Prayer request

This Sunday, the 22nd of February, our church plant will be formally organized as a local church under the name "Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida." We appreciate your prayers for Sunday.

A Mexican used car parts shop

Ok, one more video from our day on the town. This totally cracked me up. If you ever need a part for any kind of vehicle, this is the place to look--but good luck finding what you want! This can't be described, you have to see it....

A day on the town

A couple weeks ago during our Christmas break our family took a day trip down-town Monterrey. First we took the metro (the city’s public transportation train) to a large park called “Fundidora” near the center of town. In the park we took a 45 minute boat ride down-town through the “Paseo Santa Lucia,” Monterrey’s version of San Antonio’s River Walk (although I personally think the Paseo is even nicer than the River Walk). Upon arriving at the central Plaza by boat we ate some tacos at a taco stand and then returned home via the boat and the Metro.

We wanted to share with you some photos and videos our excellent family adventure in the beautiful city of Monterrey. If you've never visited Monterrey, here's your chance.

Beginning our journey at the entrance to the metro station

On the metro

Disembarking the metro at "La estación Fundidora"

After leaving the metro, we walked past the "Arena Monterrey," a multi-purpose arena located in Fundidora

The "Fundidora" park is one of our favorite places to visit as a family in Monterrey. Part of our walk across the park to the river.

Now we're at the head of the river, the "Paseo Santa Lucia," where we will board the boat to take the ride down-town.

On the boat...

Arrival down-town at the "Macro-plaza," the central plaza in Monterrey

The taco stand we ate at (not exactly Monterrey's finest, but....)

The rest of the pictures are of our return trip on the boat down the Paseo Santa Lucia

A great view from the river of our famous mountain, El Cerro de la Silla

One final video of our return trip

Video on Jim Elliot

Jim Elliot is one of my heroes. As you probably already heard, January 8 marked the 53rd anniversary of the death of Jim and his four companions in Ecuador. The following video is an inspiring record of their mission.



May we all be willing to give what we cannot keep to gain that which we cannot lose! Laying down one's life for Christ and others is not just for missionaries. It is part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:12-14)

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1 John 3:16)

Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. ... 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:25-27, 33)

Video of our newly finished auditorium

The other evening I recorded a brief video clip of our new church auditorium to give you a better idea of what it looks like. Take a look.



The majority of the funds to build this building came from the generous giving of the members of the church. Praise God for his goodness!

"But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you." (1 Chron 29:14)

A morning meditation (Micah 7:18-20)

¹⁸     Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity

        and passing over transgression

        for the remnant of his inheritance?

    He does not retain his anger forever,

        because he delights in steadfast love.

¹⁹     He will again have compassion on us;

        he will tread our iniquities under foot.

    You will cast all our sins

        into the depths of the sea.

²⁰     You will show faithfulness to Jacob

        and steadfast love to Abraham,

    as you have sworn to our fathers

        from the days of old.

High-impact books: Ten books that have shaped my life and thinking

A few months ago I began to reflect on my own personal spiritual and theological journey and the books that God has used to nurture and mature along the way. I’ve come up with this list.

Explanation:

1. These are not the only books I’ve ever read. :)
2. These are not necessarily the best or most important books I’ve ever read. Nor are they necessarily all my favorite books today.
3. These are books that I’ve read that, at the time in my theological and spiritual pilgrimage when I read them, had a particularly profound impact upon my life and thinking.
4. I don’t necessarily recommend that those who read this blog go out and buy all of these. High-impact books don’t work that way (at least not for me). Instead these are works that God, who is always teaching, discipling and pastoring me, graciously, sovereignly, and providentially placed in my life at just the right times to make me what I am today.

1. A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

This book, which I read my freshman year of college (1991), had a profound impact on my spiritual life. It brought me to a new understanding of biblical spirituality, namely the necessity and centrality of a personal intimate relationship with my Creator. Although I grew up in a Christian home, for some reason that reality had never come home to me. Tozer’s writing put me on my knees and sparked within me a deep longing to pursue and know God personally. I haven’t read this book now for over 15 years but it continues to bear fruit in my life.

2. Courtney Anderson, To the Golden Shore

Anderson’s outstanding biography of Adoniram Judson, the great missionary to Burma set my heart on fire for missions. It was recommended to me the summer after my sophomore year by my good friend, Eric Smith, who was then an MDiv student at BJU. Even as an MK, this inspiring story of one of America’s most gifted missionaries opened my eyes to the realities of missionary work. What are those realities? Self-sacrifice and suffering for the cause of Christ uniquely serve to advance the kingdom of God on earth.

3. Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace

Bridges’ works of practical spirituality are outstanding. This particular book, which I read my junior year of college, opened my mind to a truth that had never dawned on me before and that continues to shape and drive my daily relationship with God: the gospel, rather just being the starting point of the Christian life, is a message that I need every day of my life. Bridges’ mantra, “preach the gospel to yourself” struck me like a bolt of lightening and continues to dominate my spiritual life and growth. Since then, other authors (e.g. Bryan Chapell, Mike Barrett, Milton Vincent, and C.J. Mahaney, as well as other books by Bridges) have continued to shape and mature my thinking on the role of the gospel in sanctification, but it was The Discipline of Grace which first introduced me to this blessed truth.

4. John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus

This classic (and controversial) work by MacArthur had both a profound intellectual and spiritual impact on my life. I read it while involved in a ministry in a low-income housing project in Greenville my senior year of college. After a year or two in that ministry, I (and the other students that I ministered with) began to notice that most of the “conversions” that we had been seeing simply did not bear any permanent fruit. Confused and frustrated, we began to reevaluate our evangelism methods. By divine providence, at that time MacArthur’s work came into my possession and resulted in nothing less than a revolution in my thinking about salvation and discipleship. MacArthur helped me to understand (sadly, for the first time) the danger of an easy-believeism gospel that makes no demands of potential disciples. The Gospel According to Jesus introduced me to reformed soteriology (for which I am eternally grateful) and at the same time adjusted my understanding of what it meant for me personally to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. This isn't the most balanced or even-handed book I've ever read, but it's certainly one of the most important.

5. Martin Lloyd-Jones, Romans 6

My last semester of college I took a graduate class called Romans in Greek. Curiously and providentially, the textbook for that class was this volume of 23 sermons by one of the greatest expository preachers of all time, David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Lloyd-Jones’ practical and penetrating expositions of Romans’ sixth chapter have, more than any other single volume, shaped my understanding and practice of the doctrine of sanctification.

6. John Piper, Let the Nations be Glad

I wept my way through this book my first year of grad school ('95/'96) as the Lord (through Piper and Jonathan Edwards) opened my eyes to the supremacy of the glory of God in all things. My man-centered worldview crumbled under the weight of Piper’s compelling and passionate biblical arguments. The famous opening words of this book summarize reason that I’m a missionary today:

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man.”

I haven’t been the same since.

7. B.B. Warfield The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible

Warfield’s compelling and profound essays on Scripture forever sealed for me the question of the Bible’s inspiration and absolute authority. Not that I’d ever doubted it. But by God’s grace, and by means of Warfield’s towering intellect and rigorous theological argumentation, I came to own a truth that I’d always just assumed. It was that truth that drove me to pursue more biblical studies (Ph.D.) and to dedicate my life to the exposition of God’s word.

8. John Piper, The Pleasures of God

What can I say about the greatest (human) book that I’ve ever read? Read it. Digest it. Read it again. Live it. Love God and worship him.

9. Thomas Schreiner & Ardel Caneday The Race Set Before Us

The content of this book is well summed up in its sub-title: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance. I did not read this book until 6 or 7 years ago. Few books that I’ve ever read (none that I can think of offhand) have caused a greater theological paradigm shift in my thinking than this one. Schreiner’s and Caneday’s explanation of the warning passages in the NT and of the NT’s teaching on perseverance (as opposed to just “eternal security”) continues to affect my reading of the NT and to shape my understanding of the doctrine of salvation.

10. Paul Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands

It may be premature to add this book to my list since I’ve only just read it this year. Perhaps its impact has been so great because lately I’ve found myself (more than ever before) crying out to God for wisdom and help in my personal pastoral ministry to other people. Tripp’s practical biblical wisdom has been a breath of fresh air for me and has begun to (re)shape my thinking and practice of pastoral ministry. I think every Christian and especially every pastor, professor, Sunday-school teacher, church leader, nursery worker...ok, I’ll just say that every Christian should read this book. And if you don’t have time to read it, read it anyway. As Tripp puts it, a personal ministry of God’s word to others belongs “to all the people of God, all the time.”

