Continuing the Journey ... Training vs Trying
When we want to learn to do something new such as playing a musical instrument, learning a new sport, or really any new skill … we can take two approaches to learning: One, we can “give it a try” to see if we are any good at it and make a decision based on how well we seem to do. If it requires too much effort then we can simply drop it. Or … we can “train for it” by focusing on developing the expertise to do well. If we approach the Christian life with a "try it and see" attitude we risk dropping out because Christian living is not always easy. Sure, we’d like to be good at it, but we figure that if we were really meant to be good at it, it would come easier to us. But to be good at anything worthwhile requires effort. If you are a Christian who wants to learn to walk closely with God, then you need to stop “trying it out” and start “training.” That means that you make an intentional effort to learn as much as you can and start practicing what you’ve learned. It will be hard at times; at times you will fall short of your goal. Only as you work at it will you be able to achieve the goal of growing strong in your relationship with God. The purpose of this page is to offer help to believers in the training process. On this page you can access tools, articles, and resources as well as web-site links that can help you stay focused on your part in the pursuit of holy living. As you take advantage of these resources, you will be challenged to think deeply and to develop new skills. But I promise you that the fruit of your labors will be well worth the effort! (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Jim Ewing
Pastor
"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." (Hebrews 12:11, NASU)
When we want to learn to do something new such as playing a musical instrument, learning a new sport, or really any new skill … we can take two approaches to learning: One, we can “give it a try” to see if we are any good at it and make a decision based on how well we seem to do. If it requires too much effort then we can simply drop it. Or … we can “train for it” by focusing on developing the expertise to do well. If we approach the Christian life with a "try it and see" attitude we risk dropping out because Christian living is not always easy. Sure, we’d like to be good at it, but we figure that if we were really meant to be good at it, it would come easier to us. But to be good at anything worthwhile requires effort. If you are a Christian who wants to learn to walk closely with God, then you need to stop “trying it out” and start “training.” That means that you make an intentional effort to learn as much as you can and start practicing what you’ve learned. It will be hard at times; at times you will fall short of your goal. Only as you work at it will you be able to achieve the goal of growing strong in your relationship with God. The purpose of this page is to offer help to believers in the training process. On this page you can access tools, articles, and resources as well as web-site links that can help you stay focused on your part in the pursuit of holy living. As you take advantage of these resources, you will be challenged to think deeply and to develop new skills. But I promise you that the fruit of your labors will be well worth the effort! (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Jim Ewing
Pastor
"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." (Hebrews 12:11, NASU)
Reading to Make You Think ...
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.
Mark Twain Find these books at Christian Book Distributors: www.christianbook.com/ or www.amazon.com/ or a local Christian book store. Understanding the Faith
Beginning Read the Bible for All It’s Worth - Fee & Stuart, Zondervan How We Got the Bible - Lightfoot, Baker Books Christian Beliefs – Wayne Grudem, Zondervan Introducing Christian Doctrine – Millard Erickson, Baker Books How Can I Be Sure I Am a Christian? - Whitney, NavPress More Advanced In My Place Condemned He Stood – J.I. Packer & Mark Dever, Crossway Books Systematic Theology – Wayne Grudem, Zondervan Christian Theology – Millard Erickson, Baker Books 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible - Plummer, Kregel Books The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How it Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between - Gregory Koukl, Zondervan Discipleship Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life - Donald S. Whitney, NavPress Knowing God - J.I. Packer, InterVarsity Press Respectable Sins - Jerry Bridges, NavPress The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges, NavPress The Discipline of Grace - Jerry Bridges, NavPress Worldliness, Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World - Mahaney, Crossway Transforming Discipleship - Greg Ogden, InterVarsity Press Honesty, Morality, and Conscience - Jerry White, NavPress Prayer - TImothy Keller, Dutton Books Feeding You Soul - Jean Fleming, NavPress The Church Nine Marks of a Healthy Church - Mark Dever, Crossway Books The Deliberate Church - Mark Dever & Paul Alexander, Crossway Books Church Membership - Jonathan Leeman, Crossway Books What is a Healthy Church Member? – Thabiti Anyabwile, Crossway Books I Am a Church Member – Thom Rainer, Broadman & Holman Evangelism Conspiracy of Kindness – Steve Sjogren, Vine Books What is the Gospel? - Greg Gilbert, Crossway Books Apologetics I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist - Norm Geisler & FrankTurek, Crossway The Case for a Creator - Lee Strobel, Zondervan Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air - Beckwith & Koukl, Baker Books Legislating Morality - Norm Geisler & Frank Turek, Wipf & Stock True for You, But Not for Me - Paul Copan, Bethany House Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth & Apologetics – Lane Craig, Crossway Books The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How it Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between - Gregory Koukl, Zondervan Family & Marriage Kingdom Man - Tony Evans, Tyndale Point Man - Steve Farrar, David C. Cook Sacred Marriage - Gary Thomas, Zondervan Margin - Richard Swenson, NavPress The Faith of a Child - Art Murphy, Moody Publishers Contemporary Issues The Case for Life - Scott Klusendorf, Crossway Books Same-Sex Marriage - Sean McDowell & John Stonestreet, Baker Books Atheism Remix – R. Albert Mohler, Crossway Books Answering Jihad - Nabeel Quershi, Zondervan The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains - Nicholas Carr, W.W. Norton & Co Politics According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture - Wayne Grudem, Zondervan (Textbook) God and Politics: Jesus' Vision for Society, State, and Government - Mark Dever, 10Publishing Thinking Critically about Your Faith
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Bible Reading Plans
In Phil 4:8 the apostle Paul urges us to let our minds dwell on things that will help us stay committed and focused on our walk with God. The single best way to do that is to read the Bible every day. The link below offers three reading plans that can help you get started and stay on track. As we expose our hearts and minds to a daily diet of God's Word it can change our thinking and change our lives.
A Book at a Time Reading Plan 5x5x5 Reading Plan One Gospel Each Quarter Reading Plan A Year Through the New Testament Reading Plan If you can't find one you like we have a standard plan in the church office that was published as the Discipleship Journal Reading Plan Energizing Your Personal Prayer Life
Exploring Issues of the Faith
Got questions about Christianity? Here's a good place to start searching ....
All About God Institute for Creation Research Watchman Fellowship Answers in Genesis Hiding the Word in Your Heart
"Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You."
Psalm 119:11, NASU CLICK HERE for Free Scripture Memorization Software Bible Study Tools
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15, NASU Tools to help you mine the word of God. CLICK HERE to start digging! Sharing Your Faith
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