Allison's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my daughter-in-law. She celebrates her 23rd birthday today as a married young lady. Hopefully Brian hasn't forgotten what today is.

A Hot but Relaxing Golf Vacation

We had a great golf vacation in Berryville, Arkansas the past 4 days. We played 46 holes of golf on Monday and 47 holes on Tuesday. The temperatures were around 98 degrees with high humidity. But we still kept on playing.

We decided to take it easy on Wednesday and spent the entire day at Silver Dollar City. I think the temperature was even hotter. It was around 100. The best part was the one hour tour of Marvel Cave and the constant 60 degree temperature.

We played one last course on Thursday at Neosho, Missouri before heading home. It was a course that I have wanted to play for years but never had the chance. What a great golf course, 27 holes. It was built by the great golf architect Perry Maxwell in 1926. It is a beautiful Ozark Mountain Course.

What Does This Verse Mean to Me?

What Does This Verse Mean "to Me"?
Titus 1:9, Romans 12:1-2
by John MacArthur

That's a fashionable concern, judging from the trends in devotional booklets, home Bible study discussions, Sunday-school literature, and most popular preaching.

The question of what Scripture means has taken a back seat to the issue of what it means "to me."

The difference may seem insignificant at first. Nevertheless, our obsession with the Scripture's applicability reflects a fundamental weakness. We have adopted practicality as the ultimate judge of the worth of God's Word. We bury ourselves in passages that overtly relate to daily living, and ignore those that don't.

Early in my ministry, I made a conscious commitment to biblical preaching. My first priority has always been to answer the question, "What does this passage mean?" After I've explained as clearly and accurately as possible the meaning of God's Word, then I exhort people to obey and apply it to their own lives.

The Bible speaks for itself to the human heart; it is not my role as a preacher to try to tailor the message. That's why I preach my way through entire books of the Bible, dealing carefully with each verse and phrase-even though that occasionally means spending time in passages that don't readily lend themselves to anecdotal or motivational messages.

I am grateful to the Lord for the way He has used this expository approach in our church and in the lives of our radio listeners.

But now and then someone tells me frankly that my preaching needs to be less doctrinal and more practical.

Practical application is vital. I don't want to minimize its importance. But the distinction between doctrinal and practical truth is artificial; doctrine is practical! In fact, nothing is more practical than sound doctrine.

Too many Christians view doctrine as heady and theoretical. They have dismissed doctrinal passages as unimportant, divisive, threatening, or simply impractical. A best-selling Christian book I just read warns readers to be on guard against preachers whose emphasis is on interpreting Scripture rather than applying it.

Wait a minute. Is that wise counsel? No it is not.

There is no danger of irrelevant doctrine; the real threat is an undoctrinal attempt at relevance. Application not based on solid interpretation has led Christians into all kinds of confusion.
No discipline is more sorely needed in the contemporary church than expositional biblical teaching. Too many have bought the lie that doctrine is something abstract and threatening, unrelated to daily life.

It is in vogue to substitute psychology and spoon-fed application for doctrinal substance, while demeaning theological and expositional ministry.

But the pastor who turns away from preaching sound doctrine abdicates the primary responsibility of an elder: "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9).

Practical insights, gimmicks, and illustrations mean little if they're not attached to divine principles. There's no basis for godly behavior apart from the truth of God's Word.

There are only three options: We teach truth, error, or nothing at all.

Before the preacher asks anyone to perform a certain duty, he must first deal with doctrine. He must develop his message around theological themes and draw out the principles of the texts. Then the truth can be applied.

Romans provides the clearest biblical example. Paul didn't give any exhortation until he had given eleven chapters of theology.

He scaled incredible heights of truth, culminating in 11:33-36: "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

Then in chapter 12, he turned immediately to the practical consequences of the doctrine of the first 11 chapters. No passage in Scripture captures the Christian's responsibility to the truth more clearly than Romans 12:1-2. There, building on eleven chapters of profound doctrine, Paul calls each believer to a supreme act of spiritual worship-giving oneself as a living sacrifice. Doctrine gives rise to dedication to Christ, the greatest practical act. And the remainder of the book of Romans goes on to explain the many practical outworkings of one's dedication to Christ.
Paul followed the same pattern in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians. The doctrinal message came first. Upon that foundation he built the practical application, making the logical connection with the word therefore (Rom. 12:1; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 4:1; Phil. 2:1) or then (Col. 3:1; 1 Thess. 4:1).

True doctrine transforms behavior as it is woven into the fabric of everyday life. But it must be understood if it is to have its impact. The real challenge of the ministry is to dispense the truth clearly and accurately. Practical application comes easily by comparison.

No believer can apply truth he doesn't know. Those who don't understand what the Bible really says about marriage, divorce, family, child-rearing, discipline, money, debt, work, service to Christ, eternal rewards, helping the poor, caring for widows, respecting government, and other teachings won't be able to apply it.

Those who don't know what the Bible teaches about salvation cannot be saved. Those who don't know what the Bible teaches about holiness are incapable of dealing with sin. Thus they are unable to live fully to their own blessedness and God's glory.

The nucleus of all that is truly practical is sown up in the teaching of Scripture. We don't make the Bible relevant; it is inherently so, simply because it is God's Word. And after all, how can anything God says be irrelevant?

Quote of the Day

We talk a lot about worship being 24/7...I found this quote very helpful.
“The best public worship is that which produces the best private Christianity.”

