If any of you have seen me at church within the past couple of weeks, you might have seen me pass out some letters to a number of you. Those were my follow-up letters to those who have supported me in the work of missions to Argentina this past July. In case you didn’t have an opportunity to support me but would still like to read what I wrote, you can read it here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/63696047/Argentina-2011-Follow-Up-Letter

If you read through the letter, there will be a missions report night this coming Sunday night from 5:30-7:30. There will be food, and all are invited to come. Hope to see you all there!

I made a few documents that lists out verses in the ESV, ready and available to print, and helpful to have to review over and over again. I created a Word document for the following set of Scripture memory verses:

Gospel Memory Verses from the Evangelism Workbook made by Grace Community Church (with a couple additions) (18 verses)

Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology Memory Verses (57 passages)

The (John) MacArthur Scripture Memory System (52 passages)

The Navigator’s Topical Memory System (72 verses)

If anyone is interested in any of these lists, leave a comment below and I’ll be sure to email it to you. One help I’ve found in keeping these verses in my mind is to record myself reciting the verse reference and then the verse itself, and play it on my MP3 player, leaving it on repeat until I can quote it word-for-word at least 10 times. If you find you can benefit from it and would want me to record it for you, let me know and I will do all I can to help with that as well.

One message that’s always been a helpful kick-starter for memorizing verses is a message on the life of Dawson Trotman, which was spoken by Dan Dumas at Grace Community Church. The message is called ‘Lessons from Church History: Dawson Trotman.‘ Hope this helps!

Since it’s been forever and a day since I last wrote on this blog, I thought I’d try something new here. I’ve been wanting for the longest time to get caught up on listening to sermon sets or conferences that I never attended (but would have liked to), and also to be made aware of what certain preachers have spoken about (enter interesting topic). I’m almost always made aware of a new sermon or conference or speaker who can greatly inform me of many things (as well as humble my ever-growing mind) on a daily basis, and I need to have some way of making it a discipline of mine that I would want to bless others with. I would want this site to become a resource to my friends who would find anything here of interest to them, as well as keep me aware of my constant need of grace.

There’s a constant stream of sermons, lectures, messages that I would love many people to be made aware of, as well as to look back to for reference in my own walk with Christ, that I think is constantly on my heart to share with others. Here’s a number of reasons why I want to start a shift in this direction:

