You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March 2007.
There will be no Wednesday evening services during easter week. Therefore, there will be no youth on Wednesday, April 4, 2007. We will be hosting a Good Friday Service at the church on April 6, 2007 at 7:00P.M. Be there. Wednesday evening activities will resume on April 11, 2007.
Also, Armand’s Pizza on April 1st after church. 20 percent of the bill will go towards Upside Down Youth. Be there.
This maybe off the subject of the youth blog but I wanted to post this for anyone who might be searching like I was on digitally recording church services. There are some great tools out there people can use that are relatively inexpensive to digitally record. Your first step in trying to record services is to download some free software wow free that’s a great price right. Yes, audacity is a free download which allows you to record in wav and mp3 format. For those of you who do not know the difference, wav files are larger than mp3 files. The great part about audacity is you can also edit your recording using simple cut and paste as well as other effects to increase the quality of your recording. So, you say wow this is cool but what do I hook to what to make this thing work. Well, m-audio sells a usb interface which retails for around $150. The usb plugs into your laptop and you typically have a two channel plugin on the interface which features an two xlr hookups or you can connect using a simple monster audio cable as well. Run this cable from your sound board out to your m-audio in. Open up your audacity software press record and stop then you want to save the file and export it either as a wav or mp3. Once it is exported then you can burn your cd using audacity or your favorite cd burning software. I’m a big fan of nero. This is a simple way to burn cds for your congregation as well as you can use the file you just recorded and add it to your website.
Now, if you want to take this a step further and venture into the world of podcasts which there seems to be a huge market to reach that uses this technology. I recommend the podcast buddy. $20 gives you the full version and what it does is it uses your digital recording file so that you can create your podcast feed and rss feed as well. This feed you can submit to iTunes which they will in turn post your podcast for consumption. These are great tools to spread the gospel across the country.
Devotions are such an important part to the Christian life. It is vital that as Christians we are in the Word studying, learning and growing spiritually. 2 Timothy 3:14-16, But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
As my Senior Pastor says, “How do you expect to be a functioning Christian if you are not reading the word?”
Well, you say, where do I start? I want to read but I do not have any time or I do not even know where to begin? If I start reading it how do I understand what it is trying to say? These are all good thoughts. There are so many tools out there you can use to begin a reading program. There are a lot of methods out there as well.
I was brought up on the Bible in a Year program. It gives a sense of accomplishment knowing you are reading the whole Bible every year. The method our Pastor uses is the 3-2-1 method. Three pages or 3 chapters in the Old Testament, 2 pages or chapters in the New Testament and 1 Psalm/Proverb a day. Typically with the Proverbs you can read a Proverb according to the number of the month. For example today is the 26th of March so you would read Proverbs 26.
A few other resources I have used is Our Daily Bread. It’s really great because it is accessible online. You can also subscribe to the paperback version and have it mailed to your home. My Utmost for His Highest is also great by Oswald Chambers. It is also accessible online. The difference between the two is Our Daily Bread gives you more Scripture to read and Chambers focuses on a few verses. It gives a great contrast because you see the bigger picture with more Scripture but one verse can be utilized for meditation.
I have started a subscription recently to Tabletalk which is put together by Ligonier Ministries. It is setup as a 5 day a week devotional with Scripture a small explanation of the text and a deeper application of the Scripture with additional Scriptures for further study. The weekends include an article written by various ministers and laymen throughout the country. Each month they have a theme or topic that it is stressed each month. The beginning has several articles written about the topic or theme discussed. It is $20 for a year and there are discounts for multi year subscriptions and church subscriptions as well. It has not disappointed.
The Banner of Truth website has put up a daily Valley of Vision devotional taken from the book written by Arthur Bennett which I have mentioned a few times before. It is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotionals. It is great for those who enjoy poetry.
One I will include for today, I found this on the Center for Reformed Theology website under books. It is a devotional by Charles H. Spurgeon. It includes a morning and evening reading.
Check it out.
Morning, March 26
“Jesus said unto them, If ye seek me, let these go their way.”
- John 18:8
Mark, my soul, the care which Jesus manifested even in his hour of trial, towards the sheep of his hand! The ruling passion is strong in death. He resigns himself to the enemy, but he interposes a word of power to set his disciples free. As to himself, like a sheep before her shearers he is dumb and opened not his mouth, but for his disciples’ sake he speaks with almighty energy. Herein is love, constant, self-forgetting, faithful love. But is there not far more here than is to be found upon the surface? Have we not the very soul and spirit of the atonement in these words? The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety is bound, and justice demands that those for whom he stands a substitute should go their way. In the midst of Egypt’s bondage, that voice rings as a word of power, “Let these go their way.” Out of slavery of sin and Satan the redeemed must come. In every cell of the dungeons of Despair, the sound is echoed, “Let these go their way,” and forth come Despondency and Much-afraid. Satan hears the well-known voice, and lifts his foot from the neck of the fallen; and Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the dead arise. Their way is one of progress, holiness, triumph, glory, and none shall dare to stay them in it. No lion shall be on their way, neither shall any ravenous beast go up thereon. “The hind of the morning” has drawn the cruel hunters upon himself, and now the most timid roes and hinds of the field may graze at perfect peace among the lilies of his loves. The thunder-cloud has burst over the Cross of Calvary, and the pilgrims of Zion shall never be smitten by the bolts of vengeance. Come, my heart, rejoice in the immunity which thy Redeemer has secured thee, and bless his name all the day, and every day.
Evening, March 26
“When he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
- Mark 8:38
If we have been partakers with Jesus in his shame, we shall be sharers with him in the lustre which shall surround him when he appears again in glory. Art thou, beloved one, with Christ Jesus? Does a vital union knit thee to him? Then thou art to-day with him in his shame; thou hast taken up his cross, and gone with him without the camp bearing his reproach; thou shalt doubtless be with him when the cross is exchanged for the crown. But judge thyself this evening; for if thou art not with him in the regeneration, neither shalt thou be with him when he shall come in his glory. If thou start back from the black side of communion, thou shalt not understand its bright, its happy period, when the King shall come, and all his holy angels with him. What! are angels with him? And yet he took not up angels-he took up the seed of Abraham. Are the holy angels with him? Come, my soul, if thou art indeed his own beloved, thou canst not be far from him. If his friends and his neighbours are called together to see his glory, what thinkest thou if thou art married to him? Shalt thou be distant? Though it be a day of judgment, yet thou canst not be far from that heart which, having admitted angels into intimacy, has admitted thee into union. Has he not said to thee, O my soul, “I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness?” Have not his own lips said it, “I am married unto thee, and my delight is in thee?” If the angels, who are but friends and neighbours, shall be with him, it is abundantly certain that his own beloved Hephzibah, in whom is all his delight, shall be near to him, and sit at his right hand. Here is a morning star of hope for thee, of such exceeding brilliance, that it may well light up the darkest and most desolate experience.
These are just a few of the many resources available. It is also important to have a good commentary to go with your Bible reading so many times we might miss an important point because we do not understand the historical context of what the author is trying to say to his audience. William Barclay has a collection of commentaries that have been devotional in nature. John Stott has some great commentaries, the tyndale series of commentaries. These are only a few. There are tons of devotionals, commentaries and Bible studies out there that you can find.
The truth is as Christians we need to be reading and studying the word daily. Everyone has been given the same 24 hr day. It might take sacrificing that show you like to watch on tv, time spent surfing the web, talking to your friend, or listening to music. Make reading the word a priority and find a time that works well for you. For some it might mean getting up earlier or doing your devotions in the morning. Some out there might be an evening person and night time might be a better time for you. Whatever it is make it consistent and be faithful. If you miss a day or a few days do not get discouraged pick up where you left off. You will find a daily devotion time will benefit you greatly.
I was just browsing through the 268 store. For those of you who have been looking for the Louie Giglio message from the How Great is our God tour. You can pre-order the video which is scheduled to ship on April 20th. Check it out on 268store.com
Psalm 66
For the director of music. A song. A psalm.
1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name.”
Selah
5 Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man’s behalf!
6 He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice in him.
7 He rules forever by his power,
his eyes watch the nations—
let not the rebellious rise up against him.
