BIG NEWS: The annual St. Jude Memphis to Peoria run, which is a well known fund raiser for St. Jude happens August 6th. As part of this, TV25 in Peoria helps put up billboards all over central Illinois. This year David and several other children were selected to be in the billboard. When they go up, look at the weather man, Lee Ranson, and you’ll see David sitting on his lap. It was quite an experience to go into the TV studios and meet all the news people we’ve watched for years.
I will be sending out an appeal on behalf of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital this year to coincide with the telethon. I’ll be on the air at 7:30 to 8:30 PM August 6th. My telethon number will be 309-763-6922 for that hour only. There is research going on at St. Jude right now which may help bring the cure rate for leukemia for children close to 100%. It’s now being quoted at 85%. I have to say that of all the hospitals I’ve seen St. Jude is very unique. They have world leaders in multiple fields working together with primary research capabilities on all of the terminal cancers-with a special focus on children. Did you know that when China had the SARS scare a few years ago there were three doctors flown in from
the USA to help stop it. The head of St. Jude’s infectious disease department was one of the three. I could go on and on for a long time about the virtues of St. Jude’s medical care. Suffice it to say this, that If you are interested in investing in children’s cancer research, it is cutting edge, world class treatment.
The goal they’ve asked me to meet as a VIP for this years Telethon is to raise $1,000 for the telethon. I think we can beat that by quite a bit. All of the proceeds will go directly to St. Jude in Memphis. The Memphis hospital funds the Peoria clinic fees not covered by insurance.
For those of you in Central Illinois, St. Jude Midwest Affiliate in Peoria cares for about 70 children who have cancer. In the past year we’ve lost about 6 of those children. More children are being diagnosed with cancer each year. I’m honored and excited that the clinic staff has chosen us to represent them on TV this year.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Romans as a missions letter
While reading Paul's letter to the Romans, I was struck with how it may be viewed as a missions letter ultimately. It seems that Paul was hoping to develop a deeper bond with the Romans so that when he travelled beyond Rome, towards the west, that they would be excited about investing in his mission there.
Then I found this in Dr. Douglas Moo's NICNT on Romans, pg 290.
"In this letter to the Romans, Paul explains and defends his gospel to a Christian community he has neither founded nor visited but which he hopes to enlist as supporters of an evangelistic campaign in the western Mediterranean."
That's exactly what I thought when I read the letter through in one sitting.
What better way to encourage people to invest in a church planting ministry than for the Apostle to lay out his teaching in a clear and inspiringly thorough way so there are no questions about what he teaches or why he teaches it?
I think this is a hidden lesson for missionaries today and for church planters. Minister to those you would like to receive support from and do not go heavy on the request for aid stuff. Lay out the wonderful gospel and what you believe. Enrich the lives of those you hope will assist you.
Then I found this in Dr. Douglas Moo's NICNT on Romans, pg 290.
"In this letter to the Romans, Paul explains and defends his gospel to a Christian community he has neither founded nor visited but which he hopes to enlist as supporters of an evangelistic campaign in the western Mediterranean."
That's exactly what I thought when I read the letter through in one sitting.
What better way to encourage people to invest in a church planting ministry than for the Apostle to lay out his teaching in a clear and inspiringly thorough way so there are no questions about what he teaches or why he teaches it?
I think this is a hidden lesson for missionaries today and for church planters. Minister to those you would like to receive support from and do not go heavy on the request for aid stuff. Lay out the wonderful gospel and what you believe. Enrich the lives of those you hope will assist you.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Ephesians
We are enjoying the book of Ephesians right now. As I've been studying it, I've come to appreciate Dr. F.F.Bruce's commentary. He seems to handle the Greek text very well.
That's my recommended commentary on Ephesians. I also have seen a several places where my old favorite has probably missed the Greek text...so I am not really that hot on Stott's commentary for Greek issues. However, for laying out a pastoral outline, he's really great!
That's my recommended commentary on Ephesians. I also have seen a several places where my old favorite has probably missed the Greek text...so I am not really that hot on Stott's commentary for Greek issues. However, for laying out a pastoral outline, he's really great!
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Monday, March 07, 2005
Teach us to number our days
The Lord has impressed Psalm 90:12 on my heart recently.
NKJ Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
As I've studied it, I discovered the Greek version of Psalm 90:12 uses the word we get arithmetic from in English. It's translated 'teach us to number'. This idea made me start thinking about counting each of my days. So I decided to count up the number of days in my life so far. This has helped me to subtly put more value on each day...just the simple act of numbering my days. Using a 3x5" index card, I write the date and the day number on the top corner. Then I wait on the Lord and ask Him for a scripture verse to live by that day. After I have something I believe is from Him, then I write it on the card and take that with me for the day. That verse becomes my 'manna' for the day. I pray over it and think about it from time to time. This helps me to make decisions on what to do.
For example, a few days ago I had the verse Ephesians 6:2. "Honor your father and your mother". It just happens that my Dad will be 70 years old this year. And it just happened that I had not planned a thing for his birthday. But after this verse was laid on my heart I began to pray and meditate on how I could honor my Dad. That's when the idea of having a party for him was birthed. Unfortunately he was thinking of going somewhere else on his birthday (by other relatives in another state). But because I started planning to honor him on his birthday, he adjusted his tentative plans and will be here by us. He will also be honored on his 70th birtday. I hope many people come to the event-but even if only a few come, I was able to put that scripture verse into my daily life. I think that day will count for something before God when this life is evaluated on the judgement day for believers in Christ.
This is just one simple example of how we can 'number our days'. Why not take 3x5" index cards and start numbering your days literally. Put a scripture on today's card. Place value on each day. I think simple things can help us to adjust our values and place an emphasis on the things that really matter. Don't let a day be wasted. You never know how many you have left.
NKJ Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
As I've studied it, I discovered the Greek version of Psalm 90:12 uses the word we get arithmetic from in English. It's translated 'teach us to number'. This idea made me start thinking about counting each of my days. So I decided to count up the number of days in my life so far. This has helped me to subtly put more value on each day...just the simple act of numbering my days. Using a 3x5" index card, I write the date and the day number on the top corner. Then I wait on the Lord and ask Him for a scripture verse to live by that day. After I have something I believe is from Him, then I write it on the card and take that with me for the day. That verse becomes my 'manna' for the day. I pray over it and think about it from time to time. This helps me to make decisions on what to do.
For example, a few days ago I had the verse Ephesians 6:2. "Honor your father and your mother". It just happens that my Dad will be 70 years old this year. And it just happened that I had not planned a thing for his birthday. But after this verse was laid on my heart I began to pray and meditate on how I could honor my Dad. That's when the idea of having a party for him was birthed. Unfortunately he was thinking of going somewhere else on his birthday (by other relatives in another state). But because I started planning to honor him on his birthday, he adjusted his tentative plans and will be here by us. He will also be honored on his 70th birtday. I hope many people come to the event-but even if only a few come, I was able to put that scripture verse into my daily life. I think that day will count for something before God when this life is evaluated on the judgement day for believers in Christ.
This is just one simple example of how we can 'number our days'. Why not take 3x5" index cards and start numbering your days literally. Put a scripture on today's card. Place value on each day. I think simple things can help us to adjust our values and place an emphasis on the things that really matter. Don't let a day be wasted. You never know how many you have left.
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