Test

SO setting up the new system for my blog to go out into the email world has taxed me.  So just running a check to see if it is going to do what I want.  For your enjoyment I will some pictures of cuteness from a recent visit with some favorite people.

Homiletics Acts 4

 Acts 4:1-37

Content:

1. The powers that be disturbed by apostles teaching Jesus and his resurrection. 1-2
2. Peter and John put in jail yet many believe in Jesus. 3-4
3. the rulers question their authority and power to heal. 5-7
4. Peter concisely and clearly responds, Jesus who you killed is means for salvation. 8-12
5. Rulers astounded at uneducated men's courage, noting they'd been with Jesus. 13-14
6. Rulers ask what can we do - can't deny the miracle but don't want "this" spreading. 15-17
7. Rulers demand "no Jesus stuff" and Peter and John say "not happening." 18-20
8. Rulers let them go with threats but no real punishment. 21-22
9. John and Peter return to believers, praising and praying with scripture. 23-26
10. They acknowledge God's sovereignty. 27-28
11. They pray for boldness and miracles29-30
12. Holy Spirit filled, the spoke word of God boldly. 31
13. All believers united sharing what they had, taking care of one another's needs. 32-35
14. Joseph (Barnabus) sold a field giving proceeds to the apostles. 36-37

Divisions:

1. Peter and John cause disturbance among Jewish leaders due to miracles thus spend time in jail. 1-22
2. Peter and John praise God, praying for boldness. 23-31
3. Believers are united and generous towards one another. 32-37

Subject Sentence: (couldn't decide. So sharing all three I came up with)

• Peter and John opposed for miracle but respond boldly unshaken.
• Peter and John jailed yet respond boldly unshaken empowered by HolySpirit. (I like to count Holy Spirit as one one word even sometimes simply using HS.  I know its not grammatically correct,)
• Rulers imprison Peter and John,  yet they are boldly unshaken. 

Aim: once again sharing two aims I came up with

TCMT (to cause me to) not be afraid to cause a disturbance by speaking truth about Jesus, trusting the Holy Spirit to empower me with boldness.

 TCMT to respond to the difficulties resulting from commitment to Jesus with praise, prayer and community.

Application (using the second aim)

1. What disturbance to others or perhaps in my own life may I be causing as a result of obedience to Jesus and his teaching? 
2. What would it look like in my live to respond to the difficulties with praise of God, refocus on Jesus and prayer for boldness.
3. What does community with believers for mutual encouragement and strengthening look like in my life? Is there something I need to give away or receive?

Tuesday Talk - Camera Day

According to my National Day of the Year Calendar, it is National Camera Day.  In celebration here are a few pics from my phone camera.

Homiletics Acts 3

 Acts 3:1-26

Content:

1. As was daily practice, crippled man begs money from Peter and John at temple Gate. 1-3
2. Peter calls his attention and beggar looks expectantly. 4-5
3. Peter said "I don't have money to give but I give you Jesus healing. 6
4. Peter helps man up and he is instantly healed. 7
5. Man responds with walking, jumping, and praising God causing great wonderment in people who saw him. 8-10
6. Peter uses as opportunity to address the crowd. 11-12
7. Peter says God glorified Jesus - you rejected him and had him killed. 13
8. You disowned the Holy and righteous one 14
9. You killed author of life BUT GOD raised him. 15.
10. It is by faith in the name of Jesus this man has complete healing. 16
11. You acted in ignorance BUT GOD was fulfilling his promises of suffering Christ. 17-18
12. Repent and turn to God so sins wiped out and you are refreshed. 19
13. Jesus in heaven until God fulfills his promise. 20-21
14. Moses and the prophets point to Jesus 22-25
15. Jesus sent to Jews to bless them through repentance from wicked ways. 26

Divisions:

1. Peter heals cripple man, drawing a crowd. 1-10
2. Peter uses opportunity to tell them about God's plan for Jesus 11-18
3. Peter calls them to repentance. 19-26

Subject Sentence:

    Peter heals crippled man, preaches Jesus and calls for repentance. 

AIM:

TCMT (to cause me to) live by faith in the name of Jesus and the attitude of "BUT GOD" for healing restoration and strength.

(I came up with several possible Aims but this one was the most personal and stuck out the most to me this week.)

Application 

1)  What circumstance or habit do I find crippling or debilitating? What physical means am I looking to for relief or change?

2) How might following up thoughts about such crippling situations with BUT GOD  change my thinking, attitude or action? What would it look like in my life to live by faith in Jesus in such crippling situations?

3) What specific repentance is God calling me to, so I might experience his blessing and refreshing.

Today's Tip - Subject Sentence.

I often find my subject sentence is a combination of the division sentence.  I look for repeated works.  In this case they all started with Peter so it seemed like a good place to start my Subject Sentence.  I look for words that will identify it's passage.  The Subject sentence should make someone think, oh this is about that passage in Acts where Peter heals the crippled man.  It may or may not include a biblical truth or principle.  That comes out in the aim.  The Subject Sentence is the briefest of identifiable summaries of a passage.  I often start by writing out whatever comes to mind after looking at the divisions sentences no matter how many words.  Then I start slashing, condensing and substituting words as well as rearranging in an effort to create a sentence that is 10 to 12 words.  

Tuesday Talk - Peter

 I am grateful that:

Peter takes his meds on his own.

Peter says the meds help keep him from crying all the time.

