Merry Christmas!

We're finally back in town and will update on life and other things soon. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and celebrate the coming of Jesus our Savior!

Graduation Photos

Busy in Bluff City

Hello everyone! We are finally starting to get settled in our home in Bluff City even though there are still plenty of boxes to be unpacked. We want to thank family and friends from Cross of Calvary and First Baptist that helped with the move. Graduation was a fun day and we will certainly miss some things about seminary. I'll be starting my new position January 1st so we still have some time to get things in order and take a breather before beginning a new time in our lives. I'll e-mail our new numbers and be returning e-mails as I find time this week so rest assured we'll be getting back in touch with you! We will also put up some pictures from graduation and other things later this week so check back soon. Have a great week!

Last Sunday in Indiana

Hanging out with our students and friends in Indiana. Love you guys!

Down the stretch they come

Seminary classes have officially ended and I am now down to a take home course and some finals. We thought we would share this picture from our Marriage & Family banquet. These are our instructors and friends Dr. and Mrs. Cutrer. They, along with others, have been a great help and encouragement to us during our time here. So while we break the tape on this race, the gun fires as we begin another one. Of course, all these are a part of a much bigger race with much higher stakes. We've had several things going on in the past week and will add some more pictures and stuff soon.

Update

I wanted to let you all know, in case you didn't already, about some big changes coming up for us at the end of this month. God has led us to accept a ministry position at First Baptist Church in Bluff City, Tennessee. I will be starting there as an Associate Pastor on January 1st which gives us a much needed breather after graduation on December 8th. We are very excited about the opportunity that is before us and yet our hearts are saddened to be leaving so many wonderful people at our church. We have made many lifelong friends who are family to us and we will continue to hold them close to our hearts and keep in touch. We really appreciate all your prayers during this time of transition for us! We will update you on our new information, probably through an e-mail, as it comes along. We hope you all have a great week!

It's about TIME

It is not normally this often that I throw stuff on here to read, but I could not resist when I saw this article in Time Magazine. I think it shares the heart cry of what a generation is thirsting for and how many churches have missed out in providing it. It is certainly true of the students I have shared life and ministry with in Indiana. Isn't this where we should have been all along!? For those who are involved in student ministry, which I hope is every one of you at some level, don't sell your students short by sugarcoating the gospel that calls people of all ages to lay down their lives. Even more importantly, don't sell God short by pretending we have to package something else along with Him as if He were not interesting enough. Trends will come and go and what is cool today may be a yawnfest next week, but if a student catches even a glimpse of God for who He truly is, their entire world will be turned upside down. When our students take time to really consider what God may do in their life for His glory, you'd better step back, or better yet, take off running with them.

Disconnected?

Happy Reformation Day everyone! I recently had an article passed along to me from the Washington Post about the trends of online friendship and communication in American culture. I've been involved in several discussions about this lately from the practical to the absurd, but at the end of the day it is something that must be considered. You can read the entire article here, but there were some helpful insights like this section:

Liana Castro, a junior in the literary media department of Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, said having an online social life intesified the drama in her real life. She routinely heard from people who complained they weren't designated as one of her top eight friends. "People would be like, 'why am I not in your top eight?' " With 279 online friends, Castro caught so much grief she changed the site so it only listed four family members. Her profile also landed her in hot water when a boy she didn't like kept asking to be her online friend. "I kept deleting the message," she said. "He got mad."

Obviously, this isn't the case for everyone but it does beg the question of who our friends are in a world like this. I know this is a bit of a double standard for dishing out my thoughts here, but understand that this is something I regularly touch on with those I teach every week. I often use instant messenger or my new fav, "Google Talk" to keep up with people I don't see as often as I would like. I have buddy lists, friend walls, and the like, but at the heart of all this is people staying connected. While there are benefits to this new technology, it comes with some growing concerns, many of which this article points out. In some ways, we have watered down the meaning of friendship to what many would call an acquaintance or, "hey I met that person once at a party", "had a class with them", or "have something in common with them." How many people on your friend list do you turn to when things get tough or (if they are believers) how many do you confide in about the inner activity of your heart so they can pray for you?

This also goes beyond definitions of friendship to how we interact with one another. The temptation is to deal with issues such as confrontation online because it is in some ways easier, but this is a temptation we must not fall to because it puts up barriers of meaningful exhange between people, whether that be affirmation or confronting with the truth in love. I believe that a growing love for God will be reflected in meaningful relationships with others as well. Think about Paul's letters in which he would long to see and spend time with those he had shared his life. "But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you— I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy." I Thes. 2:17-20. These feelings from God's messenger wouldn't change if he had text messaging or instant messenger. We should strive for that kind of devotion to God and to others and maybe one sophomore in the article is on to something.

"Over time, people are going to get sick of talking to people on the computer," he said. "I just think people will want to spend more time with each other -- without the wall of technology."

