You Will Experience Suffering. Have You Prepared Yourself
"Suffering is not a topic for discussion as much as it is a reality each person must face. Yet, we tend to do little to prepare our hearts for it." As Christians, how do we prepare for the suffering we will inevitability face in this life? http://intersectproject.org/faith-and-culture/you-will-experience-suffering-have-you-prepared-yourself/
Gospel Sandcastles
Sundrenched mornings, filled with days at the pool, barefoot picnics with neighbors in the backyard, and refreshing time with family - this is what the best summers are made of. Have you considered how to redeem these priceless moments for the kingdom? John Stott reminds us, "Every Christian should be both conservative and radical; conservative in preserving the faith and radical in applying it." As you bring your daydreams of the perfect summer to life, consider how you can preserve what Godâs Word commands us to live out in a radical way in your neighborhood, on the summertime road trip
Deepening Our Communion With Jesus
In this one-minute video from Pastor Larry posted by the Baptist State Convention of NC, Larry speaks to the necessity of establishing "deepening" practices in our lives that build depth in our relationship and intimacy with God. Well worth the listen. Here's a link to the video:Â https://vimeo.com/264498586
Loving the Bible (Even the Poetry!)
Recently, I had the chance to participate in the âWisdom Forumâ on a Friday night at SEBTS. It featured a handful of short 10 minute TED talks on a variety of topics centered about the theme of âThe Good Life." Several of the talks seemed especially helpful to me and I wanted to pass several of the talks along to you for your encouragement. (All of the talks were helpful and can be found at the Intersect website at the link below.) Hereâs one by Matt Mullins on loving the Bible (even the poetry parts!): Matthew Mullins: Reading, Education and the Good
When Vacation Isnât Easy
"Are you going anywhere this summer?" We ask each other this question to know each other better. With school out, many students and families take time to travel and get away. In August 2012, I had a tough time starting a family vacation to a wooded cabin near Blowing Rock, North Carolina. My wife packed everything we'd need for our small children, while I strained to get my mind off my work projects. If a customer heard I was going on vacation while they had a need, they would sometimes get upset. (Though I had five colleagues who were eager
Praying Through the Month of Ramadan
May 16th - June 14th  For Christians, Ramadan is an opportunity for concentrated prayer on behalf of our Muslim neighbors. Seek God on behalf of the 1.6 billion Muslims around the world.  To help you pray, there are some verses and prayer prompts for each day of Ramadan. Click HERE to begin. Click HERE for another, more detailed prayer option that focuses on a different people/culture each day. Larry
My Father is Shockingly Happy with Me
When you and I, Christians, look to our Heavenly Father, he doesn't look back with eyes that remember our shameful moments. My "history," as far as God is concerned, is Jesus' perfect life. Even as he [God the father] chose us in him [Jesus, his Son] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him... -- Ephesians 1:4 He who knows my heart only sees His Son's perfect heart in mine. We trust God, the one who is capable of this miracle: To the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies
About That Holy War…
As we run into the topic of divine war or âholy warâ in the book of Joshua,  here are 2 articles that I have found very helpful concerning the morality of Godâs actions in waging war against the people of the land of Canaan. This is a topic often raised by skeptics of our faith. Hopefully these resources can help you help your friends with their concerns and questions: R-Rated_ Preaching Holy War _ Preaching Today The Old Testament, "Holy War" and Christian Morality
Paint Your Treasure in Hues of Gold and Purple. (Wear Out That Highlighter.)
In the Survey of Godâs Goodness in Joshua 1-5, Pastor Larry Trotter described himself as a treasure hunter: When you open your Bible, look for God. [Among] lots of fascinating, wonderful, delightful things in the Bible â Godâs will, Geography, Culture, Language, Poetry, Literature, all kinds of things you can learn about, but I want to suggest right at the center of it all, we should open our Bibles to look for God. I look for insights into who God is, to what heâs like. Iâm looking for what the pages of scripture show me is good and beautiful about
No More Mr. Nice God? The Destruction of Jericho
This past Sunday (4/8/18), I (Carson) mentioned that I would post a couple of articles that deal with the difficult moral issues surrounding the Canaanite conquest. First, here's a link to a relatively brief article found in the Apologetics Study Bible by Mark Durie. What Did Jesus Have to Do With Violence Second, if you are more into video-watching instead of article-reading, the Bible project video has a few helpful points regarding the destruction of Jericho. (And an article to boot in case you accidentally find yourself reading!) Judgement or Cruelty And lastly, here's a few thoughts of my own