1. Glorify God. From the Apostle Paul to today, every disciple of Jesus Christ has to have this as his goal in every area of life (if anything, memorize 1 Corinthians 10:31 as well as Romans 11:36). I know there’s a godly way, and an ungodly way to listen to sermons (whether good or bad), and I want to be a faithful servant of God and others in putting myself under teaching that will help me point others to Christ. I am not considering this a hobby, but a real help to open myself to correction in what I think to be the correct view about whatever passage or subject. THIS IS NOT A REPLACEMENT OF WHAT I ACTUALLY HEAR IN MY CHURCH ON SUNDAY. I love my pastors and elders, because they know me and I know them, and they are the most qualified to address me in what I need to be corrected on. What I hear on Sunday is of primary importance. Because of this, I hope to go back over sermons that have been preached that are on archive (Lighthouse Bible Church), as well as go over the sermon most recently preached. I want to be a blessing to my pastors, not a burden in trying to “correct” them by pointing out how Pastor John Piper interpreted a passage differently. I am a member of a local church in San Diego, and nowhere else.
2. San Jose Church Plant. I keep realizing over and over again that many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are moving away from San Diego in a little over a month (some sooner than others) that I might not be able to keep in touch with on a regular basis. I would want there to be some topic of discussion among us whenever we do see each other (or talk on the phone), and show love to them by pointing them to resources that could be of benefit to their own growth and witness in NorCal. I sheepishly also want to hear the messages Pastor John and J.R. preach once they make the move (not sure if I’ll put up my notes for that on here or not).
3. Jay Adams and Ken Ramey. These two pastors/writers are the only two I’m aware of that have written books on how to listen to a sermon effectively (Be Careful How You Listen: How to Get the Most Out of a Sermon and Expository Listening: A Practical Handbook for Hearing God’s Word, respectively). I’ve read Adams’ work, but have yet to delve into Ramey’s (and have attempted to pass this along to the youth at one point), but I see it as a necessity especially for a project like this to know how to gain the most out of what you hear on a Sunday morning. Their vantage is to come with a humble heart and mind in how you hear a sermon, which is a means of grace for your life. It allows you to be thankful to God, even when you hear a bad sermon!
4. Humility. To expand on reason #2, some guys listen to too many sermons without discernment (I am including myself), and act as if they are the new experts on whatever passage of Scripture they heard Pastor John MacArthur preach from. There’s no true humility being displayed (which I’m sure is the intention of the pastor they just heard), and so God’s glory is not the endgoal in their listening. The negative attitude we have about (enter whipping-boy pastor here) can make an ugly Christian, and one you much prefer staying away from (I don’t doubt having been this way at some point). I need to grow in this area, so don’t be surprised if the beginning posts have something to do with humility.
5. Technology. As a Christian in this day, we have endless amounts of material to listen to, as well as read, that is a blessing, and could also be a curse. Pastor Martin Lloyd-Jones, I’m sure, didn’t get to hear many of the great preachers of his day on a regular basis. Same goes with Charles Spurgeon or Jonathan Edwards (I am not comparing myself with them; it’s only for the sake of illustration). I’m just pointing out the fact that the times in which we live allow us to know what is being preached in Britain, as well as in Europe, Australia, and give us some context by which we can pray and hopefully be prepared to engage, should we ever minister in said countries. When I was younger, I never knew of any of these preachers or even knew Christianity extended beyond my little hometown (other than Charles Stanley, who my aunt watched on TV or Marcos Witt, the Spanish equivalent to Chris Tomlin in his day who also preaches, or whatever bishop was preaching on BET). There’s a lot of good teaching, as well as bad teaching. Of the few times I’ve done so, I know where I’d put myself in (hint: not good). The curse could be over-exposure (vast amount of information, yet no change), or heretical preaching (lack of discernment). Both exist, and I want to be an encouragement to the youth group mainly in this area, but also to the other brothers and sisters in church.
6. Growth in general, specifically in teaching. I’m hoping to be part of the Master’s Seminary within the next year or so, so I know I need help in teaching. This could be a small push in the right direction, to hear good preaching along with the great preaching I get at church already. Of course, it’s a calling, as well as a gift by God that one teach well, but to hear sermons from godly men can not only push one to grow in godliness, but to strive in preparing a message that will be of use to the church one serves at. The church leaders are to equip you for the work of ministry, not the messages you hear at Resolved.

All this to say I don’t know how often or how many sermons I hope to post and reflect on, but I would want this to be a way I can keep myself accountable to doing what I intended on doing for quite some time now. I know a lot of people don’t have the time to listen to messages on a constant basis, so this could be a place to check out what’s being said in an hour, but you could read in 5-10 minutes, and possibly listen to it later if it interests you. I don’t think I have much to contribute to a blog, so why not point others to what those more mature than me have sought to explain and by that be an encouragement and a servant to those I know (and anyone willing to follow along)? I will not let this get in the way of my own reading of the Word and prayer, and will stop whenever it hinders those more essential means of grace. I hope it supplements my disciplines in my Christian life, as well as be a blessing to you (whoever you are).

So who knows when I’ll start or which sermon it’ll be, but hope to see something new within the year (I’m realistic and not going to promise something for tomorrow or even this month). Adios!

http://trevinwax.com/2009/12/15/kingdom-people-christmas-giveaway-2/

Follow the instructions and you might get 10 books + an ESV Study Bible!

Btw, check out this guy’s blog. He’s had some very encouraging posts, and I typically look forward to the things he writes.

Originally, I was trying to find any audio source that would have Bible verses individually recorded and listen to them constantly until I could say them myself without the help of the audio, but I could not find any such source. At the ESV Bible website, you can listen to chapters spoken by different people, and break it up into individual verses, but I needed to hear the verse prior to the actual text being read. Then I realized since I use my mp3 player to record audio for our youth group, I decided to record myself say the verse reference, then the verse itself. Changing it to mp3 form, I then placed it back onto my mp3 player (using Audacity, which, if you don’t have a recorder, can record off that program), and then put each verse on repeat and not allow myself to hear the next verse until I have it in my head. I’ve already begun to do this with Romans 1 and have the first 3 verses committed to memory. If you would like to join me, I’m linking to each of the 32 verses below for you to download (thanks Pat Shin for the idea for Dropbox!). Let me know if you’re interested. I’d love to have people join me so we can keep each other accountable (and challenge each other)! If not, try this with another book of the Bible. I’m going to try 2 verses a day, so hopefully, before this year ends, I’ll have this chapter down in no time.

