel' is being propagated. We can only share in the apostle's astonishment when he exclaims "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" Galatians 3:1

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6


For an excellent critic on this and a passionate call for men to come forward who know the truth and are willing to proclaim it, make sure you download and listen to Steve Lawson's message at the 2009 Shepherds' Conference (General session 8). It's the best message I have heard this year! Click here for an outline of the message

Incredible

Irish night in France

The Herons who were with (Irish) Baptist Missions are now pastoring the Baptist Church in Colmar, France. As it is only 50 minutes away and we heard that they were having a special outreach evening with an Irish band – we decided it was time we went along.It was so good to hear the music, see the images of the emerald isle, hear the (Northern) Irish accents and to see the Herons in their new ministry. In fact I was pleased to find out that most of the guys in the band are actually Irish baptists! The church was well filled and Andrew told me that there was also a good number of visitors.The band continues to play throughout France and Switzerland this week. Pray for them that through their music and the presentation of the Gospel in word and song, that people will become aware of their spiritual state and their need of the Saviour.

Come, People of the Risen King

JYC training course in Karlsruhe, Germany

Sword drill demo

Stefan (local CEF worker) teaching the class on starting a JYC

It was a joy to help out Stefan and to teach the 8 students who had traveled from across Southern Germany and from as far as Winterthur in Switzerland. The students have 2 more weekends when they will come together for more classes. Pray for them that they will learn much and that as a result new JYC's will start in Germany and Switzerland.

Bookworm activities in 2009

I am quite a slow reader (I like to chew long) but there's nothing I like to do more on these winter evenings after getting the children to bed, than to turn off the computer (to resist the compulsion to constantly check my in-box), put some logs on the fire, make a cup of German Jakobs coffee, switch on the reading light, grab the highlighter and pen and sink into the double sofa to disappear into a good read. Good intentions often end in my eyes closing on me after 30 minutes or so but I am getting better at keeping awake and staying concentrated.
Above is the pile of books that I hope to get through this year! They are mostly theological books which I read both devotionaly and for the purpose of keeping abreast with current trends and winds of doctrine.
I also read in order to sharpen my skills in areas of interest. For example the book slide:ology is written by one of the worlds leading design agencies and focuses on making good PowerPoint presentations. This is something I often have to create as I both teach and promote the work of CEF. I have also had opportunity to teach other CEF workers and future workers on this subject. The book on public speaking from Richard Bewes is another example of reading to sharpen skills. Some of the books were given to me as gifts with the recommendation of the giver.
In addition to reading the above, I ensure that I give priority to the reading of God's Word. I have been following the 'Bible in a Year Plan' in my Explorer Quiet Time notes. For this I use the ESV study bible and often listen to it online while reading (I find this helps me to concentrate and to retain more). If I continue to keep up with the readings, I will have completed this in September.
In between I pick up Grudem's huge Systematic Theology and read a chapter of that.
I also subscribe to the monthly Evangelical Times and Evangelicals Now, and the quarterly Gemeindegründung. On top of that are all the blogs which I find impossible to keep up with! There's just so much information and good solid material out there (can you ask for a Sabatical after two years service :) )???
As well as all of this reading, I listen regularly to sermons I download on my iPod. They are normally sermon series or Pastors/Leadership conferences. On my playlist you would find, John Piper, Don Carson, John MacArthur, Mark Driscoll, Mark Dever, C.J. Mahaney, Alistair Begg and music from Sovereign Grace Music.
Perhaps I will post the odd review and recommendation over the coming months.

The wrath of God that I deserved

I'm currently reading Pierced for Our Transgressions: Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution. The song below contains excellent theology on this subject and has helped to restore to me the glory of this doctrine. (Isaiah 53:5)

His Forever
From Worship God Live. Words and Music by Pat Sczebel, © Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)

Jesus, friend of sinners
Loved me ’ere I knew Him
Drew me with His cords of love
Tightly bound me to Him
’Round my heart still closely twined
The ties that none can sever
For I am His and He is mine
Forever and forever

Jesus, friend of sinners
A crown of thorns You wore for me
Bruised for my transgressions
Pierced for my iniquities
The wrath of God that I deserved
Was poured out on the Innocent
He took my place, my soul to save
Now I am His forever

Jesus, friend of sinners
I love to tell the story
Redeeming love has been my theme
And will be when in glory
Not death nor life nor anything
Can ever separate me
O love that will not let me go
Yes, I am His forever

Download it here or get it on iTunes

Text revision of the next JYC manual completed

Together with David Crutchley, I have just completed the text revision of the next JYC manual 'The World'. We are very excited about how this project has developed and we think this could be the best manual yet!
Please pray for Sarah as she now edits and proofreads and for Brent as he works on the layout and design.
We praise God for giving us the strength to reach this important milestone. The finished product should be out in May.