To that I say, "amen". Communication online can be helpful, especially if you are in a situation like us or want to keep tabs on some people you know. But don't exchange meaningful and deepening friendships that are more F2F (face to face) for the sake of convenience, you won't be SRY, that is IMHO... G2G, TTYL, TTFN :)

Coming around the corner...

I managed to survive my preaching experience at the seminary. No riots were started, no fruit was tossed, and as far as I know everyone survived. It was a really good experience but I am also glad to be finished with that part of class. We press on to the home stretch with a couple of major papers standing in the way before finals. As busy as things have been, I have found myself walking a little slower across campus and sticking around a little longer after classes. As anxious as both of us are to be graduating, there are several things, and people, I am going to truly miss.

Game On!

I imagine this is about how well I would match up against Dr. Mohler also... enjoy!

Enough

My cell phone is a better preacher than I am, at least it was today. We are presently covered up with plenty of obligations (too many to name) and the future is up in the air right now. Sleep has become increasingly rare and the "get'r done" pile keeps outweighing the "got'r done" pile, I'm sure many of you can relate. But the point of all that is we're not stressing. This is not because we're paricularly mellow people or have the winning attitude, but because God is running the show. If it were all up to me, I would be screaming, "Enough is enough!", but instead it is a quiet reminder that God is "more than enough." When I turn on my cell, that message pops up on the screen and sets things in order... more... than... enough. So in the midst of the unknown and the busyness of life I press the pause button, not because I have lots of time to spare, but because someone else may need this simple reminder as well.

"Unless the Lord had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—leaders whose decrees permit injustice? They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide." Psalm 94:17-22

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
Psalm 62:5-8

Ministry of Merging

I want to ask a special prayer for our church (Cross of Calvary) as we are attempting to join ministries with another church in our area. We have been having joint services and activities together recently and things have gone incredibly well. The churches had split about 10 years ago, but people on both ends are reconciling because of Christ. He is the only one who can bring about true unity, not even duct taping people together can do that (now there's an idea!) I've never been a part of something like this and can just be amazed at what God is doing. People are laying aside personal preferences and opinions for the sake of a greater cause. This is a powerful sign to the community who has only been exposed to churches splitting... but a merge!? This is unchartered waters for all of us so we appreciate your prayers!

Bethany is adjusting to the late shift at the hospital and I'm still squinting at the light at the end of the tunnel, six more weeks of classes! We are meeting with a church in about a week about a ministry position and will update you on that in a couple of weeks. I hope you all are doing well and we hope to see some of you in the near future.

Change, change, change

Life has been very fast paced for us and change is in the air. First, a big praise that Bethany got a position working evenings/nights for the hospital. She enjoys it and I've even been able to join her a couple of nights. It also makes it easier on us having one vehicle, although we are still adjusting to a crazy sleep schedule. Another good change is literally in the air... Fall! I am really enjoying the first couple of days of what should be at least one full week of Fall in Southern Indiana. Who doesn't enjoy Fall!? You've got the leaves changing, crisp, cool air, and more. It has always been my favorite season and Bethany is warming up (or cooling down) to it. Anyway, we continue to appreciate your prayers as we charge through the final semester here at Southern while balancing these other areas.

One last random note of change that caught our attention. Veggietales has hit the TV lineup. I was surprised at this until I found out the circumstances surrounding their debut. Bob the Tomato has officially been censored. The group that bought out Veggietales has watered them down to nothing more than a moral anecdote that can't even mention God anymore. Bob's signature line, "God made you special and loves you very much!" has been changed to, "Thanks for coming over to my house, kids. See you next week." Apparently the First Amendment doesn't apply to produce. Dr. Mohler had some good thought provoking analysis (as always) on the veggie take over on his site. You can read the full article but here is a sample that I thought summed it up well:

NBC fears that Bob the Tomato is a zealot -- a clever televangelist seducing children with his radical theology of God's love -- and with his theology made less threatening by his vegetable charm. Larry the Cucumber was evidently unavailable for comment. Many news sources contrasted the decision about VeggieTales with the network's decision to run a special starring notorious pop star Madonna -- a special that may feature her in a mock crucifixion scene. Is NBC willing to offend millions of Christians with a mockery of the cross? Stay tuned.

I guess all change isn't good after all. I'm glad they can't censor Autumn. *Sigh*, at least there's still silly songs with Larry.

Prayers for a saint

We want to ask our friends out there to pray for Bethany's grandmother Becky. She is in the latter stage of Alzheimers and has not been eating lately. We want God's will most of all in this situation, whether that means a healing of her body and mind here and now or a permanent healing through Christ's redemption in death. She is a wonderful lady who has faithfully served the Lord for many years. Her husband, Paul, could especially use your prayers as well. We will try updating you on this and other things in life later this week.

