"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" Romans 10:11. I am not really sure why we leave this verse "off" when we witness (most people usually use Rom. 10:9-10, 13). This has an amazing promise, yet challenging!
Anyway, what an eventful week we have had. As most of you know we were blessed enough to be able to visit home. I am not sure what Thursday and Friday were like, because I think I was so focused on returning home. We were able to go to some friends house Friday night, and we had supper with them and another couple who joined us. It was a lot of fun as we hung out with friends, eat and played some Wii. Then on Saturday, we made the trek to Fort Smith, but before we left the area, we made a visit to some of the elders of the church. A "couple of the great God" (Dr. Allison special, ok he says man of the great God). That was a very enjoyable time, and I believe I could have spent most of the day there in fellowship with them. However, we did depart about 30 minutes later than anticipated. We also had a few unexpected errands to run before we made it over to one of our friends home to pick her up so we could have lunch together with her and my mother in-law. After having lunch we made the trip back home, and just in time for the annual Men's Wild Game Supper! This was a great time of fellowship and eating! I truly enjoyed everything that I put on my plate. Bro. Tim gave a great word and others shared something that was on their heart!
Sunday came, and we enjoyed seeing all the familiar faces greeted by smiles and hugs! What a feeling it is to return to the home church, even after only being gone about 3 weeks! Sunday school was good, as was the worship and preaching. I had the opportunity to share with a young man that morning who is really in need of prayer. Sunday afternoon was special as well. We enjoyed a meal at D's grandparents, then back to church for the shower and youth leadership class fellowship ( I didn't make the show unfortunately, because I was way behind in reading! LOL surprise!). Hanging out with many of the youth and leaders was refreshing for me. Something that I really needed. Thanks guys! Then came the inevitable departure. I was able to give the church an update, and I really want to thank all of you again for your prayers.
We arrived home Sunday night at about 11:30. Which was not bad at all, because I only had to go to ICOC. Thankfully it was not until 10:30am on Monday. About 10 guys went out to share the greatest news ever, and I believe there were 5 professions of faith! God is amazing. Tuesday was back to the grindstone, as they say. We had a really great day of class. We began each class really focusing on revival, which is coming next week. I am excited to see how God is going to show up. Unfortunately Tuesday afternoon after finding out that D did not get either job that was on the "table", I allowed the devil to work me over. Wednesday after a good quiet time, and a great day of class, especially chapel, God gave me strength, grace, and mercy to overcome. Wednesday night was a good prayer service at Bellevue. Today's classes followed the them as well, and this evening D and I have enjoyed some good time of dinner and fellowship together!
Oh before I sign off, Tuesday night we went to our first EE meeting (Evangelism Explosion), and I believe it is going to be a great time for D and I both to become more comfortable sharing the gospel door to door. I don't agree with everything according to the way they do things, but God can still use it. Amen?
Well as always thank you for your prayers. "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, FERVENT prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16. I heard this prayed in one of our prayer session before class, and I thought that does me no good because "As it is written, there are none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10. However, I was reminded of 2 Cor. 5:21 "For He mad Him who ken no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him". Wow, we can know that our prayers avails much. Not because we are righteous in ourselves, but if we have accepted Jesus to put our faith in HIM, we become righteous. AMEN! Ok sorry I haven't got to preach in like a decade, ok nearly 4 weeks, but there it is. Please pray for D's collarbone. She goes to the doctor on this coming Wed. Pray for D a job, where God wants us to serve (I submitted my resume yesterday through the school), school, Scripture memory, and please pray for my passion for the lost. Thank you all very much. We love in all in the name of Jesus. Tell someone what He has done for you this week!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The much belated post!
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Well, I am only 4 or 5 days late according to when I said I would post again! Oh well, I haven't suffered too much harassment, only from Dusty which is to be expected. HA! Well we have had a great week and a half. I want to tell you what this last week and a half have been like now that you were able to see what my schedule has entailed.
