Books Needed for Indonesia Seminary

Hi everyone,
I have an invitation especially, but not only, for the members of Swanton Alliance Church. Would you like to help the Sekolah Tinggi Theologia Jaffray (Jaffray School of Theology), a seminary in Makassar, Indonesia? One practical way that you can help is by buying and sending some books their direction. Below is a list of desired books sent to me by a member of their faculty. Please contact me if you would like to help by buying and sending specific books or by simply donating finances to be used for these purchases.

Here is the list:

Book List for STT Jaffray, Makassar, Indonesia

1. Dictionary of New Testament Background (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter (Nov 16, 2000)

2. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by T. Desmond Alexander and David W. Baker (Dec 13, 2002)

3. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by Tremper Longman III and Peter Enns (Jun 6, 2008)

4. Handbook of New Testament Exegesis, A (New Testament Studies) by Craig L. Blomberg and Jennifer Foutz Markley (Nov 1, 2010)

5. Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission by Dean E. Flemming (Oct 12, 2005)

6. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) by Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall (Feb 18, 1992)

7. Children's Ministry in the 21st Century by Group Publishing (Dec 2006)

8. Children's Ministry That Works !: The Basics and Beyond by Craig Jutila, Jim Wideman, Chris Yount, and Thom Schultz (Jul 31, 2009)

9. Best Practices for Children's Ministry: Leading from the Heart by Andrew Ervin (Sep 1, 2010)

10. Christian Counseling 3rd Edition: Revised and Updated by Gary R. Collins (Jan 16, 2007)

11. Christian Counseling: An Introduction by H. Newton Malony and David W. Augsburger (Feb 2007)

12. Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically (MacArthur Pastor's Library) by John MacArthur, Wayne A. Mack, and Master's College Faculty (Aug 23, 2005)

13. Killing Cockroaches: And Other Scattered Musings on Leadership by Tony Morgan and Andy Stanley (Mar 1, 2009)

14. The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church (Leadership Network Innovation Series) by Dave Gibbons (Jan 20, 2009)

15. Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones (Jun 1, 2006)

16. Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision by Andy Stanley (Oct 3, 2005)

17. Basic Christian Leadership: Biblical Models of Church, Gospel and Ministry by John R. W. Stott (Mar 23, 2006)

18. Christian Theology: An Introduction by Alister E. McGrath (Oct 12, 2010)

19. The Book on Leadership by John F. MacArthur (Oct 3, 2006)

20. Cross and Christian Ministry, The: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians by D. A. Carson (Feb 1, 2004)

21. Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible by Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Nov 1, 2005)

22. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker Reference Library) by Walter A. Elwell (May 1, 2001)

23. Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God by John Piper and Mark A. Noll (Sep 15, 2010)

24. Jesus: The Only Way to God: Must You Hear the Gospel to be Saved? by John Piper (Aug 1, 2010)

25. A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper (Dec 21, 2009)

26. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson (Nov 1, 2007)

27. Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus (Re:Lit) by D. A. Carson (Feb 3, 2010)

28. What Does God Want of Us Anyway?: A Quick Overview of the Whole Bible (9Marks) by Mark Dever (Mar 9, 2010)

29. It Is Well: Expositions on Substitutionary Atonement (9Marks) by Mark Dever and Michael Lawrence (Apr 1, 2010)

30. 12 Challenges Churches Face by Mark Dever (Apr 1, 2008)

31. Ryken's Bible Handbook by Leland Ryken, Philip Ryken, and James Wilhoit (Sep 19, 2005)

32. Art for God's Sake: A Call to Recover the Arts by Philip Graham Ryken (May 2, 2006)

33. Discovering God in Stories from the Bible by Philip Graham Ryken (Feb 10, 2010)

34. The Great Commission: Evangelicals and the History of World Missions by Martin Klauber, Scott M. Manetsch, D.A. Carson, and Glenn Sunshine (Apr 1, 2008)

35. The God Question: An Invitation to a Life of Meaning (ConversantLife.com®) by James Porter Moreland (Jan 1, 2009)

36. The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask: (With Answers) by Mark Mittelberg and Lee Strobel (Oct 11, 2010)

37. Voices of the Faithful: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World by Beth Moore and International Mission Board (Dec 28, 2010)

