New Blog Site

I just wanted to post the new address for my blog.  You will be able to find my blog at this address...

http://toddterry.highpointeaustin.org/

Temporarily Unavailable

My blog page could be temporarily unavailable tonight and tomorrow.  I am having my blog imported to WordPress (Thanks Bob!!).  It should be up and running in no time!

Free Piper Books

I know this is on my blog roll but I wanted to make sure people saw this and took advantage of this.  Desiring God has posted many books from Piper's collection as free downloads.  All you have to do is click on the link below and find a book you are interested in reading and download it.  I downloaded "The Hidden Smile of God" a few minutes ago and am looking forward to reading it.  His newest book, "Finally Alive" is available as well.  Here is the link...

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/

Equipping the Saints

This is a blog post by Steve Timmis, who co-wrote "Total Church" (great book by the way).  Basically, he argues for more intentional and committed discipleship of believers within the context of the church instead of outsourcing elsewhere.  Im seeing more and more of this talked about and I have to say I agree.  Its a short post, but worth reading.  The link is below...

http://theresurgence.com/Discipleship_and_Training

Culture and Christianity

Here is a great article from Carl Trueman on the Ref21 website.  He brings up some great points to think about in the realm of culture and context, and really asks the question "have we traveled too far down this road of culture?".  I do not know the answer to that question but He does make a compelling argument.  Enjoy the article!

Link To Article Here

Redeem your travel time

memorize scripture using your ipod

http://twog.wordpress.com/2009/02/12/memorizing-scripture-from-your-ipod/

Overlooking the Obvious?

Just a quick thought on Mark 5:1-20.  This is where Jesus saves the man from the Legion of demons, sends them into a herd of pigs only for them to rumble off of a cliff.  My thought is not about the demons or the pigs.  My thoughts turned to the way Jesus dealt with the man afterwards.  

We can clearly see that the man formerly possessed by demons is now restored, thankful, and desires to go with Jesus and the disciples as they minister.  However, we see an interesting response from Jesus in that He tells the man He can not go but should stay and spread the news in his home and to his friends.  I see a lot of me in this man's desire and am aware even now of why Jesus responded the way He did and has done and will continue to.

I think so often we overlook the immediate area of need where the Gospel can be ministered. While the man's desire was not selfish or wrong, he could have in many ways been overlooking a ministry that was right in front of him.  I wonder how many times I have done that.  

We all desire to be used by God for His glory if we are truly His, but at times we may confuse that use with categories.  For example, we may think in order to be truly used by God in a mighty way we must be a preacher, or a small group leader, or an overseas missionary in the jungle.  When in reality God can and wants to use us in our families, with our friends, neighbors, people in our community.  Don't misunderstand me, I believe there is great blessing in being a preacher, small group leader, or missionary but what I am saying is to consider the immediate need.  

Who needs Christ that you will see today?  Who needs Christ that you can travel across the street and be in a mission field?  Who within your family is lost and needs to hear the Gospel?

Its not that Jesus did not want the man to go with them because He loved that man, He saved that man's soul.  Jesus knew that there was an immediate need that man could be used for there.  

I wonder sometimes if we overlook the obvious.