Two Years Later

Yesterday was two years from the day that Deanna and I experienced God's presence and protection in an mighty way on the day that I was shot through the face in Iraq. I have tried to share that testimony to people through pictures, journals, audio testimony, and even a few short video clips. The problem is -- it takes some patience to look at it all. Well, on the two year anniversary I decided to put all of it together into two short videos so that they can be easily viewed by anybody who would like see this miracle that I went through.

So here you are! I pray that this can be an encouragment for you to see how very real and loving God is, as we did on that day.

Part One



Part Two

Cause and Effect

In my theology class with Dr. Lanier Burns we have been discussing various evidences for God. This is a tough topic. As Dr. Charles Ryrie points out in Basic Theology, "The Scripture attests to two facts: the incomprehensibility of God and the knowability of God." Dr. Burns took this a step further to say that "because we are finite, we can know only what our infinite God has chosen to reveal about Himself in Scripture as validated in creation, in Christ, and in His goodness to us."

One significant evidence for God is what is known as the cosmological argument -- cause and effect. The definition from Dr. Burns class notes: the effect of world/ creation must be explained by an efficient cause because no sensible thing can be its own cause. Uncaused reality has never been observed.

Here is a great five minute video that helps explain the cosmological argument in very easy to understand terms. This video is from an excellent website, crossexamined.org, with a wealth of resources to help see the evidence of God.

Britt Hume's Comments about Tiger Woods

Britt Hume made headlines a few weeks ago when he suggested that Tiger Woods should turn to the Christian faith in the wake of his recently discovered moral failures and broken marriage. I am including the link to an interview that Hume conducted with Christianity Today shortly afterwards.

"The Tiger Woods that emerges, once the news value dies out of this scandal, the extent to which he can recover, seems to me, depends on his faith. He's said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So my message to Tiger would be, Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."

We talked about this in my Old Testemant class during our study of the fall of mankind and the repurcussions of sin in the book of Genesis. We talked about how Tiger Woods must feel torn-up inside now. He may never feel forgiven even if he honestly tries to turn a new leaf. His Buddhist faith certainly doesn't offer that kind of forgiveness. Jesus alone offers him complete forgiveness.

Loosening The Grip of Discouragement

"Someday you will be alone in a barren place and the enemy will hit you with both barrels."

Chuck Swindoll spoke to us on the second day of school about not losing sight of God in the midst of disillusionment, depression, and discouragement. This was a call of warning and encouragment to prepare us to not run away from our callings and to know that we are not alone. It was one of the most passionate and real talks I've heard on this important topic.

Praying for Haiti

Along with the rest of the world we are praying for Haiti in the midst of great suffering after the terrible earthquake the other day. Dallas Seminary has relationships and presence all over the world. Haiti has become much closer to home as we have discussed and prayed for them in several of my classes this week:

Chapel: The seminary president, Dr. Mark Bailey, led us all in prayer. He informed us that there are eleven graduates currently in Haiti. There is also a seminary started by DTS graduates which collapsed during the earthquake. Two students from this school are still missing. The rest are accounted for and okay. The school is actively raising funds for relief efforts and has already raised $20,000.

Intro to World Missions: Our professor has each of us students picking a different country to pray for at the beginning of class. This week we prayed for Haiti. Dr. Pocock shared with us the news of a person in Haiti who is currently in the application process with the school. The admission counselors were able to get in touch with him and he is okay -- his wife and children narrowly escaped being crushed inside their car. Praise God. We have a text book for this class entitled Operation World that leads us in ways to pray for all nations of the world. It enriched my prayers for Haiti this week.

Trinitarianism: This is my new theology class. It is a study of the attributes of God. We prayed for Haiti. We talked about how difficult it is to see God's purpose in the midst of such tragedy. But we can pray that Christ is glorified in the midst of it. And that the people who are suffering may see His face. Because we know that God is sovereign and that God loves all His people.

Second Semester Begins

Yesterday was the first day of class. During chapel, Chaplain Bill asked all new students to stand up so that we could recognize and welcome them. I did not stand. I am now in my second semester and am a seasoned seminarian! I have crossed over into the realm of those with three credit hours of Greek to their names (with a passing grade).

It was a relaxing, refreshing, and renewing time off with my family. I was even able to work ahead a little so that this new semester will not be quite as busy. With all the traveling and celebrating (and some computer upgrades) I found little time for blogging. But I'm back! And am ready to share once again all that God is doing in my life.