Daniel James Matías

We are very thankful for God’s blessing us with our baby boy on Saturday evening; and we praise Him for His grace and strength. We pray that our son will carry the gospel further than we ever will—for the sake of the name and fame of Jesus!

JDC at BJU

Yesterday J.D. Crowley (EMU missionary in Cambodia) preached the first of four messages during Missions Emphasis Week at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC:

A Christian is someone who cannot bear the thought that there are places on earth where God is not famous. We make Him famous by talking about Him—not only by giving propositions but by recounting what He has done. The Story revealed in the Bible was unknown in northeastern Cambodia. It is unknown in much of the world. It is increasingly unknown in the United States. Propositions alone—apart from the contextual Story—are incomplete. “Hobbits are remarkable creatures”; “Friendship is important”; and “Sometimes you have to walk alone” have much more meaning within a much larger context.

An Offer

I believe that a man named Jesus was both a powerful prophet and the only Son of God. I believe that He was and is the rightful King—not only of the Jewish people but of every nation of the world. Both the Jews and the nations—and I myself, for I wanted no such king—nailed his living body to a wooden cross. We sinned against Him and against the Father when we did this; and we are responsible. But our doing so was by God’s design and was a fulfillment of the writings of God’s prophets. Jesus was offering His own innocent life and shedding His own blood to pay the penalty that my sin deserved and that God's holiness and law demand. He was purchasing a people for Himself, a people that God would graciously call “righteous” on the basis of their God-given faith—a people that God would relentlessly mold and change until they each would look like His own Son, who will thus be “firstborn” (preeminent) among them, His brethren. I believe that He is alive! Trustworthy witnesses saw both the empty tomb and the living Lord. And He has commissioned His people, the church, to make other disciples of Jesus—of all the nations.

If you are an unhappy sinner, come join us! (If you aren’t, then Jesus offers you no hope.) Deny yourself and come to Jesus—the only way to the Father, and the only valid Priest—and throw all your weight upon Him. He will forgive. He will give life!

For Sale

Though it may seem trivial, please pray for a successful yard sale (and good weather) this coming Saturday.

The timing is poor, as it coincides with a church work day to prepare the site for the beginning of a major building project. However, we are—frankly—out of time and out of space (in more ways than one). With a second baby due before the end of the month, an 802-square-foot house, an abundance of accumulated things, and plans to leave the country—we must continue to downsize. So if you live anywhere east of the Mississippi, please come and buy lots of stuff. (Since returning from Alaska, distances have lost all intimidation.) The house is not on the market (at least not yet); but for the right price, it might be. Just ask; maybe we can work something out.

An unrelated note: We have a new cell phone number. If you need to know it, let us know.

Templo Calvario

Templo Calvario (Calvary Temple) in Montevideo is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Services are being held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (October 8-10). A pastor from Spain, who came to Christ after hearing the gospel from a Uruguayan lady teaching children, will be speaking. Please pray for "the Word of the Lord to run and be glorified."