Happy Father's Day

I want to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day. He has been a great dad. He has taught me so much about life. His work ethic and his pursuit of excellence are just a couple of the qualities I appreciate about him.

One of my favorite things is getting to play a round of golf with him.

Dad have a great day! I love and appreciate you very much.

Vacation

My favorite week of the year............vacation with Debbie. It's time for our annual trip to Arkansas and Missouri to play non-stop marathon golf for 5 days.

We will leave after church on Sunday and head south to Eureka Springs to set up camp for a few days. We will play golf at our favorite course at Berryville, Arkansas. Our one day record is 64 holes. Not sure if we can break it, but we will give it a good try.

When you go south you have to check out three great places to eat; AQ Chicken in Springdale, Bubba's BBQ in Eureka Springs and Catfish Wharf in Harrison. Good southern cooking.

We hope to play a course in the Branson area as well.

Scripture for the Day

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

Psalm 69:30-35

The Move

We made it to Columbus on Saturday with the help of our parents, Brian-Allison, Mike-Doreen-Emma and Diana. They were a great help as we unloaded two 26 foot trucks, an 8x12 trailer, two pickups and three vehicles.

The community and church has welcomed us with open arms and we have enjoyed meeting several individuals.

We have boxes everywhere but the place is beginning to take shape.

We might have some possibilities on our home in Osage City. Please continue to pray for the sale of our home. I sure want Debbie to stay with me in Columbus this fall.

Thank you Troy, Andy, Herb and Brian on helping us pack the trucks on Friday in Osage City. You guys are very special.

Blessing our New Home

"Bless This House"

Bless this house, O Lord, we pray,
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout;
Keeping want and trouble out;
Bless the roof and chimney tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;

Bless this door that it may prove
Ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heavenly light;
Bless the hearth a-blazing there;
With smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the ones who dwell within;
Keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be,
Fit, O Lord, to dwell with Thee.

-Helen Taylor

Moving Day is Here

The day has finally arrived as we pack the moving van and head three hours south to our new home in Columbus. We pray it will be a uneventful weekend and one that goes well. We appreciate my parents, my brother Mike and his family, Brian and Allison helping us get packed up. Deb's parents and sister will meet us in Columbus on Saturday to help get things unpacked. We hope to have a large Carriger group at church on Sunday in Columbus. More about the move later...........

My Last Day as an Indian

What do you do on your last day as a Osage City Indian? I plan on walking the halls up at the school and think about the positive things that have taken place. Individuals that have made a huge impact on my life. I will spend some extra time in the old high school where I walked the halls for 6 years as principal. If those walls could talk what stories they could tell. The picture above was taken 17 years ago my first day as high school principal here in Osage City. Thank you Osage for 17 great years...............................

Thought for the Day

This week marks the 54th anniversary of the invention of the credit card.
Before that, people practiced something called "living within their means"
a foolish, foolish, outmoded way of life.

Jay Leno

Central Says Goodbye

The Central Church of Christ had a going away reception for us last night. It was a sad time as we said goodbye to many great friends that we love very dearly. We will miss the 300 family members that meet at the corner of Huntoon and College in Topeka. Thank you for richly blessing us over the past 8 years.

Closing Today

We travel today to Columbus to close on our new home. Excited to be moving one week from today. I guess we better start packing?

I Can See

One of the most precious gifts we have is sight. Being able to see the world that God has created. I have been amazed for the past four weeks watching Debbie has she has undergone her two cataract surgeries and her improved ability to see.

She has commented so often about how everything is so clear. Clear enough that she doesn't need glasses for her distance vision any longer.

That's how it is with our Christian walk at times. We get so busy, so tangled up in sin and ourselves that we are blind to the things that we are doing that can actually destroy our self.

Paul in Acts chapter 9 was a great example.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"

"Yes, Lord," he answered.

The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Acts 9:3-19

When we begin that relationship with Christ we become a new creature. All of the old is gone. And we really do see things differently. We see that love is better than hatred. We see that God has a plan for all mankind and life is truly more enjoyable if we trust in His ways over our own.

Thank You Osage City

The past few weeks have been some of the best and most difficult weeks Debbie and I have experienced. Excitement for new beginnings but sadness for the ending of a chapter in our lives.

We have been very blessed to live in Osage City for the past 17 years. The years went by very quickly as we worked and lived school. It was a great life being able to be associated with some great individuals and one of the best group of kids in the world. We will miss Osage but know you will continue to be a community that moves forward and one that places a emphasis on the kids living there.

Thank you for all the kind words, support, gifts, receptions, and luncheons you have honored us with the past few weeks. We will never forget your love and generosity.

YP....Thanks for the Journey!

We had a great time Sunday night saying goodbye to our Young Professional Group at Church. Debbie and I had the privilege and honor ministering to these great young adults for the past 5 years.

We enjoyed a cookout and devotional at Bill and Diana Carriger's house on the lake. It was a beautiful evening.

I know God will continue to bless this group as they have definitely impacted us on our journey..............

Craig Back to NYC

We had a great time with Craig this past week. He was able to see our new home in Columbus and look around the community. He spent time with his grandparents in Oklahoma and spent time with Brian and Allison in Garnett.

He was ready on Saturday to board the plane and leave the small town of Osage City and head back to the big city.

It sure is quiet at home! Craig have a great summer.