Journal

First Sunday

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Today was our first Sunday back at Calvary Church West Hills since I candidated on January 28, and what a sweet reunion. We had the opportunity to thank Dr. Adam Groza for his excellent work as interim pastor, and to hear Dr. Randy McWhorter preach from Hebrews 10:24-25 on the commandment to spur one another on to love and good deeds.

After the service, we enjoyed Sunday brunch in the fellowship hall and got to know one another better. I met a Middle Eastern woman who just came to Christ about six months ago, and is growing in her walk with the Lord. I also met a twelve year old boy who has chosen to follow Christ and wants to get baptized soon. We’re going to try and do it Easter morning! One family gave us a welcome gift bag, which included some delicious homemade cookies, and a hiking map of trails in the Santa Monica mountains.

Another special conversation was with Edith and Maryann, two of Calvary’s earliest members. They joined the church back in the early 60s and shared how they’ve been praying for us every Wednesday, and how excited they are about the future of Calvary. I thanked them for their commitment, their prayers, and their sacrifice. May the Lord strengthen us to build on that legacy and bring the hope of the gospel to a whole new generation.

Journal

The Old Clothes Dryer

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Our old Kenmore clothes dryer has been stuck in high heat mode for a while and the timer no longer works. It just keeps drying until you open the door. You have to keep an eye on it so your clothes don’t shrink.

Yesterday we scheduled a repairman to come over. He took a look at it and said this model has outlasted its replacement parts and he’s no longer able to do repairs.

I asked him, “Do you appreciate seeing a living dinosaur?” He said, “I haven’t seen a unit this old in a long time. I feel like I’m in a museum.”

So, unfortunately we’ll need to buy a new clothes dryer once we get to West Hills. On the flip side, we have much to be thankful for, that our dryer still works (sort of), and that God allowed us to squeeze so much life out it. He always provides in his perfect time!

Science

Genesis *Is* History

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How old is the universe? Billions of years? What if I told you it’s only 6,000-10,000 years old? To modern ears, that sounds absurd. But stop and think. If you look at the world today and keep in mind three unique events, it explains everything we see:

  1. A majestic universe built in a state of maturity by a personal, loving God
  2. A terrible curse due to human rebellion leading to sickness, disaster, injustice, and death
  3. A global flood, forming billions of fossils and thick layers of sediment across the planet

Taken together, these three events explain the world we live in today, and it wouldn’t have to be very old. Is Genesis history? Yes, I believe it is!

Henry Morris writes, “The geological and paleontological evidence is exactly what one would expect to find as the products of the Flood of Genesis. Those who deny the Bible record do so either from ignorance or because they have chosen to believe naturalistic and evolutionary (hence, atheistic) science over Scripture. The evolutionist does not accept the biblical record. The Lord Jesus, however, does (Luke 17:26-27).” (The Big Three: Major Events that Changed History Forever, p. 181 emphasis added).

Last year, I taught a class at Immanuel Baptist Church on Genesis. It was one of the more unusual classes I’ve taught, but based on the attendance and positive feedback I received afterward, it was a topic that struck a nerve and was of great help. Basically, we studied the first eleven chapters of the Bible, including the accounts of creation, fall, and flood. But instead of strictly going verse by verse, we sprinkled in theology and virtual “field trips” led by experts in the fields of geology, paleontology, biology, chemistry, zoology, and more.

The result was a nine-week series called “Is Genesis History?” I highly recommend your church go through it! Here’s the full-length documentary, and here’s a link to the Bible Study Guide.

As I taught the class, I tried to record each week and provide some handouts to supplement the Bible Study material. Links are below. I hope more of you will watch and share this material. Our class found it both encouraging and thought-provoking.

Week 1 – Introducing to the Doctrine of Creation
(blog post | audio recording | handout)

Week 2 – God’s Wondrous Works
(blog post | audio recording)

Week 3 – Continue Documentary: “Is Genesis History?
(link to full-length film)

Week 4 – The Doctrine of Revelation
(handout)

Week 5 – The Doctrine of Creation
(blog post | audio recording | handout)

Week 6 – The Doctrine of God’s Image
(blog post | audio recording | handout)

Bonus: Field Trip to Devil’s Punchbowl
(blog post | field guide)

Week 7 – Adam, Eve, & the First Sin
(audio recording | handout)

Week 8 – The Doctrine of Judgment
(audio recording | handout)

Week 9 – The Doctrine of Providence
(audio recording | handout)

Lastly here’s the entire set of teaching notes in one PDF file:

is-genesis-history-complete-teaching-packetDownload

Question: If you attended the class, what’s one thing that stood out to you?

Journal

Heading West

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Yesterday I accepted a call to become lead pastor of Calvary Church of West Hills. We’re humbled and excited by this opportunity.

Our time at Immanuel has been a joy. We’re grateful for the many friends we’ve made and a fruitful season of ministry. It’s impossible to put into words all the ways we’ve grown and been blessed.

Now I am eager to get back into a lead pastor role and regular pulpit ministry. West Hills is on the west end of the San Fernando Valley, near Canoga Park and Woodland Hills. It takes us full circle back to LA County, where Natalie and I first met in 1996 when we attended the Master’s College and then I went on to The Master’s Seminary.

Calvary Church is an SBC church, so we look forward to continuing our partnership with our SBC family.

To God be the glory!

Teaching

Count the Stars

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Have you ever looked up at the night sky and tried to count the stars? In Genesis 15, God invites Abram to do just that, if he is able.

The number of stars on a clear night seems almost infinite, though in reality they number only in the thousands. According to this Sky & Telescope article, about 4,500 stars are visible to the naked eye. With a decent set of binoculars, the number increases to 217,000. And with a basic 3″ telescope, the number skyrockets to 5.3 million stars. That’s only the tip of the iceberg! Astronomers now know the stars and galaxies number in the billions and trillions. (Want your mind blown? Check out this deep space image).

All that to say, God promised Abram a family that would defy comprehension.

In this study of Genesis 15-16, we learn…

  • How to understand the flow of Genesis
  • More than once, a “miracle baby” would advance God’s rescue plan
  • How God shows mercy by waiting to destroy the Amorites
  • The Protestant doctrine of “justification by faith” found here in Genesis
  • Covenants are a key to understanding our Bible
  • Growing in patience as we trust and obey God

This lesson was taught in yesterday’s median Adults BSC. Here’s the audio recording:

And here’s a copy of the handout:

gen-15-abrahamic-covenant-bscDownload


Thanks for listening. For a complete list of sermons and Bible studies, please visit my teaching page.

Special thanks to Gloris Young for providing today’s artwork.

Thoughts on Life and Leadership