Tuesday I got up with much anticipation, because I just couldn't wait to see how things were going to be. There was part of me not looking forward to it as well, because well I honestly do not like being the new kid. LOL! Who does? Anyway, I arrived to my first class just a few before 8am. We had a pretty good class after just going over the basics of the syllabus and other important information which will be useful through the course of the term. Next was Personal Evangelism! I was so excited to see and learn from Dr. Allison! He is such a blessing to me everyday we have that class. Dr. Wilkes was not there on Tuesday, but the rest of the week was really good. He is really exciting and very humble. Dr. May who teaches Southern Baptist Missions has really been a joy as well. All the classes were really good all week. Dr. Allison's wife was with on Wednesday, and she is just so amazing yet in very serious physical condition. Dr. Wilkes and Dr. May were both gone on Friday to meet with the IMB, but Dr. Wilkes left a video message from a Dr. Eliff (?). In spite of me not being sure about his name, the message was really good. It was titled "What do you do when you can't get back to God?". The there was a missionary who spoke to in Missions.
Tuesday after class Dadrian and I enjoyed time together while running errands, going to her doctor appt. (which still showed a broken collarbone :( ) and eating a nice meal at our home together. Wednesday we went back to Kirby for a meal, fellowship, and prayer. Thursday Dadrian had an interview that day with a local tax service, and then we again ran some errands that evening. Friday Dadrian went back to the tax service for a part 2 of an interview while I got a chance to go hoop it up a little bit with some guys from school. It was fun, but not like playing with the coaches back at Danville. We had an enjoyable weekend while we got to see D's cousin Ericka and her son Bryce. Then I had to come home to read!
Sunday we went and visited Bellevue. Their pastor Dr. Gaines was in Israel on a Holy Land Tour. Dr. Jerry Vines was their fill in for their morning and evening services. (No Dusty, Bro. Tim, Luke, or Chris, but not too bad!) Both services were really good. Monday I got to go down to the ICOC with Bro. Ronnies and some others. We went out, and we were able to see 10 pray to receive JESUS! AMEN! It was really good, and something really only by God happened, but I will save that for another time. Class was good yesterday, and today D had an interview with FedEx down in Olive Branch, MS (25min.). I got to take her, because we had no school today.
Wow that seems like a whole lot, but maybe I will stay more on top of it. Probably not! Thank you all for you prayers. For some guidance in praying for us (if you want), pray for D's collarbone, D's job situation and guidance, my passion for lost souls, church for us to serve in as well as if God wants me to try to serve in a position or serve just as a member (you know what I mean hopefully), and pray for a ministry called Evangelism Explosion which D and I joined last night. Door to door witnessing! Thanks to all of you, and we love you all in Christ!!
Romans 5:8
Well, I am only 4 or 5 days late according to when I said I would post again! Oh well, I haven't suffered too much harassment, only from Dusty which is to be expected. HA! Well we have had a great week and a half. I want to tell you what this last week and a half have been like now that you were able to see what my schedule has entailed.
Tuesday I got up with much anticipation, because I just couldn't wait to see how things were going to be. There was part of me not looking forward to it as well, because well I honestly do not like being the new kid. LOL! Who does? Anyway, I arrived to my first class just a few before 8am. We had a pretty good class after just going over the basics of the syllabus and other important information which will be useful through the course of the term. Next was Personal Evangelism! I was so excited to see and learn from Dr. Allison! He is such a blessing to me everyday we have that class. Dr. Wilkes was not there on Tuesday, but the rest of the week was really good. He is really exciting and very humble. Dr. May who teaches Southern Baptist Missions has really been a joy as well. All the classes were really good all week. Dr. Allison's wife was with on Wednesday, and she is just so amazing yet in very serious physical condition. Dr. Wilkes and Dr. May were both gone on Friday to meet with the IMB, but Dr. Wilkes left a video message from a Dr. Eliff (?). In spite of me not being sure about his name, the message was really good. It was titled "What do you do when you can't get back to God?". The there was a missionary who spoke to in Missions.
Tuesday after class Dadrian and I enjoyed time together while running errands, going to her doctor appt. (which still showed a broken collarbone :( ) and eating a nice meal at our home together. Wednesday we went back to Kirby for a meal, fellowship, and prayer. Thursday Dadrian had an interview that day with a local tax service, and then we again ran some errands that evening. Friday Dadrian went back to the tax service for a part 2 of an interview while I got a chance to go hoop it up a little bit with some guys from school. It was fun, but not like playing with the coaches back at Danville. We had an enjoyable weekend while we got to see D's cousin Ericka and her son Bryce. Then I had to come home to read!