Romans 1:1

, Romans 1:2,

Romans 1:3

, Romans 1:4

, Romans 1:5,

Romans 1:6,

Romans 1:7,

Romans 1:8,

Romans 1:9

, Romans 1:10,

Romans 1:11

, Romans 1:12,

Romans 1:13

, Romans 1:14

, Romans 1:15,

Romans 1:16

, Romans 1:17

, Romans 1:18,

Romans 1:19,

Romans 1:20,

Romans 1:21,

Romans 1:22

, Romans 1:23,

Romans 1:24,

Romans 1:25,

Romans 1:26

, Romans 1:27,

Romans 1:28,

Romans 1:29,

Romans 1:30

, Romans 1:31,

Romans 1:32

“Tell him, Timothy, please!” shouted Maura, pleading with her husband. “Tell the governor where the Scriptures are hidden and be free! I cannot bear to watch any more of this.” Timothy and Maura, residents of the Roman province of Mauritania, had been married only a few short weeks before their arrest.

Maura had watched in horror as soldiers put out her husband’s eyes with hot irons, trying to break his will. Now, hanging upside down with a weight around his neck on the orders of the Roman governor Arrianus, Timothy waited for his gag to be removed. The fear he initially felt at his arrest had been replaced with a sense of divine calm.

Instead of renouncing his faith and disclosing the location of his church’s copies of the Scriptures, as the soldiers expected, Timothy scolded his young wife. “Do not let your love for me come before your love for Christ,” he urged Maura, affirming his willingness and determination to die for his Savior. Seeing her husband’s courage, Maura’s own resolve was strengthened.

Arrianus, already in a rage at Timothy’s refusal, set out to break Maura’s newfound courage. He sentenced her to the harshest tortures of the Roman world. Yet she would not break. She refused to deny Christ.

After each had endured unspeakable suffering, Timothy and Maura were crucified, side by side.

Jesus did not entrust his ministry to independent believers—he established a spiritual family. He used words like “brother” and “sister” to convey the idea that he did not expect his disciples to be in this alone. Paul continued Christ’s mission by instructing new believers to gather together in churches for fellowship and corporate worship. Christians need each other—especially in times of trial. When one believer falters, fellow believers rally in support and encouragement. This is why the New Testament regards the duty of living by example as a necessity in the Christian faith. One person’s example of faith and courage can inspire and unite others to follow suit. Conversely, when one believer cracks under the pressure of persecution, it is easier for others to give in as well. History holds high the camaraderie of Christian community—especially during persecution.

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love. – Colossians 2:2

http://www.gracechurch.org/media/?filter=ministry&id=21

1. What time did you get up this morning?
11:00

2. How do you like your steak?
Medium well to well done.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Transformers 2.

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Hands down, 24!
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Tucuman, Argentina!

6. What did you have for breakfast?
Corn flakes.

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Don’t know.

8. What foods do you dislike?
Vegetables.

9. Favorite Place to Eat?
Los Hermanos (Mexican place in Chula Vista).

10. Favorite dressing?
Doesn’t exist.

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?
’99 Hyundai I think (later this yr).
12. What are your favorite clothes?
White t-shirt, jeans (more in the house).

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
Hawaii.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
1/2 full

15. Where would you want to retire?
Wherever God seems fit to place me, that’s where I want to be.
16. Favorite time of day?
Time I’m with people from LBC.

17. Where were you born?
Coronado, CA

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Soccer (but I’d rather play it).

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
Everyone in the world.
20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
No one.

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
The one who reads this.

22. Bird watcher?
Apparently I didn’t watch long enough to see it poo on my head this past Monday at the beach.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
I wish morning, but more night.

24. Do you have any pets?
Rottweiller-Doberman (though I’d rather not have one).

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?
Not yet.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
A police officer, fireman, wrestler. Hahaha, not gonna happen.