38. Paradigms in Conflict: 10 Key Questions in Christian Missions Today by David J. Hesselgrave (Jan 15, 2006)

39. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader by Ralph D. Winter (Jan 2009)

40. Ephesians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) by Frank Thielman (Nov 1, 2010)

41. Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) by Darrell L. Bock (Oct 1, 2007)

42. The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians (New International Commentary on the New Testament) by Gordon D. Fee (Jul 10, 2009)

43. The Letter to the Hebrews (Pillar New Testament Commentary) by Peter Thomas O'Brien (Feb 22, 2010)

44. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas (Nov 8, 2000)

45. Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn't Last and What Your Church Can Do About It by Mark DeVries (Oct 10, 2008)

46. The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond by Bill Hybels (Jul 25, 2010)

47. Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels (Apr 10, 2008)

48. The Recalcitrant Imago Dei: Human Persons and the Failure of Naturalism (Veritas) by James Porter Moreland (May 30, 2009)

49. The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments by Walter C. Kaiser (Apr 8, 2008)

50. Recovering the Unity of the Bible: One Continuous Story, Plan, and Purpose by Walter C. Kaiser (Oct 13, 2009)

For Them

ALL – Psalm 80:1-19
ALL – Proverbs 25:1-5
OT – Jeremiah 14:11-16:15
NT – 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13

Interesting passage for the day: We can bear anything as long as we know that you remain strong in him. – 1 Thess. 3:8, The Living Bible

Thought: There was another school shooting Friday (google “Kelly Elementary School shooting”). This time it was some crazy man, shooting at elementary kids. Thankfully, none were killed, and several construction workers reacted quickly to subdue the man.

I would do just about anything to protect kids from a shooter—at least, I hope I would. Especially my own kids. To keep my kids strong and healthy, I wouldn’t mind the risk (and possibility) of suffering.

I think that’s kind of Paul’s thought here. His spiritual children were facing persecutors—grown-up bullies. And Paul couldn’t get there to help the people he loved. So he was just in agony. But then he was finally able to get the news that their faith was still strong. And the news that his spiritual children were healthy was enough to set his heart at ease, even though the circumstances that had kept him from getting to them were still in place. He could put up with his own troubles if he knew that the Thessalonians were doing ok.

Question: Is there anyone for whom you would go through just about anything to make sure of their spiritual safety? What is keeping you from helping them grow closer to Christ right now? What are you free to do to help them?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.

Weekly Sermons in Swanton: Don’t Think You’re Invincible

The message, preached on September 26th, 2010, covered 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, and it can be heard via streaming audio at http://www.swantonalliance.org. Sometimes we need a little warning, and even strong Christians can fool themselves into thinking they’re stronger than they are. Paul urges believers not to fool themselves, but to look to the history of God’s people, to guard their hearts, and to look to the Lord Jesus for help each day. Note: Past sermons can be accessed through the resources page.

Self-Measurement Standards

ALL – Psalm 52:1-9
ALL – Proverbs 22:26-27
OT – Isaiah 1:1-2:22
NT – 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Interesting passage for the day: Oh, don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how good they are! Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves against their own little ideas. What stupidity! – 2 Corinthians 10:12, The Living Bible

Thought: If you want to look good, compare yourself to another human being. Seriously. I can make myself look better than Bill Gates. I can make myself look better than Michael Jordan. I can make myself look better than President Obama. Perhaps not in every area of life, but in a few. And if those few aspects of life are all I focus on, I can look pretty good.

It’s tougher to look good when we compare ourselves to God’s standards. Do I need to say anything more than that? Just think about it a bit. When we measure ourselves by God’s standards, there is only one thing left to do: Call on Jesus for help!

Question: How long has it been since you’ve really thought about your need for Jesus? What areas of your life make you realize how much you need Him? When will you set aside time to call on Him to change you by the power of His Spirit?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.

No Burden Too Heavy

ALL – Psalm 40:11-17
ALL – Proverbs 22:2-4
OT – Job 20:1-22:30
NT – 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Interesting passage for the day: We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead. – 2 Corinthians 1:9, The Living Bible

Thought: When Christy, Emma and I headed to Louisville so that I could attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in June of 2006, we felt ready and self-sufficient. We had saved about $15,000 as a cushion for the first few months’ expenses, Christy’s web design business was clearly capable of generating income, and we had everything planned out for me to watch Emma enough each week for Christy to be able to run her business smoothly. Survival would not be an issue in seminary. We were going to thrive!

