Good Reads.

In a sermon based on 2 Peter 3:18 (But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.) today, our pastor focused on growing in our relationship with Christ.

To listen to the sermon, click here!

Brian spoke about pleading for growth, growing in grace, and growing in knowledge. In the last section, he described three ways in which we can grow in our knowledge of Christ (therefore growing in grace as well):

1. Read good books such as:

1. The Holy Bible by God (we use the ESV version) 
2. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
3. Holiness by J.C. Ryle
4. Knowing God by J.I. Packer
5. Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity In Christ by John MacArthur
6. Simple Church by Thomas Rainer & Eric Geiger
7. Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck
8. King's Cross by Timothy Keller
9. Humility by C.J Mahaney
10. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

2. Read good blogs: I have added links to three blogs that Brian suggested on the right hand side of my blog (under Favorite Blogs)--Al Mohler, Justin Taylor, and Tim Challies. Check them out!

3. Read the Bible: Google a Bible reading plan, get the YouVersion app on your iPhone, open the Word every day. 

Brian compared growing in the Word with working out. Can you get in shape by going to the gym 10 minutes a year or perhaps even thirty minutes every Sunday? We all know that's ridiculous. Growing in Christ takes time and dedication. 

One way to start is with these good reads. Enjoy! 

Added Treasures

Yesterday, I bought some fabulous treasures.

Today, I added my own touch.

I wanted to put something a bit unconventional in some cute black picture frames (to accent the incredible hardware on my new desk).

I decided to incorporate my favorite hymn and some of my favorite Bible verses....somehow.

The hymn wasn't too difficult--I was able to find that online and distress the paper a bit.

The Bible verses became a bit of a challenge. I really struggled with whether or not to actually use pages from a real Bible. I found an old Bible I used for a short time as a child--it was one of the only ones that didn't have highlighting or writing in it, so I decided to go for it. 

And guess what? No lightening. I think I'll make it. 

I put Proverbs 31 (the woman part) in one frame:

And in the other, I decided to make a bit of a collage. Psalm 23 is in the background and parts of Psalm 139, Isaiah 41, Colossians 3, and John 1 are in the foreground.

I am a huge fan of the completed look.

What do you think??