Sunday we went and visited Bellevue. Their pastor Dr. Gaines was in Israel on a Holy Land Tour. Dr. Jerry Vines was their fill in for their morning and evening services. (No Dusty, Bro. Tim, Luke, or Chris, but not too bad!) Both services were really good. Monday I got to go down to the ICOC with Bro. Ronnies and some others. We went out, and we were able to see 10 pray to receive JESUS! AMEN! It was really good, and something really only by God happened, but I will save that for another time. Class was good yesterday, and today D had an interview with FedEx down in Olive Branch, MS (25min.). I got to take her, because we had no school today.
Wow that seems like a whole lot, but maybe I will stay more on top of it. Probably not! Thank you all for you prayers. For some guidance in praying for us (if you want), pray for D's collarbone, D's job situation and guidance, my passion for lost souls, church for us to serve in as well as if God wants me to try to serve in a position or serve just as a member (you know what I mean hopefully), and pray for a ministry called Evangelism Explosion which D and I joined last night. Door to door witnessing! Thanks to all of you, and we love you all in Christ!!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
My first week of school!!
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Mathew 6:33. Bro. Tim preached on this not long before we left from seminary, and it has stuck with me. Now it is one of my memory verses for Dr. Allison's class! OK so I will tell you about my all of my classes then give a rundown of what our week has been like thus far!
My first class at 8am is History of Christianity I. My professor is Dr. Adams. I never imagined I would be excited or even the least bit interested in any history, but I have really enjoyed this class so far. We have about two chapters a day to read. It is really cool because we can earn 30% of our grade if we get our reading done everyday before class starts!! Amen.
Next class is Personal Evangelism by Dr. Gray Allison. Dr. Allison is one of the founders of Mid America!! Bro. Tim told me that "he is the greatest soul winner he has ever met"! That is saying something coming from a man who knows Ronnie T. and Ronnie J. It is an amazing class about soul winning. He says that he will teach us some methods along the way, but his main goal is to strike a match that the Holy Spirit can get a fire going in our hearts with to see people come to Jesus! I love this class. It is somewhat difficult, because we have quite a work load in order to get credit, but it is all for the Glory of God! We have about 3 scriptures every class day we have to memorize! That turns out to be 73 total. Wow! I need God's word, and we are required to read 2 evangelism books and one biographical book.
The we have chapel which is amazing, because I just continue to get my heart full of God's word and His love!
Then at 11 I have Spiritual Formation, and Big T told me this was his favorite professor, Dr. Wilkes! I can see why. He is the funniest professors that I have ever had! This class is about growing our personal relationship closer to God! We all need that, amen? We are required to read 2 books, and a small pamphlet in there.
Last class is at noon, it is The Principals of Southern Baptist Missions. I though oh man the last class is going to be somewhat of a drag. (just being honest, sorry). Man oh man though did God hit me in the face. It has been a blessing. Dr. May has a passion for mission that you can't help but to enjoy learning about them as well. We have 2 books to read in there as well. I am reading a book "The Missionary Call", and it has been so amazing to learn some history behind missions!
Yes folks that is 7 books total, one partial reading for History of Christianity, and one tract that I, Chris Russell aka the non reader, am responsible to read in the next 7 weeks now to get credit for my courses! We please pray for me. I pray that you can tell I am just full of the love of God and grateful to how gracious He is to me and my family. I know I said that I would tell about our week, but I think I will save that for tomorrow or Saturday. God bless you, and let's tell someone about Jesus this week!
Love you all and thanks for your prayers and support!!
My first class at 8am is History of Christianity I. My professor is Dr. Adams. I never imagined I would be excited or even the least bit interested in any history, but I have really enjoyed this class so far. We have about two chapters a day to read. It is really cool because we can earn 30% of our grade if we get our reading done everyday before class starts!! Amen.