Peter's meds keep the voices and paranoia away.

Peter is committed to his job at Papa Johns.

Peter is pleasant to be around.

Peter has his sense of humor.

Peter and I have the best relationship we have had.

Peter can accept some of my suggestions.

Peter does not easily get angered or irritated.

Peter went with Mom and I on a road trip last weekend and it was enjoyable.

Peter makes efforts to get out of his room and be around people. 

Peter enjoys the porch swing

Peter spends much of his time listening to music, a fair portion of it Christian music (by choice.)

Peter is always grateful for rides, food, help etc.

Peter is choosing not to drive (which gives me much relief.)

Peter has plans.

I am sad, fearful and concerned that:

Peter is isolated (some by his choices some by others choices.)

Peter's plans and ideas aren't always grounded in reality.

Peter has refused therapy or counseling.

Peter's struggle with room and personal hygiene has decreased following diagnoses last year.

Peter spends A LOT of time looking in the mirror.

Peter is not progressing towards independent living.

Peter needs an advocate and case worker to keep doctor appointments and get meds. It's currently me.

Peter has and continues to experience a lot of rejection.  People don't reach out even when given opportunity.

Currently I serve as Peter's driver, landlord, advocate, case manager, counselor and best friend.  I  feel like I am not doing it well and would like for him to have a broader base of support.  And I don't know how to go about it.

Thank you for praying as so lead.

Homiletics Acts 2

 Acts 2:1-47

Content

1. Gathered disciples experience descension of Holy Spirit, violent wind and tongues of fire resting on individuals. 1-3
2. filled with Holy Spirit spoke in tongues drawing a crowd of nationally diverse Jews hearing own languages. 4-6
3. Crowd utterly amazed and bewildered, they sought understanding while some scoffed. 7-13
4. Peter addresses crowd clarifying they were not drunk but fulfilling OT prophesy. 14-21
5. Jesus was accredited by God through his actions and given over to die. 22-23
6. BUT GOD raised him from the dead 24
7. Peter quotes David's Psalms as testimony 25-28
8. David spoke of one of his descendants, prophesying resurrection of Christ. 29-31
9. Jesus is the Christ, disciples are witnesses to this. 32
10. Jesus is exalted, received promised HS (Holy Spirit) and pouring it out  and that is what crowd is witnessing. 33
11. David's words testify to this. 34-35
12. God has made this Jesus they crucified both Lord and Christ. 36
13. Listeners convicted asking what do we do; Peter responds repent and be baptized and receive HS. 37-39
14. Peter pleads and warns; about 3000 added to followers that day 40-41
15. Followers devoted selves to apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer. 42
16. many miracles done 43
17. believers lived in community providing for each other. 44-45
18. followers meet daily in temple, shared meals in homes, praised God and others added. 46-47

Divisions

1. Holy Spirit descends on the disciples, the evidence drawing an amazed crowd. 1-13
2. Peter addresses crowd, proclaiming Jesus as the promised Lord and Christ. 14-36
3. Proclamation leads to many repenting and joining fellowship of believers. 37-47

Subject Sentence. 

Holy Spirit's descension causes miraculous speech, Peter's testimony and new believers.

Aim: TCMT (to cause me to) point others to the resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ in response to the evidence of Holy Spirit in my life.

Application:

1 Do I believe and wait upon the HS to be evidenced in me?  Am I attuned to the inquiries of others about the evidence of HS in my life?

2 Do I seek to know scripture as to support the truth of Jesus Christ so I can't point others to him. Do I point others to Jesus or myself in response to HS's work in me?

3. Am I connected to other believers mutually offering and receiving support?

Today's Tip: Divisions

In my NIV bible, there are titles.  The one at the beginning of the chapter is The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost.  Above verse 14 is Peter Addresses the Crowd.  And Above verse 42 is The Fellowship of Believers.  These titles can often help guide dividing the passage.  However I try not to limit myself and strictly follow them.  What I may be seeing, may be following a different pattern.  

For example my first division matches the title division in my bible.  However I divided the 2nd division between verse 36 and 37 instead of 41 and 42.  What I was seeing was the progression of 1)  the coming and evidence of the Holy Spirit 2) Peter testifying and explaining it and 3) the people's response to the HS and Peter's testimony.  I saw this response begin to be shown at verse 37 and therefore started the third division at this point.

Tuesday Talk -Need a bible????

I would say my bible knowledge is average.   But after rearranging books this past week I have concluded that I have absolutely NO EXCUSE for not knowing and studying the word of God considering the number of Bibles I have collected.

ALL the books pictured here are Bibles.  And all but one is in English.  They represent different translations, print size, commentary notes and lives.  One is my parent's family bible.  I have two that belonged to my dad and at least two that were my moms. One, I was given as a child and the other when I became an adult.  My current bible isn't even in this picture. One of these each belonged to my Great great grandfather, my great grandmother and my grandmother.  My grandmother proudly presented me with 5 generation of bibles (when one of mine and my mom's was included) for my College graduation. I have a legacy of bibles but the question is, do I put them to use. Is my study of the bible and application of it leaving a legacy for the Lord I profess to follow.  Am I studying the word of God or simply letting it be an ornament.  May this collection motivate me to study the word of God, pray for those who don't have access, and freely share with those in need of the word.

Oh yeah, hear is my hymnal collection.  I like collecting them too!