The Good News We Almost Forgot is not your typical book about doctrine. In fact, though it deals with many topics of theology, it reads more like a devotional. In this book Kevin DeYoung guides you on a tour through an old catechism (the Heidelberg Catechism from 1563). But even though the book is about a document from almost 450 years ago, the book itself is fresh and relevant.
A catechism is a series of questions and answers which guide a learner to truth. This particular catechism is made up of 129 questions and answers. The questions are grouped into 52 sections- one for each week of the year. DeYoung wrote the original form of this book in weekly installments as devotionals for the people in the church he pastors.
The outline that DeYoung proposes that the catechism writers used is: 1. guilt, 2. grace, 3. gratitude. This outline points out that we have a great guilt in the eyes of God because of our sin and have no way of absolving ourselves of this guilt short of an eternity in hell. God's grace has been extended to us in the person and work of Christ on our behalf- specifically His sacrificial death for our sins. After we have seen our guilt and the grace of God, we will then live lives of gratitude to God by living according to the way He has told us to live.
The elders at Grace Church have been benefiting from this book while we are reading it together. You can find more information about The Good News We Almost Forgot at: http://www.amazon.com/Good-News-Almost-Forgot-Rediscovering/dp/B0042P5KFE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306421886&sr=8-1
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sermon Videos now Available
Grace Church of Old Bridge now has videos of Sunday morning sermons available for viewing. You can watch them here: http://www.vimeo.com/user6317891/videos.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Book Recommendation- The Next Story
I benefitted from a book about technology. Chances are, you will too. The book is not about how you can make Facebook and mobile phones work better. Instead, this particular book is a great reminder that all of our technology is supposed to work for us. Technology should serve you, not make you it's servant.
The book I am talking about is titled The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion. The book is written by Tim Challies (www.challies.com) and is a call to us who are now living in the digital age to live faithfully and wisely in these new times.
One of the most helpful portions of this book to me was the point that multi-tasking is actually a distraction. Like many people, I want to check my text or e-mail as soon as I hear a noise that tells me I've received that communication. It turns out that we are actually far less productive when we are able to be manipulated by such a small, beeping noise.
Be sure to also check out the section on immediate versus mediated conversation.
More information about the book can be found on the amazon site here: http://www.amazon.com/Next-Story-Faith-Digital-Explosion/dp/0310329035/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305728822&sr=8-1
The book I am talking about is titled The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion. The book is written by Tim Challies (www.challies.com) and is a call to us who are now living in the digital age to live faithfully and wisely in these new times.
One of the most helpful portions of this book to me was the point that multi-tasking is actually a distraction. Like many people, I want to check my text or e-mail as soon as I hear a noise that tells me I've received that communication. It turns out that we are actually far less productive when we are able to be manipulated by such a small, beeping noise.
Be sure to also check out the section on immediate versus mediated conversation.
More information about the book can be found on the amazon site here: http://www.amazon.com/Next-Story-Faith-Digital-Explosion/dp/0310329035/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305728822&sr=8-1
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Teeth
In my life I have averaged one trip to the dentist each decade. It's not that I have a fear of the dentist- I just have a fear of dental bills. We recently acquired insurance, so I headed off for my first dental visit in approximately ten years. The results were disappointing, if not predictable. The dentist was appalled by the condition of my teeth and promptly scheduled me with enough appointments in the coming months to significantly alter my once a decade average.
It's probably no surprise to you that there is a reason dentists want to see you twice a year (at least two reasons that I can think of and the first one is so they can collect a lot of money). The health reason for seeing the dentist more than a handful of times in one's lifetime is so they can fix any problems before the problem becomes too bad. Because I waited so long to see the dentist I now will have to endure a host of root canals, extractions, fillings, etc.
