WEEK ONE – Preconditions for Spiritual Renewal (4/18/2012) – Notes (pdf)

WEEK TWO – Primary Elements for Spiritual Renewal (4/25/2012) – Notes (pdf)

1. The first podcast I mentioned was an episode of This American Life called “Retraction.”
2. The second podcast I mentioned was from “Thinking in Public” and contained a conversation with President Jimmy Carter.

• I got a clear reminder of the power of the Word of God when it is read.  I recognize that we live in a visual age.  Often, I get advertisements for videos that will “spice” up a worship service.  And yet, as I heard my friends read the story of the cross, I am reminded that for the most part we are living in the age of the EAR not the EYE (that is not original to me), no matter how “visual” the culture is.  We are told to hear the words of the Lord.  One day, our faith will be made sight, but this is not that day.  Not yet.  So, I heard God’s Word read, I heard prayers, I heard our church singing.  And I was reminded that faith comes by HEARING, and hearing by the Word of God.  I am grateful for that reminder.
• In listening to Matthew 26-27, I found myself appalled by the hypocrisy of so many in the story of Jesus: phony claims of care for the poor, uncertainty in what to do about blood money, Pilate trying to avoid any decision.  Still, in my anger at those who killed Jesus, I also realized that “ashamed I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.  It was MY sin that held him there.”
• I was so encouraged by hearing God’s people sing, even on songs that were likely less familiar.  The music was simple, and we sang to each other, reminding ourselves to stand amazed at Jesus, and to never lose the wonder of the cross.
• I believe that Father, Son, and Spirit would be pleased with our corporate worship.  I pray that He always is.
• I so appreciated being able to remember the death of Christ through the ordinance of Communion.  Having baptized Sunday, it was a tangible reminder of what the ordinances signify and how they function to seal our hearts to Christ.
• As I looked out on our church last night, I realized that we are growing closer as a body.  It felt like we were really family.  It felt like we were really friends.  Our church is diverse.  Often, it is easy to major on the differences, but I saw believers who call Ogletown their home share exactly the same sorrow and joy.  This is Easter #5 for the Hill family in Delaware, and there has not been a time where I have loved being here more!

As I look forward to the community-wide Good Friday service, as well as our Resurrection services on Sunday, I am grateful for a special moment shared with the Ogletown family this Holy Week.

1. I have already had the privilege of praying through several pages of our directory.  There is something that is so helpful about seeing the face of people as you pray for them.  Eventually, we hope to have some prayer guides that will take you through the directory in a specified amount of time.
2. I have already connected some names with faces that I have seen around Ogletown for a while.
3. Already, I have been able to contact people via information that they shared in the directory.
4. I am so grateful for each person that made the effort to get their picture taken.  You have served your brothers and sisters in Christ by doing so.
5. I wish more people would get their picture taken.  FYI, the next opportunity for this is 3/18.
6. We just had several people join, as well as several people come to our Membership Matters class who are considering joining.  I think the directory will help us so much in keeping track of people who are coming into the life of our church.
7. I have a feeling that over time this directory will serve our church well.  I am praying that God uses it to make us more of a family.

Really I am not sure exactly why!  Maybe it is because we are quirky people (or I will at least speak for myself, not indicting our family).  But the other reason is that in 2010, I decided to begin a reading project in which I would read a biography/autobiography on each of the US Presidents.  No certain order of reading, no rhyme or reason.  Every 3 months, I arbitrarily pick a president and read about him.  It is fascinating to see the gifts of leadership.  It is tragic to see the flaws and their consequences.  But I have learned a lot.  So, here is the reading list so far…

1. Summer 2010–Andrew Jackson (American Lion by Jon Meachem)
2. Fall 2010–George W. Bush (Decision Points)
3. Winter 2011–Theodore Roosevelt (Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris)
4. Spring 2011–James Buchanan (Jean Baker)
5. Summer 2011–Dwight Eisenhower (Stephen Ambrose)
6. Fall 2011–John Quincy Adams (Paul Nagle)
7. Winter 2012–James Garfield (Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard)
8. Spring 2012–??? (any suggestions?)

So, Happy President’s Day, and you can visit this page to see some of my other 2012 reading.

