The Gospel and The Kingdom

I am perfectly satisfied with the performance of the Clemson Tigers this year. Sure, we have lost one game; but it was only to one opponent and that opponent was Boston College, who although they are not currently ranked in the top 25 are still a formidable opponent, and it was only by one point in double overtime. Sure we have played some less than desirable opponents; Florida Atlantic and the most recent game against Temple come to mind. However, in those games the Tigers were consistently good on all levels of offense and defense.

I am just pleased with the consistency of the team. Some are talking ACC Championship and BCS Bowl bid this year for the Tigers…..I am willing to just take it one game at a time.

Recaps:

• Clemson Recap
• ESPN.com Recap
• SI.com Recap

I was reading a Spurgeon sermon this afternoon entitled, Paul’s First Prayer. It is a wonderful sermon, if you can find time to read it. I was particularly struck by Spurgeon’s opening paragraph:

God has many methods of quenching persecution.  He will not suffer His church to be injured by its enemies, or overwhelmed by its foes; and He is not short of means for turning asied the way of the wicked, or of turning it upside down.  In two ways He usually accomplished His end: sometimes by the confusion of the persecutor, and at others in a more blessed manner, by his conversion.  Sometimes, He conconfuses and confounds His enemies; He makes the diviner mad; He lets the man who comes against Him be utterly destroyed, suffers him to drive on his own detruction, and then at last turns round in triumphant derision upon the man who hoped to have said, “aha! aha!” to the church of God.  But at other times, as in this case, He converts the persecutor.  Thus, He transforms the foe into a friend; He makes the man who was a warrior against the gospel a soldier for it.  Out of darkness He bringeth forth light; out of the eater He getteth honey; yea, out of stony hearts He raiseth up children unto Abraham.

Thank God that He has turned us from His foe into His friend.  Thank God that He has taken me, a warrior against His gospel and made me, by His grace a soldier for it.

It was a wonderful Lord’s Day this morning.  Today was my first official Sunday at Midlane Park Baptist Church here in Louisville, KY.  I informed the people that they have been prayed for and I longed for this day even before I knew of the position at Midlane Park.

I have desired to be in the community where I minister for so long now.  God has granted this opportunity to me.  I thank Him for His faithfulness and for this opportunity to shepherd these dear people.  My wife and I already feel at home.

Worshipping our Savior this day…