Well I wrote a long post about this once already today and without thinking I closed my laptop down for a break. And of course the site timed out and I lost my post. Owell. Here's the short of it. Below is an image of some of the work that goes into prepping for a sermon series. The image below is a graphical display of how I understand the different sections of 1Peter relate to each other. I also will be making these "tracings" for the individual verses and clauses of the passages. I will post one of those later.

The lines leading from one passage to the other represent a relationship. And the symbols explain what these relationships are. (Reason, Explanation, Conclusion, Series, etc.) You can download the chart below to help you understand the symbols.The words to the right of the references are my summary of the main point of the passage. 

I've changed my mind about how some passages relate. I also need to include the vitally important introduction to 1Peter. But this gives you the general idea.

I started a new preaching series this last Sunday AM. I'm excited about preaching through this book for multiple reasons. One of these reasons is simply because I get to reread my favorite commentary that is written by my favorite scholar and favorite former pastor. Here's the commentary in case you'd like to get a copy for yourself. 

http://amzn.com/0805401377

Last night I diverted off course from our series in church history in order to discuss some issues that have caught my attention  while studying Baptist church history in particular. I planned to show several videos by Ravi Zacharias but our internet connection was down due to storms. Here are the links to the videos so you can watch them yourself.

I just finished writing a funeral sermon for tomorrow afternoon. It will be my first funeral to officiate at in our own church's cemetery. I'm ready to go to bed, but I thought I would post this beforehand. In every funeral I've spoken in I've quoted a song called God Moves In A Mysterious Way by William Cowper, penned in 1774. I quote it because it so powerfully reminds us that even in the worst of life's storms God is at work for his people's good.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

This Sunday's sermon text has to do with a poor widow. And there are a number of widows who are members at Black Springs.  On the other hand, I am relatively young and fully involved in marital life (6 years now with 4 children). So, even though I highly value the widows and seniors of our church, honestly sometimes it is hard for me to think in their terms. I thanked the Lord for this video when I found it because it helped me think of ways that the gospel can apply to this group of people.

Here is the blog where the video came from. It's worth a read as well.

This is the best writeup on Steve Jobs from a Christian perspective that I've come across. So I thought I'd share.
http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/10/06/steve-jobs-1955-2011/

In my last post I mentioned that my wife would undergo a C-Section this coming Wednesday and my twin boys would thereby enter this world. I also mentioned that they would be entering a vicious world in which the Fall has effected everything. 

Well, the Fall has made child birth painful (Gen 3:16) in more ways than one. One of those ways is, no doubt, the pain of seeing a premature baby(ies) away from Mom and Dad in the NICU. Both of our boys took up residence in the NICU this week. Now one is out of the unit. Brother is still in.

My wife works as a nurse in the unit where our boys have been spending their first days. Her worst nightmares come out of the NICU. She has seen parents blindsided by the very worst of situations when they were expecting the best.

That which can comfort a parent in this situation more than anything is the biblical teaching that God is in absolute control. That doesn't mean that things will always go well in the NICU. But that means that a God who is all-good, all-wise, all-knowing, long-suffering, and compassionate is in absolute control of everything that ever happens no matter what. Sometimes God doesn't reveal why he ordains what he does (see Job) but tests and strengthens our faith in his character. Sometimes he disciplines us (Heb 12:5ff). Sometimes he gives us the ability to comfort others who will go through the same thing (2Cor 1:3-4). Sometimes he increases our joy through suffering (James 1:2). Whatever his purpose might be, he works all things for the good of his people (Rom 8:28).