Next class is Personal Evangelism by Dr. Gray Allison. Dr. Allison is one of the founders of Mid America!! Bro. Tim told me that "he is the greatest soul winner he has ever met"! That is saying something coming from a man who knows Ronnie T. and Ronnie J. It is an amazing class about soul winning. He says that he will teach us some methods along the way, but his main goal is to strike a match that the Holy Spirit can get a fire going in our hearts with to see people come to Jesus! I love this class. It is somewhat difficult, because we have quite a work load in order to get credit, but it is all for the Glory of God! We have about 3 scriptures every class day we have to memorize! That turns out to be 73 total. Wow! I need God's word, and we are required to read 2 evangelism books and one biographical book.
The we have chapel which is amazing, because I just continue to get my heart full of God's word and His love!
Then at 11 I have Spiritual Formation, and Big T told me this was his favorite professor, Dr. Wilkes! I can see why. He is the funniest professors that I have ever had! This class is about growing our personal relationship closer to God! We all need that, amen? We are required to read 2 books, and a small pamphlet in there.
Last class is at noon, it is The Principals of Southern Baptist Missions. I though oh man the last class is going to be somewhat of a drag. (just being honest, sorry). Man oh man though did God hit me in the face. It has been a blessing. Dr. May has a passion for mission that you can't help but to enjoy learning about them as well. We have 2 books to read in there as well. I am reading a book "The Missionary Call", and it has been so amazing to learn some history behind missions!
Yes folks that is 7 books total, one partial reading for History of Christianity, and one tract that I, Chris Russell aka the non reader, am responsible to read in the next 7 weeks now to get credit for my courses! We please pray for me. I pray that you can tell I am just full of the love of God and grateful to how gracious He is to me and my family. I know I said that I would tell about our week, but I think I will save that for tomorrow or Saturday. God bless you, and let's tell someone about Jesus this week!
Love you all and thanks for your prayers and support!!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Orientation and Registration!!
Wow! What a busy couple of days it has been. First, praise God that He has provided some potential job opportunities for Dadrian. She has an interview with an accounting firm here in Cordova. We are very excited about that, and there are some others that are potential jobs in waiting periods right now. So please keep praying for her and the job. She also, Lord willing, go see the doctor on Tuesday. We are praying that God has healed her so that she might be able to not be forced to wear the sling anymore, but ultimately God's will be done.
Today was fun, because we (Dadrian was able to go with me!) got to go over to the seminary to go through registration and orientation. It was really exciting for us both. I am getting really anxious to begin class. I am taking History of Christianity I, Spiritual Formation (which is with one of Bro. Tim's favorite professor, Dr. Wilkes), Principals of Southern Baptist Missions, and Personal Evangelism which is taught by the leading pioneers in the founding of MABTS, Dr. Allison! I am very excited about that one.
Also I spoke with Bro. Ronnie Johnson today, and I will have the opportunity to go down to the Inner City Outreach Center (ICOC) on Monday!!! I am very excited about this, a bit nervous, but I am overall excited about the opportunity and the chance to be around both Bro. Ronnie J. and Bro. Ronnie T. So please pray for me that I would just be useful to God, and that we would see people come to know Christ!!
Anyway, we were blessed enough to get our Internet on today. We have been borrowing wireless from some neighbors who graciously offered until we got ours taken care of. We also have had some great time together over the last few days. Please continue to pray for us as we begin class, go to the doctor, Dadrian's interview, going to the ICOC, and as we search for a church to attend. We are going to visit Kirby Woods on Sunday, Lord willing!
Amen, thank you guys for your interest in how things are going. Any comments are greatly appreciated, and again we miss all of you so much. There could be a visit in a couple of weeks!! I know, I know, it hasn't been long enough for you, but it has been for us! Thanks again!
Today was fun, because we (Dadrian was able to go with me!) got to go over to the seminary to go through registration and orientation. It was really exciting for us both. I am getting really anxious to begin class. I am taking History of Christianity I, Spiritual Formation (which is with one of Bro. Tim's favorite professor, Dr. Wilkes), Principals of Southern Baptist Missions, and Personal Evangelism which is taught by the leading pioneers in the founding of MABTS, Dr. Allison! I am very excited about that one.
Also I spoke with Bro. Ronnie Johnson today, and I will have the opportunity to go down to the Inner City Outreach Center (ICOC) on Monday!!! I am very excited about this, a bit nervous, but I am overall excited about the opportunity and the chance to be around both Bro. Ronnie J. and Bro. Ronnie T. So please pray for me that I would just be useful to God, and that we would see people come to know Christ!!
