This isn’t an epic picture, but how often do you get a candid picture of both Shari and I? I don’t know who took this – I think it was one of our kids.
We were kicking off some of our summer activities by helping out at a soccer tournament (pardon the pun) in Las Palmas, put on by the community centre. Fun times! And here we are in a quiet moment – ten years ago today…
Shari took this wonderful photo of a little visitor we’ve had in our yard lately. I told her that if she was going to talk to him, she would have to give him a name. I suggest Herbert.
That has nothing in particular to do with this post, except that you may be wondering why I haven’t been posting much. In a way, I suppose, it’s the usual excuse – an extra busy time, for a number of reasons!
Sometimes things move along quickly – more often progress seems slow. But God continues to work!
Recently I enjoyed teaching Sunday school. We’ve been doing some random themes in Sunday school – things that we think are needed, or things people ask for. This was one of the latter – a series of two classes on Bible translations.
I’ve taught the “Where did the Bible Come From?” seminar in this church, though it’s already been a few years. So I designed these classes as a bit of an extension on the teaching about Bible versions.
We laid some of the theological foundations in the first class. And then talked about some specifics in the second class. We talked specifically about how manuscripts are used to translate, and then issues of translation itself – translating at different levels, more literal or more of a paraphrase, and so on.
In Spanish, and in English too, actually, there have been more translations in recent years that are put out by certain sects that are less an attempt to be faithful to the original, and more of an attempt to fit a certain theology or certain ideology. Some of these have been around a long time, but there are others that are more recent. I think it’s more of an issue than it used to be when I first started teaching on this topic.
That was last Sunday – and actually, that will be our last adult Sunday school class for a while. We’re anxious to prioritize and put our energy into what’s most needed and most effective. So we’re going to be looking at some special training for certain groups in the church. We’ll see how that goes.
Although adult Sunday school is taking a haitus, children’s Sunday school is continuing! Shari is going to be involved a little more again with teaching the kids, which includes lessons and things like activities and verse memorization. They’re learning about the life of Jesus right now.
We ended our classes on Bible versions with this little text from Colossians, which reminds us of our responsibility when it comes to the Bible:
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:15-17
I know, I often post about birthdays in the May edition of “retro”. But, of course, there is a reason.
So this year I’m just going all out. Here are some pictures from 2015 of the cakes – and piñatas!
Hannah had absolute chocolate overkill in her cake, and a giant “Hershey Kiss” for a piñata.
Nathanael had an “under the sea” theme for his cake, and a shark for a piñata.
As many of you know, for the last few years we have had institute classes – that is, Bible college level classes open to students from three or four churches in the area.
Starting in August, and running (roughly) every two weeks, we were doing a course on the basic Christian life, including topics such as:
And much more! The challenge for the teachers was that we often had to cover two, three, or even four topics in one week – and not easy topics, as you can see!
For the last class this past Saturday, our original teachers, John and Frank, came down from Texas to teach and hand out the diplomas.
For the last two classes, we focused on the return of Christ – a wonderful theme to end with, after struggling through so many topics related to obedience to the Lord. We are reminded, once again, to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
John was showing us an object lesson at the end, intended to show how the Holy Spirit works through our imperfect human efforts. The experiment actually didn’t show anything – something went wrong, as sometimes happens! But it reminded me that there is so much that we don’t see in this life. God is going to do amazing things – and is doing amazing things through His Word and His Spirit – someday we will see a much bigger picture of the great things He has done!
Another class is being planned – after we take a break!
Sometimes the strangest things stick in your mind, or the smallest things make a moment all the more meaningful.
That was the case 10 years ago today. We had planned a sunrise service at the Path of Life Bible Church Jesús María, and so we were all gathered early in the morning to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. It was just after 6:30am, and all of a sudden the power went out.
So, out came the cell phone lights, and we went acoustic, singing our songs of praise in the semi-darkness. Of course, in another hour the sun had risen, and it did get brighter! But our greatest joy was the Light of the World Himself.
This past Sunday it was our privilege and pleasure to join the celebration – the 15 year anniversary of the Path of Life Bible Church of Jesús María!
It’s hard to believe that it’s already been 15 years since we first met in that tiny room, already packed out, in a house on the corner in the community of Jesús María.
The service was a great blessing! There were several special “participations”, including a skit from the youth, a women’s chorus, a song from the children, a mother-son musical number, worship music together, a song from the youth, and possibly other things that I’m forgetting . . .
There were a couple of testimonies as well that were a huge blessing, especially from the person that we personally knew the best. Such an encouragement to hear how God has been working in people’s hearts!
There was a special speaker as well, who gave a clear presentation of the gospel, which was also a great encouragement.
Oh, there was food, of course. A caterer with a wide variety of tacos, and a cake!
Praise God for 15 years of God’s Word being shared in Jesús María and beyond!
For much better pictures and more info, be sure to visit Mexico Matters!
