One more step

Transition. Yes, this is our living room.

One more step. 

Moving blankets = Crib for baby and Lydia

One step closer to being on "the field". Closer to the unknown and unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Further from comfort, ease and the routine. This week we are moving. Part of my heart is aching for the simple material comforts of what has been our home for six years. This little Cartersville townhouse became "ours" the day we were married. We spent our first summer "setting up house": painting, cleaning and bringing home wares from IKEA.  I love the color of the living room. I miss my chalkboard which I planned the weekly menu on. I look out to my beloved garden and know what will sprout this summer (where, what color it will be, when I planted it...). There are so many things Brian hung up on the now-blank walls "for me". 

Most of that stuff is gone, sold or given away. I am simultaneously saddened and happy. God blessed us with a great "moving sale" last weekend. And let me tell you about it. We sold just about everything. We made a good bit of money. We had numerous friends come over to play with Lydia, to help haggle, to help Brian move out the furniture and boxes of stuff into our yard and even make us lunch!

Making "deviled eggs" 

Empty living room means more room to ride the power wheels!

This Saturday we'll pack up a U-Haul with what remains: books, clothes, our bed, Lydia's furniture and kitchen stuff. We'll move into our temporary home, a house just a bit south of here, owned by our friends and faithful supporters. They are moving out and allowing us to live in the house as they get it ready to sell and put it on the market. It's amazing generosity; the gospel lived out. 

We have been blessed with so many things: selling our house, selling our stuff, having a place to move into, etc! We have been blessed with friends who help us move, clean, love Lydia, make us food and care for us! Yet, why am I so scared? (to quote Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music). 

This step...little compared with moving our family overseas to do ministry...is great, needed, but very real. I'm leaving home. I'm getting closer to leaving friends, family and all the scenery and backdrop I've ever known in being a wife and mother. It's quite scary; I have to admit. 

The reality of God's call on our lives is sinking in a bit more. Oh, how I pray for grace to embrace Him for all the wonder and joy He gives!

Books to Sell

ALL BOOKS are in good to like new condition. All prices include domestic shipping. If you need international shipping, we can discuss the shipping price. The link will take you to amazon.com for a picture.

If you would like to purchase any book, please email thestocks.ga@gmail.com. I will continue to add books in the coming weeks.

Theology
B. B. Warfield Ten-Volume Set (B003MJQXX4)  $130.00
The Sovereignty of God by Arthur Pink $6
Paul: An outline of his theology by Herman Ridderbos $25
Lectures on Calvinism by Abraham Kuyper $5
Praying Backwards by Bryan Chapell $6
The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God by John Frame $15
A Quest for Godliness by J. I. Packer $13
Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken $14
Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll $10

Commentaries Set (All sets are complete and in good condition)
John Calvin 22 Vol. Set (0801024404) $139.00
Hendriksen/Kistemaker New Testament Commentary 12 vol. set (0801026067)135.00
Martyn Lloyd Jones Exposition of Ephesians 8 vol. set (0801057930) 127.00

Single Commentaries
Martin Luther Commentary on Galatians - Modern English $10
Gleanings in Joshua by Arthur Pink (old binding) $6
Exposition of Hebrews by Arthur Pink (0801068576) $15
Galatians: NIV Application Commentary by Scot McKnight (0310484707) $10

The Bible Speaks Today Commentaries $8 EACH
Stott Sermon on the Mount
Stott Acts
Stott Romans
Stott Ephesians
Stott 1 Timothy & Titus
Stott 2 Timothy
Clowney 1 Peter

Books for March

Jonathan Edwards Lover of God by Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney

The writings of Jonathan Edwards define the definition of difficulty. Anybody who has sat down and read his work knows that when they finish they felt like they had been running 400 meter intervals rather than sitting in their reading chair. Is there any cliff notes? Better... Enter Jonathan Edwards: Lover of God, the first of five books in the Essential Edwards Collection. This book is a brief introduction of the life and thought of one of the greatest thinkers and theologians America has ever produced. It is short, clear, and helpful. Within each chapter, the authors drive between large quotations of Edward's writings and their insight commentary. After each chapter, the authors seek to apply Edward's life and idea to the reader's world. My reading of the book wet my appetite to read more of Edwards reminding me of his God-entranced vision of all things and joyous piety for the Lord. I give the book 8 out of 10 stars and look forward to reading others in this collection.

Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

I love this book. It whacked me like a pinata, inspired me to pursue great things, encouraged me as I have failed, and brought me to a clearer understanding of the disciplines of godliness in the grace of God. The author, R. Kent Hughes, is known for his expositional preaching at his local church. With years of exemplary preaching, Rev. Hughes packed this book full of solid biblical teaching, true-life stories, and practical advice as he sought to apply Paul's command in 1 Tim. 4:7-8 holistically, "Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Great book for any man (or boy who wants to be a man) especially all Christian men. I give the book a 9 out of 10 stars.