Perhaps many people view church the same way as the dentist. We would go if we saw the need for it or if we had the time or the money (okay, you don't need to have money to come to church, but not everyone realizes this fact). I figured that I could handle most of my dental needs at home- I brushed my teeth faithfully and thoroughly. We might be tempted to think that we can take care of our spiritual needs at home as well. We can read the Bible and pray and listen to music and sermons at home. But it isn't the same as coming to church where your friends and fellow Christians will help keep you from greater danger and give you the spiritual maintenance that your life truly needs. My teeth deteriorated when I limited my dental care to self-sufficiency. Your faith will deteriorate if you limit your spiritual care to what you can do yourself. Do yourself a long-term favor. Become an active member in a good local church. It will guard your soul and prevent larger faith problems.
It's probably no surprise to you that there is a reason dentists want to see you twice a year (at least two reasons that I can think of and the first one is so they can collect a lot of money). The health reason for seeing the dentist more than a handful of times in one's lifetime is so they can fix any problems before the problem becomes too bad. Because I waited so long to see the dentist I now will have to endure a host of root canals, extractions, fillings, etc.
Perhaps many people view church the same way as the dentist. We would go if we saw the need for it or if we had the time or the money (okay, you don't need to have money to come to church, but not everyone realizes this fact). I figured that I could handle most of my dental needs at home- I brushed my teeth faithfully and thoroughly. We might be tempted to think that we can take care of our spiritual needs at home as well. We can read the Bible and pray and listen to music and sermons at home. But it isn't the same as coming to church where your friends and fellow Christians will help keep you from greater danger and give you the spiritual maintenance that your life truly needs. My teeth deteriorated when I limited my dental care to self-sufficiency. Your faith will deteriorate if you limit your spiritual care to what you can do yourself. Do yourself a long-term favor. Become an active member in a good local church. It will guard your soul and prevent larger faith problems.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Building Update- May 2011
Your Building Committee at Grace Church continues to be active. We are still looking at what size of building will best serve us and help us serve the community.
It appears that the building that we will build will be an addition to our current building. The new addition will probably sit in the space of our current foyer and will include a new entryway.
The two most likely scenarios right now are for either a small addition with classrooms, bathrooms, and entry space or a sanctuary with bathrooms and entry space. If we use only build the smaller addition we would continue to meet in our current sanctuary (of course we would try to do some things to make it a little nicer). If we build a new sanctuary we would use our current sanctuary for classroom space.
A major factor in deciding which building is right for us is the financing. We ought to be able to get a loan for the smaller addition, but we still need to find out if we can get the loan for the larger addition. Please continue to pray that we would follow God's leading in this decision.
It appears that the building that we will build will be an addition to our current building. The new addition will probably sit in the space of our current foyer and will include a new entryway.
The two most likely scenarios right now are for either a small addition with classrooms, bathrooms, and entry space or a sanctuary with bathrooms and entry space. If we use only build the smaller addition we would continue to meet in our current sanctuary (of course we would try to do some things to make it a little nicer). If we build a new sanctuary we would use our current sanctuary for classroom space.
A major factor in deciding which building is right for us is the financing. We ought to be able to get a loan for the smaller addition, but we still need to find out if we can get the loan for the larger addition. Please continue to pray that we would follow God's leading in this decision.
Monday, May 9, 2011
A Gospel Primer- Book Recommendation
A Gospel Primer for Christians- Learning to See the Glories of God's Love is an excellent little book by Milton Vincent. In the book we are reminded that gospel Christians need the gospel as much as they need to share the gospel. The book simply reminds us of our need to remember God's goodness in Christ, and then guides us through what God has done for us. The descriptions of the goodness of God are marvelously footnoted with Scripture. Both a prose and a poetic version of the glories of the gospel is included.
Grace Church of Old Bridge will be considering many of the truths from this book in our up-coming "Mid-Week Boost" meetings (Wednesday nights beginning May 25th).
More information about the book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Primer-Christians-Learning-Glories/dp/1885904673/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304949803&sr=8-1
Grace Church of Old Bridge will be considering many of the truths from this book in our up-coming "Mid-Week Boost" meetings (Wednesday nights beginning May 25th).
More information about the book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Primer-Christians-Learning-Glories/dp/1885904673/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304949803&sr=8-1
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