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CREATIVE TRAINING

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  While visiting in Pennsylvania we had the privilege of attending a ceremony where our grandson received his second-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. While we watched, along with his instructors and other class members, he demonstrated some of the moves before he received the award. Although it was not part of the ceremony, A.J. assured us that his preparations also included interaction with other students so that the practice became practical. It reminded me of the class in Evangelism I teach for Liberty University. The students train and practice in preparation for communicating the Gospel. They write their own testimony of how they came to understand their personal sin and need for a Savior. They practice ways in which the Good News of Christ’s sacrifice which makes possible salvation can be shared. The practical side of the class comes when they follow the plan they have prepared and lovingly communicate the truth of God’s gift of salvation to others. What a joy it is to...
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CREATIVE BIBLICAL COUNSELING

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  As a pastor I found counseling to be one of my greatest challenges. I did my best to provide biblical foundations for life through preaching but struggled at times conducting one-on-one sessions with those who sought specific answers to emotional experiences. A resource to help pastors with the matter of counseling has recently been published by Kress Biblical Resources. Several of the authors are professors at Central Baptist Theological Seminary where I received my training many years ago. Brett Williams, Matthew Shrader, Jonathan Pratt, Nicholas Ellen, Preston Mayes, and Josh Stephens have all contributed chapters to the book. The theme of the entire book is biblical soul care. Dr. Brett Williams, for example, has written a chapter titled “Biblical Soul Care and the Doctrine of God.” That is only one of many chapters which lay doctrinal foundations for counseling. After several of those doctrinal chapters, authors address specific counseling situations such as “Addressing ...
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CREATIVE CONFERENCE

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 I would love to see you at the Minnesota Baptist Association Men’s Meeting this Friday and Saturday, October 23-24. I will be there with the book table from the Bible Story Family, so please stop by. The Men’s Meeting will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Pine Island. Pastor Tim Graham has arranged for a great spiritual conference with sermons from Pastor David Stertz on the vocational calling for all men, and Pastor Dan Stertz on loving our church family. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m., with a grilled sirloin steak dinner at six. Saturday morning will feature breakfast pizzas, a coffee break with cinnamon loaves, and a lunch of smoked brisket. Pastors Dan and David will share workshops on “Churches need Pastors,” and “Strategies for Love as a Church Family.” After lunch three fellowship sessions will share information about lawn care, beekeeping, and a church security roundtable. You can register at https://grahamphotomn.wufoo.con/forms/g1r6d7ix08wo0ws/ Or simply show u...
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CREATIVE SISTER-TIME

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  Montana, Minnesota, Kentucky and South Carolina all have one thing in common. Each state is the home of one of the Odens sisters. For twenty-six years these four sisters have been sharing a week on an annual basis. What began as quilting weeks has grown into an anticipated and enjoyable creative sister-time. Joyce writes about “precious memories of sharing, shopping, sharing snacking, sharing and serving with my loving sisters—best week of each year.” “A highlight of our yearly sisters’ week is sharing what God has done for us and our families during the past year,” adds Carmen. “I am forever grateful for the blessing of my forever friends—my three sisters,” says Cindy. Spending a week together every year is a great encouragement.” Jeanne sums it all up this way. “Sisters’ week is an oasis of sharing—laughter, difficulties, experiences, challenges, and blessings—along with multiple trips to thrift stores.” Many of the earlier weeks included time with Oma, Marie Odens,...
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CREATIVE NARRATIVE COMMENTARY

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          There remains no doubt after reading the first nine chapters of Proverbs that Solomon loved his son. And yet there exists a subtle but inescapable sense that he suspected from an early age the fear he voiced in Ecclesiastes 2:18-19, "I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?" It could very well have been that same fear which prompted the extensive challenge to “my son” in the first nine chapters of Proverbs. In order to prevent Rehoboam from becoming that fool, Solomon encouraged him to pursue and court Miss Wisdom. He approached the task through storytelling, proverbs, riddles and parables. Bridging the historical gap between the days of Old Testament Israel and modern culture demands the use of the same approach along with bringing love, honesty, and fervor to our understanding and communication of these verses. That is the aim...
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CREATIVE ORATORIO

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  Everyone has heard the hymn “Amazing Grace.” But not everyone has heard the story behind the hymn. John Newton was a slaver whose life transformed dramatically when he became a Christian. He became a pastor and ardent abolitionist. To commemorate the 300th anniversary of his birth, Minneapolis-based composer Josh Bauder wrote a new oratorio telling Newton’s amazing grace story. Newton will be presented October 3 and 4 under the direction of composer-conductor Josh Bauder. It can be seen on Saturday, October 3, at Bethel University and Sunday, October 4, at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie. The Saturday performance will be in Benson Hall at 7:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance will take place at 3:00 p.m. The oratorio is sponsored by the Christian non-profit LimbFit and will be presented by Deo Cantamus of Minnesota. It features Gerard Sundberg as Newton and Tim Sawyer as William Cowper along with the chorus and orchestra. The long-time friendship between John Newton and the poet ...
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CREATIVE EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURE

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  Sell your house. Quit your job. Take your family and move to Scotland. Explore castles and bogs and the beaches on the North Sea. No, it’s not a Hobbit-like adventure. It’s a creative educational adventure. Study and earn a PhD in Biblical Hebrew. That’s what Christopher Allen will be doing for the next four years. Just over a week ago he and his wife Katie, along with nine-year-old Lewis, arrived in Aberdeen. The University there will be home until the dream of a lifetime has been completed. Why Scotland? Adventure for the entire family, and former visits by Katie. Why Aberdeen? The opportunity to study at an institution dating back to 1495. The fifth-oldest University in the English-speaking world. Why Biblical Hebrew? Because of a love for God and His Word. Because of a desire to serve the One who initially introduced Himself to us in that language. Because God has led every step of the way. “Not all those who wander are lost.” Bilbo Baggins in J. R. R. Tol...
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