Nick & Vader

Nick and his family was able to visit Arkansas this week and we had to have some fun! Luke had to work so he wasn't able to be apart of this and we were very disapointed. But have fun with this!

God Bless!

-Lifesavior

Smoke & Wineskins

Today's part of Psalm 119 is verses 81-88. I've been reading this passage and saw that the author is speeking about the persecution that he is in. He says that he has become a 'wineskin in smoke'. If a wineskin is placed in smoke the skin will dry out and crack; then becoming useless.

So the author is saying that in his perscution he has 'cracked'. But in verse 88 he says, "Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testamony of Your mouth." What a very vivid image!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

Thank you

(Yes, I had to force him to give me the peace sign) :)

Hey guys, just wanted to thank you for your prayers and give you an update on how Kyler is doing.

First of all, let me tell you how he did it. The other day we went to Wal-mart (what would we do without Wal-mart?) and my dad got us two, mega, slip-and-slides! I didn't see what happened, but somehow he fell on his shoulder and snapped it.

When we went to the emergency room yesterday, they gave Kyler some major pain killer, and a brace (check out the picture). So far he's doing fine, and his pain is at a minimum.

So thank you all for praying! (and according to the comments, a lot of you did!).

But don't stop praying, 'cause Kyler still has a long road to travel until he's healed.

kade

quick prayer request- read!

My brother (Kyler) just broke his collar bone about an hour ago, and was rushed into the emergency room. I don't know bad it is yet. so just pray. right now.

kade

fill you in later, gotta go...

Polls

*deep cave-man voice*

Vote.

Now.

Economy of Mercy

Psalm 119:77 “Let your mercy come to me, that I might live.”

I know. It’s a short verse. But it’s really great, because who here can live without God’s grace? Nobody. Everyday we continue on in this life; because of God’s grace and mercy. It is what is keeping us alive. Without it, we would stumble and fall… all the way back to Hell. Praise God for his mercy.

Praise God for shuffle. While I was posting this, I had the shuffle turned on, and God gave me this song. It’s called the Economy of Mercy (by Switchfoot). It says, ‘In the economy of mercy, I am a poor and begging man. And in the currency of grace, is where my song begins…’

Alright, it’s going to be a short post today, but I wanted to talk about something else too. At church this week, we are having our VBS! (Vacation Bible School) Party on!

I’d like for you guys to pray for:
1. salvation in these little guys.
2. for the teachers and helpers; that they wouldn’t stress.

But anyways, Kole, Luke, and I are helping out with it, and so far, yesterday went over real well. So please keep these things in mind!

Here's some pictures our pastor took:

kade

Kole and I practicing before hand with Nanci.
p.s. Nick is in Ohio right now, and rather busy, so I posted.

Godly Company

Hey, everyone. My thoughts today come from Psalm 199:57-64. The section is marked by the Hebrew letter "Heth" (or "Cheth").

Psalm 119:57-64

57 The LORD is my portion;
I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to Your word.
59 I considered my ways
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I hastened and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
63 I am a companion of all those who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.

The specific thought I want to draw on this evening (or morning, if you read it tomorrow) is from verse 63. "I am a companion of all those who fear you."

As Christians, we are bound together as the body of Christ. This verse isn't just saying that we shouldn't be negative toward other believers. It isn't even just saying that we should be friendly to everyone who professes Christ. It calls us to be companions. And not only to the Christians we know in our church, but to "all who fear You."

Rather than expounding this into a full post, I would like to make this a discussion. What comes to your mind when you think of companion? What are some practical applications we can make, knowing we are to be companions of all believers? I look forward so some good discussions in the comments.

Luke

P.S. Sorry for the short post, to be honest things are getting busier than ever before and I didn't make enough time to get a full post together this time around. I will do my best to get a full post together next time. In the meantime, I would like to have some good discussion on this verse.

yes, we've joined

Hey guys, we just put up a media play list, so I guess we are now part of the 'cool group'.

But here's what I want you to do:
Comment and tell us whether you think that our music is edifying to you. And tell us whether or not we should keep the player up.

So go ahead and check out the music; hope you like it, and tell us your favorite song.

kade

p.s. maybe i should do a poll or something?

p.p.s. Luke should be posting soon.

The Great Blacksmith

Well today it's my turn to post on the verse 49-56 in psalm 119, in the continuation of our series. In verse forty-nine it says, "Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope." I think that the "word" in this verse is referring to the Gospel, or the promise of a savior, because there is no comfort in the law for us.

Then verse fifty says, "This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me." The Gospel is where we are to find our comfort in our times of trouble. And God uses affliction to teach us things, show his glory and power, and to conform us to the image of Christ.

My Dad told me a story this morning about this pastor who was taking a walk to find something to preach on, and he came upon a two men in a blacksmith shop. One of the men was using signs to tell the other where to hit and what to do, while the other obeyed his commands. After being confronted by the pastor about not really be a blacksmith, the manager replied, "This man here is mentally handicapped, and for all he knows, he's pounding it into nothing. But I am turning it into a work of art."

This story is an example of how God uses suffering and things that "hurt us" to shape us into something beautiful for His glory. God is the Great Blacksmith and we the dross-laden metal. Praise God for taking something as worthless as me, and using it for His Glory!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

it's like, totally a make over

Hey guys, we decided it was time for us to change up our blog up a little, so stay with me as I start changin' things up this week.


kade

socially unacceptableness

(you like that word, right?... unacceptableness) (well, believe it or not, it's actually not a word, i made it up all by myself). :)

Psalm 119:46 "I will speak of your testimonies to kings, and will not be ashamed of it."

