Passion Week: Day 4 – “The Cross: A Father’s Love”

“The Cross: A Father’s Love” mp3

(here’s the link for those who can’t listen directly on the blog) – The Cross: A Father’s Love link

Hey TD!

Tonight is our final small group of the week before A Celebration of Jesus on Friday night from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.  Let’s make tonight our best small group yet, and let’s make much of our beloved and incomparable Jesus!

We’ll have our final podcast on Good Friday.  Be sure to listen to the culmination of the series!

Today’s podcast is personal as I share some of my testimony of how I came to Christ … through the love of my late father.  It’s the love of a father that we will focus on today, specifically, the love the Heavenly Father has for His Son.  Today’s teaching may shock you a bit, but the truth of it needs to be heard and known, for it puts everyone in their rightful place.

As usual, after listening, I encourage you to spend time in heartfelt prayer to the Lord, surrendering your life to the One who surrendered His Son for you.

– Arthur

Passion Week Podcast: Day 3 – “The Meaning of the Atonement”

The Meaning of the Atonement mp3

(here’s the link for those who can’t listen directly on the blog) – The Meaning of the Atonement link

Hey TD!

As we build momentum in our small group discussions, it’s evident that we’re starting to gain a greater import and depth of understanding of how amazing our Godhead is and how mind-blowing the gospel is.  Newton said it well, “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see!”  Our hope is that you are starting to see more clearly.

In today’s podcast, “The Meaning of the Atonement,” we’ll go “under the hood” and explain the transactions that took place on the cross – propitiation, expiation, and reconciliation.  After listening, please spend time in prayer and thanksgiving for the specific crimes he propitiated, expiated, and reconciled you from.  Then share in that vein in your small groups.  Enjoy!

Passion Week Podcast: Day 2 – “Why the Atonement?”

Why the Atonement? mp3

(the audio player is embedded on the blog, but here’s the link for those who can’t access it on the blog) – “Why the Atonement?” link

Hey TD!

We had a great first day of small groups yesterday appreciating what the Godhead went through to provide the very Savior we all terribly need.  At our absolute best, we are filthy rags as Isaiah shares.  The literal term for filthy rags is menstrual cloth.  The point being, we are moral monsters at our best.  If we were to honestly judge our very lives in front of God, we’d send ourselves to hell after seeing the evidence.  We. Need. A. Savior. And by His grace alone … we have the only one who could save us … Jesus Christ, the Righteous!

Today’s teaching, “Why the Atonement?” is especially rich and helpful in explaining why an atonement was necessary.  Philippians 2:12 charges us to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.”  This will help you do just that. Again, spend some time in appreciative prayer after listening and prepare to share share something you appreciate about the Lord in your small groups tonight.

(the audio player is embedded on the blog, but here’s the link for those who can’t access it on the blog) – “Why the Atonement?” link

TD Fri. – “Enjoying the Bread of Life, Pt. 2” (Pt. 1 mp3 Inside)

Hey TD,

This week, Arthur will continue his edible lesson with “Enjoying the Bread of Life, Pt. 2” as we continue to look at Christ, the Bread of Life, with fresh eyes, a fuller perspective, and with deeper appreciation.  We will continue to unpack the significance of the Lord’s Supper and what we’re really celebrating, as well as discover God not only as our Bread but as our Gardener.

To prep for Pt. 2, here’s the mp3 for Pt. 1 for your review:

“Enjoying the Bread of Life, Pt. 1” (mp3) Arthur

See you Friday!

TD Pics, “Nakedness” mp3, and more …

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Click HERE to see more of last Friday’s pics!

Hey TD!

We’ve got an exciting Friday chock-full goodness planned.  In addition to taking a deeper dive together into “On Nakedness and Shame,” we’ll also be highlighting Offerings 9, making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children, Love Your Neighbor Night, and more!

To prep for Friday’s discussion, please listen to and/or review Daniel’s message below. It’s a vital topic for us to broach, here in TD in particular, if we’re going to make any progress in the way we experience God, life, others, etc. :

“On Nakedness and Shame” (mp3) Daniel

7:15 p.m. is our TD Pre-Party.  See you Friday!

In Joy Podcast #2 – “Enjoying the Presence of God”

In Joy Podcast #2 – “Enjoying the Presence of God”

If you cannot directly access the podcast via the embedded icon in the post above, please click the link below:

In Joy Podcast #2 – “Enjoying the Presence of God” (Robert)

Hey TD!

God’s omnipresence means that He is present everywhere all the time.  That’s objective fact.  Some don’t realize it and live as if God not only isn’t present, but doesn’t even exist; others know He exists, but don’t believe He is personally present in human affairs; others know He is personally present and are terrified and anxious about it; and then there are those for whom God’s personal presence is there peace and hope.  How about you?

In today’s second In Joy podcast, Robert draws from his personal experiences with Kathy and Hannah to help point us to a more enjoyable (for both you and God) relationship with God.  Read Psalm 84 before or after listening to the podcast, and … enjoy!

Psalm 84

1How lovely is your dwelling place,

Lord Almighty!

2My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

3Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young—

a place near your altar,

Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

4Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you. ^c

5Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6As they pass through the Valley of Baka,

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools. ^d

7They go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.

8Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;

listen to me, God of Jacob.

9Look on our shield, ^e O God;

look with favor on your anointed one.

10Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

the Lord bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.

12Lord Almighty,

blessed is the one who trusts in you.

In Joy Podcast #1 – “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable” (Updated)

In Joy Podcast #1 – “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable” (Rebecca)

*** This is an updated post with a new link to the podcast ***

Hey TD!

In this week’s posts, we’re looking within to try to see what God wants to clean up to replace with something better.  If you haven’t read the last post, My Messy House, please do so.

We’re excited to unveil the year’s first In Joy podcast, “Joy in the Un-Enjoyable”! Through mix of common sense and personal illustrations, Rebecca reminds us that God often works to give us joy through that which is not enjoyable, and shares how not to miss out on God’s gift of joy to us.

Give it a listen and then prayerfully resolve not to miss out on any more of the good that God has in store for you!