That’s not how I felt in September or October when I was sitting in the corner of the dining room, sobbing uncontrollably because we were already less than a month away from being completely out of funds, and feeling like a total failure as a husband and father. What had I led my family into?

I felt kind of like Paul: “doomed to die and [seeing] how powerless we were to help ourselves.” Okay, maybe the dying thing is a little dramatic, but seriously, I was totally aware of my own weakness, powerlessness, inability, failure.

But God turned things around. He provided business for Christy. He gave me the strength to add a part-time job (actually two jobs, for a while) to my schedule. We weren’t wealthy, but we were living. God had saved us from going totally broke.

God is always providing for us. He does it for the entire world. But He especially delights to provide for His children. Sometimes God calls us into situations that we cannot handle, circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us—even to wipe us off the face of the planet! But our God is able to raise the dead! He owns all of creation! There is not a challenge we can face that is “too big” for Him!

Question: What has overwhelmed you—in the past, or perhaps even now? How can we support one another as we call on Jesus, our God who saves us from every trouble?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.

Don’t Bring Your Sin to Me

ALL – Psalm 33:1-11
ALL – Proverbs 8:33-36
OT – Exodus 32:1-33:23
NT – Matthew 22:69-27:14

A smoker who’s trying to quit doesn’t get much help from smokers. An alcoholic who’s trying to quit doesn’t get much help from drinkers. An fornicator who’s trying to quit won’t get much sympathy from fornicators. Misery loves company. So does shame. So does sin.

Judas had betrayed Jesus and was filled with remorse when he realized what he’d done. He went back to the people who had paid him to hand Jesus over to them – the chief priests and other Jewish leaders.

“I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“That’s your problem,” they retorted. – Matthew 27:4, The Living Bible

Are you struggling with temptations and sin? Go to people who will share your convictions for support. Go to people who will point you toward Jesus, toward the cross, toward the Spirit, toward righteousness and forgiveness and grace. Don’t do what Judas did and seek help from people who are proud of their sin.

Then he threw the money onto the floor of the Temple and went out and hanged himself. – Matthew 27:5, The Living Bible

Where do you turn when you recognize your sins? To Jesus and the people who are following Him—to those who can help to free you from the noose around your neck? Or to those who oppose Him—to those who will hand you a rope and let you die?

To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.

When the Most Powerful Man on Earth Can’t Save You

Daniel 5:13-6:28; Psalm 121; Proverbs 28:27-28

Sometimes, people simply can’t. Can’t protect. Can’t provide. Can’t be strong. Can’t get there in time. Can’t think straight. Can’t come up with a solution. Can’t buy their way out. Even the most famous, most wealthy people on earth can’t overcome every obstacle they face. Nicolas Cage is struggling to stay financially afloat. John Travolta couldn’t save his son’s life. Barack Obama can’t keep everyone happy.

When fellow-rulers grew jealous of Daniel, they came up with a plan that effectively tied the hands of the world’s most powerful ruler at the time, King Darius. Why? Because King Darius truly appreciated Daniel; he was going to promote Daniel to oversee every other ruler in the kingdom, he valued Daniel so much. So if these murderous fellow-rulers wanted to get rid of Daniel, they had to find a way to keep Darius from interfering.

They appealed to Darius’ vanity. They urged him to pass a law that anyone who prayed to any god or man but to Darius himself—for the next thirty days—would be thrown to the lions. And Darius issued the decree.

When Darius realized what he had done and tried to save Daniel, who would never honor a man above the true God, it was too late. The other rulers came to King Darius and reminded him:

Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed. – Daniel 6:15

Suddenly, there was something even Darius, the world’s most powerful man, could not do: He couldn’t save Daniel.

Enter God.

The next morning, when King Darius went to the lions’ den to see whether Daniel had survived or not, he was greeted by an unscathed, peaceful Daniel, who told him:

O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king. – Daniel 6:21-22

What the most powerful man on earth couldn’t do, God did. He shut the lions’ mouths.

Why don’t we go to this God more often?

Share a time when God came through for you!