1 Timothy 2 and Gender Roles in the Church

I recently preached on 1 Timothy 2 which addresses some of the gender roles in the church. The following resources are very helpful if you would like to read more:

Resources for a Stronger Prayer Life

In a sermon I preached this past Sunday on 1 Timothy 2:1-7, I mentioned that some resources for building a stronger prayer life would be posted here this week. Here are some excellent books on prayer.

The Privilege of Sitting Under the Preaching of God's Word

This past week has given me the opportunity to sit under the preaching of God's Word on two different occasions. First was on Sunday morning at the 11:15 am worship service here at FPC. John Kinser preached on Romans 1:16-32. It was a very, very powerful exposition of that passage which is so pertinent to our present day here in America. I found my soul rebuked, nourished, and encouraged. Since I am usually preaching on Sunday mornings, this was a great privilege to join in worship as a congregant. The second opportunity came today at a noon luncheon we have every Wednesday at FPC. Stephen Maginas (a former church member who is heading to Greece with RUF as a missionary to university students) was in town and I asked him to preach and to report on the work upon which he and wife, Leslie, are embarking.  He preached from Matt. 18 and Col.2:13-14 on the subject of the problem of debt. Again, the Holy Spirit used it in a powerful way in my life.

The problem of a sermon on Mother's Day

As Mother's Day approches this coming Sunday, pastors like myself feel a variety of pressures regarding preaching that day. Some people choose to abandon church attendance that day since it brings up sad memories of mom who is no longer living. Others re-experience old wounds of the disappointment of infertility or a miscarriage(s).  I found a recent article by Wendy Alsup enlightening. You can read it here.

Unreached Peoples and the Great Commission

I am grateful for the numerous ministries and organizations which focus on reaching the unreached people groups of the world with the gospel. A tremendously educational and motivational website is www.joshuaproject.net. You can view it here.

What It is Like to Receive the New Testament for the First Time.

Michael McGhee sent me this very unique and moving 10 minute video of a tribe in Indonesia receiving their first copies of the New Testament in their own language.

Relief Help for Japan

The Presbyterian Church in America has an emergency relief work called Minutemen for Missions. They are rapidly responding to the needs in Japen following the tsunami of March 11. You can make a financial donation for relief in Japan through this link.

Thankful to the Lord for sparing one of His servants!

Dony St. Germain

This morning I received a message that Dony and Sharon St. Germain, leaders with El Shaddai Ministries in Haiti, survived a near kidnapping yesterday afternoon in the Dominican Republic. You can read the harrowing details here.

There is no other name / Wonderful Merciful Saviour - Steve Camp

Operation World

The book, Operation World, is billed as the "Definitive Prayer Guide" for the world. Besides being a very helpful prayer guide for the countries of the world, it is also an extremely helpful educational tool regarding world facts. Here is a link to the website which produces the book and additional tools.

Book recommendations

I have been reading this book by Palmer Chinchen entitled True Religion. Palmer will be speaking at our annual missions conference at FPC/Macon in a couple of weeks. His purpose in writing is to motivate those of us who are followers of Christ to take His compassion to the lost and least....esp. in Third World countries.

JOB Book Trailer - John Piper

A wonderful song by Christy Nockels

Approaching a Special Birthday

Very soon our son, Stephen, will turn 14. He is an extremely sweet and happy child with numerous severe disabilities. Today, after our morning worship services at First Presbyterian Church, we took him, one of his sisters and 3 of our grandchildren to a newer handicapped accessible children's park in Macon. This photo shows Barbara may have been having as much fun or more than Stephen.  A daily devotional book which has been a great resource over these 14 years is L.B. Cowman's Streams in the Desert.  Joni Eareckson Tada's/Steve Estes' book When God Weeps has also been invaluable.

Looking for a Bible Reading Plan?

Discipleship Journal magazine lists several which you can find here.

Just Returned from the Desiring God Pastor's Conference

I just returned from Minneapolis and my 4th time to attend the Desiring God Pastor's Conference. My wife, Barbara, and Eric and Annette Ashley were all able to attend. It was a very motivating and encouraging time for us all - especially the times of prayer and singing with 1600 other pastors. Francis Chan gave me a personal note to bring to our daughter, Rebecca, who has practically memorized his book Crazy Love. The theme this year was "Prayer."  I highly commend all the messages which you can listen to here.

More on David Nicholas

My friend and mentor, David Nicholas, wrote an excellent book with a greatly needed message for today. It is entitled, Whatever Happened to the Gospel?  I have put a link to it on my "Favorites."

The Loss of a Spiritual Father

David Nicholas  1931-2011

This morning I received the stunning and sad news that David Nicholas had gone to be with the Lord. Dave had a great impact on my life since I served on the staff of Spanish River Presbyterian Church back in 1978. Here is the email I received:

The Loss of a Spiritual Father

January 26th, 2011

Dear Chip,


It is with a heavy heart that we report that a little after 9:00 p.m. est., January 25th, David Nicholas went home to be with the Lord. It was his 60th birthday, in the Lord.

He leaves behind his wife and lifelong partner in the Lord's work, Eleanor Nicholas and all those who knew him as their spiritual father. David is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

David will be missed terribly here, but his legacy of preaching the Bad News and Good News Gospel will live on in the countless lives that have been touched by his faithful sharing of his Christian faith.

As we have more information regarding his final arrangements, we will make them known to you.
　
The TCPN Team
The Church Planting Network

Sho Baraka

Some people are able to craft together thoughts and emotions in music and art which the rest of us feel but do not know how to express.  Proof is here  and here.

Annual "Stand For Life" Worship Service and Prayer in Macon 1/24/2011

I had the privilege to gather with a few hundred others at the steps to our City Hall yesterday for a worship service which included prayer for the safety of the unborn.

Sanctity of Human Life 2011

I greatly appreciate Justin Taylor's response to President Obama's words on the 38th Anniversary of  Roe v. Wade.  You can read it by clicking here.

Memorizing the book of Philippians with Partnering to Remember

Here is a link to a memorization plan which will have you memorizing the book of Philippians between Jan. 1, 2011 and Easter Sunday. Many people in our congregation at FPC Macon are attempting to use it. Please join us!

http://theresurgence.com/2010/12/20/partnering-to-remember