chronology

I have been working on chronologies of the Old Testament recently – which is turning into both an exceptionally enlightening project, and a complicated one!

My first draft of chronologizing Genesis is complete. All entries are done using whole years. I have also completed the first draft of the chronology of Exodus through Joshua.

My approach is simple: since I believe the Bible to be God’s Holy Word, recorded correctly and preserved through time for us, I take it at face value. For historical narratives, I follow the fundamental hermeneutic that it means exactly what it says.

From that basic principle, I have read the entirety of Genesis several times, finding important dates and spans of time to add to my timeline.

I will be uploading the Exodus – Joshua timeline when I have had a chance to add more than the initial “hilites” of those books.

See the chart here (XLS).

church hunted

Following-up with last week’s post, my wife and I have joined Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington KY.

She has already engaged in their Awana program on Wednesday evenings, and has started working with their women’s ministry – so much so that she was asked to setup a facebook group for them (which she has!) to help coordinate all the folks who might be interested in learning about or utilizing the women’s ministry at Porter.

church hunting

For several months, my wife and I have been church hunting in the Lexington area… a process far more difficult than we had anticipated!

Our main goals have been these, in the order of priority:

  1. Must preach from the Bible
  2. No women in prominent leadership roles (deacons or pastors)
  3. An excited community of believers who want to worship together
  4. Biblical songs – and not done in a “performance” fashion
  5. A community of folks our age to get to know
  6. It needs to be church – not a media festival
  7. Paid staff should need to exist, and should be minimal outside the pastors

Several other smaller issues have floated through our minds as we’ve discussed various places, both before and after our visits: version of the Bible utilized, views on non-central issues, etc.

One place we visited is no longer operating – we don’t know why, and don’t want to.

Another turned out to have a performance-oriented music program (ie, the choir sang, and the congregation could join or not, but more did the “not” than the “did”). They also had a couple women pastors that we thought were more along the lines of support staff.

Another used a version of the Bible we both have issues with from exegetical and expositional points-of-view.

However, the most recent place we have visited, we have returned-to – the first place we’ve considered coming back to, and we’ve now visited not only their morning service, but one of the Sunday School classes, and last night went to find out more about all the things the church is involved-in in the community, state, nation, and globe. Porter Memorial Baptist Church is located just south of Man-O-War on Nicholasville Rd in Lexington. That puts it about 15 minutes from our apartment – a very accessible distance.

The Sunday School class we’ve started attending is the Young Married one, led a by one of the young married folks, Chandler.

Being without a “home” church has been hard on both of us, and we’re hoping to be able to link-in with one soon – maybe Porter will be that link for us 🙂

Bible study cross-reference service

It’s been several years in the making, and will be a continually-added-to tool (I hope!), but I am finally nearing the releasability of a Bible study cross-referencing tool to see what books on your shelf (or on Amazon’s ;)) cover a passage you are interested in learning more about for personal, group, or church settings.

As soon as it is fully ready, another announcement will be posted here.

57 and 38

Today was my aunt’s birthday. If she were still here, she would be 57. Just under two years ago, she passed away. I know she’s in a much better place now, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less that she’s not here any more.

In 38 days, I will be marrying the most amazing girl I’ve ever met.

I know Cindy would be thrilled with Christina, and would’ve loved adding a new niece.

I wish there had been the opportunity for them to meet – but while there isn’t in this life, there will be in the next.

Cindy, you were loved and are missed.

Christina – I love you!

Far Side Banks of Jordan (various artists)

I believe my steps are growing wearier each day
Still I’ve got a journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me wanna stay
And my one regret is leaving you behind.

If it proves to be his will that I am first to go
And somehow I’ll be feeling it will be
When it comes your times to travel like wise don’t feel lost
For I will be the first one that you’ll see.

And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be waiting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming I will rise up with the shout
And come running through he shallow waters reaching for your hand.

— Instrumental —

Through this life we’ve labored hard to earn our meager fare
It’s brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
I’ll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come then we’ll see paradise.

And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be waiting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming I will rise up with the shout
And come running through he shallow waters reaching for your hand.

And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be waiting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming I will rise up with the shout
And come running through he shallow waters reaching for your hand…