Hello Fellow Fishermen!

Thanks to Brad, you all have the upgraded security access of “Editor”  that means that when you are logged in you can view everyone’s “Private” posts.  What does that mean to you?

It means that when you mark a post as private only those users that have logged in will be able to view it.  So, if you would rather control who will be able to see your post, mark your post as private, then you’ll know that only your brothers will be able to see it.

It also means you need to log in each time you come to visit so you can make sure you see everything.  If you’re not logged in you can’t see the private posts!!!

But HOW DO I POST PRIVATELY?

First, you need to log in!   If you haven’t found it, the “Log In” link is just below the sober gaze of Henry Martyn on the right-hand side of the page. (Don’t trifle!  Be in earnest!)

Second, click on the “Site Admin” link that displays after you log in, it should display just above the log in link.

Third, click on the “Add New” link in the “Posts” box on the upper left-hand side of the page.  Enter all the text of your post.

Forth, in the Publish box on the upper right-hand side of the page, click on the “Edit” link next to “Visibility,” click on the “Private” radio-button which displays, and then click the “OK” button.

Fifth, click “Publish”  you’re done!

P.S.  I’ll post a private post next, please comment on that post if you can see it.  Thanks!  Remember, you have to be logged in to see private posts!  So log in to make sure you not missing any of the posts!

Psalm 116:8, 12

For You have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;

What shall I render to the LORD
for all his benefits to me?

Beloved Fishermen,
“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me?”  These words hit me afresh this morning as I read them.

When considering the benefits of God towards us, the Psalmist goes directly to the root of the matter:  God has “delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling… .”  Whatever else is distracting or disappointing or whatever painful, temporary circumstances threaten to eclipse the love and goodness of our God and Savior, these words stand sure, unchanged, unwavering – God has delivered my soul from death.

How much more, as a New Covenant believer, should I be moved by these words.  As a New Covenant believer I have a more perfect view of God’s salvation.   I have the record of the work of Jesus Christ, the completed work, the completed salvation–though I see still but as through a mirror dimly– and I have  the special presence of the Holy Spirit, the promised presence of Jesus Christ, Oh the manifold benefits the Lord has poured out upon me!

Yet still the effects of sin in this world, in me, in my body threaten to cloud out my perception, dampen my zeal, weaken my resolve.  How foolish, how weak “Oh wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from the body of this death?”

Ah, but what’s the point, man?  the point, my beloved brothers, is that my perception of a thing does not affect the thing itself, it may only affect my response to the thing.  The issue is not how well I perceive, in my sin addled mind,  the benefits of God towards me, the issue is that they are REAL!  They have been proved in Jesus Christ!  God IS gracious and righteous and merciful (116:5), God DOES preserve the simple (vs 6), God DOES deal bountifully with me (vs. 7), in Christ, God HAS delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling (vs. 8).  Through faith in Christ, these things are done! The work is done, though my perception of it will not be complete until the New Heavens and the New Earth reveal it perfectly to me, and I being made perfect will be able to perceive it perfectly.

So the heart of the matter rests with the question that started this post, these benefits being sure, what then shall I render to the Lord, now?  In the face of waning zeal, in the face of all our responsibilities, in the face of exhaustion, in the face of remaining sin…  in the face of all these things which may affect my perception of God’s benefits towards me, what shall I render to the Lord?

It must be resolved, that it will not, it cannot be my perception that drives my answer to this question, it must be the reality of the benefits, the reality of Jesus Christ that drives my answer.

May the Lord our God so fill our minds and hearts with His truth, that by the power of His Holy Spirit, and by His glorious grace we might be able to hold fast to Christ as the sand shifts beneath our feet, so that we might be able to render to our Lord our last breath, our last ounch of strength, our last whisper of worship.  To God be the glory.

Dear Fishermen,
I just posted a new blog update. “Glorious Freedom = Glorious grace”
http://casey-consideringgrace.blogspot.com/
Please continue to pray for this outreach effort as I seek to reach friends and family members with the gospel.
Made Willing In The Day Of His Power!
Casey

Dear Fishermen, DR. Albert Mohler, Jr. has written an article which is worthy of reading on his blog. For all who are aspiring to the ministry this will be a great read! Just click on his link in the blog roll!
Made Willing In The Day of His Power!
Casey Kirkman

Dear Fisherman, there is a conference coming up in June featuring John Piper, Mark Driscoll and a few other as well. If anyone is interested in going it might be something that some of us can do together. I checked the availability of seating and I believe it is running out fast.

Brothers, please be praying for Jason Kay as he is preaching tomorrow in Verona, and for Robert Fisher who is leaving on Monday to fly to Australia!

May God bless you both richly in your endeavors, infuse your labors with His grace, and use you mightily to build His kingdom and glorify His name!

“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Eph. 3: 16-19

I read this today concerning eight practical ways that we can spend more time talking to and building relationships with unbelievers.

I found the best way to meet my neighbors is just to work in my yard on any sunny Saturday.  In one afternoon I probably will have connected with all of them, at least with a wave, and often lengthier conversations.

I have talked to my neighbors about having them over for a cookout sometime, but haven’t worked it out yet.  Does anyone have any experiences organizing this kind of thing?  Any other ideas for stuff like this to do with the neighbors?

Oh yeah, another one I am doing is having my neighbors serve me.  Ok yeah, that sounds backwards, but one is a contractor and the other is a painter, so they apreciate getting the business and we get to spend more time talking to them.