Settling In

Transition can be a difficult time. We have basically captured all of the major life transitions in one. New job, move, parenthood, etc. I think we just need to renew our vows and we will have it covered. This is really the first major transition like this that we have experienced. I am grateful for the staff and family of First West that have made this so smooth. We are blessed. From the countless number of people who have offered their babysitting services to the random stops by the house, it has all been greatly appreciated.

One thing that I am experiencing is learning to live life at a new rhythm. For some reason that word is resonating with me right now. The rhythm at which I lived life has totally been shocked. Not in a good way or a bad way...just shocked. It will take time to develop a new rhythm of life, and I am thankful for the people that are helping reestablish it.

Randy Impson really challenged me last night at Portico by his "invitation to the struggle". The idea that a sacrifce in the OT did not get to choose if or when it would be sacrifced, and neither do we. With freewill there comes a choice, but when we understand the love of Christ and His sacrifice we joyfully lay down that choice.

Paul said it in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15:

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

I am blessed by the students here at First West and my heart is here. As I look in student's eyes I feel a sense of family and passion. These are great students with great potential.

Impressive Video

The PEN Story from PENStory on Vimeo.

The Last Fraud

Such an interesting phrase. I am sure that you are wondering what the heck that has to do with. I came across the phrase while reading in Matthew and in struck a cord with me. It is found in Matthew 27:

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
[emphasis mine, obviously]

Pilate knew many people had claimed to be the Messiah, but not many had claimed to rise from the dead. If news of the resurrection became known things would change...drastically. Power over death meant that this was not just a good teacher, prophet, moral man or revolutionary. The resurrection means everything to the life of the believer and even Pilate knew that.

Look at what Paul said about the importance of this "last fraud:"

14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. - 1 Corinthians 15:14-19

Paul said that people should pity believers if the resurrection is not true.

I heard Dr. Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, tell a story about Mike Bryan, author of Chapter and Verse: A Skeptic Revisits Christianity. Mike is an atheist who attended classes at Criswell College where Dr. Akin was teaching at the time. After months of theological classes and spiritual conversations, Mike had a conversation with Dr. Akin about his time at the college. Dr. Akin said that for Mike it all came down to the resurrection. If the resurrection were true then it had huge implications. Mike concluded that if the resurrection were true, then Jesus must be more than an ordinary man. He must be God. And if Jesus is God then the claims of Scripture are true, which teach that man is sinful at his core and will not enter eternity without the substitutionary atonement of Christ. Unfortunately, up to the point of the telling of this story by Dr. Akin Mike Bryan was not ready to believe that Christ had power over the grave.

"The Last Fraud" is the hope of every believer. This "fraud" moved thousands of Jewish people to leave the faith of there parents, friends, relatives and of their youth soon after it took place. It changed them and is still changing people's lives today.

Anticipation

I am quickly learning the meaning of this word. Abby and I are expecting the arrival of our first child, Gavin, any day now. We actually were at the hospital last week and were told by our doctor that we would probably have him that night. It has now been 8 days since that night and Gavin is patiently waiting his anticipated arrival. I wake up every morning thinking this is the day...it must be the day! Nope. I know that the Lord is in complete control and His timing is perfect, but I am not the most patient person. Maybe that is why I am eagerly awaiting his arrival.

With a change of jobs, selling our house, moving out of state, etc. my mind has been quite occupied. It wasn't until last weeks visit to the doctor that I really began to dwell on life as a father. The thought of Gavin's arrival is now the forefront of my mind. I know that it is going to be one of the coolest experiences of my life and the fact that it could be hours away or weeks away is quite frustrating.

However, what a blessed frustration. It is surreal to think that MY child is on the way. I remember as a kid thinking that I didn't want the Lord to return until I had the chance to get married and have children. Crazy that I have found myself at that place. My heart is ready to burst.

Michael

MFuge

The First West journey of our lives has officially begun. This week I am getting to hang out with a group of about 20 middle school students from the West Monroe/Monroe area. We are at Mfuge on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss. The students have had a great time doing ministry throughout Clinton and Jackson. It has been awesome to finally get to know some students here at First West. These guys and girls are a blast to hang out with and I look forward to "doing life" with them. We have made some good memories so far. Watching a squirrel fall 30 feet out of tree and land on the concrete, a parrot dying in its cage at a nursing home, watching the girls get scarred by a fake mongoose, and much much more. After working with primarly HS students for the last 5 1/2 years at Prestonwood has caused me to forget how much I love JH students. This is going to be a blast...