Tell me if you can relate to my story: Remembering back aways, there was this guy at an inner-city missions camp that I was going to (let's name him Willy). And one of the nights I was there, Willy was talking to his girlfriend over the phone- all night (The guys and girls were in totally separate buildings... miles apart). I, personally, think that having a girlfriend at Willy's age is probalby not the most profitable thing, much more, talking to her- all night! (Tell me if I'm not the only one). So the next day, I started talking to him about it- in front of probably ten guys. Then, one of the guys in the room, grabbed my arm and pulled me off aways, and then tried to get me to stop. You know why? Because the conversation I was having wasn't socially acceptable.

But you know what? Every conversation doesn't have to be socially acceptable! We should have some socially 'unacceptable' conversations! In fact, every time you share the gospel, it's socially unacceptable! Because God is socially unacceptable!

So my challenge for you is to, with your friends, have some socially unacceptable conversations. Not just for the sake of having socially unacceptable conversations, but to make God a socially acceptable topic.

Luke put up a song for me on the side-bar by the good... ol'... Dc talk. It's called Socially Acceptable. I don't really listen to Dc talk, but I remembered this song and decided to post it. My favorite line is this one: "...somethin's missin' and if you ask me, I think it's the G-O-D..."

kade


Cool Fact Numbero 1 At The End Of My Post: You know what's pretty cool? Every religion besides Christianity has it's reasons to be ashamed (espcially evolutionists). But in Christ, we have nothing to be ashamed of! God's word has no flaws!

Attention: Alright, I need you guys to help me out here. If you can see our music player and it plays the song, comment: 'Aye'. If you can't see it, or it won't work, comment: 'Nay'. But either way, comment! Thanks.

Cool Fact Numbero 2 At The End Of My Post: This is one of my longest posts! Ha, ha. :)

Psalm 119:37

Psalm 119:37 – Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.

Well it seems that people today still struggle with things that people way back then did! I am reminded of Fireproof. If you have seen it, you will remember the ‘parasites’ that the diary Caleb read was talking about, and that they MUST be removed. Well, it is very hard -- especially these days – to stay away from those things. Ads in the newspaper, everywhere on the internet, commercials on TV… it is everywhere. Here David pleads that God would help keep his eyes on what matters and is worthwhile. I encourage you to watch out when you are doing the everyday stuff, that you would guard your eyes from worthless things.

Also, I would like to post a link to a California confrence that some of the youth from my church is going to: http://www.resolved.org/ It is hosted by MacArthur's church, and has a lot of great speakers. You can find a video about it, who is speaking there, and other things. I will not be a part of it because we are traveling. Get to go see the Creation Museum!

P.S. I just experienced my first WY thunderstorm! It wasn’t very big, but our electricity flicked on and off.

--Nick

go ahead; waste your summer

Nick kind of fumbled with the whole 'posting thing', so I'm taking over for him today. I'm guessing he'll probably post tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

So what are you going to do with you summer? I hope you don't waste it. What an awful thing to do! God gives you a perfect time when you don't have to the distraction of school, and what do you do? Yep, you guessed it, find something else to occupy your time with! To think; that you waste your God-given time on things that just don't matter! Mr. T pities the fool who wastes his summer!

Now, I'm not saying that it's wrong to have some fun during summer. That's fine! But be sure not to waste it.

So leave a comment and tell us what you're going to be doing with your summer. It's alright to tell us that your going on vacation to Alaska, but try and tell us something spiritual too!

kade

Resolve to Be in God's Word

Psalm 119:25-32

25 My soul cleaves to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So I will meditate on Your wonders.
28 My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Your law.
30 I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to Your testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!
32 I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will enlarge my heart.

When I told my dad about how we would be going through Psalm 119 for the blog, he provided me with a great resource to stir my thoughts for my posts - “The Treasury of David,” a commentary on the Psalms by Charles Spurgeon. I read some of Spurgeon's notes on this section, and my post borrows the structure he pointed out in these verses.

The letter this section starts with is Daleth, or D. Spurgeon writes, “It sings of Depression, in the spirit of Devotion, Determination, and Dependence.”

In verse 25, the author is in sorrow as he writes, “my soul cleaves to the dust.” Again in verse 28, “my soul weeps because of grief.” In this grief, he makes seven petitions of God - “revive me,” “teach me,” “make me understand,” “strengthen me,” “remove the false way from me,” “graciously grant me your law,” and “do not put me to shame.”

As with the entire chapter, the answer to all troubles, including this sadness, is God's Word. In each of these requests is a reference to the means of joy. The only thing that can cure the sorrowful soul is the written Word of God.

After these, the author makes a resolution and states it in three ways. First, he says, “I have chosen the faithful way.” Second, he writes, “I cling to your testimonies.” Finally, in verse 32, “I shall run the way of Your commandments.” He has chosen his path, he has been equipped by God's Word, and the final step is to run in that path.

For us, I'd like to take three applications from this text. To make it easy to remember, I've come up with three R's for your consideration. First, Request. Pray! Talk to the Lord at all times, but especially during rough times when your soul is grieving. Come to Jesus, “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Bring your petitions to God.

It's also important that you know the means God will use to answer your requests, and that's the second R – Read. If you only get one thing from reading Psalm 119, you'll see the importance the author places on God's Word. It's repeated in nearly all the verses, called by various names. This section is no exception. Be in God's Word together with diligent prayer and He will answer you and “enlarge [your] heart.” The life, the strength, the truth, the honor, and the glory of the Christian is God and His Word.

Finally, Resolve. David here resolves to follow God's precepts – so should we. As I said before, this resolution comes in three parts – choose the path, be equipped with the Bible, and then follow that path.

Every time I think of resolutions, I am reminded of Jonathan Edwards. That's a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day, but I'll close with one of his many resolutions (and I encourage you to look up his resolutions sometime, they are incredible examples).

Resolution 63
On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time.

Request, Read, and Resolve!

For Christ!

Luke