A statement made nearly 2000 years ago...

This morning my Bible reading took me through Acts 5. It details the boldness of the apostles in their message of Jesus Christ. They are confronted, thrown in prison, and forced to give an explanation of their actions. In the midst of a heated interrogation, a man named Gamaliel
reminded the people of some current events, and what they might mean in relationship to the followers of Jesus.

• There was Theudas - "For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing."
• There was Judas the Galilean - "After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered."

Gamaliel does not commit to saying that the same thing will happen with Jesus and his followers, but suggests a "hands-off" approach. "So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

When I read those words, I was reminded as to just how many people have come and gone claiming to be God's chosen one. And yet Jesus has validated his claims. He has been talked about for 2000 years, and trusted in nations around the world. That One is the One who we worship for eternity. Isn't God awesome in the work of the Son, Jesus Christ!

I am not sure Gamaliel even had a clue as to Who he was talking about.

Curtis

Some resources based on Bob's Message Sunday

Those in our Sunday morning services were challenged about our level of knowing God's Word. Bob Reccord asked how many people could quote at least 25 verses. I didn't look to see who had their hands raised and who didn't, but I did want to share with you some resources that I have personally used in the task of Scripture memory. I hope they are of some assistance.

BIBLEMEMORY.US - This site will send you a link by email each day to work on memorizing a verse. You end up memorizing about 1 a week. It is free.

FIGHTER VERSES - This resource is an awesome resource. It comes from John Piper's ministry and will help you learn many verses over time. It does cost a little bit, but believe me, it is well worth it. We are working with our son through a similar set of verses made for preschoolers called "Foundation Verses."

ESV MEMORY VERSE BLOG - For those of you who like to track blogs, this might be a help.

I would encourage you not to be overwhelmed by the thought of memorizing God's Word. God is not going to accept you more/less based on the number of verses you know. However, your knowledge of God will increase as you know His Word better.

Curtis

An enlightening approach to the environment

I read an article that was very thought provoking concerning the environment, and a Christian's response to it. The article is entitled Blood, Gore, and Global Warming, and was written by Russell Moore who is Vice President at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY.

Curtis

Upcoming this Sunday, July 15th

This Sunday we look forward to the preaching ministry of Bob Reccord. He is an accomplished author and the former president of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention. He will be joining us in the morning (10:30 am) and evening services (6:00 pm) at Brainerd Crossroads.

You can get to know more about Bob by visiting his blog and website.

Stay posted for more information on guest speakers during this transitional time in our church.

Pursuing Holiness

Here is a great quote by Jerry Bridges in The Pursuit of Holiness

"Farming is a joint venture between the farmer and God. The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.

"We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part. God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us."

Good words for the day,
Curtis

God-thoughts and the Big Red Dog

This morning before I left the house, I joined my son in watching a few minutes of Clifford. For those of you, not so familiar with The Big Red Dog, you are missing oh-so-valuable life-lessons every morning at 7:30 am on the local PBS channel.

In the episode, the characters were kicking the ball up into the sky, and my son said, "They are kicking it so high that God is going to have to throw it back down to them." I have found that three year olds are great for helping us ask honest questions about God. So, I got the opportunity to talk about God's home, but the fact that God is with us.

However, I was reminded that often we think wrongly about God. Even as adults. Even as Christians. And the problem is that our "wrong" thoughts about God can have a devastating impact on our lives. If we think that God could never forgive us, we will always feel alienated and distant from Him. If we think that God could care less about sin, we will miss the power of what Jesus was doing on the cross. And how many more things do our God-thoughts impact?

The stakes are too high for us to take our thoughts about God too lightly. As I got a chuckle out of my 3 yr old, I gave myself a warning to get back in God's word, and open my heart in prayer so that I can know God.

Desiring to know God more,
Curtis

Life's Most Important Truth

My son recently turned one and he finds just about everything fascinating. As we were playing outside last week he came to a large tree which he had to stop and examine. He would touch the leaves and branches to see what they felt like and then he would shy away because he was not quite sure what was going to happen next.

This fascination extends to birds, cars, cases of bottled water in the aisle of the grocery store and especially dogs. When he sees a dog or hears a bird he immediately takes notice and wants to investigate.

All of this caused me to think how many times I pass these types of things by on a daily basis without giving them a second thought.

I just finished reading Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney and was struck by the quote that opens the book.

Life’s most important truth can be the easiest to forget.

As I think about the gospel I realize that I am prone to forget how wonderful it is. I need to be constantly reminded of the truth that Paul describes in Ephesians 2:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…..But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved-

May I never lose the wonder of the gospel.

Mark

I couldn't help but get a kick out of these...

Although I normally make serious posts, I couldn't help but smile at a couple of articles I read today:

1. I follow eating contests closely, so this situation was of immense concern.
2. I also follow golf closely, and this would make for quite a memorable round of golf.

Both of these stories brought a smile to my face.

Curtis

from The Valley of Vision

Have you ever read a convicting prayer, and been unsure as to whether you can pray it honestly before a God who can search our hearts? I read this in a book called The Valley of Vision which is a collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Here are some excerpts from a prayer entitled "Self-Knowledge."

"It is a good day to me when thou givest me a glimpse of myself;"

"My country, family, church fare worse because of my sins."

"Show me how to know when what is lawful comes from an evil principle."

How convicting to see myself, but how refreshing to know that God sees me through Christ!

Curtis

Back to Blogging

I have taken a couple of weeks off of blogging, but I thought I would share a couple of random thoughts:

• Having a little girl has to be one of the best things I have experienced in life!
• Although people have asked about my wife and my new daughter, they have been quick to ask about my son as well. I have realized that Canaan has endeared himself to so many people. He is fortunate to be so loved, and I am blessed to have a son with so much personality.
• My prayer for my daughter is that she inherit the sweet spirit of my wife. She already has gotten her mom's good looks. :-)
• I am blessed to be among so many friends here at BBC who have shown their kindness and love for me in so many ways.

I am reminded in so many ways of the grace of God.
Curtis

Re-Read

I think the best books that I read are the books that I read for the second time. Maybe it is my anticipation of knowing the content, but God seems to use "re-reading" books in a significant way in my life. I actually have 3 re-reads going on right now. They are all encouraging and teaching me greatly.

• Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament - This is a book I had to read for a seminary class. It may be in my top 5 favorite books. It's not normal that I want to read a book I was required to read, but this is a HUGE exception.
• The Cross-Centered Life - I talked about this in a sermon I preached last year. It is a great short book that I have come to love.
• Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God - I am reading this for a sermon I am preaching Sunday. It has been heavily influential in encouraging me to share the gospel with confidence.

As I said, I love re-reads.

Curtis

A Morning Challenge

I was listening to a song this morning. It is called "Surrender All." It was written by Rich Dalmas. As I listened to it, I realized that God was speaking to my heart. You might be challenged by it as well. Here are the words...

Take all I am, Lord, and all that I cling to
You are my Savior I owe everything to
Take all the treasures that lie in my storehouse
They cannot follow when I enter Your house

So I surrender all to You
I surrender all

Take all my cravings for vain recognition
Fleshly indulgence and worldly ambition
I want so much Lord to make You the focus
To serve You in secret and never be noticed

Take all my hunger for all that’s forbidden
Every desire and sin I keep hidden
Search me and know me I want to bring to You
A life that is holy and sanctified through You

You can listen to the song (or even purchase it) by going here.

Curtis