Scripture and the coffee filter...

I had the enormous and humbling privilege of speaking to the high school students this Sunday. This is a venue usually held down by my cohort and partner in crime, Dylan. But, this Sunday I entered this incredible arena.

It was a marvelous time! We had some great discussion, a tad of silliness and the intentionally intrusive appearance of a man with a video camera. All this made for a quite interesting gathering. In reality, though, every time I speak to students, high school or middle school, it is interesting.

I talked with the students about 1 Thessalonians 5:21. We tried to discover together what exactly Paul was trying to communicate when he tells us to "test everything; hold fast to what is good." We discussed the idea of testing, or questioning or looking closely at everything that comes at us in life. From this we sought to understand what how we test everything; what is our standard, our filter? Thus, I illustrated this by describing a coffee filter. The coffee filter allows for all of the savory and rich coffee to come through but none of the tacky grounds. In the same manner, what is our filter for life?

As you may guess, the bible was the first answer. Though the right answer, I pressed them beyond the right answer and into the playing field of personal answers. "Sure the bible is to be our filter for life, but is that how you are actually living?" In other words, I questioned them past rote memory. This was a wonderful time of self examination (I hope).

As we contemplated this reality a bit more, we started to discover what we really think about how we filter and test all the things that bombard our lives on a daily basis.

So, I pray that it was a profitable time for the students, as it was for me. Please continue to pray for our students and for the ministry that God has given us charge over here.

For His Kingdom....

Refreshing...

Here is another of Spurgeon's great insights into the scripture. He is a master of words and a magnificent voice of the truth and beauty of God!

C.H. Spurgeon's Evening Devotional

Tuesday March 9, 2010

"Abide in Me."-John 15:4 Communion with Christ is a certain cure for every ill. Whether it be the wormwood of woe, or the cloying surfeit of earthly delight, close fellowship with the Lord Jesus will take bitterness from the one, and satiety from the other. Live near to Jesus, Christian, and it is matter of secondary importance whether thou livest on the mountain of honour or in the valley of humiliation. Living near to Jesus, thou art covered with the wings of God, and underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Let nothing keep thee from that hallowed intercourse, which is the choice privilege of a soul wedded to THE WELL-BELOVED. Be not content with an interview now and then, but seek always to retain His company, for only in His presence hast thou either comfort or safety. Jesus should not be unto us a friend who calls upon us now and then, but one with whom we walk evermore. Thou hast a difficult road before thee: see, O traveller to heaven, that thou go not without thy guide. Thou hast to pass through the fiery furnace; enter it not unless, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, thou hast the Son of God to be thy companion. Thou hast to storm the Jericho of thine own corruptions: attempt not the warfare until, like Joshua, thou hast seen the Captain of the Lord's host, with His sword drawn in His hand. Thou art to meet the Esau of thy many temptations: meet him not until at Jabbok's brook thou hast laid hold upon the angel, and prevailed. In every case, in every condition, thou wilt need Jesus; but most of all, when the iron gates of death shall open to thee. Keep thou close to thy soul's Husband, lean thy head upon His bosom, ask to be refreshed with the spiced wine of His pomegranate, and thou shalt be found of Him at the last, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Seeing thou hast lived with Him, and lived in Him here, thou shalt abide with Him for ever For His Kingdom...