Contract is in

Just got the email this morning from our realtor with a copy of the fully executed contract...so we are now officially pending! Thank you so much for your prayers and continue to pray for us. We are scheduled to close on the 16th (which is Martin Luther King Day)...so we'll have to either close on the 13th or get an addendum to close on the 17th. Thanks again.

Another update

To keep you updated on our housing situation.  We are in a negotiation phase verbally with the sellers of the house we would like.  Please continue to pray for us and ask that if God wants us in this house the door would keep opening up for us.  Thank you.

Quick Update

Yesterday we initiated again on a house.  Apparently they are willing to go lower than their asking price, but so far (since noon yesterday) we haven't heard a response.  Keep praying.

An up and down start to November

To follow up from our last post about putting an offer on a house...it didn't go through.  We thought it was a "Corporate Relocation" and owned by a corporation, it turned out it wasn't and the owners don't seem all that ready to sell at the moment.  There is not much else for us to look at right now so we may simply be in a period of longer waiting. 

We did have a great time with friends from Florida.  The Dreyer's came up to visit and we're here Thursday night through Sunday.  They got to enjoy true Fall weather (the kind where the leaves change color and the temperature is crisp and cool - but very nice).  On Friday we spent most of the day at the zoo (see the pictures) and had a great time.  It was so fun to have them in town...hopefully we'll get to see them (and many more) again in January when we have a trip to Orlando for a church planting conference and we plan to swing through Gainesville.  

Reed & Jackson - great friends.

Monica and Erin walking with Anna.

Olivia, Jonathan, and Meredith enjoying the ride.

Today we are reeling a bit from sickness (a couple of people were up all night and we're hoping it doesn't continue and make rounds through the whole family).  Right now Erin and Meredith are sleeping (it would typically be lunch time) and Reed and Anna seem to be doing well.  I'm just trying to hold down the fort, doing laundry and checking on the sickies in hopes that I don't come down with it too.   Just as a precaution I've pretty much only drank water so far so as not to give my body any fodder.  We're confident we'll recover, but it's never fun being sick like this.  At least it is my normal day off for the week.  

It may be hard to see, but the leaves were gorgeous this week.  The Dreyer's actually took some samples home with them to Florida. 

A Crazy October

This has been a bit of an interesting month, and in some ways this picture describes it fairly well (a crazy ride, but doing it as a family and having fun).  At the beginning of the month we walked away from the house we had a contract on due to major issues.  It took a while to "die" to the idea of being in that house because it seemed like great provision.  Since then, we have looked at houses, explored building, and even looked into renting (albeit not very seriously).  I have been praying that Erin and I would come to clarity and agreement (and I know many of you have been praying for this too) and we would still be able to get into a house before the end of the year.  Well, this morning we put in an offer on a house.  We're hopeful, but we know there is still a good bit left in the process.

Yet still, throughout this month we have been enjoying each other and the beautiful Fall weather.  Our kids haven't ever seen color like this in the leaves.  They have had fun raking and jumping into the piles.  We've gone hiking to Caesar's Creek State Park (the picture above) and we've had quite a few "trick-or-treating" experiences and today if finally Halloween (and we're still going tonight - to the neighborhood with the house we put an offer on).  We've utilized our passes to King's Island and the kids are enjoying the rides more and more.  Meredith would ride anything if she were tall enough.  One of our favorite rides is the Zephyr - a big swing that all but Anna can ride.  Unfortunately no one wants to ride the Windseeker with me but Meredith, and she's not big enough.  It's basically the Zephyr, but 200 feet up.  The kids have been to an apple orchard (and they brought me home some apple donuts - YUMMY!).  It's been fun.

Not the Zephyr - but the Girls on the Spider

Our LIFE Group (small group Bible Study) in Fairfield Township has been great.  I have so enjoyed getting to know folks and spending time in God's Word together.  We have a great group and potential for more.  Keep praying for that group that we continue to grow together and grow in our vision for a new church in the area.  I've also had the opportunity to preach twice: once on Rahab (at North Cincy) and then on John 15:1-17 (at New City - about a two year old church plant more in the city).  

It's been a fun month with a lot of developments...we'll see what the Lord has in store for November!

The saga continues

For those of you who read this who are not on our mailing list we have some disappointing news.  We had to walk away from the house.  The problems that the inspector found were of such a significant nature that it became clear that it would not be good for our family without major work and much expense.  Last night we went back out looking at houses again, and I must say it wasn't all that encouraging.  We didn't seem to see much that would meet our needs of family & ministry.  We love to host and we surely will be doing a lot of that in the future with the church plant.  In our small group now there are 17 adults and at least 12 children that we need to be able to have room to accommodate.  We appreciate your prayers as we continue this search and to add to it our landlord has the house we are renting on the market now.  We want her to sell it for her own good, but we're not sure where that will leave us come the end of the year if we can't find something that is going to work for us.  Thanks.  

The Whirlwind Continues...in a good way.

Well, when things begin to happen, they seem to happen all at once.  On Wednesday we got our final contract back on the house and we are now in the 10 day inspection period.  The inspection will be Monday and prayerfully and hopefully all will be in safe working order (i.e. nothing BIG is wrong) and we can proceed to closing.  We really do not want to go through the looking, offering, negotiating process again if it can be avoided.

On the day before we had our second small group Bible study.  We added a few people (and some more children too) and had a great time.  We discussed an article by Ray Ortlund that was from a seminar he gave at this years Gospel Coalition Conference.  The basic premise is that the gospel, in particular justification, creates a culture of grace (or at least should) and counters our proclivity to self-justification.  I will quote just a little bit to give you a teaser of the worth of this article.

"The gospel does more than renew us personally within.  The doctrines of grace also create a culture of grace, called a healthy church, where the gospel is articulated at the level of doctrine and incarnated at the level of culture and vibe and ethos and feel and relationships and community.  But getting a church there and keeping a church there is not easy.  Without the doctrine, the culture is unsustainable.  Without the culture, the doctrine appears pointless and powerless...justification alone creates a culture of acceptance and warmth and beauty and safety: 'Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God' (Romans 15:7).  The more clearly that doctrine is taught, and the more beautifully that culture is developed, the more powerfully a church will bear prophetic witness to Jesus as the mighty Friend of sinners.  He will be honored, and people will come."
That word is compelling to me.  I want to see the Lord glorified and I want to see people come to know Him so they can experience true grace, true life, and real hope in everything.

Life is moving quickly right now, but I must say we are enjoying the ride.  Just a few months ago we weren't even sure where the Lord wanted us to plant a new church, and now we have a home under contract and a Bible study that has been a true blessing.

Great Developments

Yesterday was a pretty eventful day in our lives. It really was a day that I had been looking forward to for quite some time, and it happened in two different ways. The first is the biggest and the day I've been waiting for much longer. Our first small group was held in Fairfield Township! We had 6 others couples besides me and Erin and we are hopeful for 2-3 more in the next week or so. As we were driving along 129 (a road we will be taking quite often over the next few months) I told Erin very simply: "This is exciting!" I wasn't really sure what else to say. I thank God and praise Him for what He did. Just a few months ago we weren't even sure where the Lord was leading us to plant this church and now we have 6-9 couples on board with us (some more fully than others) who also want to see a church planted in this area. The faithfulness of God is astounding! We had a great time. We studied Scripture together about the hope that we have in the Gospel. We prayed. We laughed. We began to get to know each other. I know every night will not be like last night, but it was sweet to sit in God's Providence and love. The second thing that we have been waiting for happened once we got home. As I was getting ready to get Anna to bed I noticed a message on my phone from our realtor. I gave her a quick call and the gist of it was we now have a contract. It was revised by the bank and we signed it, had it checked over and now are simply awaiting the return of it with signatures from the bank (which the selling realtor said should go quickly) and we will get our inspections in and we are to close by November 3rd. Great answer to prayer so far, but please continue to pray for this process. God is good and it was fun to see that very visibly last night.

