Updates... finally.

I've been meaning to write for SO long, but who has the time to do anything extra anymore? I'll be so jam-packed in the coming 2 weeks. My class will be over in 2 weeks and I still have a 10-12 page paper to write, study for the final, and of course all the coursework in between! It also looks like registration for the Fall will be opening up on the 18th. My paper has to be an exposition and review of a controversial passage.

Of the few I considered, I chose Hebrews 6:4-9, "4For in the case of those who have once been (A)enlightened and have tasted of (B)the heavenly gift and have been made (C)partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and (D)have tasted the good (E)word of God and the powers of (F)the age to come, 6and then have fallen away, it is (G)impossible to renew them again to repentance, (H)since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

7For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those (I)for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and (J)close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. Better Things for You 9But, (K)beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. "

I've never really done a study on Hebrews and it's proving to be an interesting one. The whole book is focused on Christ and His superiority to the Old Covenant... at least that's the thrust of it. Some have said this passage points to a person losing their salvation. If anyone has any resources for me on this passage, please send them my way via facebook, email, in person, or a comment. I have a load of commentaries from the various eternal security perspectives. I need to some reasoning, arguments, commentaries and exposition from the other side of things... which tends to be a more Pentecostal perspective.

A couple weeks ago I did another object lesson with the kids on Wednesday night. I told the story in 1 Kings 3 about the 2 prostitutes and King Solomon. I described the prostitutes by saying they were bad ladies with bad jobs (does anyone know of another way to put it? Should I have not even thought about "sugar-coating" it?). I brought a real sword from my grandpa's house and a baby doll for the illustration. If you don't know the story, check out your Bible! It's really an "aahhhaaaaaaa" story! The kids were in awe at the fake demonstration. I didn't even have to tell them they couldn't touch the sword either. It wasn't sharp but the youth minister asked me not to let them touch it because their parents might not be fond of hearing that. The sad thing was that the problem child in the room was so bad he had to be put out and missed the story. :/ I really wanted him to be there and hear from God's Word.

House-sitting went alright for the most part. I got along with the big dog and told him I'd miss him as I said goodbye. the only real problem while I was there was when I decided to lock the garage door manually and then when I got home from work one night, I tried to turn it to unlock it and didn't think about there being a key lock (I didn't have the key anyway). So I tried to open it electronically and it jammed up. Oops! I went in through the front door and saw that it bent the bar that locked it. I bent it back to working condition and called the father of the house. he said he's heard horror stories of that happening and it tearing the garage door sections apart and he said it was fine and he was glad it didn't cause any major damage. When he got home though, he saw that the top panel is bent in some to where the light shows through. I didn't notice that! it still wasn't too major though and he was very gracious with me. Leave it to me to fumble up a good opportunity and break things. We don't ever use the garage doors really at my house and especially not an electric opener. It was a good experience though. I also learned that my quest for a comfy couch to study on is not a good one. They had a good couch and it only put me to sleep! It looks like I'm confined to a chair and a desk/table to stay awake and concentrate the best.

I'm also sad to say my friend got pretty badly sick and is still contagious so i wasn't able to baptize him yesterday night. I didn't go downtown either. I went with the family (first road trip together in a LONG time) to take my sis to meet my grandparents in Oklahoma (they like in Kansas) for us to drop her off with them for a few weeks over the summer. It gave me a lot of time to study. I haven't seen them in quite a while. It was nice to have lunch with them and catch up. Usually when we spend time with them, they spoil us kids. They bought Amie a new swimsuit and school clothes at a nearby Kohl's. As I spent some time with them, I could remember the immaturity and selfishness I used to experience when I saw them. I always knew they would spoil me and I always counted on it. This time I didn't feel any of that. In fact grandpa was surprised I didn't pick out any clothes for myself for them to buy. I suppose they assumed I would shop for myself even though it was only verbally expressed that we were going for Amie. I told them I was fine and left it at that. As we said our goodbyes, had our hugs, and drove off I was grateful to God for the glorious salvation and sanctification He had wrought within me.

Work has been quite a challenge lately. As you can imagine its the days before 4th of July and those are busy days for the grocery store folks! Friday afternoon I got a call from the Produce dept. manager saying his grandfather just died and he had to fly out to Arizona. He won't be back ready for work until Friday of next week. Friday I worked about 13 hours in total to help prepare for the weekend. they asked me to work on Saturday and I declined. I heard they had both store directors and multiple other employees throughout the store helping out back there. it's really cool to see the management of Tom Thumb getting into the grunt work and helping you out physically. In my 6 years with the company I've rarely seen that... and never have I seen it to this extent. Even the President of the company came in for a visit Saturday and I heard he didn't find anything wrong with us. That says a lot about how hard they were working.

The pastor taught on Philippians 4:10-13, "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me. " It was a topical message on contentment being part of what a Christian looks like. He had many good things to say that challenged me. What I took away from it was that I should really be content with where God has me now, to be open, and willing to be taught and humbled. I've been so hypersensitive lately to my words that when I do try to speak or explain something... I mess it up or look weird and confused. It's bad enough that I'm a worrier... how much worse it is that I worry about my humility level and watch myself so closely in what I say. More often than not I've just been quiet about a lot of things. I think God reminded me of Christ's convicting words on worrying today and showed me not to dwell on it so much. There's obviously a balance. You don't wanna become lazy and a loose cannon, but you don't wanna worry yourself to death either. I'll continue in prayer for that.

And lastly, I got an answer about doing a Way of The Master group in church for the youth today. The Elder overseeing them decided not to do it. I talked with him for a little bit. I suppose it just isn't God's timing. Oh well... more time to focus on class. God is in control and I am not!

So there's an update! Time to get to schoolwork! I won't be doing anything extra for the next 2 weeks in an effort to accomplish the best work possible as class winds down.