Just talkin' to myself

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

from Psalm 42:5 & 11 & 43:5

Progress

One of the peculiarities of churches in Mexico is that they tend to be attended very largely by women. It is very common to have many women and very few men in a church. This is largely due to the Mexican culture that views religion as being for women. The concept of "machismo" is very prominent here. According to Wikipedia, "Machismo is a prominently exhibited or excessive masculinity. As an attitude, machismo ranges from a personal sense of virility to a more extreme male chauvinism. In many cultures, machismo is acceptable and even expected." Because of "machismo" among men here in Mexico, going to church is simply not viewed as being "manly." Many men are simply embarrassed to be seen entering a church.

Things are no different in our church. Most of our regular attenders are women whose husbands are not believers. So a constant prayer request is for the salvation of the husbands of the ladies who attend our church.

Well, by God's grace we've begun to see a little progress in a couple of men the last couple of weeks.

Up until a few months ago, Orlando, the husband of Norma, one of our regular attenders, was very closed to the gospel. He would become very angry with Norma if she ever mentioned God or if she invited him to church. He would not even allow someone from the church to visit Norma when he was at home. A few months ago, I went to visit Norma and found only Orlando at home. I introduced myself and we struck up a very cordial conversation. Since then I have been able to visit with him on numerous occasions. The last couple of months Norma has said that Orlando has been much less belligerent and more open to spiritual things. This morning in church Norma shared that lately Orland has been reading the Bible on his own and asking a lot of questions. Praise the Lord! God has clearly been working in his heart lately.

Another example of God's grace at work is Ray (pronounced "Rye"), the husband of Susy, one of our members. Ray has never been interested in attending church or in spiritual things. But the last few months I've been able to develop a friendship with Ray and he's been very open. Well, today Ray showed up at church, much to Susy's (and our) surprise.

We're not sure what God has been doing "behind the scenes" in the lives of these two men, but it is clear that he's been working. Please pray for Orlando and Ray.

On a different note, Rosy, one of our most faithful members has been going through a very difficult time of trial the last few weeks. Please pray for strength and patience for her and please pray for wisdom for us in helping her.

God's gracious (miracle) provision

This last month we were given a very practical reminder and illustration of the truth of Paul's words in Philippians 4:19: 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

About a month ago our mechanic told us that it was time to sell our old van.  We've owned the van for a number of years and for the last three years have been using it to go out to our mission several times each week.  Because of the severe conditions of the roads going to the mission, the poor thing has taken quite a beating.  The last couple of years a number of problems have surfaced.  We've been very thankful to have it, though, because we haven't had to take our good van out to the mission.  Well, our mechanic told us that it would be best to get rid of it because a number of serious mechanical problems.  

So we immediately began looking for a replacement vehicle.  Specifically, we looked for something stronger and more rugged than a minivan that could handle the roads at our mission.  Because we need something fairly roomy that can haul a lot of people, we thought that a Suburban would be ideal for our specific needs.

For about a week I searched the internet for Suburbans and other SUV-type vehicles.  We weren't quite sure what we were going to do, though, because we didn't really have the money to get another vehicle.  And that's where God "stepped in." 

A few days after our mechanic gave us his recommendation to sell the van, while we were still searching the internet for a vehicle, we received a phone call from my parents in Texas.  They told us that a Christian friend of theirs had decided to donate his Suburban to a pastor in Mexico and that he wanted to know if we'd be interested in it!  No kidding!  God is good!  Here's a photo of our new vehicle:

So this evening after Church we will be driving up to Texas and tomorrow (Monday) morning I will be flying up to Little Rock, AR where I will pick up the Suburban that the Lord has provided for us.  Again, God is good.  He provided us with the exact vehicle that we were looking for, free of charge!  

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"

Robbery

Last Sunday night our church was robbed.  The thieves entered through a very small window that once housed a small air conditioner.  Thankfully, nothing of great value was stolen.  We lost a Igloo cooler, a weed eater, a coffee pot, some tools (shovels, etc.), and some paint.  Thankfully they couldn't get into our auditorium where we have a keyboard and ceiling fans.  

Robbery has been somewhat of an epidemic in our church's neighborhood lately.  Most of the houses on our block have been robbed the last couple of weeks.  The perpetrators are becoming very bold and are breaking into houses during broad daylight.  

Thursday evening during our mid-week church service some young men were stealing building supplies from the house next to our church and were carrying the stolen goods over our church building (that's right--over the roof of our church while we were in it) to another house down the block!  We didn't know about it until after the service.

The thieves are mostly drug addicts who live in the neighborhood.  They steal to buy drugs.  People in the neighborhood are afraid of them so most robberies go unreported.  The amazing thing is that after robbing a house, the thieves go down the street selling the stolen goods to other people on the same block.  

