October and Reforming...

As we start a new month, we have an amazing opportunity for reaching people with the Gospel. 500 years ago, the Lord used Martin Luther in changing the public's perception of the Bible and salvation with God. As a result, churches from all over Europe reformed many of their misplaced practices and doctrines in order to promote the truth of a biblical gospel.

When the reformation started in 1517, many of the roman churches in Italy did not experience reform because of the immense hold the Vatican had on Italian regions. Because of this, almost all of the population in Italy has no idea what the Reformation means and what it accomplished outside catholicism.

We as a church want to use this unfortunate reality in our own city. We are moving through the 5 solas of the Reformation; sola scriptura, (only scripture) sola fide, (only faith) sola gratia, (only grace) solus Christus (only Christ) and soli Deo gloria, (only to God the glory) teaching our people what it means to reform in the light of the truth found in the Bible. During these 5 weeks we will study the meaning of the solas and also invite our contacts and friends around the city to an event hosted by our church on the 28th of October. Please be in prayer for us as we use this evening to share with the public what it means to embrace the Gospel of grace compared to works of religion. Please pray that we speak the truth in love and that the Lord can plant seeds of curiosity and interest in the hearts of those present.

We love you...

Contemporary Idols...

Hello Everyone, 

This past week we have been studying through Genesis 31 together and the issue of idolatry has been on all of our hearts. When one reads this chapter, the first thing that you think about is the absurdity of Laban having household gods like the picture above. I know that for us westerners it's kind of comical to think of someone bowing down to something that was carved out of wood. 

In the same way, the Scriptures show us that we like Laban can be controlled by idols and pursue them because we find our identity in them. Surely these aren't pieces of wood, but it could be a job, money, our time, food, our identity as a good mom or dad, sleep, etc. If we aren't careful, we too can be looking for the joy these idols bring as Laban searched the tents of his family in darkness as he wasn't able to find his idols. Laban symbolically represented humanity in these verses of chapter 31 who search in the darkness as blind men for something that doesn't give them what they ultimately need. 

This is why Cari and I must return to the word of God daily, telling the Lord the idols that tempt us and keep us from Him. Even living in this country for a period of time and the comfort of our town being our home can be an idol. It becomes an idol if it is the thing that you seek every day. Will you pray with us to overcome our idols in Christ by daily giving our hearts to His will for our lives, in the way we parent, serve, preach and love?

What are the idols in your life?

May we be a people of the Word...

Carli and I are going through the Psalms write now and have found so much joy from the promises that are written there for the believer. One such Psalm speaks of the benefit and promise of God's word. It is God's word that holds us as believers together as His church and also holds us to Him. 
Jesus prays in John 17 that 'we may be one' as he and the Father are one and unified. This oneness cannot be achieved solely by speaking the same language, sharing the same culture, holding to the same political views and convictions. No, the unique and beautiful way that Christ holds His church together is by the authority and power of His word. 

Therefore, when we face trails and suffering with one another in the Church, we must remember that our convictions and beliefs, no matter how strong they may be, will not be that with ultimately unites us and leads us through life. No, that which is there for you and me in the body of Christ is Christ Himself, the word of God, the bread that we cannot live without. 

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

Love you and please pray that we have a desire to saturate our lives and family with His word. 

A New Start...

Hello Everyone, 

We have just recently come back from the US from a time of rest and holidays with our families. Looking back during that time Carli and I both had some time to think through some of our desires that we have for this new school year. One of those desires was to maintain the blogspot on a weekly basis, not just for our ministry and mission partners but also for our own discipline spiritually. That being said, Carli and I will be alternating writing every week with either prayer requests, devotions, scripture and news about what is happening. We want you all to know that we appreciate your prayers and thoughts for us as we live and serve in Italy!