Review: Thankfulness: Even When It Hurts

Susan Lutz. Thankfulness: Even When It Hurts.  Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, April 1st 2002. 22 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

This biblical counseling booklet addresses the issue of being thankful.  Specifically it addresses the need to be thankful to God even when there is life difficulties.  The booklet is part of a series called “Resources for Changing Lives” printed by Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing and this was one of the earlier volumes.  Like other booklets in this series this was helpful.  Personally I have used this particular title for own edification, for counseling as a Pastor, for a devotional with my wife and also I’m planning on reading it together with one of our church’s small group.

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Christian Kindergarten Plant Lesson 1: What is a Plant?

Finally after months since our last Christian homeschool lessons we are back to sharing teaching outlines every week on Wednesday again!

This is a four part Christian Home School Lesson Series for first graders on plants that aims to fulfill the Science Content Standards from the California Department of Education.

Lesson 1: What is a Plant?

Purpose: To explore and know more about God’s creation of plants.

 

Book(s) read:

David Burnie’s Plant.

Other tools:

Paper

Pencil

Crayons

A picture of a plant (including leaves, flower and root)

 

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn general knowledge about what is a plant.
2. Learn the vocabulary concerning plants.
3. Illustrate what is learned in this lesson about plants.
4. Learn a spiritual lesson concerning God’s creation of plants.

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Guest Post: Saul: Religious but not right with God

Note: This is a guest post since presently I am overseas.  This is by Tom.  Tom is no stranger to those of you who read this blog.  His blog be found here.

Saul: Religious but not right with God 

There are few figures in the Bible sadder than Saul, the first King of Israel. God had ruled Israel directly through his appointed prophets and judges, but the Israelites desired a fleshly king, so that they would “be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles” (1 Samuel 8:20). God directed the prophet, Samuel, to anoint Saul as king. Saul certainly had a regal appearance. Scripture says, “There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people” (9:22). But while Saul’s outward appearance was impressive, his heart was not right with God. Below are some examples of Saul’s rebellious heart from the Book of 1 Samuel: 

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Crazy Poor Asian: A True Love Comedy

I know some people rant and rave about how good the movie “Crazy Rich Asians” is.  Here’s a trailer below:

 

I am amazed at how some Christians like it.  I have concerns with it.

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Faithfulness: Characteristics of A Church Member

A Sunday post on Church membership.

For the purpose of this post I use the term faithfulness and commitment interchangeably.

Are you a committed church member?

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Singles: Is God your Wingman or Pilot?

This is a light heart post.

I’ve been thinking about relationship and courtship recently given my upcoming trip would include teaching about the biblical view of courtship but I’ll be doing this in a culture where match making and arrange marriage is not unusual.

For the longest time I thought I was a matchmaker.  But recently I discovered I wasn’t a matchmaker.  Not by the standard in other countries where Pastors and parents really are match maker.  I soon discovered I was more of what some people call a “Wingman.”

I just learned this term last month: Wingman.

What is a wingman?

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Review: A Tale of Two Sons by John F. MacArthur Jr.

I’m posting this review after my discussion with Lee Duigon in his post ‘Behold the Power’ (2016) in which we were talking about John MacArthur’s insight into the Parables in the Gospels.  As a result of that discussion I was looking for my review of MacArthur’s book A Tale of Two Sons and realized that though I read the book in 2011 I didn’t post it here before!  So here it is, with an updated and expanded review!

John MacArthur. A Tale of Two Sons by John F. MacArthur Jr..  Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishing Company, April 1st 2008.  221 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

This is an excellent book by Pastor and Teacher John MacArthur.  Here in this book MacArthur gives meticulous care to the details in Jesus’ famous parable of what is often called the Prodigal Son.  MacArthur’s exposition brings out insights from the text, the context and cultural background, this is par excellence of what expository preaching should look like though this is in book form.

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