deTheos

Transitioning One’s Soul to Finish the Day Well

A short article/reflection of mine has been posted at Going to Seminary:

“Transitioning One’s Soul to Finish the Day Well”

Posted in Articles, Blog, Faithfulness, Family, Joy, Stories, deTheos moments, godly trajectory, humility | No Comments »

The Road to Santa Clara

Kari is continuing her retelling of our story, “The Road to Santa Clara,” detailing our experiences in leaving all for a ministry opportunity a few years ago. The lessons learned along the way have proved to be invaluable, and although we wouldn’t sign up for it again, we wouldn’t trade it for the world. It is a redemptive story of God’s sustaining grace and the depth of friendship in the midst of confusion and frustrating circumstances.

The entire story is now up:
Ch. 1: The Phone Call | Ch. 2: The U-turn | Ch. 3: The Jeep | Ch. 4: The Apartment | Ch. 5: The Meeting | Ch. 6: The Rack | Ch. 7: The Barium Vials | Ch. 8: The Interview | Ch. 9: The Coffee Shop | Ch. 10: The Memorial Service | Ch. 11: The Seifers | Ch. 12: The Right Stuff | Ch. 13: The Acropolis | Ch. 14: The Home Fellowship | Ch. 15: The Settlers of Catan | Ch. 16: The Valentine Dinner | Ch. 17: The SonShiners | Ch. 18: The Road Home | The Epilogue

Posted in Adventures, Blog, Faithfulness, Kari, Reading, Sanctification, Stories, Theodicy, Theology, Web, godly trajectory | No Comments »

Brainerd speaks

Christian Audio has made available a great free resource this month:

The Life of David Brainerd (Unabridged) by Jonathan Edwards as a free audiobook.

• Be sure to use the coupon code OCT2007

I cannot recommend this book more highly. In fact, if I ever get my copy back, after someone borrowed it :-), I will read this book again, and again, and again. For now, I’ll listen to it.

This book was chiefly compiled and expanded from Brainerd’s own daily journal by Jonathan Edwards, who was affected mightily by the young missionary. Although Brainerd died at the young age of 29 — of tuberculosis in Edwards’ house — his passion and deep communion with God has since been contagious for more than two centuries of missionaries. Get to know David Brainerd! (And remember, he isn’t a quick read. Be patient, mull over what he says, and apply it to your heart and soul.)

Another great resource: John Piper biographical message (1990):
Oh, That I May Never Loiter On My Heavenly Journey! Reflections on the Life and Ministry of David Brainerd

Also, a book: The Hidden Smile of God: The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, a William Cowper, and David Brainerd (The Swans Are Not Silent, 2)

A few quotes from Brainerd’s journal:

And if you would glorify God, or answer his just expectations from you, and make your own soul happy in this and the coming world, observe these few directions; though not from a father, yet from a brother who is touched with a tender concern for your present and future happiness.

First, Resolve upon, and daily endeavour to practise, a life of seriousness and strict sobriety.

Further, Take heed that you faithfully perform the business you have to do in theworld, from a regard to the commands of God; and not from an ambitious desire of being esteemed better than others.

Once more, Never think that you can live to God by your own power or strength; but always look to and rely on him for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace.

We should always look upon ourselves as God’s servants, placed in God’s world, to do his work; and accordingly labour faithfully for him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can.

When you cease from labour, fill up your time in reading, meditation, and prayer: and while your hands are labouring, let your heart be employed, as much as possible, in divine thoughts.

Worldly pleasures, such as flow from greatness, riches, honours, and sensual gratifications, are infinitely worse than none.

Posted in Blog, Books, Faithfulness, God-centered, Listening, Ministry, Quotes, Reading | 1 Comment »

Baby steps

No, Dutch isn’t walking yet (or crawling, for that matter; but he is saying many great things, like “Ba Ba”, which we like to think is my name).

As I plunge into the depths of seminary training once again I am reminded that faithfulness in the “small” things is what pleases God most. The “big” things will take care of themselves when I am faithful in the little details and when no one is watching. So often success is defined by the big outcome, but this quote reminded me that as I venture deeper in my studies and the long arduous road (of Greek vocab and verb paradigm memorization, for example) this simple reality remains true:

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
- Robert Collier

{HT: SmartPastor}

Posted in Blog, Faithfulness, Multnomah Seminary, Quotes, godly trajectory | 1 Comment »