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.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
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!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
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.
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.
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. 127:1–3Heavenly 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.
Monday, August 1, 2011
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.
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.
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