Still waiting...

Our offer with the house was countered by the asset manager and we accepted.  That was on Monday and we have yet to get the final papers back.  There is a little snag with a previous contract that didn't work out.  We knew there could be snags and we would ask you to pray that it all would finalize early in the coming week.  Thanks.

Housing...another decision

It seems like all of life is just one big decision.  I have been feeling that more lately and I will write more in the next few days about the comfort and assurance I have found in the words of Psalm 121.  However, before I head off to bed tonight I wanted to update you on our move to the Fairfield area.  We found a house that we liked this weekend and spent more time in it on Tuesday looking through it closely.  It is a foreclosure and will need a little bit of work (missing all kitchen appliances - except a pretty beat up and disgusting dishwasher).  However, tonight we wrote up an offer.  Please pray for the whole process and for our peace during.  It is exciting for us to think about getting settled in but this can still be a daunting process.  We appreciate any prayer.  Thanks.

We've Decided!!

We moved to Cincinnati at the end of January with the goal of planting a church in this area.  It has been just over 6 months and part of that goal is now realized.  In our coming to North Cincy we were not given a location in which to plant, that was left for us to decide.  We knew that we wanted to be in an area that at least had some families from the church attending.  To make a long story short (at least in this post), we decided on the Fairfield & Fairfield Township (F&FT) location.  There are over 70,000 people in this general area, as well as many more from the surrounding communities.  In our research there is a significant lack of gospel-centered churches in this area.

We have been meeting with numerous families from our church who live in F&FT and so far have met with excitement and enthusiasm in regard to starting this church.  In that process my excitement has continued to grow as well.  I long to see this church planted and to see people come to know the grace of God.  My desire is to proclaim the gospel and to see a culture of grace created through deep, heart-felt belief in God and His work on behalf of His people.  When you proclaim that message, worship is inevitable.  How can you not worship a God who saves you from your deepest problem?  And when a community is formed around and rooted in Christ there is beauty and joy.  Beyond that it is a community that seeks to serve because of what has been accomplished in their lives and because for believers it is the "love of Christ" which constrains us.

Besides all this, we truly like the area and are looking forward to moving there and getting settled.  However, that is one of our prayer requests...housing.  We have begun looking at houses, but at this point we have not been able to find what we are looking for and believe to be the best for our family and use in ministry.  The area is actually quite large and Fairfield is connected to Fairfield Township by about 5 miles of bypass.  It's a bit confusing unless you live here and we don't want to find a house we love that is inconvenient to ministry.  Our desire is for space to hold Bible studies, core group meetings, fellowship times and the like.  We want our house used for ministry as well as a place that feels like home.

There is much more to tell you and it will be forthcoming.  Thank you for your prayers and support.  

Psalm 38

As I was reading this morning I was struck by the depth of Psalm 38.  It is clear that David understands sin.  But it is also clear that he understands that sin is overwhelming and that self-justification is impossible.

For my iniquities have gone over my head;

like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. (v. 4)

This verse leapt off the page today.  Sin is a burden.  It is an overwhelming burden.  It is a burden no man can carry.  As you continue to read the Psalm you see that sin kept will stink and fester because it is utter foolishness.  Holding on to sin leads to "no soundness in my flesh."  Though David knew his sin and that trying to cover it himself was the most unreasonable of thoughts, he also knew where to go.  He knew where to find consolation.  He knew where to find true justification.

But for you, O Lord, do I wait;

it is you, O lord my God, who will answer...

I confess my iniquity;

I am sorry for my sin. (vv. 15, 18)

David moaned and groaned.  He had no words with which to speak but he knew where to flee.  He fled to God.  Charles Simeon writes:  "It is not to the fluent of tongue, but to the contrite heart, that pardon and peace are promised.  'To this man will I look,' says God, 'even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,'."  God has provided all that we need.  He has provided the only solution to our sin and rebellion...Jesus Christ and His person and work on our behalf.  He will not turn us away that flee to Him for refuge from our sin.  Let us go to Him freely and receive mercy and grace!  

