Yesterday in the message the point was made to research and rely upon the Scriptures.  A book that I found helpful in that cause has been Lee Strobel's Case For Christ.  In it he interviews leading scholars in his quest to see if the New Testament record is reliable and if there are any external evidences for Christ.

Many of the guys Stobel interviews have written the text books for the Bible classes I have taken over the years.  The interview style used in the book is both engaging and easier to follow than some of the text books I have read!

You may want to consider picking a copy of this book up for yourself.

Joe

Wow! Again an amazing day! When we went to visit the family on Monday Carmena told us that when we came back today, she would make us lunch! Boy was that a lunch! Home made carne asada, guacamole, types of salsa, and tortillas! I told Carmena that the next time I have Carne Asada, I would be dissapointed! We took one of our friends from the beach so that he could be our translater. We were able to communicate a lot better!  Today Mikayla went down with us and they were all excited to see her! It was an amazing day! We learned a lot about the family since we had a translater to communicate for us! The kids are just a huge part of my life and I love every last one of them! That whole family has impacted my life so much and I feel a lot more grateful for what I have considering the conditions they are living in! I truly feel like they are family! When we were talking to Carmena, she told us that when Kati, the oldest daughter, had her Quinceañera, she wanted us to be down there! What an honor! Yet again it was hard saying goodbye but we all knew that we would see them again! I can't wait until this summer to go on the next mission! These people truly have impacted my life TREMENDOUSLY!

Ginny Tippery

Some of our peeps are down in Mexico for spring break.. here is how they are spending it!  So proud of these young women and their heart for God and people!  Way to go!!!

Hey Joe! Megan and I wanted to post a blog on the website! We went to visit Migueal and Carmena today and wanted to share our experience! Please post this on the website! Thank you!

Wow! What an amazing way to spend the day! When we came down, we told our parents that we needed to go and see the family! Today was that day! We left the house about 10:30 am and hit the dirt roads that led to the house of Miguel, Carmena, and their 7 children (the house that we built on the mission) When we arrived at the house no one was home except for Jorge and Angel. They told us that the rest of the family was somewhere. We had a hard time communicating but within 15 minutes Megan, Angel, Doug and I (Ginny) were in the truck and Angel was giving us directions to find the rest of the family. When we arrived we realized that he took us to the bus station, where Miguel was leaving to go to work. They immediately recognized Megan and I and came running with huge smiles! What a great welcome! We talked for a little bit and then Doug and Angel were back in the car to go get everyone else! Megan and I stayed at the bus station with the family. (Amazing how there is so much talk about the drug wars down here but Megan and I stayed with the family feeling completely safe!) When the rest of our clan came, Miguel was able to talk for about 5 minutes and then he had to leave to go to work. It was hard seeing the way the kids reacted when their dad had to leave. We almost started crying with them. We all piled back into the cars and went back to their house! We spent about 3 hours with them and told them we would be back on Thursday with Mikayla Cappello, one of the other girls that went on the mission with us. Carmena told us that she would make us all Carne Asada, Guacamole, and Tortillas for dinner. I asked her if she needed help paying for the ingredients knowing that my family would help and thinking that i could give her my 20 dollars for souviners to help buy the stuff to make dinner. She told us that we only needed to go and eat and we didn't need to help at all because it was her thanks for EVERYTHING! When we finally said goodbye, I told them that I would be back in 3 days and that we would bring a translater so that we could communicate better! It was overall an amazing day and a great way to spend a day of our vacation! Next time we come down, we will have to visit 2 families considering that we are going on the mission again in July! We drove away waving and blowing kisses! We knew that we would see each other again so there were no tears of sadness but a warm heart and a smile on our face!

 

Megan and Ginny

Yesterday in the message I referenced a book.  Here is a link to it on Amazon.

Here are some of the guidelines that are unpacked in the book:

- Examine the immediate context: the passage as a whole, the book as a whole.

- Identify figurative language and determine its literal meaning.

- Analyzing the structure of the basic unit of thought, the sentence.

- Base your study on the historical, physical, and cultural setting.

If you are a teacher this book is a must!  If you are a student of the Bible or need help in reading it for understanding then buy it now! 

Hope you find it helpful,

Joe

In good times people are generous out of their excess, in times like today, people are generous out of their poverty.  The dollar amount might be the same, but the sacrifice, meaningfulness, and reward for it is greater!

This week we helped many families who live within miles of our office.  They are not strangers on the streets of a distant city, but friends and familiar faces from around the corner.  The pantry, AOK fund, and individuals in our church are living out their faith.  I am excited for them for it is truly better to give than to receive.

If you would like to get in on the blessing please contact us at the office for pantry needs and other items we could help facilitate in your name.

On the journey with you,

Joe

In the last year I have had numerous sources stretch me in my personal growth as a leader, pastor, and disciple.  The older I get the more I realize how badly I need to constantly improve.  In the younger years it was all to easy to ignore or be ignorant of my need, but now it is impossible to overlook it.

How am I attempting to grow?  I am walking down three different avenues.  First, praying that God will change me!  I need his help for sure and want any change to be directed by him.  Second, asking for help from others who I know and respect.  Mentors, peers, and anyone else that is open to giving me some pointers.  Third, I am reading a lot more than I ever have in my life.  I have a goal of 50 books this year which would be nearly double of last year, but not as many as it should be.  I have a friend who read over 300 books last year!  Now granted he is a fast reader and a bit of a nerd, but inspiring none the less.

My guess is you need to grow as well.  Do you have a plan, a strategy, and some avenues to walk down yourself.  If you have a good one pass it on - learn and return!

Joe

Hey gang, it has been nearly 6 months since we started this blog!  Yippeee right?  I wanted to take today's post to give you some info about some changes and thoughts.  

First, we will be cutting our frequency of posts back to every other day.  A great way to keep up to date with this blog is to use a reader tool.  I use my google home page, but there are other options out there.  

Second, I am looking for contributions to the blog.  Do you have a desire to write?  Are you reading something that you would like to pass onto others?  How about a good quote, favorite site, or a interesting article.  If you have anything that you would think would be of benefit please email it to me.

Third, thanks for reading!

Joe

Today Vaughn and Lisa challenged us to consider turning off the television for a day, week, or even reducing the tv we watch over the whole seasons of Lent.  We knew this was coming so we announced to the family last night at dinner that we were going to be leaving the tv off all day today.  Thankfully nobody chucked their dinner at me, but tonight is American Idol and I don't think my girls remembered so we will see how that goes!

As you take the step to leave the power button off, how about you fill that time with some of all of these ideas.  

1) Take a walk - it does not get better than this weather

2) Play a board game - if you have not done this is awhile you will have a great time

3) Go get dessert - stop by the ice cream shop (okay sugar before bed... maybe not)

4) Read a story together - grab the bible and read a story

5) Go to be early - many times I stay up later just to watch something that is useless.  

Thanks Vaughn and Lisa for helping us take this step!

Joe

Josh and Heather contributed to the Lent Devotional today out of Matthew chapter 4.  In this passage we find Jesus in the wilderness fasting and praying before he moves into his public ministry.  As Josh and Heather pointed out, it is after the time of fasting that the enemy seizes the opportunity to distract & destroy Jesus.

The enemy is slick.  He has learned to go after us in the weakest moments and take advantage of the physical urges that God has placed in us.  So as you draw close to Jesus this week remember that He has beaten the enemy, even in his weakest physical moment, and is there to empower you to fight the good fight of faith and win!

Thanks Josh and Heather,

Joe