New Learning Course Update #1

I am currently taking a Master's course through the University of Illinois. This is an online course, and the requirements of the course involve me contributing to the "discussion" through typing my own updates and adding them to the course's page. There are seven updates that I need to compose, and I have decided to cross post those updates on this blog.

Here is the first update, in response to the instructor's update, titled Being an Educator in Interesting Times.

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God's Sovereignty is Inscrutable

"God's ways are fathomless. We can't ultimately comprehend the works of God (cf. Romans 11:33-36). Hymn writer William Cowper said, 'God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.' Why does James die and Peter live? We aren't told the reasons. We know that Jesus promised James' death in Mark 10:39, but we're not told why. Surely the church was praying for James, like Peter, yet he was put to death. John, James' brother, lived to be an old man. Sometimes believers suffer terribly, and sometimes God delivers miraculously (Schreiner, 'God's Inscrutable Sovereignty'). We can't predict the ways of God.  

"Sometimes those who would be great parents can't have biological children. Sometimes those who are terrible parents keep having babies. Sometimes God answers prayers for healings, and sometimes he doesn't. Sometimes the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer -- at least for a season (Psalm 73).  

"While such trials bring much grief and pain, we must not be angry with God. Trials are not necessarily a sign that he's displeased with us. God calls us to trust him, even when life hurts. His ways are wise, good, and just. And we must remember this: God has given us his Son. God doesn't promise to give us an explanation for everything, but he has given us the promise that changes everything: he will raise us from the dead. We will dwell with him in the new heaven and new earth, where sin and suffering can't touch us. God doesn't everything, but through Christ, God has entered into our suffering, has taken the ultimate injustice at the cross, and has risen triumphantly so that all who call out to him may have eternal life. Latch on to this reality in suffering. Glory is coming. It's not here yet, but keep looking to God in faith. He gave his Son for sinners like us, and soon all suffering will end."

~ Tony Merida, Christ Centered Exposition Commentary: Acts

"I don't feel so good, Mr. Krabs."

Elsewhere in the Universe...

"I don't feel so good, Mr. Krabs."

Some Recent "Doodles" March 28, 2018

Here are my two "doodles" from last night. I feel like the one on the left has some deep meaning, I just don't know what it is. 

March 27th, 2018 Doodles

And here are the book marks from my "book mark spree" last week. 

March 25th, 2018 Doodles

I need to find an easy way to laminate the book marks... I think some of these might sell...

Edgewood Church - Acts 4:1-22

Last week's sermon...







(In all of our "technical difficulties" glory!)

Enjoy Your Prayer Life by Michael Reeves (Book Review)

I just finished reading Enjoy Your Prayer Life by Michael Reeves on Sunday.

I found this short little book to be powerfully convicting, but not in a way that beat me over the head or loaded on the guilt. There was definitely the sense that one's prayer life speaks volumes about their personal spiritual life, which cuts like a knife when your prayer life isn't so hot... But instead of loading on the guilt with extended stories of those prayer warriors of our faith, Michael Reeves would temper those stories with those prayer warrior's prayer foibles.

The end of this book was full of hope, found in the practical applications that the author offers. Applications that give the reader real ways to point their hearts toward joy in prayer.

I highly recommend this book.

Blind Unbelief is Sure to Err

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.

William Cowper,
God Moves in a Mysterious Way