• I am so grateful to be at Ogletown.  I told someone yesterday in passing, that Sunday is my favorite day of the week.
• I was struck by something that Larry, one of our worship leaders, said:  “I can think of 10,000 reasons to praise God this morning, but I cannot think of ONE reason not to!  I have thought about that again today a few times.”
• I saw a ton of new faces yesterday.  I am so glad that people are coming, and that people are inviting others to come.  With those new faces, I do have questions.  Are we ready to show Christ’s love to them?  Will they find our church inviting?  Will they want to come back?  Will they get a taste of what God is doing, and want more?  Why did they come?  Why did God send them our way?  How can we show more hospitality to our guests?  As I said…1000 things go through my mind!
• It was a joy to hear the good news about those who went to Snow Camp.  Although the snow didn’t cooperate, God worked incredibly.  I thought about the prayer cards that so many had filled out.  Then, when I got the good-news-text from Chris about how God was working, I began to think, “God, you really do answer our prayers!  Thanks so much.”  I find myself praying for fruit that remains.  I was encouraged to see Facebook blow up last night with reports of how God worked.
• I saw a bunch of people lingering after church.  I have no idea what they were talking about.  Frankly, I don’t really have to know.  It is enough for me to realize that God is using 1000 little conversations to be the glue that holds are church together and pushes us toward Christ.  Much care is shown in these everyday conversations.
• I saw a picture (with some comments) on Facebook.  It was a picture of a Sunday School class.  A group of people, Bibles opened, engaged with Scripture.  Good stuff.
• This morning Al Demers shared with me some of what God is doing through Celebrate Recovery.  Truth be told, a lot of it will never show up in headlines, and yet the undercurrent of God’s grace is an amazing thing.
• Speaking of God’s working, I read something about God’s work recently.  It was a reminder that God uses grace PLUS time in our lives.  Sometimes, I want things immediately, but our Father knows what’s best and when we need it.

God is at work, bringing much glory to Himself.  I am glad to have a front row seat!

• 1 Peter by Karen Jobes (Baker Exegetical Commentary)
  
• 1 Peter by Wayne Grudem (Tyndale NT Commentaries)
• Teaching 1 Peter by Angus Macleay
• 1 Peter by Scot McKnight (NIV Application Commentary)
• 1 Peter by Tim Chester (The Good Book Guide)
• Homeward Bound by Philip Jensen and Tony Payne (Interactive Bible Studies)

Specifically, you can pray that God would be glorified with these things in mind:

1. Wisdom for our committee–There are many candidates, literally from all over the country, who have expressed interest in this position.  It is a daunting task to sort through these resumes and discern which candidates to pursue.
2. Priorities for our committee–The person who will be our next Associate Pastor must be a godly example to the rest of the church.  In addition, we need someone who will fit well with the vision/mission of our church, be ready to minister to people in this area, have a heart for those who don’t know Christ, etc.  We need God’s wisdom in discerning those things.
3. Unity for our church–Big decisions in a church can unify or polarize the congregation.  I believe that our church will be unified by this decision, and I am praying toward that end.
4. Future growth of our church–Our prayer is that adding to the staff in this way will help our church to grow to look more like Jesus.  Our congregation has room to grow, and the pastor who comes will play a vital role in encouraging that growth.
5. Transition for the candidate–Our committee recognizes the difficulty of transition and change.  Whoever God might send to us will be transitioning from another place/role in their lives.  The transition may be huge, or it may be minimal.  Still, we need God’s grace especially when we are going through times of change.

These are just a few ways in which you can pray for our search committee in the upcoming days.

#1–A chosen race–this is language drawn from Isa 43:20-21 and Exodus 19:5-6.  It is used in reference to the Israelites during the time of the Exodus and the time of Exile.  Peter applies it to all of God’s people, regardless of their physical background.

#2–A royal priesthood–this is language drawn from Exodus 19:5-6.  We are royal because we are God’s possession.  As priests, we have been made holy and able to offer sacrifices to God.  We have been set apart for a very clear purpose and for purity.

#3–A holy nation–this label is from Exod 19:6 as well.  Once again, it is significant that in the OT this label was applied only to the nation of Israel, but now it is applied to all people in the New Covenant.

#4–God’s special possession–this idea emerges from Isa 43 and from Exod 19.  Because we are His special possession, we should be quick to speak of His excellencies: salvation, His work of transformation, the work of Jesus Christ, the hope we are promised.

#5–The people of God who have received mercy–these words are taken from Hosea 2:23.  The verses in Hosea remind us of the spiritual adultery of Israel and God’s love and faithfulness to them.

All of these labels have some amazing cumulative effects.  God is reminding His New Covenant people of their historic roots in the OT.  He is shaping their identity around Christ.  He was opening up their thinking to embrace God’s people as being a multi-national bride!

• What Is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert–I appreciated some much-needed clarity on a big subject.
• Eisenhower: Soldier and President by Stephen Ambrose–Part of my goal to read a biography on each of the presidents.  This one made me Like Ike.
• Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris–Ditto Above as far as my president’s project.  Enjoyed learning more about a colorful character and his White House years.
• God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts–Ended up using this as a basis for teaching on Wednesday night.
• Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson–Probably the most entertaining, stimulating book I read all year.  I cannot wait to read it again.
• Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand–Enjoyed this book greatly.  Made me appreciate those from the Greatest Generation.
• The Deep Things of God by Fred Sanders–This book propelled me to teach on the Trinity on Wednesday night in early 2011.
• Reverberation by Jonathan Leeman–I love this book’s HIGH estimation of the power of the Word in the life of the church.
• The Gospel of Ruth by Carolyn Custis James–I preached through Ruth on Sunday morning, and was so helped by James’ perspective on this beautiful gospel-filled story.