Down in My Heart

I remember as a kid singing about the joy joy joy joy down in my heart and when the teacher responded musically, "Where!?" we would always follow... "down in my heart!" Maybe as we get older the question goes from where to why. We talked in our Bible Study tonight about what true joy is and how it differs from what the world around us is selling. I would define joy as an unconditional and ever present assurance of God's sovereignty and acceptance of us in Christ. It isn't always demonstrated by a big smile on someone's face and isn't absent in the midst of tears. I believe the Bible teaches that God is glorified most in our joy when it remains steadfast in the midst of persecution or tribulation (Lk 6:22-23, Phil. 2:14-18). True joy sees past present circumstances and personal comforts to the greater good that God is bringing about by conforming us into the image of Christ (Rom.8:29). We can rest assured that God knows exactly what it takes to make us like Jesus. This kind of joy challenges believers to faithfulness and makes those who refuse Christ uncomfortable to say the least.

It is also a good reminder for us that our God is joyful. How cool is it that we who are in Christ are a joy to the God of the universe!? In that sense we find our deepest joy in seeking to be a joy to the Lord. I do not believe that God is that concerned with our happiness, but does care about our joy. In fact, God cannot desire anything greater for us than what would bring us the greatest joy of all... Him. Anything less would not be truly loving us. Joy is intimately tied to resting in God's sovereignty. He is in control of the cosmos and doesn't need our help holding it all together. Believers are secure in His strong hands (John 10:29) and with that assurance comes a joy that no one can take away, "and if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack."

Real Theology

Hello everyone! We are both doing well but are really busy. I'm trying to play catch up on some school assignments since we were out of town the first weekend. Bethany's job opportunity finally got posted so hopefully we'll know one way or the other what will happen with that.

For a thought this week I'll refer you to an older article by one of my heroes of the faith dealing with life, theology, adoption, and a birthday party. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You can read it here.
Have a great week!

Almost There!

The Fall Semester started this week and promises to keep us both pretty busy. The class list includes: Marriage & Family, Ministry of Proclamation, Church History, Missiology, and the Cooperative Program. The biggest challenge will be trying to read the 20 books that come with those classes and retain the basic info. More importantly, I am really focusing on just getting prepared for long term ministry and prayerfully seeking where God will have us serve. We are really excited to be finishing up seminary, but want to stay focused and finish well. Although that pretty much sums up what our lives will look like the next 3 1/2 months, we will be traveling in October to take part in the wedding of one of Bethany's lifelong friends, which will be a nice break. As always, we truly appreciate your prayers during this time! Remember to keep in touch!

Evangelism Linebacker

Evangelism Linebacker

The answer was there all along right in front of us... check out the newest discipleship program coming to a church near you!
If video doesn't work... try here

Who's on first?

One of the best things about my short break is getting to take in a lot of baseball. Since the stations up here don't carry many Braves games, I've had to take more drastic measures to get my fix. After going to a Chattanooga Lookouts game and a quick trip to Atlanta, I get to taken out to the old ballgame again this weekend in Cincinnati with my family! This is all pretty exciting for a baseball junkie like myself. Even though it has been a subpar season for a Braves fan, I'm still pretty pumped about getting to watch them play. The season has had its moments, one of which is happening on and off the field...

I read something pretty interesting in the Atlanta papers and there was a lot of buzz in the city about their Faith Day a week ago. After the game and everyone exited the stadium, they allowed people back in for a concert and message by John Smoltz. (my favorite player by the way) Smoltz shared about how he became a Christian and how God has a hand in everything he does, including pitching baseball. As you might expect there was considerable uproar over this event. I read the articles of several bashing Smoltz for his controversial move. While some arguments were a little more coherent than others, the one that was the most prominent and the most telling to me went something like this... It is fine to believe in Christ but just don't let it affect what you do on the baseball field. Don't be so caught up in your faith that you share it with others at every turn, this is baseball for crying out loud not church!

I think this is illogical at best and a telling sign of what faith means to the masses. Tolerance is triumphed until it opens the wrong doors and faith is welcomed as long as it doesn't really mean anything to you. If John Smoltz, or any other person who has ever professed to follow Jesus Christ, believes that a man who claimed to be the Son of God was crucified for our sins and was risen from the dead, he would be a fool to not seek every opportunity to share and live out that message... the gospel. We don't flaunt it, but neither can we ignore it. Expressing faith in everyday life goes beyond pointing toward the heavens after hitting a homerun or scoring a touchdown. It means much more than having a gold cross bounce around your neck as you run around the basepaths. Yes it isn't "church", and maybe that's the problem. We are called to live and breathe this truth outside a worship building, behind a desk, driving down the road, and even on a pitching mound.

College Crisis?