Anyway, we were blessed enough to get our Internet on today. We have been borrowing wireless from some neighbors who graciously offered until we got ours taken care of. We also have had some great time together over the last few days. Please continue to pray for us as we begin class, go to the doctor, Dadrian's interview, going to the ICOC, and as we search for a church to attend. We are going to visit Kirby Woods on Sunday, Lord willing!
Amen, thank you guys for your interest in how things are going. Any comments are greatly appreciated, and again we miss all of you so much. There could be a visit in a couple of weeks!! I know, I know, it hasn't been long enough for you, but it has been for us! Thanks again!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The beginning of a beginning....
HA!!....and the description says nothing profound... I laugh in the face of adversity!
Ok sorry about that. So this is my first official post, as you can see Captain Obvious. (Nor have I had an unofficial post either). Sorry my ADD is kicking in! So we are moved into our new apartment. It is very exciting. I really like our new home. We have friendly neighbors (which I would hope since they are all seminary students or wives of such.) Dadrian's parents came up on Monday morning to help us get settled, and all I can say is thank you and PRAISE GOD! They were such a big help. By Tuesday they had helped us get nearly everything unpacked and settled in. We have since been on the job search for Dadrian, and I have been trying to get prepared for the big day Friday (orientation day at the seminary). We were able to visit Bellevue Baptist this evening for a really good service. WOW, is that church big!
As a side note, there is reason for this being called UnLearned. Basically so I can make grammatical mistakes, and I won't have to provide explanations other than just pleading ignorance!
Now speaking of services, Sunday night was one of the most difficult times of my life. It was great, because I had the privilege of bringing God's word to our church. Then during the invitation one of my very best friends came to pray with me and the thought of leaving my friends, church family, family, youth, Dusty and his family, Bro. Tim and family, and so many others was too much for me. So Bro. Tim had to step in to finish the service, but I know that we will always be connected. I pray that we will get to visit soon. Maybe at the end of this month!
Ok I have to move on before it gets too much for me to deal with again. Well I suppose this is more than I intended when I sat down. This blog will be intended to keep friends and family back home updated on how things are going here in Cordova. We want you to know that we love and miss all of you so much already, but we know this is where God has called us for the time being.
Please keep praying for Dadrian to heal, a job for her, for us both to find friends here. a church home here (nothing to replace Branch, I promise!), opportunities for us to serve, and for me to do well in school.
thanks, we love you guys!!!!
Ok sorry about that. So this is my first official post, as you can see Captain Obvious. (Nor have I had an unofficial post either). Sorry my ADD is kicking in! So we are moved into our new apartment. It is very exciting. I really like our new home. We have friendly neighbors (which I would hope since they are all seminary students or wives of such.) Dadrian's parents came up on Monday morning to help us get settled, and all I can say is thank you and PRAISE GOD! They were such a big help. By Tuesday they had helped us get nearly everything unpacked and settled in. We have since been on the job search for Dadrian, and I have been trying to get prepared for the big day Friday (orientation day at the seminary). We were able to visit Bellevue Baptist this evening for a really good service. WOW, is that church big!
As a side note, there is reason for this being called UnLearned. Basically so I can make grammatical mistakes, and I won't have to provide explanations other than just pleading ignorance!
Now speaking of services, Sunday night was one of the most difficult times of my life. It was great, because I had the privilege of bringing God's word to our church. Then during the invitation one of my very best friends came to pray with me and the thought of leaving my friends, church family, family, youth, Dusty and his family, Bro. Tim and family, and so many others was too much for me. So Bro. Tim had to step in to finish the service, but I know that we will always be connected. I pray that we will get to visit soon. Maybe at the end of this month!
Ok I have to move on before it gets too much for me to deal with again. Well I suppose this is more than I intended when I sat down. This blog will be intended to keep friends and family back home updated on how things are going here in Cordova. We want you to know that we love and miss all of you so much already, but we know this is where God has called us for the time being.
Please keep praying for Dadrian to heal, a job for her, for us both to find friends here. a church home here (nothing to replace Branch, I promise!), opportunities for us to serve, and for me to do well in school.
thanks, we love you guys!!!!
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