The Church Between Temple and Mosque by J. H. Bavinck
Unintentionally, this month I found myself reading two books on the relationship between the Christian faith and other religions. Often was the case where I thought to myself, "Didn't I just read this" yet I was thinking of the other book. Actually, it made for a greater understanding on the topic since each book approach the subject differently. The Church Between Temple and Mosque surveys the topic through sociology and theology. Bavinck argues for five magnetic points which are found within a fundamental unity in man: (1) I and the cosmos; (2) I and the norm; (3) I and the riddle of my existence; (4) I and salvation; and (5) I and the Supreme Being. From these magnetic points, the author shows where the Christian stands both in community with, and over against, other religions. The book is full of information on Hinduism and primitive religions which I gleaned from willingly. I give the book 8 out of 10 stars.


The Gospel in a Pluralist Society by Leslie Newbigin

On the flip side of the same topic, I read the philosophical work, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. In this classical work on the subject, the premise of the book is a treatise on understanding and living Christianity in an age of pluralism, and his primary argument is that the Christian faith is both contextual and relatively understood as well as universal and intended as truth for all. He bases his argument in a comparison with science, arguing that faith and science are both ways of knowing that have their own fundamental assumptions. One does not have to agree with every point to benefit from this work (and I had a few major disagreements). Newbigin's critique of doubt and pluralism "it's true for me" argument were helpful. Revelation in history as the Christian's starting point and the congregation living out the faith as a witness were also very helpful. If you venture to read this book, you must also know that half the book is chapters on epistemology (the study of knowledge) which if you are not expecting can get a little dry and/or overwhelming. I give the book 7 out of the 10 stars. 

Snapshots of March

There is only a few days left in March and for the Stocks, it was a great month! Here are some of the pictures which capture the extraordinary and ordinary days. 

Lydia's first green bean casserole, daddy's favorite, with mommy help for daddy's ordination party.

 

An afternoon outside. As Spring is here, the evenings are prefect for play.

  

A day with daddy. Lydia decides to take a nap with her friends.

  

One Wednesday, Mandy and Lydia came up to daddy's work. A prefect day to come up as the Red Bus Project, http://redbusproject.org/, was at Reinhardt. Check out the website for more information on this awesome cause. We had a picnic and walked into downtown Waleska for some ice cream.

Getting ready for church up in Summerville, Ga. Daddy and mommy had a support appointment with the First Pres. of Summerville. What can you say? Lydia's outfit was adorable!!!

Art project with mommy! A house and a person.

The faces of Lydia:

Excited

Funny!

Surprised!

Funny again!

Yup there is more! Daddy makes a tent! All of Lydia's friends are inside and having a party!

We are looking at the stars!

Mommy sneaks up with the camera to capture Lydia playing by herself!

It's a GIRL!!!

Three days stand out in a nine month pregnancy more than all the others: the first day (the day you find out your expecting), the last day (when you meet your baby) and your "twenty week" appointment. This past Friday, we experienced the "twenty week" ultrasound appointment. Actually, Mandy was in the eighteenth week at the time of the appointment, but it was the first appointment we could get without going far beyond 20 weeks. And we were itching to see our baby. So, with Lydia dropped off at the Carden's, a place she loves, we headed northeast to the doctor's office. The appointment went very well and the ultrasound lady took over 60 stills at every angle. As far as she could say and we saw, our baby is a healthy, petite little girl. We thank the Lord for knitting His wonderful work (Ps. 139:13-14).

Hi! Little girl number 2! We can't wait to meet you!

Love at first sight! We love you with the amazing of love of God towards us!

All five toes and cute as a button!

Four Kids, Two Pregnant Women and a Zoo Pass

8:30 am : Text from Christina -- "Feeling adventurous? Let's take the kids to the zoo." I called her back, because as Christina quickly remembered I get billed 30 cents for each text. She bought me Starbucks to cover it and up to 20 other infractions. By 9:30 we were on our way to the zoo....all 8 of us (6 kids....4 on the outside, 2 in utero...and 2 moms). 

From the title of this post you may assume we didn't have much time for taking pictures. You would be right, but I managed to snag a few of Stock and Fisher fun. 

The Fisher kids (Abby, Jacob and Caleb) all dressed in blue in case one wandered off from his/her color-coded siblings. 

A four-person teeter-totter? Perfect!

The cutest of the four...well, I'm biased.

We're working on an arranged marriage.

After the zoo, before nap...that middle stage when Mommy gives you a handful of cotton candy to keep you awake in a sugar coma for the drive home. 

Ordination Service

Photo Essay of the Ordination Service | MARCH 4, 2012

Acts 13:1-3: “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

As the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul), today, He still sets apart ministers of the gospel to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to all the nations.

2 Timothy 1:6-7: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

The office of elder is a gift of God and an anointing from God. Symbolized by the elders laying their hands, the power and unction of the Holy Spirit falls upon the officer. I realize more than ever my need for the Holy Spirit to empower my preaching and ministry for as Timothy was, I am timid and weak living out of fear rather than God wrought power, love, and self-control. 

2 Timothy 4:1-2: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

A common charge for a minister of the gospel yet it never gets old but is stirred afresh in a pastor's heart. Preach the Word is the work of the teaching elder. There is a weighty happiness in this charge to my heart. There is a great joy in me to know Jesus through the Word and proclaim His love and authority to His people. And there is a great responsibility on me from God to be ready at all times, teach it accurately, and use it wisely and winsomely.

Romans 12:10: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Before the benediction, I took the liberty to honor those who have been a great and necessary influence in my call. Firstly, I thanked the Lord God, triune in nature, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Lord granted me the gift of perseverance to stay the course over these past seven years of seminary (5 years), MTW missionary approval (3 years), and ordination (2 years). It was His gospel of “everlasting love” in Christ which sustained my long journey. Knowing my identity and worth was not in me or any accomplishment I achieved, but I was “in Christ” and He was my identity kept me a float. So, when major roadblocks came, and they did, I could say as Paul did, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8). I wasn’t crushed because my identity, worth, value, love was security in Christ and nothing could take that away. The  application of the gospel allowed me to deal with the roadblocks, repent of my sin, and move forward in my call.

Secondly, I thanked my church, Christ Community Church. Particularly, I thanked my small groups over the years and my pastor, Rev. Mike Glass. As I said during the ordination service, I came to Christ Community young, arrogant, and immature. I didn’t know a thing about ministry, but I thought I knew everything. Pride was my sin. Yet, my pastor patiently care for me and gave me small bits and pieces of ministry. He spoke words of tenderness or toughness when I needed them. I still remember him sharing 1 Peter 5:5-7 with me. “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Seven plus years the Lord has worked through my relationship with my pastor so that I could begin to clothe myself with humility rather than the pride I had, and God is faithful “at the proper time” to exalt me to do his work so that He may get the glory alone. 

Genesis 2:18: “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

As I said, seven years ago, I started this journey towards the ministry. I entered seminary a bachelor. And the Lord knew I needed a helper fit for me. The Lord, in His kindness, brought Mandy into my life. Our lives intersected and soon after He made them one.

I had the joy to honor my wife. Proverbs 31:10: “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” Mandy is my encourager, support, lover, helper and friend. I love you!

Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

And now, finally, the benediction!

Books for February 2012

Revolution in World Missions by K. P. Yohannan
Awhile ago, I was given this book and have been eager ever since to read it. The book tracts the author's story on how his ministry, Gospel for Asia, was started. In this sense, it is an autobiography work and reads quick and enjoyable. Gospel for Asia is doing great work raising up native missionaries and sending them out all over South Asia. Their focus on preaching the Gospel to a lost and dying world was refreshing to hear. However, overall, the best word for author's methodology for missions in this book is unbalanced. For example, the author is thankful for the Western missionaries were sent to parts of Asia and began great works, but now that the church has been born, he strongly urges no Western missionaries to come and let the native Christians to do the work, but we need Western money so send that over. Or, the author stands vehemently against the Western church's big church buildings and material possessions, yet he feeds upon the church's wealth to support his ministry. This is unbiblical and unbalanced.  I give the 6 out of 10 stars.


Leaders who Last by Dave Kraft
Paul writes at the end of his ministry, "I have fought the fight, I have kept the faith, and I have finished the race" Most leaders today cannot say this at the end of their ministry for only 30% of ministry leaders who begin last to the end. As I am entering into ministry, I want to be one of those 30% if the Lord's allows. This drew me to read this book. The best gift the author gives is the title of the book. The book is a combination of some Bible verses and business principles. I felt that there could have been so much more from the author as he has been in the ministry for over 40 years. To give Kraft the benefit of the doubt, this was his first book he had written. I think if I knew Dave and learned from him in person (rather than reading this book), I would have bought more into the meat of his methodology for being a leader. I give the book 5 out of 10 stars.

The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbs
A best seller in its time (1600s), The Bruised Reed offers sweet grace to a weary and sin-bruised soul reminding me "that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us". It is hard to capture Sibbs' exposition of grace from Isaiah 42:1-3 in any brief way. Full of vivid imagery coupled with solid, Biblical truth for the mind and "sweet inducements and divine encouragements" for the affections comforted my soul. The language is dated making it harder to understand, but worth it. I foresee re-reading Sibbs' work again and again. I give the book 9 out of 10 stars.

When Daddy found out about Spa day...

I pull up in the driveway and get out of my car. I walk up to the front door of my house looking forward to see my girls. I open the door and what do I hear. "Daddy, look at my toes!" Yup, that was the first words I heard out of Lydia's mouth. Mommy, all smiles, said, "We are having a spa day!" How fun and how beautiful are my two girls!