Grace Notes

Thoughts

Come Sinners View

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Come, sinners, view the Lamb of God,
Wounded and dying, bathed in blood!
Behold His side, and venture near,
The well of endless life is here.

Here I forget my cares and pains,
I drink yet still my thirst remains;
Only the fountainhead above,
Can satisfy the thirst of love.

His thorns and nails pierce through my heart,
In ev’ry groan I bear a part;
I view His wounds with streaming eyes:
But see! He bows His head and dies!

Oh that I thus could always feel!
Lord, more and more Your love reveal!
Then my glad tongue shall loud proclaim
The grace and glory of Your name.

John Newton, 1725-1807

Click here to hear lyrics put to music.

Picture: Camp Berea, Mexico

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1-2

Miscellaneous/Videos/Witnessing Stories

The Bible is Not Like the Telephone Game

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During the recent debate between Ken Ham and Bill Nye, Mr. Nye said that the Bible is like the game of telephone (meaning that it has been distorted over the years).

Since unbelievers say this so frequently, it’s important that we have a good answer! Our prayer is that this 4 1/2 minute video will help young people answer this argument with more clarity and confidence.

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:14-16

Creation Museum/Thoughts/Witnessing Stories

Great Teaching Tool For Defending the Faith

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Our family has been having such an exciting week hearing more and more amazing reports of how God has been using the Ken Ham / Bill Nye debate!

One of my favorite media clips about the debate was this 18 minute interview aired yesterday between Alan Colmes (Fox News) and Dr. Terry Mortenson from Answers in Genesis.

This audio clip is a steady flow of face-paced skeptical arguments from Alan Colmes, with Dr. Mortenson boldly and politely answering each one with enthusiasm and precision.

If you want to learn how to answer skeptics, this is an outstanding teaching tool. Listen to it more than once because, remember: our goal is not to just be entertained, or even to rejoice that Dr. Mortenson did an excellent job. Our goal is to learn from him because we are ALL commanded “to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15)!

Miscellaneous

How to Pray For People Watching Debate Tonight

This is a very important time to be praying for the thousands of unbelievers that will be hearing the gospel! We should pray for unbelievers as we would want to be prayed for if we were the unbeliever (Matthew 7:12)!

Here are three ideas of what to pray:

That that God would open eyes.
“to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:18)

That the Holy Spirit would convict people of sin.
“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8)

That people would believe the message of Scripture.
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thess 2:13)

And remember, it’s not too late to tell people about this debate! If you haven’t shared it on FB or other social media, I really recommend you do that right away! This is a fantastic opportunity for unbelievers to hear the gospel.

Family News/Witnessing Stories

Rejoicing!

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One of our HIGHLIGHTS from 2013 was seeing the Lord work in the life of Christa, who trusted Christ for salvation on April 7th, 2013. She has become a very special part of our church family.

I think you would be blessed by watching this 3 1/2 minute video of her testimony and Nickie’s testimony before her baptism yesterday afternoon. Praise the Lord for the great things He does!

Family News/Miscellaneous

Sarah’s Webinar

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20140128_201401_26088 Last week, Sarah ran her first webinar for Bright Lights leaders. The topic was “Singleness, a Season of Fruitfulness and Joy.” We were encouraged by the feedback we received, praise the Lord.

20140128_201859_26129 Nickie, Tia, Stephen and I probably had a little more fun than we were supposed to in the other room moderating the questions and comments that were coming in. (And we appreciated the good comments and questions that were sent!)