The Story We Are In

Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen at Redeemer University College talk about wanting their students to understand the true nature of Scripture: it is God's story, the true story of the world. You can find more of how we fit into this mission of God in the Drama of Scripture. (see www.biblicaltheology.ca)
GF

Summer Reading!

Hope your summer has been going well.

Here are some of the books I have read or I am still reading:
The Rest of God - Mark Buchanan
Age of Opportunity - Paul David Tripp
The Future of Justification - John Piper
Everything Must Change - Brian McLaren
Bold Love - Allender
Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul
A Quest for More - Paul David Tripp
Is Religion Dangerous? - Keith Ward

If you have any recommendations on books that will help us grow as GraceFinders let me know!
bclarkegracefinder@gmail.com

GF

Easter Good News!
Grace-full Food for our soul from John Piper
What has God done in raising Jesus from the dead? Here are a few biblical answers.
Because of the resurrection of Jesus, death will never have any dominion over him again.
Romans 6:9: “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”
Acts 13:34: “He raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption.”
Because of the resurrection, Jesus intercedes for us in heaven before God.
Romans 8:34: “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Jesus’ resurrection was the beginning and guarantee of our resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:20: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
2 Corinthians 4:14: “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”
2 Corinthians 4:14: “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”
We were raised with Jesus so that our true life is hidden now in him.
Ephesians 2:6: “[God] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:1-4: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. . . . Your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we are born again to a living hope.
1 Peter 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we now enjoy his personal fellowship with us always.
Matthew 28:20: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Because of the resurrection of Jesus, he has a name above every name and every knee will bow to him.
Philippians 2:9-10: “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
The resurrection of Jesus means that Jesus kept his word.
Matthew 17:22: “Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.’”
The resurrection of Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures and the promises of God.
1 Corinthians 15:4: “He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
Acts 13:32-33: “We bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus.”
Because Jesus was raised, he has received the promise of the Spirit and poured out the Spirit on us.
Acts 2:33: “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”
Because Jesus is raised, he can still heal the way he did on earth.
Acts 4:10: “Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.”
Because of the resurrection, he gives repentance and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 5:31: “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”
Because Jesus was raised, he is now appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.
Acts 10:42: “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.”
Acts 17:31: “He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
God secured our justification by raising Jesus from the dead.
Romans 4:25: “He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
The risen Christ takes the place for us that the law once had so that we can bear fruit for God.
Romans 7:4: “Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.”
Because of Jesus’ resurrection, he now has the glory for which we were made. Our ultimate destiny is to see him as he is.
1 Peter 1:21: “God . . . raised him from the dead and gave him glory.”
John 17:5, 24: “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. . . . Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
May the risen Lord Jesus himself arouse your sincere mind to new depths of worship and allegiance and joy.
Pastor John
From www.desiringgod.org (email)
GF

Grace to Live

We delight to walk with our Lord down the path of life because through our repentance we have understood how altogether lovely He is. Our obedience is not the foundation or condition of God’s receiving our repentance; it is the natural outflow of a heart that has experienced His grace. Our new willingness to follow Christ helps reassure us that we have experienced the transforming power of grace. Our delight in walking with Him validates love for Him in our hearts even amid remorse for sin against Him. Thus, though there may be many stumbles and setbacks along the path, true repentance leads naturally to new obedience.
- Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace
GF

Why Blog?

I haven't been the most consistent blogger - I think my pragmatism has kicked in. I look down all of the posts and see very few responses and I wonder if the blog is being read at all. Then I repent for being so self centered and think again about why should I blog. I then remember that maybe one of the reasons is to get me out of myself in the first place and put all the swirling thoughts in my head down somewhere that shows whether the thought is crazy, interesting, or lunatic fringe. Like the thought in a Berkeley-ian way - if no one perceives this blog is it really here...

Then I remember... I want to be a GraceFinder, someone who will report on quotes, or life happenings that point to the wonder of God's amazing grace seen in Jesus Christ... Thus the quest to find these juicy nuggets begins again whether they are read, perceived, real or not...

PS - if you read this blog.... welcome back!

GF

Gracefinder link can now be found on Facebook under group RUF at U of Alberta

A discussion group has started there as well if you want to join.

GF

Delusions Abound....

With all the talk about God Delusions or Dawkin's Delusion etc, we might want to dig back and find out that nothing is new under the sun. These things have been debated and good arguments have been formulated by amazing minds. Now I know that some out there deny these types of arguments based but I would still ask you to read them and see if maybe some will helpful in your discussions. This is a centuries old discussion that is well worth the joining.

www.peterkreeft.com/topics-more/20_arguments-gods-existence.htm

After all else fails think about the fact that Jesus believed in God...
And remember John 6:44 not as a cop out but a comfort...

GF

A Legacy

The first wedding I conducted as a young pastor was with Gerry and Cathy. My friend Tim calls as sick as a dog and asks me to fill in for him. Little did I know what I was getting into as I approached the house to meet them and discuss the wedding. As many could attest it was a serious and yet joyful time.
The shock came recently when I read the email that said Gerry had gone home to be with the Lord while driving his Harley in Montana. As I flew back from vacation near Kamloops I had time to reflect on what a privilege it was to have known a man so full of life. He truly seized each day as a gift from God and lived enough for several lives. I have never laughed and cried at a funeral like at this one. Pastor Tim Callaway and Dayle Medgett were amazing in their conducting of the service to do it in a way that truly reflected Gerry's life.

A guestbook is here for anyone who wants to share condolences. Grace found Gerry... and now he has seen Him face to face.
legacy.com/can-calgary/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=92460619

Tribute to Dr. Harold O.J. Brown

One of my seminary professors has gone to be with the Lord. He was instrumental in helping me grapple with philosophy and with the heresies of the early church. (see his book Heresies) A highlight for us, although not wanted at the time, was when we engaged in a colloquim and had to defend our views with others in front of the class. He taught us how to graciously debate and be on the hotspot.

I am thankful to God for this grace-full man. He was truly a GraceFinder...

If you want to read more you can go to:
theologica.blogspot.com/2007/07/haro-dr.html

Or
www.rts.edu/newsevents/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=959

In His grace,
GF

Summer Reading:

A few books that I am looking at reading over the next few months:

Walk On : The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman

The Christian Faith and also A Heart For God - Sinclair Ferguson

Mohammed a biography - Karen Armstrong

What are you reading? It would be great to hear from you.
Where are you finding grace or learning something new?

GF