27. What is your best childhood memory?
Eating pickles in the kitchen with my mom.

28. Are you a cat or dog person?
Neither.
29. Are you married?
No.

30. Always wear your seat belt?
Usually.
31. Been in a car accident?
Sort of; it was more bumper to bumper love tap.

32. Any pet peeves?
When people don’t punctualize nor capitalize when writing. But then my grammar’s horrible, so I try not to hold it against people. J
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?
Pepperoni.

34. Favorite Flower?
Tulips hahahaa!

35. Favorite ice cream?
Vanilla.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Dude, easy answer. In-n-Out. C’mon now (I like Andrea’s answer).

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?
Nada.

38. From whom did you get your last email?
Encouraging email from Jenna Kim.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Possibly Evangelical…but I would never do something like that.
40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
Not really…

41. Like your job?
Depends on which place hires me.

42. Broccoli?
No thanks.

43. What was your favorite vacation?
I think they were all the same.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
Angelo and Abe…good times man.

45. What are you listening to right now?
Sons & Daughters (new Sovereign Grace CD).

46. What is your favorite color?
Any shade of blue…although lately, I’ve been liking green a lot (strangely, this is Andrea’s answer too).

47. How many tattoos do you have?
None.

48. How many kids do you have?
None. Want? Now, that’s a more interesting question.

49. Type of person you don’t like.
Prideful people (hey, I’m one of them).

DWYL Song Lyrics

Hook (Cam)

Don’t wanna waste my life

Verse 1 (LeCrae)

I know a lot of people out there scared they gone die/
couple of em thinking they’ll be livin’ in the sky/
but while I’m here livin’ man I gotta ask why,
what am here fo I gotta figure out/
waste my life?/ no I gotta make it count/
if Christ is real then what am I gone do about/
everything in Luke 12:15 down to 21/
you really oughta go and check it out/

Paul said if Christ ain’t resurrect then we wasted our lives/
well that implies that our life’s built around Jesus being alive/
everyday I’m living tryin’ show the world why/
Christ is more than everything you’ll ever try/
better than pretty women and sinning and living
to get a minute of any women and men that you admire/

ain’t no lie/ We created for Him/
outta the dust he made us for Him/
Elects us and he saves us for Him/
Jesus comes and raises for Him/
Magnify the Father why bother with something lesser/
he made us so we could bless Him
and to the world we confess him/
resurrects him/

so I know I got life/
matter fact better man I know I got Christ/
if you don’t’ see His ways in my days and nights/
you can hit my brakes you can stop my lights/
man I lost my rights/
I lost my life/
forget the money cars and toss that ice/
the cost is Christ/
and they could never offer me anything on the planet that’ll cost that price.

Verse 2 (Dwayne Tryumph)
(Note: verse 2 is not part of the music video)

Armed and dangerous
So the devil jus can’t handle us
Christian youth them a stand wid us
Livin’ n driven/ given a vision/ fullfillin the commission he handed us

London to Los Angeles
Da rap evangelist
Ma daddy wouldn’t abandon us
“I gotta back pack fulla tracts plus I keep a Johnny Mac”
So are you ready to jam with us

So lets go, gimme the word an lets go
Persecution lets go
Tribulation lets go
Across the nation lets go
Procrastination bes go

Hung on the cross in the cold
Died for da young and the old
Can’t say you never know
Heaven knows
How many souls are going to hell or to heaven so we gotta go in and get em

Verse 3 (LeCrae)

Suffer/ Yeah do it for Christ
if you trying to figure what to do with your life/
if you making a lot money hope you doing it right
because the money is Gods you better steward it right/

stay focused
if you ain’t got no ride/
your life ain’t wrapped up in what you drive/
the clothes you wear
the job you work/
the color your skin naw you Christian first/

people living life for a job/
make a lil money start living for a car/
get em a house a wife kids and a dog/
when they retire they living high on the hog/
but guess what they didn’t ever really live at all/
to live is Christ yeah that’s Paul I recall/ to die is gain
so for Christ we give it all/
he’s the treasure you’ll never find in a mall/

Your money your singleness, marriage, talents, your time/
they were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine/
that’s why it’s Christ in my rhymes/
That’s why it’s Christ all the time/
see my whole world is built around him He’s the life in my lines/

I refuse to waste my life/
he’s too true ta chase that ice/
here’s my gifts and time cause I’m constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ/
If he’s truly raised to life/
then this news should change your life/
and by his grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights.