We have heard it said that others know what is important to us by what we spend our time doing. While that statement is true, we also often come up with excuses to lessen that statement. We say things like, “Well, I have to work (or go to school) for 8 hours a day, and I have to sleep, so there isn’t a lot of time left.” For a moment, let’s say you work for 8 hours and sleep for 8. Let’s throw in another 2 hours for getting ready in the morning and for meals. We’ll even add another hour of time for “whatever” (possibly commuting or preparing meals).…

Last night Prince Fielder became the youngest player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs in one season. The budding superstar hit numbers 49 and 50 at the age of 23 years, 140 days; eclipsing Willie Mays’ record by almost one year in age. Prince’s dad was also a star of MLB. Cecil Fielder had a very nice career, even belting 51 home runs in one season. One of those 51 was one of the most memorable shots I’ve ever seen, as it landed on the roof of old Tiger Stadium’s left field. You might think that this family would love the fact that both father and…

As indicated earlier this week, I have not posted much this week on our blog. I have several things going on this week, and just needed to move blogging to a secondary role for this time. I hope to “pick back up” next week. Since I’m not a professional blogger, sometimes this will have to happen. Here are 3 articles you will enjoy: 1. My dad posted an article last Thursday that is very interesting. It is called “Encouragement from an Unexpected Source.” 2. Drew Kizer had a link to the blog Faith and Thought, where the author–in 3 parts–suggests several reasons why he switched from the New American Standard…

The theme of RUSH 2007 was “Legacy.” The basic idea behind the keynote addresses was that even young people need to think about their reputation (or “name”) and what others will think of them after they leave their school, workplace or even this life. The lessons were all so helpful, and, if our young people really listened, they were given a lot to think about. As that theme ran through my mind, I started noticing some actions that should make 9th Avenue proud of her “legacy.” In many ways our young people are our legacy. They, by their growth and actions, show to the world what we teach about the…

I haven’t posted anything since Friday, and for that I apologize. I try to post about 6-10 articles per week. To put it bluntly, that will not happen this week. There will be a couple of posts, but I am just working on some other things, and I have decided to put the blog in a secondary role this week. Just thought you’d like to know. Also, I have been working on my Facebook page. If you have an account, add me as a friend!

1. Psalm 87 is a very brief psalm expressing the special place reserved for Jerusalem in God’s covenant with His people. It also looks forward to a day when other nations come to recognize Who God is and worship Him. 2. “His foundation” (NASB) means, more literally, “His founded city.” Jerusalem was a city God brought to prominence as He set it up as the place of the temple. 3. Verse 2 is not implying that God did not love other cities or the inhabitants of those locations. It is saying that Jerusalem, because it held the temple, had a special place in God’s heart. 4. If ever a verse…

After reading and reviewing the first two volumes of Joseph Parker’s sermons on Matthew, it may seem like “overkill” to review the 3rd and final volume. This post won’t be long, but I did want to give some insight into the volume. As with volumes one and two, the sermons are quite difficult to understand. My major frustration with the sermons was that they were introduced as “exegetical,” and were supposed to be so thorough that it would feel as if you were reading a commentary. That simply is not the case. Mr. Parker finds a phrase he likes and preaches on that phrase for quite some time–usually half of…

1. This psalm contains a list of prayer requests from David. It is obvious that David is distressed, and asks God for several things. There are about 14 requests in the psalm. 2. The first request is common to many of the psalms, and that is that God will listen to the prayer. David continues verse 1 by giving us some indication of his status: “I am afflicted and needy.” 3. In verse 2 David asks for God’s preservation, but he also points out that he is a righteous man. I don’t think this is coming from a place of arrogance; rather, David is trying to “make a case” before…

As a new 30-something (Wednesday was my 30th birthday), it is good to work with young people. They keep me young in many ways, and, if nothing else, they help me stay somewhat in shape! How else can it be explained that they never can beat me in wiffle-ball? This weekend we are taking a great group to Freed-Hardeman University for RUSH (stands for “Reaching Unlimited Spiritual Heights”). This is a youth rally on the campus of that good school. We have 17 going from 9th Avenue, including several adults. I’m so thankful for the young people who attend these trips, but I’m so very thankful for our adults who…

From A Child You Have Known The Sacred Writings From: iluvleah9, 2 minutes ago This presentation was used in a teen Bible class, and is based on lesson 2 of the Lads to Leaders PEARLS book. Zachary Cox wrote the chapter.