Tonight at 7:00, our men will continue working through Tedd Tripp’s Shepherding a Child’s Heart.  All men over the age of 12 are encouraged to come and be a part of this discussion.

Misty, Elijah and Josiah now have their husband and father home from Southeast Asia after ten days of ministry there! Kyle returned home on Monday night from a productive and encouraging trip, visiting his co-workers and doing initial groundwork for their move to the field this year.  Pray for their family as they seek to spread a passion for the supremacy of Christ for the joy of the Southeast Asian people.  God is opening a door for Kyle to do work among the Trans-migrant Muslims north of SE Asia.  They are beginning the process of gathering support for this important work.  If you would like to be involved financially, you may designate your gift to Kyle and send it to:

Kyle and Misty  c/o Basswood Church 3108 Basswood Road Knoxville, Tennessee 37921

We look forward to hearing a report at Basswood soon, but, for now, you can read about his trip at his blog.

This Sunday, Matt Hudson will be preaching from Romans 8:1-2.  Matt is a graduate of Samford University and Beeson Divinity School and has served ministries in Virginia and Texas.  Just prior to coming to Basswood, Matt participated in a year-long internship under Dr. Voddie Baucham and Paul Renfro at Grace Family Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.  Everyone is invited to join us this Sunday.  We gather at 10:30.

You will enjoy this classic excerpt of a message by Dr. John Piper, highlighting the display of God’s glory in creation.  You may watch it here.

Before yesterday, I was already the most blessed pastor I know.

The joy of worshiping at Basswood Church, alongside such precious people has been one of God’s great kindnesses to our family. We love our church. It’s that simple. There are many, many reasons for this affection we all share, but our Sunday gatherings stand out. I should say up front: this blogpost will likely be lengthy and sappy. Sorry.

By God’s grace, Sundays have become an event at Basswood — a joyful, noisy, celebratory event. — solemn, but not cold — happy, but not trite. Yesterday, our focus was Romans 8:1, and that “no condemnation” theme surfaced throughout our day together.

After the greeting, catechism and opening prayer, we sang. We sang gospel-saturated, theologically-driven music with great joy (the kind of joy that breaks guitar strings.) The word of God was read over the people of God. Prayers were offered. Offerings were given. Then, I preached. I preached to moms and dads and college students and empty-nesters and young couples and widows and octogenarians and teenagers and expectant mothers and active toddlers and grandparents and childless couples and lots of boys and girls. (I’ve learned to enjoy preaching past the sound of children.) To God’s glory, the Basswood family not only “endures” sound doctrine, they revel in it, celebrate it, demand it. This humility has helped to establish a culture where repentance and reformation are the expected norm. Clearly, this is a work of God’s grace.

When the service was over, a table was spread with crock pots, casseroles, homegrown vegetables and desserts. Coffee’s made. Drinks are poured. As we do each week, we shared a wonderful meal together. God has blessed our fellowship with such wonderful cooks and they are so good to bring the “big pots”. We closed out our meal by scooting chairs into small circles around the room to pray and prepare our hearts for the Lord’s table. (What a thrill to close my eyes and listen to the hushed thrum of families huddled across the room, praying together!) As the bread and cup were distributed, I watched fathers gather their small children and hold in their hands the wafer and cup, explaining the significance of the elements and pointing their young hearts to Christ. Watching those types of encounters makes me want to sit down and cry. I cannot tell you the gratitude I feel when I see that level of responsible parenting. May their tribe increase.

After remembering our Lord’s victory at the cross, we sang together, prayed and dismissed. (This often means, we pour another cup of coffee and sit back down!)

Now, what I’ve described here is a Lord’s Day at Basswood. It’s wonderful.

But what happened yesterday is quite atypical.

After a brief meeting, I walked with friends into the parking lot where the church had gathered to answer a long-held dream of mine.

(A word of explanation might be in order here.)

Since childhood, I’ve had a love for Jeeps. I understand that they are entirely impractical for families, that they ride rough, collect water, are noisy and drafty. I understand, too, that they are not the conventional clergy vehicle. I know, as well, that some may suspect that this is a midlife thing. If so, then my midlife crisis started before I could walk. It’s a man’s vehicle and I’m a man. I’ve loved them my whole life.

Here’s what happened: these precious people bought a Jeep!

We stepped outside and there it was right square in the middle of the parking lot!  With a big red bow!

It was beyond generous and I am still beyond stunned. It was an event I will talk about when I’m an old man. The only explanation I have for this is that my church knew my dream and they loved me. At some point, I want to hear the story of how they pulled this surprise off. I do know that it involved a great deal of research and planning. Also, I saw the joy on their faces as they gave it to me.

When we got home from church, we all changed clothes and drove up into the mountains. We didn’t get home until after 10:00, overwhelmed, laughing and convinced that the Sabbath is for man.

Last night, Caleb and I skipped Olympic ice dancing in order to “run an errand”. Out west.  As we drove together, we fiddled with the knobs, experimented with 4WD and learned our way around our new ride. We looked for people to pull out of a ditch. And we reflected on the day.

I reminded Caleb of what we have learned from John Piper. “God gives us things in order that we can show to the world that things are not our treasure.” I know that God is enough. 43 Jeepless years have taught me that. Again, before yesterday, I was already the most blessed pastor I know. But what Basswood did for us was simply the kind expression of the dear people to whom I am privileged to preach each week.

So when I look at that gift (and I do. Often), I see more than a long-held dream.

I see the Body of Christ.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit Castle Ministries, a 40-acre mountain top retreat in Strawberry Plains, less than a half hour from Knoxville.  Castle Ministries is the vision of Jacob and Melissa Stock and serves families and churches from all across the U.S.  It was encouraging to walk around the beautiful, secluded property, see the facilities and learn more about this Christ-centered work.

You can learn more about the Stocks and their ministry here.

Jacob has made me aware of an upcoming opportunity that you may want to explore.   The ministry will be hosting a couple’s retreat on February 19 and 20.    They will be working through Dr. Voddie Baucham’s book, Family Driven Faith.  Attendees will look at Biblical tools to equip Christian parents to raise children in a post-Christian, anti-family society.  Specifically, attention will be given to multi-generational faithfulness, family worship and a return to Biblical discipleship in and through the home. Plenty of time will be given for discussion over picnic lunches and coffees.  If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, you can register here.   If you are unable to visit their retreat for this event, don’t forget about Castle Ministries, a hidden jewel, just outside our city.

Here are the words to this month’s song of the month. Practice with your family during family worship. You might even discuss the theology behind each verse as special discussion.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:23

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

January 1 is a great opportunity to evaluate old habits and establish new ones.  By God’s grace, this week holds promise of a new beginning.  Whatever your “growth plan” for the coming months is, it surely must include Scripture.  If you do not have a regular schedule to follow, the ESV site has a number of easily-navigable options here.