Thankfully, a lady who lives behind our church saw who broke into our building last Sunday and gave us the names of the theives.  So this week I went to the police headquarters to report the robbery (and the names of the suspects).  Who knows if anything will be done?

Besides the robberies, violence has also increased in the neighborhood.  A number of people we know of have been assaulted lately, and it's becoming increasing dangerous to be out on the streets after dark.  Local gangs frequently stop cars and city busses demanding money.  

THE BOTTOM LINE: This neighborhood needs the gospel!  Please pray for us.

Population of Spanish-speaking world

My colleague, Russell Raymer, passed some interesting statistics along to me the other day.  I've always known that Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, but I never realized exactly how big it is in comparison to other Spanish-speaking countries.  Check out these numbers:

Country Population

1. Mexico 107,029,000

2. Columbia 45,600,000

3. Spain 43,064,000

4. Unided States 40,000,000

5. Argentina 38, 747,000

6. Peru 27,968,000

7. Venezuela 26,749,000

8. Chile 16,295,000

9. Ecuador 13,228,000

10. Guatemala 12,599,000

11. Cuba 11,269,000

12. Bolivia 9,182,000

13. Dominican Republic 8,895,000

14. Honduras 7,205,000

15. El Salvador 6,881,000

16. Paraguay 6,158,000

17. Nicaragua 5,487,000

18. Costa Rica 4,401,000

19. Puerto Rico 3,955,000

20. Uruguay 3,463,000

21. Panama 3,232,000

22. Philippines 3,180,000

23. France 2,000,000

24. Equatorial Guinea 447,000

25. Canada 245,000

26. Belize 206,409

27. Andorra 69,150

28. Western Sahara 37,132

29. Morocco 20,000

Observations:

1. It is often commented that Mexico has too many missionaries.  But given the fact that Mexico has almost as many Spanish-speaking people as Chile (#8) through Morocco (#29) on the list (22 countries), maybe there aren't too many missionaries here.  This is especially true given the fact that there are still many parts of this massive country that are still unreached.
2. The U.S. is now the 4th largest Spanish-speaking country of the world!!!!!  Very soon it will pass Spain and Colombia.  
3. If our city, Monterrey, were a country of its own, it would be the 17th largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.
   
4. If Mexico City were a country of its own (some say is), it would be the 7th largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.

Conference in Tampico, Tamaulipas

I just arrived home from our three-day pastor's conference/class in Tampico, Tamaulipas (a costal city about 7 hours from Monterrey). Thanks very much to those of you who prayed for us. Matt Bixby and I each taught 8 hours on the topics of homiletics and pastoral theology, respectively.  About 35 pastors and church leaders attended.   Here are some photos of the conference: 

These conferences are always a great blessing.  Most of these men are very hungry for more theological training and many of them have no formal Bible institute training.   Please pray that our ministry will have a profound and lasting impact on the many ministries and local churhes represented at the conference.

Future conferences

We've now begun planning for the next couple of years of conferences.  Here are some that are being planned:  

• January or February of 2009 in the state of San Luís, about 8 hours south of Monterrey
• August of 2009 in the southern state of Tabasco, about 25 hours south of Monterrey
• January or February of 2010 in Tampico again

New Sanctuary - A Photo Essay

Here are some recent photos of our mission church.  By God's grace, our new sanctary is about 90% finished.

The front of our new auditorium:

Our Sunday A.M. service this last week:

Musicians warming up before church:

A large portion of our regular assembly:

Special music on Sunday morning:

We still have a bit of work to do like laying a tile floor, decorating, and finishing the outside of the auditorium, but we are very excited about this new building that the Lord has provided for us. By way of contrast, here are a couple of photos of what this property looked like a little over a year ago:

New stadium to be built (practically) in our back yard

Last week the city of Monterrey announced the building of a new 55,000 seat soccer stadium to house the Rayados, a professional soccer team here in Monterrey.  This is newsworthy for us because it will be located just one mile from our house!

Time will tell what kind of effect this will have on our community and local economy.  I'm not sure whether to be excited or not because the stadium will undoubtedly cause some logistical problems -- namely traffic.  On the other hand I'm very excited about the possibility of walking to professional soccer games and undoubtedly an occasional U.S. professional football game (NFL) which are occasionally held in Mexico.

Here are some artist renderings of the beautiful new stadium, located at the foot Monterrey's most famous landmark, El Cerro de la Silla (depicted in the first two photos below and at the top of our blog).