I am up to $22,995! I cannot wrap my mind around how much money that is. That’s like another year of tuition at Auburn that people (like some of you!) have freely given me! Thank you a million times!
God is a good provider, not one who, like an indulgent parent, spoils his child with excess, teaching him nothing, but rather He is a provider who patiently and consistently dispenses the proper amount of blessing, teaching his child to value the wisdom and care of the Giver rather than his gift.
I am confident that the Lord will provide the remaining $4,625.75 for me to move to campus and then the additional $4,874.25 to reach 100% for the year. All these numbers seem small in light of a God who parted waters, healed the sick, turned water in to wine, and raised a dead man. All worry and doubt seem irrational in light of a God who chooses those that were enemies to his nature and calls them to Himself and to certain and future completion.
In other news, if you do not already know, interns have a study program that we work through over the course of the two-year internship. In addition to working through the Bible we read books on theology and ministry. The idea is that by reading these books and using our minds to engage every point we will be better equipped to love and serve students.
As I said in a previous post, I am grateful that RUF does not ground itself on a method of evangelism. (Not that having a strategy is necessarily a bad thing.) The books we read are not “how-tos” on witnessing or spiritual improvement. They are books that explore the Gospel from different angles and with emphasis on different components of it. Our goal in reading is always more exposure to the bare-bones Gospel in the belief that ministry springs up organically where the seed of Truth has taken root.
So, all that to say, you should read Putting Amazing Back Into Grace, by Michael Horton, which I just finished reading for July. Simply put, it’s the best book on understanding grace, particularly justification, that I have ever read. And for all you “reformed” people out there, Mr. Horton does of fabulous job of walking through some of the foundational tenants of reformed theology.
The subtitle on my copy of the book rhetorically asks, “Who Does what in Salvation?” It seems like a fairly obvious answer, but something about the way Horton explains it makes it seem quite radical. He makes bold claims, supports them, and doesn’t back down. (Everyone has time to read something like that. Yep, even you!)
And not having the money to buy it is not an excuse, either 🙂 I found a retro copy from ’94 on half.com for 75 cents + shipping. (Putting that support money to good economical use!) You can find it here: http://product.half.ebay.com/_W0QQprZ399308
I recommend the retro copy. You never go wrong with retro.
April Goes to Clemson 