I've heard of raising the roof...

Okay, so I haven't posted any pictures recently. And I really have no good reason. Oh well. So here's a start from the past few weeks. This is Mr. Sherman's wall being raised while a team from Ohio framed the house a couple of weeks ago. The Buckeye Baptist Builders brought people from 29 different churches in Ohio some of those folks staying for a two week period. They worked hard on framing up Mr. Sherman's house as well as working on many differnt projects and cooking for all the groups that occupied the church property those two weeks.

I thought I'd try something new

So I began a new adventure today...I started taking a class at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After much thought and prayer I decided that if it was the Lord's will, I would like to take a class, so today I got registered for Systematic Theology I. I am pretty excited about the class and the opportunity to grow in knowledge, oh and of course, to meet a few more people. I do ask for your prayers as I attempt to juggle things at the church, the women's Bible Study and class. I'm sure it will be fine, just have to be diligent to study instead of slacking in the evenings after everyone goes home.

Our Fortress

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress.

Da Bears

Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Who dat? One answer...da Bears.
Any way after I was emailed the "Who Dat" song and ridiculed by Saints fans...the team that wanted it the most came out victorious. Now as I hide in a dark corner somewhere in Lakeshore (so I am not escorted out) watching the 1985 Bears Super Bowl Shuffle I await the game in 2 weeks.

Anyway now that we got that taken care of, Lord willing I will have some none sports related posts in the near future. But for an update of whats been happening in Lakeshore recently check out rebuildlakeshore.com

It's no secret.

As a football fan and an unashamed Chicago Bears fan I feel a little out of place here in Lakeshore. Which would be Saints territory. The big game between to the Bears and the Saints is this weekend and I've already been threaten by one of the locals that if the Bears win I will be immediately escorted out of Lakeshore. With that said, I'm still unafraid and unashamed. (Besides I am used to it being from Packer country). I know most are saying Saints will win the game and even I have my doubts with the way they have played the last few games, but I will be some where this Sunday cheering them on (maybe some place quietly since some of these Saints fans are quite roudy and I would like to remain in Lakeshore for a while longer yet).

Yikes! I got a certain Michael W. Smith song stuck in my head....

So I realize I have slacked on updating my blog, but the past couple of weeks have been a bit busy. Not only at work but I have had a few friends here to keep me distracted from doing much in the evenings. It has been great though. A few guys from my home church in Wisconsin have came down almost 2 weeks ago to serve here in the Lakeshore community. Honestly it has been great having them here - Playing cards, watching movies, a Walmart run, sanding sheetrock, ditch digging, and a trip to New Orleans. And though we had a lot of fun they did get a lot of work done.

It Is Well

Of the hymns that I have learned and sang over the past six years, since becoming a Christian, I don’t believe there has been any hymn that has captured me as the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” has in the past six months.

To be able to say “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul” takes great faith and grace from God. I sing these words now, but would I be able to sing them if I am put into a circumstance, a lot in life, that is not pleasurable, easy, fair, or pain free? I pray God would give me the grace to sing these words even then, looking forward to His coming.

The third verse is probably my favorite. Beginning with “my sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin…” He couldn’t finish his thought on sin without stopping because he’s overwhelmed by joy in God for this glorious thought…that thought being what follows “My sin not in part but the whole was nailed to the cross and I bear it no more” Oh what a life saving truth. This line in particular has been something that has been of great comfort to me and such a glorious thought. To think that the wrath that I rightly deserved for the sin that I’ve committed was paid for by the work of Christ on the cross is awe inspiring thought. How often do I forget that ALL my sin was nailed to the cross? And how often do I forget or fail to live in light of this glorious thought?

It Is Well

written by Hortatio Spafford

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

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!

And 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.

My Lord, I did not chose You

I was listening to Matthew Smith's cd "All I owe" this afternoon. On it I came across this song "My Lord, I did not choose You." This has quickly become my favorite song on this cd. This song full of great theology is pretty much the opposite of the free will song that has gained so much attention recently. I'm glad that God did not leave it up to me to choose Him, I am sure my sin would have won over and I never would have chose Him. But praise Him that He chose me, opened my eyes, and drew me to Himself.

My Lord, I did not choose You
Written by Josiah Conder

My Lord, I did not choose You,
For that could never be;
My heart would still refuse You,
Had You not chosen me.
You took the sin that stained me,
You cleansed me, made me new;
Of old You have ordained me,
That I should live in You.

Unless Your grace had called me
And taught my op’ning mind,
The world would have enthralled me,
To heav’nly glories blind.
My heart knows none above You;
For Your rich grace I thirst;
I know that if I love You,
You must have loved me first.