<body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar.g?targetBlogID\x3d29783641\x26blogName\x3devbc+%7C+gilbert\x26publishMode\x3dPUBLISH_MODE_BLOGSPOT\x26navbarType\x3dSILVER\x26layoutType\x3dCLASSIC\x26searchRoot\x3dhttps://evbcgilbert.blogspot.com/search\x26blogLocale\x3den_US\x26v\x3d2\x26homepageUrl\x3dhttp://evbcgilbert.blogspot.com/\x26vt\x3d1599725713044511666', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe", messageHandlersFilter: gapi.iframes.CROSS_ORIGIN_IFRAMES_FILTER, messageHandlers: { 'blogger-ping': function() {} } }); } }); </script>
evbc | gilbert
 

updates

Well, after almost a month of posting anything of relative significance, I'm back! I thought I'd take this post to give a number of updates on some things going on in my life, family, church, and ministry.

Personal
-I am back on a reading through the Bible in a year plan. This year I'm going to attempt the Discipleship Journal Book-at-a-Time Plan. I didn't make it last year, but I'm off to a good start. This year, I bought a fresh ESV Pew Bible with no markings. It's nice.

-I'm reading a number of good books right now, Humility (CJ Mahaney), Salvation Belongs to the Lord (John Frame), and In Christ Alone (Sinclair Ferguson). I'm reading chunks when I can and finding my heart refreshed by the most important things.

-Molly and I just finished the PF Chang's Half-Marathon for the second year. We finished in 2:15.39, which is almost five minutes faster than last year. I think it's my last race, since I can no longer think of a good reason to run more than six miles.

-My seminary work is going well and I'm almost finished with my most recent course, "Gospels and Acts" (I'm currently pursuing an M.A. from Reformed Theological Seminary). Also, I just started an elective course at Phoenix Seminary with Dr. Wayne Grudem called "Biblical Theology of Law, Politics, and Government." With Dr. Grudem's permission, I hope to post some of the notes from the course. At the least, I'll be posting my reactions in upcoming weeks.

-I am now using Google Reader to keep track of the different blogs I read. If you are a blog reader, you need this.

Family
-I'm spending time outside on our new backyard playground. A family member was extraordinarily gracious in giving us this for Christmas and Abby loves it.

-I'm taking a class at the gym with Abby called "Tornado Toddlers" where we play and sing and play with parachutes and legos and balls. It's a special time every week.

-We're all sharing the excitement about my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding to a wonderful guy. Emily and Mike are a delight to us and we're looking forward to their wedding this summer.

-Molly and I have had some great dates and good time together over the last few weeks. She is the most impressive person I know.

Church/Ministry
-This weekend is the EVBC Men's Retreat. I'm looking forward to it. There is still some space available to register here.

-I kicked off a weekly time with a handful of Gilbert leaders and will be investing in them for the next few months. I hope to regularly do this and am sure I will be blessed more than them.

-We're still praying that God would continue the work of grace that he's been doing in our church despite some of the pressures and difficulty we've faced over the last few months. I don't know exactly what the future holds, but I'm looking forward to it.

There