A Prayer on Parenting

This post has nothing to do with church planting per se, but all of life is connected and I really enjoy this blog of prayers by Scotty Smith.  Here is his latest from today. 

A Prayer for Gospel Parenting

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Ps. 127:1–3

Heavenly Father, it is a liberating joy to address you today as the architect and builder of your own house—including the household of faith and our children’s place in your family. No one loves our children more than you. No one has a greater investment in their future than you. No one can teach us to parent them like you.
As I look back over the years of my pragmatic parenting, I’m saddened, for there have been consequences. But I’m also gladdened, for you’ve always been faithful to your covenant love, even when I was overbearing and under-believing. The move from parenting by grit to parenting by grace has been a fitful, but fruitful journey. Take me deeper; take me further.
You’ve rescued me from parental “laboring in vain”—assuming a burden you never intended parents to bear. Father, only you can reveal the glory and grace of Jesus to our children. Only you can give anyone a new heart. You’ve called us to parent as an act of worship—to parent “as unto you,” not as a way of saving face, making a name for ourselves, or proving our worthiness of your love.
Oh, the arrogant pride of thinking that by our “good parenting” we can take credit for what you alone can graciously do in the lives of our children. Oh, the arrogant unbelief of assuming that by our “bad parenting” we’ve forever limited what you’ll be able to accomplish in the future.
Oh, the undue pressure our children must feel when we parent more out of fear than faith; more out of rules than relationship; more out of and pride than patience; more out of comparison than covenant; more out of threats than theology. Forgive us. Free us. Focus us.
Father, since our children and grandchildren are your inheritance, teach us how to care for them as humble stewards, not as anxious owners. More than anything else, show us how to parent and grandparent in a way that best reveals the unsearchable riches of Jesus in the gospel. We want the gospel to be beautiful and believable to our children.
Give us quick repentances and observable kindnesses. Grant us confidence that you can redeem our past parental failures. Convict us quickly and surely when we don’t relate to your covenant children, “in line with the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:14). So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ faithful and powerful name.

Resting in Christ's Righteousness

Personally, the following words I need to believe much more.  I can too easily get caught up in  myself and the things that are before me and I can start spiraling in a wrong direction.  It's not fun, but it is great to know that the One who called me out of darkness will always welcome me with open arms (like the father of the prodigal in Luke 15).  I am loved in Christ and I am also fully accepted in Him. 
About a year ago I read a book called "A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love" by Milton Vincent.  It's a short book, but well worth the read (and re-read).  Here is an excerpt from it dealing with resting in Christ's righteousness.


"The gospel encourages me to rest in my righteous standing with God, a standing which Christ himself has accomplished and always maintains for me.  I never have to do a moment's labor to gain or maintain my justified status before God!  Freed from the burden of such a task, I now can put my energies into enjoying God, pursuing holiness, and ministering God's amazing grace to others.
The gospel also reminds me that my righteous standing with God always holds firm regardless of my performance, because my standing is based solely on the work of Jesus and not mine.  On my worst days of sin and failure, the gospel encourages me with God's unrelenting grace toward me.  On my best days of victory and usefulness, the gospel keeps me relating to God solely on the basis of Jesus' righteousness and not mine."

These are words I need to hear.  I need to rehearse the truth of the gospel in my heart daily, hourly, moment by moment or I can so easily get caught up in my own life that glorifying God and enjoying Him are thrown out the window.  Let alone, how it impacts my family life and my call to minister to others.  Pray with me that as believers we can experience what is already true of us...freedom and life abundant in the precious person and work of Christ.  

The Call and the Mission

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 

Acts 16:6-10

 

The clarity of call to preach in Macedonia is amazing.  How the Spirit of God works in forbidding Paul and his companions from going into Phrygia and Galatia speaks to the sheer sovereignty of God in all things.  I am so grateful for His plan, providence and provision as He works for His glory and our good.  

Erin and I are much closer to a decision and we'll likely decide sometime next week and then sit on it between the two of us for a bit (having taken counsel from others to do this) to confirm it in our hearts.  We are excited for what the Lord has in store and ask that those of you who read this would be in prayer for this very thing.  Being a part of starting a new church is something I never would have even entertained years ago, but now it's where the Lord has us and we are passionate to see these things:  God glorified, people enter into His joy through the proclamation and exposition of the Gospel, and for people to share that joy with others.  

I remember listening to a talk by Sam Storms last year and he gave what I believe is a great definition for pastoral work.  I leave you with it to pray for me.

"That by the grace of God I might lead, teach, shepherd the people of God into the enjoyment of God for the glory of God." 

An Appropriate Prayer

I am a blog reader.  There are a few that I regularly check and one is Scotty Smith's "Heavenward."  It is nothing more than a daily prayer by Scotty about something dealing with everyday life and how the Gospel intersects.  It is an excellent blog because it forces you to slow down as you read it...and actually pray. 
As I think about the situation Erin and I are currently in; I especially found the following post helpful and encouraging.  As we look to the Lord for His active shepherding in our lives we must continue to walk by faith and trust in His faithfulness.  With the kids we have been focusing on God's faithfulness (using this book) and it has been great.  It is good to be reminded, even as we teach the kids, of God's steadfast love and faithfulness.  Enjoy the prayer.

A Prayer When Uncertain about God’s Leading

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10

Heavenly Father, many of us, and/or our friends, are in a season of uncertainty and change. Our callings and giftings, our longings and dreams, our pains and our joys, your providence and our predicaments—at times are hard to read.  Knowing you, boasting in Jesus and doing your will are preeminent, but we don’t know which doors to open, which doors to knock on, which doors to stay away from, or which doors to go through next. Please make it clear.
You must lead us, just as certainly as you kept Paul from Asia and Mysia, and sent him to Macedonia. Open doors we cannot shut and shut doors we cannot open. We will continue to plan, but give us confidence and joy that you are ordering our steps. We want to walk by the Light of the World, not by the flames of our own torches. We want your heavenly wisdom to guide us, not more of our earthly spin to confuse us.
Father, in the meantime, give us great peace, faithfulness and fruitfulness where you have placed us—whatever the plough you have put in our hands and whatever the field into which you have placed us. We choose to live by the Spirit of Jesus and not by the seat of our pants. Don’t let our antsy-ness for what’s next rob us of our calling to love well in this moment. May your still small voice be much louder than the jammer of challenging circumstances and difficult people. May a passion for your glory be much more compelling than our desire for something new or something other.
For those of us facing difficult financial situations, feed us with ravens if you must, but keep us from stealing from others. For those of us dealing with family and relational heartaches, give us your peace as a guard for our hearts, lest in our restlessness, we take matters into our own hands.
Father, thank you for giving Jesus to us as both Lamb of God and Good Shepherd. We need his perfect righteousness and his active shepherding. Indeed, Jesus is presently working all things together after the counsel of your will, and he is working in all things for your glory and our good—no exceptions or contingencies. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Hallelujah, what a salvation. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.

Link:  http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2011/07/02/a-prayer-when-uncertain-about-gods-leading/

The power of Gospel-saturated words.

Yesterday I got a call from the office as I was driving in that a woman in our church who has been a "cancer warrior" (her own words) for over 7 years was in the hospital with kidney and liver failure and the doctors saying that nothing more could be done.  I headed down to the ICU and hung out with the husband for a while as well as another pastor from the church.  At one point they both left and it was just me and her.  I asked her if she wanted to listen to some music and she was softly muttered "yes."  I was able to play one of my favorite cd's of hymns believing it would be comforting and familiar to her.  It is the Together for the Gospel Live (from 2008) and the first two hymns are "A Mighty Fortress" and "It is Well."
Both of these hymns are saturated with words written by men deeply affected by the truth of the Gospel.  For most of the time I was there she simply moaned (seemingly in pain though she said she wasn't) with about every breath.  When these hymns were being played the moans changed.  They were no longer ones of pain, but seemingly of relief and joy.  I believe she also tried to break a smile.  Especially with these words:

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!  

This is glorious truth that I am convinced she is resting in.  And though her husband, family, and friends will miss her; she is about to experience joy inexpressible!  

O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul. 

Amen, come Lord, come!

Sermon update

For any who are interested here is a link to the sermon I preached on John 14:15-31 on June 12th at North Cincy.  Just click on the "Latest Sermons" tab and you'll see mine listed.  Enjoy. 

Delight leads to study

111      1     Praise the LORD!
                  I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
      in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
            2      Great are the works of the LORD,
      studied by all who delight in them.
            3      Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
      and his righteousness endures forever.
            4      He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
      the LORD is gracious and merciful.
            5      He provides food for those who fear him;
      he remembers his covenant forever.
            6      He has shown his people the power of his works,
      in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
            7      The works of his hands are faithful and just;
      all his precepts are trustworthy;
            8      they are established forever and ever,
      to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
            9      He sent redemption to his people;
      he has commanded his covenant forever.
      Holy and awesome is his name!
            10      The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
      all those who practice it have a good understanding.
      His praise endures forever!

     "Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them."  This verse leapt off the page at me this morning.  There are a couple of assumptions that are in this text.  First, simply that the Lord's works are great.  And to help with that understanding and belief the rest of the Psalm rehearses what many of the Lord's works are (provides food, remembers covenant, giving the people the nations, etc...).  Second, that they are worthy to be the object of our delight.  His works are delightful.  Think through them for a moment (seriously take a moment and think through the Lord's magnificent works)--even just what the psalmist listed.  Clearly the most magnificent work is the Lord remembering His covenant by sending Christ to obey the Law perfectly, die in our stead, and be raised for our justification.  Finally, it seems to presume that all who delight in the Lord's works will study them.  They will be sought after and inquired of to learn more about them and then to see the greater majesty that they posses. 
    This verse is challenging to me because when I don't feel like studying God's works and seeking after them it tells me that I am first not delighting in them (and by implication Him).  That also means that I am delighting in things that are less worthy; and therefore, as I wrote in my last post I need to train my appetite for true beauty, goodness and truth (see Phil. 4:8). 

An old CD and random thoughts...

Love life with all your might, 

Love peace but be willing to fight,  

Love beauty and train your sight, 

And nurture your appetite for beauty goodness and truth, 

Be strong and be brave, believe and be saved...for there is a God.

Wes King

     This past Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at North Cincy on John 14:15-31.  The focus of the text is on Jesus preparing His disciples for His imminent departure.  How He does this is by letting them know that they will not be left alone; that they have His Word, His Spirit, and He is giving them His peace as well.  It's a beautiful passage and one I was glad to be able to study more in depth.  I was blessed by my time in this passage and as I thought about I was reminded of the lyrics above from Wes King.  

     Why you ask?  Good question.  As I studied it and realized all that we have been given in Christ I realized more about my own heart.  I don't meditate often enough about the riches that we have by being in vital union with Christ.  I can expound them and rattle them off, but my experience of them needs to grow; not only for my benefit but for God's glory!  Even as I write this I am reminded of 2 Peter 1:3-8:  3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

     My life so often is a walking contradiction and surely less fruitful and effective than it could be.  I want what is good, but I settle for junk.  My appetite is too easily satisfied and it is to my detriment.  His "precious and very great promises" are true, but it is easy to look elsewhere (see Psalm 106 and Israel's history) and not make "every effort" to go after that which is best.  My prayer is that God would be my overriding passion and that in my life (practically) all else would pale in comparison (as it does in truth/reality) to His beauty, goodness and truth.  Lord train my sight and use me for Your glory!

(By the way--this album by King is well worth getting)