The Gospel According to Yeeks

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5)

"Social media creates the temptation to talk about the moment, more than to savor the moment." http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/able-life

http://davidould.net/?p=4388 "In the preface to a new edition of my book “Battles Christians Face”, which features eights areas of struggle, including homosexuality, I write that, to a greater or lesser degree, I face them all myself. Close family and friends have known for a considerable time that I experience same sex attraction. None of the issues in the book define me. As a single man I am celibate, because I believe the Bible teaches that the right context for sex is only in marriage between a man and a woman." I have had the privilege of hearing this man preach before. He has written one of the best books that addresses what the whole Bible is about. In this article though, his courage in fighting sin is exemplary. Homosexuals are not the only ones committing sexual sin and I really admire his boldness.

Dear Heavenly Father, You who searches all hearts, Come to us this day according to your mercy, With either rod of discipline, Or gentleness of love. Shall we accept only riches and not poverty? Grant us hearts to receive. You render perfectly, Such that we have just enough that we may not steal, Nor have too much and forget your blessings. Who is like you O God? You thoroughly deserve all praise, glory and honour. Help us O Lord to recognize the privilege we have, All because of your Son Jesus Christ. Walk alongside us as we try to walk in your ways. Remind us that there is no condemnation when we fail, Remind us also that we who are free can no longer walk in sin. Help us to persevere. Send encouragement to your weary saints. In your precious Son Jesus Christ's name. We humbly pray.

This sermon was shared by a brother. It is a great listen and am putting it out here for anyone who is interested. http://tgc-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/keller_timothy/keller-1_corinthians_01.18_election_wts_1992.mp3

Covetousness Fernand: Make love to me. Mercedes: Will you ever give up? Fernand: He doesn't have to know. Mercedes: I'd know. Fernand: So would I. It'd be our little secret. Mercedes: I don't believe in secrets. Fernand: You think Edmond doesn't have secrets? He does. Ask him. Mercedes: I know what you want, Fernand. Fernand: You do? Mercedes: Remember when we were little kids and Edmond got that whistle for his birthday and you got a pony? Well, you were so mad that Edmond was happier with his whistle than you were with your pony. And I'm not going to be your next...whistle. Faithful Dorleac: And if you're thinking just now 'Why me, oh God?' the answer is: God has nothing to do with it. In fact, God is never in France this time of year. Edmond: God has everything to do with it. He's everywhere. He sees everything. Dorleac: Alright. Let's make a bargain, shall we? You ask God for help and I'll stop the moment he shows up.

During my mum's visit, she showed me this photo of her as a kid which I scanned immediately into my computer for fear of losing the one and only copy we have of it. This must have been 1960 or thereabouts judging from my mum's age in that photo. The man in the photo is my maternal grandfather. I didn't have much of a relationship with him unfortunately and most of what I know about him are from my mother's accounts. But taking a long hard look at the picture, there was no way that they could have pictured what would come after. They have zero clue who my mum was going to marry, they had zero clue that I was to be the firstborn. But God does. Right at the moment the photo was taken He knows what is going to happen. On Monday I had a dinner with a former elder of the church. Somehow this former elder and this man in the photo is going to create and be a part of a tapestry wounded by God. It is startling as I look at the faces in the photo and they are non the

1. God is entirely sovereign over suffering. We fall into the crime of feeling shameful about what God is doing and a need to excuse God so to speak. Where we almost feel a need to account for his actions. Part of believing in a sovereign God involves believing that He is sovereign over suffering. 2. There are different sorts of suffering - General Suffering, Persecution, Discipline, Suffering as a result of seeing the world through God's eyes. 3. General suffering is the result of living in a fallen world. Whether a person is more sinful or more holy doesn't cause him or her to experience more or less suffering. This much must be clear. We fall into the trap of linking specific suffering to sinful actions. It goes against the very idea of grace. 4. Persecution is the suffering experienced precisely because we follow Christ. We share in Christ sufferings and we should expect suffering as a result of following Christ. 5. Discipline is experiences God's loving hand b

Today I had the privilege of sharing the gospel with a friend from university. I have detected changes within myself in how I shared the news. There's a gentleness that now exists whereas when I was younger, I was more interested in proving that I am right. I can only say that this is indeed Christ's work in me and I thank Him for it. I thank God that haughtiness and pride and arrogance had very minimal part to play. What exists was genuine concern of another person's soul. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:15b)