In the devotionals I'm writing in Portuguese and translating into English, I'm on a Psalms-and-Proverbs kick. If all works out well, I'll put them in book form at year's end—in Portuguese, no plans for English. I went back and picked out the ones I'd already done in 2013 from these two books. So far, I have 52 pages in a 10.5 x 18 cm format.
The working title is "God Is Good and Does Good" from Psa 119.68. The title sounds better in Portuguese ...
Heard Nick Fowler, missionary to Belém, Brazil, sponsored by the Mt Juliet TN congregation, teach class tonight. Enjoyed his dynamic discussion about the gospel and decisions on what it takes to be a missionary. His wife Amy taught a ladies class, says The Missus. We enjoyed meeting Nick at Polishing the Pulpit last week and getting to visit a bit with him.
• Seems more complicated getting appointments set up with churches this time around, is most certainly my dullness or slowness.
• Come be with us for the Preachers Files Lectures in Middleton, Tenn., Sept. 6-8. I speak Saturday on "You can be sure of the power of the gospel." I'm still seeing how we're going to get from here to there.
• The Concise Bible Commentary I bought real cheap (about $2 or so) is very concise. Especially in the Psalms, where I've been reading of late. Overall, I wonder if it is too much so to be of much use. Stay tuned.
• Tomorrow night, a meet with the Mt Juliet missions committee, at their request; at least, that's the word I got.
• One suggestion, among many good ones, given tonight in Nick's class on what's necessary to be a missionary: "Have faith." Sounds simplistic, but it's one of the basic ones. If you don't really believe that it's the Lord's will that the gospel be taken to all peoples in all places, you'll stay home. If you really believe it, you will go. Have faith, will travel.
Preacher, elder, teacher: When was the last time you read a book about evangelism? How many books have you read on all kinds of topics since you last read a book on evangelism? What is your mission?
God of words and revelation, may someone be blessed today by what I write or have already written. Above all, may someone be led to you and your Word as I point to you.
May I never underestimate the power of words, nor the potency of holy Scripture, to change a life and redirect a soul toward its eternal destiny. May I speak with a view to how the hearer will understand and if he will perceive in my words the Spirit of Christ.