Welcome Post

Welcome to my blog. I have never done such a thing before, but decided that in 2011 I would try to make a change in the way I have my quiet time and this is part of it. For many years, about 15, I have been reading the entire Bible on even numbered years and on the odd numbered years I have been reading 3 chapters a day from the New Testament which takes me through 4 times per year. This has been an extremely rewarding adventure, but to be honest with you, myself and most of all God, I admit that, far too often, the reading has not been accompanied by the proper reflection. So this year I want to try something new. My goal for this year is to work my way through the New Testament only once. But as I do, I want to take more time to GLEAN and apply the glorious truths from God's Word. Along the way I want to keep a journal of some basic outlines, a sort of "message to self". Then I decided that some of these thoughts might be helpful to others, so that is where this blog come to mind.

I have one basic goal:

Complete some basic outlines from the entire New Testament in 2011 and then blog some of what I GLEAN in reflections with you.

My purpose is two fold:

1. Grow to love and worship God more deeply.

2. Learn the Word of God more completely.

This blog has a three fold reason:

1. That I might encourage you.

2. That you might encourage me.

3. That you might encourage one another.

In order for me to encourage you, you must read my posts. In order for you to encourage me, you must leave comments. In order for you to encourage one another you must not only leave comments but read one another's comments.

Now I am not looking for pats on the back, more like kicks in the pants, so if you see me falling behind feel free to hold me accountable. But more precisely, I would encourage you to share any insights you might have on text under consideration as well as how it might have encouraged or challenged you. May God use us as we "consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24).

Comments

  1. Fabiana M. BraunJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Olá Gary!
    Eu sou a Fabi, que estudou no IMPV!
    Vi o link do seu blog no facebook da Mishaela e quero dizer que eu mei essa sua idéia!
    É ótimo poder ler e compartilhar da nossa fé!
    Lembro me até hoje das nossas aulas e as vezes me sinto triste de não ter aproveitado tanto as aulas como devia, pois hoje sinto muita falta e queria aprender muuito mais de aconselhamento bíblico e da nossa fé!
    Obrigada pelo investimento que fizeste em minha vida.
    Deus abençõe você e toda a sua família!

    Grande abraço com Saudades

    Fabiana Moreira

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gary ParkerJanuary 8, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Fabi, Que legal que voce achou o blog. Como vai seu Ingles? Espero que possa ser edificante para voce. Tem sido bem edificante para mim mesmo que ninghem mais venha a ler para mim esta valendo toda pena. Foi um prazer investir na sua vida e voce sempre tem sido um exemplo de alegria. So tenho uma coisa contra voce: A vez que voce me enganou com suma irma gemia. Forte abraco. Gary

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than any of the other people of his
Read more

1 Timothy 2:11-15

Let a woman learn quietly   with all submissiveness.    I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.    For Adam was formed first,   then Eve;   and Adam was not deceived, but   the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.    Yet she will be saved through   childbearing—if they continue in   faith and love and holiness, with self-control. There is certainly controversy and confusion about this passage in many churches today.  The idea of a distinction between men and women and their roles in the family and church certainly goes against the flow of many cultures around the world.  Some would argue that the literal and plain teaching of this passage is no longer applicable to today’s culture.  However, it is always dangerous to discard biblical teaching or try to interpret Scripture based on the cultures in which we live.  Certainly, the Spirit who inspired this text was aware of the many changes that would occur in future cul
Read more

1 Timothy 1:1-2

Paul,   an apostle of Christ Jesus   by command of   God our Savior and of Christ Jesus   our hope, To Timothy,   my true child in the faith:   Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. The true sign of maturity is multiplication.  Believers, churches, and ministries that do not reproduce are not demonstrating true maturity.  One of the key characteristics we can identify in Paul’s ministry is that he was constantly reproducing godly believers who were faithfully following the Lord.  Evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training are the hallmarks of mature ministers and ministries.   THE APOSTLE: Paul was called by God to be an Apostle.  Though Paul converted after the resurrection and assentation of Jesus, he met Jesus in the road to Damascus and was instructed by Jesus in the desert.  Paul considered himself to be the least of the Apostles because he persecuted the church and did not walk with Jesus on earth like the other Apostles.  However, God had
Read more