The growing struggle for churches in college ministry is alarming. The statistics out there are showing that the majority have strong spiritual or religious beliefs but a very small percentage of them are found plugged in to a local church. The church we attend is starting another college/career/?? class to help out our students. One of my close friends living in Chattanooga is beginning a college ministry outreach and I wished him all the best with my prayers because it is an area in need of serious examination in church life. If I know anything it is that I do not have all the answers but I do know there is a clear distinction that can help shed light on the problems. Ministering to believers who already know Christ and were involved in church ministry and reaching out to those who do not know Christ or who are "seekers" are unique but very similar, each having their own set of challenges.

With so many students who were involved in youth ministry but are not actively involved in church ministry when in college, the issue goes back to before they walk the stage at high school graduation. Youth ministries that are completely disconnected from other age groups and ministries in the church may draw the largest number of kids in the short term, but in the long term do not produce as many growing disciples of Christ. The results are often college students who will only attend youth meetings but couldn't tell you about anyone or anything else going on in the church. The growing worship movements through local campus ministries is an awesome thing, but I have talked to many campus ministers that are frustrated by how few of those students at the big gathering will come for Bible Study and prayer. Simply put, a true life of worship is a life of obedience. The solutions offered in many churches is putting college students or those who are fresh off the college campus as the leaders of the college ministries. This idea sounds great because it apparently meets the relevance and peer relationship needs, but is it best? I don't think this is wrong as much as it is counterproductive since there is still a disconnect with the church body and does not help answer what is out there for the believer after they eventually do graduate college (see photo).

For reaching unbelievers, I believe that churches can learn a great deal from the worship movements in campus ministries and the most fundamental lesson for them to learn is that God is enough. We don't have to try to add creative lures and extras on top of the gospel because when Jesus is lifted high He truly does draw people to Himself. Churches must also be willing to meet the challenging issues and go deeper into some of the life struggles that many face on college campuses. We must be willing to meet unbelievers where they are and not expect them to conform to church pews and hymnals they have never seen before they are allowed to hear the gospel. This is a battle ground for Christians to pay close attention to with the growing anti-Christian message that college students hear from professors who practically brainwash the masses with new age philosophy and naturalism. On the other end of the spectrum, genuine believers who are being encouraged and discipled in their churches and campus ministries are a spark of revolution on these same campuses. The solutions may come in asking the right questions and looking where, or to whom, we should've been looking all along for the answers.

This just in...

Does anyone else read the small print at the bottom of the screen when commercials are on? I don't know if it is just me but I figured I would ask because today it enlightened me to a startling truth I had never really considered and felt like sharing. Here it goes... there is an Orbitz gum commercial with Snoop Dog being sent to Hell, or something like it, for his bad language. The gum girl (or whatever they call her) pops in and gives Snoop some gum which in turn cleans his mouth and he magically appears in Heaven, or something like it. Okay for those of you still reading, the tiny letters on the bottom of the screen read: Dramatization: Chewing Orbitz will not get you into heaven. Whew! That sure does take a load off my mind. So sleep well tonight and rest knowing that the answer is still Jesus.

Before the Throne

I hope you all are having a good summer so far. As some of you know, we've been busy between summer classes, work, VBS, trips, and so on. Bethany got an invitation to go to a women's conference in Chattanooga, TN next weekend and I'm going to try to tag along to visit some friends I haven't seen in forever. I'm finishing up a major project over the next week for one of my summer classes then I will be done with all of them and ready for the Fall Semester. We'll try to write more when all that stuff starts to settle but for now think on this...
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs." - Hebrews 1:1-4

Don't forget you have a constant and unchanging mediator in Jesus Christ! He is the last and greatest Prophet, Priest, and King. If you struggle with condemnation or are burdened with guilt and shame, take time to read over those words again and become better acquainted to the one called Savior. I was listening to an older song by Jennifer Knapp this morning that spoke to this with powerful words... "Could it be that my worth should depend by the crimson stained grace on a hand?" An even older song, and one of my favorite hymns, says it so well. Let these words sink in...

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there! The risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased with His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God

VBS!

We have had a wonderful time at Vacation Bible School this week so far. We are doing a theme set in Bethlehem during the time of the birth of Christ. The adults and kids alike are enjoying it so much. (I might be having more fun than the kids!) We are all dressing up in costumes and imagining that we are back in Bethlehem. As you can see in the picture in the upper right, Jason and Eddie enjoyed it a little too much. :) They went to Arby's in their costumes. In the upper left picture the kids are singing the theme song and doing the motions. We only have one calm song for the whole week. It's very tiring, but it is so much fun! The picture in the lower left is, of course, Jason and me in our costumes the night that I had to be the aunt Rebekah of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, in a skit. The picture in the lower right is a picture of the tribe of Gad in their "home". They are our oldest class and this is the first of at least three years that our oldest class has been the second largest class. Our preschooler class is the largest by far. Tonight I got to be Anna in a skit and I had to be sarcastic to the shepherds. I had one of the best lines. The shepherds were trying to tell me about seeing the angels and then going to see baby Jesus and they told me that the most wonderful thing had happened. Before they could tell me what it was I, in turn, responded with sarcasm. "What happened? Did one of your sheep say 'Baa'? Or I know, you fell asleep counting them, is that it?" It was great. We have our last night of VBS tomorrow night and then we have our family night on Friday. Please be in prayer for the parents and children that will hear the gospel message on Friday night. The children have been hearing it all week, but a lot of the kids don't go to our church and I'm not sure if they go anywhere. I just know that the kids from our church brought them this week and we will do anything we can to get the gospel out to those precious children while we can. Hopefully some parents will hear it too, but as we all know, VBS is for reaching out to win the souls of the children and to plant seeds in their hearts that they might know Jesus Christ for their personal Lord and Savior. "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." -- Proverbs 22:6. A lot of churches will use their VBS to get to the parents through the children. I agree that the parents need to be reached just as badly as the children. However, I believe that children should not just be written off as a means to get to the adults in their lives. I do think that Family Night is very important. It is the one opportunity we have to reach the parents of some of these kids. The only time they will ever set foot inside a church building is to come and see what their child has been learning that week. So we will have a full gospel presentation during our program that will reach children and adults, as well as any older siblings they might have that come. Thank you so much for praying for these precious souls. I will let you know how things go. I love you all.

Bethany

Play Ball!

Well, there's the 1980 United States hockey team upsetting the Russians in the Olympics. Buster Douglas shocked the world when he KO'd Mike Tyson in 1990. I guess these things just happen. The seminary faculty played the students today and somehow emerged victorious. But seriously, we had a great time this weekend at a family day just hanging out with friends. I think I was 1 for 2 at the plate (see picture) with a nice little sunburn on the side. Is it this hot everywhere!? I guess that's enough fun and games with a midterm Monday and summer classes rolling along. Bethany said she'll post something this week. If she uses the excuse that her thumb surgery keeps her from typing well don't buy it for a second. I hope you all have a great weekend and don't forget to keep us posted on your life this summer with a call or an e-mail!

"Drawing Swords Together"

A great illustration of our struggle and fight as believers taken from one of my favorite scenes in Lord of the Rings.

God's Story

"The Passion of the Christ" ranks as the most controversial film of all time, according to Entertainment Weekly. "The magazine ranks the 25 films that have most shocked, disgusted and divided moviegoers, in its June 16 issue, on newsstands Monday." Now isn't that interesting? If you've seen the movie, it followed the line of scripture pretty well with the exception of a couple of Gibson's influences budding up in the film. I remember when the movie came out people tried to come up with anything and everything to talk about except the fact that this Jewish carpenter who had been brutally crucified would sit up in His grave and walk out. That is the heart of controversy, despite how so many try to smooth it over today. We are confronted with this and called to decision. The central themes of the gospel are often seen in many of our most popular movies and literature. It is because something in our hearts longs to connect with God's story of redemption. We root for the underdog, we champion the hero of virtue and sacrifice, and we celebrate evidences of grace. These longings point to something greater that each of us thirst for above all else. The historical events of the gospel are the greatest events that mankind will ever know and we simply can't outdo them in our wildest imaginations and biggest film budgets. Obviously, this is more than just interacting with a controversial flick or having a best selling book (although the Bible is the best selling "book" of all time). It is encountering the very purpose of life in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4). It also serves as a reminder that truth is always more interesting and divisive than heresy. In case you were wondering the Da Vinci code placed 13th on the list, oh well, maybe next time Hollywood.

Ouch!

Bethany had surgery on her thumb to remove a piece of glass she got stuck in it from work. She was wiping a tray that someone had used to get rid of a glass they had broken but neglected to tell anyone. So when you eat somewhere be sure to tip your waiters and waitresses and don't leave shards of glass for people who clean up after you! Everything went fine and she'll be able to use that part of her hand again a couple of weeks from the day of the surgery. Her doctor, Tsu-Min Tsai, was an expert in his field and one of the better hand doctors in the country from what I've been told. As you can probably tell he's not from Kentucky and his accent showed it. We tried to keep a straight face every time he would refer to the "grass" stuck down in her finger. You probably just had to be there but it did lighten the day a bit. Anyway, her job opportunity didn't work out and we're exploring other options and with the time she has off we're looking quickly so we appreciate your continued prayers there as well.

Gimme Five!

On May 19th, Bethany and I celebrated our five year anniversary. It's hard to believe that five years have passed so quickly. I'll take an opportunity to share with you all what you already know... I have a wonderful wife. She has been caring and supportive beyond what I deserve. I thank God for her every day and am grateful we get to share in this journey through life together.

New E-mail

Et tu technology? To quote the infamous Charles Brown: "Good grief!" I've experienced several problems with anything technological this past week, from ordering online, e-mails, and even our toaster. I'm not really on here to gripe about it (ok maybe a little) but there is one change I need to fill everyone in on. My e-mail is currently having several problems so I've opened another one at g-mail which is probably an upgrade anyway. So until I get the other one fixed or maybe for good my new e-mail is JasonSalyer@gmail.com. I'm trying to retrieve some of my old addresses but it would really help out if you could send me an e-mail at this new address so I can be sure to have yours. This may help clean out old and unused e-mail addresses as well (I'm looking at the technology glass as half full here). So if you read this please take a moment and drop me a note on that e-mail so I can have your address in the future, thanks!!

We still haven't heard anything about Bethany's job opportunity yet but hopefully we will tomorrow. Our five year anniversary is this Friday. I hope you all have a good week and stay in touch!

So long spring semester...

... and hasta la vista Hebrew! I took my last final Tuesday so another semester is now history. With four more classes in the books I find myself already picking up more books for the summer J-term. The nice part is being done with languagues and getting to focus on some other areas in the summer and fall terms. Graduation is in December assuming all goes well with classes between now and then. I'll be packing in three summer classes in order to do that but I think it will all be worth it in the end. Bethany has a potential job move in the hospital which, if she gets it, would be a huge help for us in a number of ways so we appreciate your prayers on that end as well. We'll try to keep you posted on that later this week. Also, my e-mail is having some issues and has been down for the last week so my apologies if you have sent something only to wonder why we don't talk to anyone now. Hopefully it will be up soon but you can always get in touch with me through here or the ever faithful phone call. Check back this weekend for an update and have a great week!

Together for the Gospel

This past week I had the opportunity to attend the Together for the Gospel Conference in Louisville. There was so much at the conference that it would be impossible to write everything that I took from it. It was a blessing to meet and listen to so many heroes of the faith. Albert Mohler was a member of a group of preachers that brought in R.C. Sproul, John Piper, John Macarthur and others to share what they had learned in the ministry. Some of these men have been at this for twice as long as I've even been alive and have done it well. It was very encouraging and very humbling at the same time. It was also a clear challenge to faithfulness and persistence in the ministry in view of our calling and knowing we will answer for this ministry before the Lord (Hebrews 13:17). Pastors came to the conference from all over the world, including places like England, Ethiopia, India, and even Indiana! I had the awesome opportunity of hearing some of their stories. I am reminded once again that this is a calling to what will be a tough life with many obstacles, just ask another hero of the faith, the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 4). Despite these hardships, I'll never understand just how God would want someone like me doing something like this. He delights in using the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the strong and I think that's an excellent place to start. I know I have a long way to go and a lot to learn along the way. I'll never have it all figured out but knowing my Savior promised to always be with me is good enough.

Resurrection

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and celebrated the Resurrection of our Savior. Never lose the awe and wonder of it all!

IN CHRIST ALONE

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

College Retreat

We really enjoyed getting to spend some time with friends at a college retreat this past weekend and getting to know some new faces. We hope to see you again soon.
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." - Psalm 115:1-3
 

busy busy

Midterms are taking up more time than I have but I will share a portrait someone made of the two of us, isn't it nice? I think I'm looking for Bethany's legs. We look forward to seeing some of you in TN next weekend.

Parking - Absolute or Relative?

A while ago I had a funny conversation with a neighbor out by the mailboxes in our apartment complex in Southern Indiana. The man was young and seemed to be fairly fresh out of college. At some point we got into talking about absolute truth versus relativism. He unashamedly laid out his views of moral relativism and how one set of beliefs is just as good as the next. "It's all relative really" he would say as if he were quoting some mutual professors we had. I questioned him several times only to get the same response over and over. "So it really doesn't matter what anyone does?"... "Nope"... "Nothing at all, no right or wrong, no universal law?"... "No, none of that really matters." Usually the point of such conversation is that, all things being relative, one person can't say what another should or shouldn't do in their lifetime. Sounds interesting doesn't it? Of course no one ever lives that way. It's always funny to ask someone who says there are no absolute truths if they are absolutely certain that is true. We wrapped up our conversation and headed our separate ways.

This relative mentality is penetrating our culture at every turn. I remember being so confused and frustrated when going with some family members to see Star Wars Episode III. At the best and worst moment of the movie, Obi Wan the Jedi (good guy) is about to take on Anakin the Sith (bad guy), it was the moment that action sequence lovers like myself were awaiting. Before Obi went to work, he and Anakin argued back and forth to build the suspense, only to have Obi spit out, "Only a Sith deals in absolutes"... at which point I said to myself, "Go ahead and take him out Anakin" Where did that come from? It's everywhere you turn in theory, but seldom practiced. Those who have lived out these beliefs in everyday life have gone down in history as mass murderers or evil dictators or might be found in an insane asylum... so maybe it's not all relative after all.

I was surprised to leave our complex one day and see our neighbor working diligently on something across the parking lot. There has been an ongoing saga for many that live here getting squeezed out of a space in the parking lot because of how people park their cars. The picture above shows the careful work done with a bucket of paint and a brush that day. I thought it was funny so we took a picture, but it does beg the questions I had asked him earlier. Apparently there is at least one absolute in our complex... parking. I wonder if I could convince him to paint our side as well?

2 Corinthians 13:8 "For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." -ESV

Pray without ceasing

The school semester is running at full speed and I already have an idea of my summer schedule which is most likely going to consist of 3 classes in a 4 week period. With the course requirements and preparational reading, I'm sure I've bitten off a little bit too much at once but it will allow me to graduate in December and not get caught with one class in a semester to finish. It will be even more tricky with VBS falling on one of those weeks and the VBS Director has her hands full and I can't say no when she needs something considering we are married.

We have some opportunities and events that are going to allow us to visit in TN in the future as well. We've been invited to lead a college ministry retreat in Rogersville on April Fool's weekend... I know what you're thinking but that's just the weekend that worked best. We will also be in that area again in October to take part in the wedding of our friends Joel and Kimberly, although this trip will probably be more brief.

Our meeting with the Mormon missionaries went very well and we appreciate all your prayers. Amazing as it sounds, we have a third meeting with them next Friday as well. We've covered key areas of difference between Christianity and Mormonism and are going even further in depth next week so please continue to lift them and us in your prayers.

It has been wonderful getting to focus more on my studies this semester. It has also provided more opportunity to pray and prepare for our next step after seminary, although we won't begin actively exploring until later in the summer. Again we appreciate your prayers for that as well. If there are any specific ways we can be praying for you, feel free to post and let us know or e-mail us if it is more private. We miss you all and hope to see you in the near future.

"Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You"
- Psalm 63:3

Rescue Is Coming

There's no escaping it, life can be tough. I have been reminded time after time the past couple of weeks that there are many people out there experiencing hardship and suffering. It seems everywhere I turn I have seen faces filled with pain, voices over the phone battling depression, and even read e-mails typed with a sense of real desperation. My attitude of Mr. Fix It doesn't hold up too long when I encounter so much in such a short time but it has brought a couple of thoughts I'll share with you.

First, I think we have to focus on God's strength and our weakness. All too often I've heard well meaning counsel attempting to either relieve suffering or at least quickly discover its eternal purpose in order to keep a happy perspective on life. But God's chief concern clearly isn't making us happy, He desires much more. No matter the circumstance that we find ourselves in, we know Him to be sovereign over all things and are called to trust fully in Him during all seasons in life. That's why we can read how Paul boasts in his weakness because it is through these very things that "the power of Christ may rest upon me." Why? "Because He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9) I preached on this passage earlier today at a nursing home in Southern Indiana and really saw God open eyes to His word by listening to some of the elder men and women I talked to afterwards. One in particular motioned for me to come down to her wheelchair so she could tell me something, "You reminded me that even though my body feels broken in this wheelchair that my soul is still being renewed daily in the Lord," she said. God is truly working all things, including our trials, together for good to them who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose and that is to make us more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29).

Even though all these things are opportunities for us to love God more deeply and depend on Him, there is also a joyful expectation in knowing that one day Christ will put all things under His feet and return in glory as He promised. Make no mistake about it, He is going to return and when He does He will make all things right. The elder saint I spoke with earlier will not need her wheelchair. My wife's grandmother will no longer suffer from Alzheimers when she is face to face with Jesus. Those who've never known what it means to have a home without abusive dads will have a perfect Heavenly Father. Rescue is coming to those who willfully admit they are truly weak and find their strength in someone bigger. Trusting Christ isn't just a one time event but a lifetime journey we are blessed to be a part of by His grace.

On a separate note: I want to ask everyone to pray for a couple of Mormon missionaries who came by our place this morning. We had a good discussion and I am trying to faithfully present the truth in love to them. They are coming back to our home next Friday, March 3rd. Please pray that God will open their eyes to the truth that is in Jesus Christ. We will be discussing several issues of contention between Christianity and Mormonism. There are plenty of apologetic arguments that we'll be going through, but at the end of the day it comes down to their minds and hearts being blinded by the god of this age. Pray for them and for us as we share with them.

 

lunch lady land -- life in the cafeteria

I'm really enjoying my job at Harrison County Hospital. I am currently working in the Cafeteria. They have trained me for two different positions and next week I get to start training on another one. Eventually they will train me for every position in the cafeteria. The most recent position I trained for has allowed me a wonderful opportunity that has shown me the reason why God led me to this job.

In this new position one of my responsibilities is to take menus up to the patients at the end of the day. I was watching the progress of one patient pretty much from the time he came into the hospital. He was in ICU for a couple of weeks and then he moved to a private room. This gave me hope that he was getting better. Then I saw that he had five lunch trays for his children to be delivered to his room until further notice. It kind of made me wonder if he might be dying. I had to take lunch trays to the Obstetrics ward when I heard beeping coming from his room. A nurse ran past me and into his room. That kind of worried me. At the end of the day, I was taking menus to the patients and I got to his room. When I went into his room, his children were all sitting there with somber looks on their faces. I asked how he was doing and his son told me that he only had a few hours left to live. When he said that, it completely broke my heart for this grieving family. I asked them if I could pray with them. They told me that they would like that, and when I finished praying, they thanked me. He died that night.

His daughter works at the hospital and I saw her today during lunch. I asked her how she and her family were doing and she said they were fine. She thanked me again for praying with them. It was a real blessing to me. I knew the day that I prayed with them that that was why God has me there. It's at least one reason. It makes me very excited to see what else He has in store for me there.

The Spring semester is off to a fast start and classes are going well. This promises to be my busiest semester to this point but I know I'm really going to enjoy the opportunity to learn from experienced Pastors and church leaders. One of our classes involves journaling "devotional thoughts" to encourage or challenge others in Christ. So in addition to life updates I'll include some of those periodically but will give you fair warning if you would rather read something else. So here's that but we'll place some other updates later on.
 

"Here is your God!"

I guess I'll explain these pictures and share a few thoughts that I hope encourage you today. I was going through some of our photos from a mission trip to New York City last summer and came upon this one taken from the fairy. We were standing there admiring the beauty of the sunset and I told one of our students to hold his hands apart like he was holding something small and fragile... a little closer... a little to the right... there!

Okay, so maybe this optical illusion won't make it onto a David Copperfield special or send the world into panic that I have successfully shrunk the Statue of Liberty. Obviously my friend's thumb can't possibly support this massive structure that so many have admired for so long. But before we leave this thought I want to remind you of our relationship with our Creator from Isaiah 40.
"You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him." (v.9-10)
When we struggle and stumble in our Chrisitan life we often lose sight of the greatest and simplest truths of our faith. He is your God and you are His own. We can study all the facts we know to be true of God but living it means moving beyond acknowledging these truths to walking in them daily. After all, God is beyond words huge or as our students often say, "ginormous". Read on...
"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. (Isaiah 40:12-15)
It should be clear now that we aren't in charge. God is running the show. He holds this massive cosmos and sustains it by His word. Which makes it even more amazing that He would choose you. The greatest joy that any human could ever experience is simply being in awe of the fact that this God wants us to know Him personally. He knows your name. For those in Christ, He has cleansed you from your sin and made you a new creation! He walks with you every moment of the day. Snuggled in the heart of verses teaching of how God is huge and powerful beyond our imaginations is verse 11, which should render us speechless.
"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young."
The same one who spoke creation into existence and has power and wisdom beyond what our fragile minds can comprehend carries us in His arms... close to His heart... here is your God.

One of the ministries we're involved in is the youth worship night known as "Submerged" to those in the Southern Indiana area. Submerged is a worship night geared for teenagers that moves around to different churches in the area. It's been growing for some time now and we are all really excited about what is going on. Feel free to look around on the website www.submergedinworship.com
You'll find more info about it there along with some hidden fun stuff if you look hard enough. Pray for this ministry to continue to shake things up in youth culture and encourage churches.

that's us... Bethany is the one on the right... except in the picture she's on my left... I mean she's on the... I mean on my... um, I gotta go 

welcome

Well we finally gave in and have found a good use for some free cyberspace in keeping up with family and friends. So if you've wandered in from cyberspace feel free to join in with thoughts or discussion but this isn't really for that. Otherwise its my hope to check in and check out with others through this and e-mail. But to those who are drifting in or want to know a little about us here it goes...

Well first off we are Christians, or followers of Jesus Christ. I desire to live a life of worship because I believe our entire life is to be an offering to God (hence the blogname, pretty catchy huh?) Nothing matters more and without this nothing else matters.

Bethany and I have been married 4 + years. We live in Southern Indiana while I'm attending Southern Seminary in Louisville. We're originally from Kingsport, TN and still have lots of family and friends there.

Honestly, if this isn't helpful in keeping up with others and providing some interaction before our "free minutes" kick in at night, I'll move on to bigger and better things... or at least different things. Anyway, that's a glimpse of our lives at the moment. So we probably won't be posting about our toothpaste of choice or what kind of animal we would be from some random online test. But we will try to put on some stuff to pray for and pictures and stuff like that. So feel free to say "Hi" but don't forget to put your name, e-mail, etc. so we can get back in touch with you.

Jason & Bethany