Selah
8 Praise our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
10 For you, O God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
The Lord deserves our praise for His works and faithfulness. The whole earth is subject to God. The Lord has done some amazing works on our behalf. The Psalmist is remembering in verse 6 the faithfulness he showed to the children of Israel in their deliverance from Pharaoh. He turned the sea into dry land. Could you imagine being there on that day? Imagine what they saw. They walked to edge of the water. They must have been in great distress, what were they to do? There is no where to hide, no where to run. Then, God commands Moses to raise his staff over the water the sea was parted. It must have been amazing to watch. All of the sudden, two huge walls of water raised and a path for them to walk through to escape the Egyptian army. Walking through the path on dry ground with nothing but water on either side being held in place by God. Once all the people had walked through on dry ground the army was gaining ground on the people. As quickly as the water had been raised and held in place. The Israelites watched in awe, as the walls of water were put back in place and the path was no longer clear. The Israelites were saved from their captives. What a sight to behold. Throughout history there has been many kings, queens and rulers over large and small nations but God is King over all. His power is unmatched. He deserves our gratitude and praise because He is our source. The Lord who delivered the Israelites continues to guide and refine. Let us praise God for His constant faithfulness.
Let me introduce to you our guest blogger for today. Jason Benowitz, one of the upside down youth recently attended a Newsboys concert a couple weeks ago. I wanted him to write a review of his experience and here it is for all of you. Enjoy!
Two weeks ago, I went to see the Newsboys Go Tour in Baltimore at the 1st Mariner Bank Arena. The lineup for the night consisted of Stellar Kart, Kutless and the Newsboys. Stellar Kart started the show. My favorite song they played was me and Jesus from their newest album “We Can’t Stand Up Sitting Down.” If you like driving rock, I recommend it. Kutless performed second. My favorite song from them was “Hearts of the Innocent” from their new album with the same title. Anyone would love it.
Then, the Newsboys turned up the volume to the max. They started with “Shine” of “Going Public” and “Shine the Hits”. During the song smoke rose and confetti was shot all across the arena. It was really cool. Then, they played a few songs off their newest (and in my opinion best album) “Go.” Then Peter Furler (vocals) and Jeff Frankenstein (keyboards) came down the cat walls right past me (sweet) and challenged each other to old school songs. They played songs from 15 years ago! After, they finished the whole band played again and played my favorite and probably best song “Breakfast” off “Shine the Hits.” They mixed it up and played a few songs from a few of their albums.
Then, my jaw dropped to the floor. Peter Furler (vocals) challenged Duncan Phillips (drums) to a drum solo. The first time Duncan and the drum set were lifted about 20 feet in the air! The second time around Peter came out on the cat walk. He was lifted about 40 feet in the air! If you that was cool, for the third and last time Duncan and his whole drum set were turned vertically and started spinning as he played the drums! If you want to see it go to the newsboys.com and click on the big yellow box that says tv spot. The whole band finished the show with “Entertaining Angels” and one of my all time favorites of all music “I Am Free.” After the show, I got to meet the band. I have pictures of that below. Sound exciting? Go to a show on the Go Tour!
Ligonier Ministries is putting up a webcast of the Contending for Truth conference that is currently meeting in Orlando, Florida. The speakers are R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, Albert Mohler and Ravi Zacharias. All you need to do to view the webcast is register at the Ligonier website. John MacArthur spoke this morning, Ravi Zacharias is speaking at 2:00P.M. There will be speakers through out the afternoon online and tomorrow morning. Keep checking Ligonier for updates.
There was a request for this video. So, I thought I would share where it can be found. The video that was shared during the Chris Tomlin concert is called “That’s my King.” It was from a sermon from S.M. Lockridge. You can find the video for sale on the igniter media group website or on sermonspice.com It is very powerful message to say that words are not enough to describe Jesus even though we can try. There is nothing more encouraging than hearing about the attributes of our Lord. I’ll have to add those links to my blog. Enjoy.
I updated the about section. Check it out.
Spring your clocks ahead one hour tonight when you go to sleep. You do not want to be late to church.
