ESBS OFFERS LOGOS/IVP SOFTWARE FOR FREE!

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We're really excited to announce that beginning next year the best Bible education will also come with the best Bible study software...free

We're offering, as a part of student tuition, the Logos Bible Study Library AND the IVP Essential Reference Collection to each student.  A $5000 + value in print!  Essentially we'll be giving the students an electronic copy of our entire ESBS resource library + 275 other amazing reference books and study tools.

Here's why we're doing it:  We realize that when students leave the ESBS they're just beginning a lifetime of solid Bible study on their own.  We want them to leave with a library that will enable and empower them to keep studying, go deeper, and continue to dig into the Bible.  While they're here they'll become experts at using these resources as they study through each book, and now they'll get to take them home for a lifetime....

Check out the Logos package here...http://www.logos.com/product/10412/bible-study-library

Check out the IVP Package here...http://www.logos.com/product/8588/the-essential-ivp-reference-collection-version-3

2 Corinthians

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This week we're studying 2 Corinthians  There is so much to say about that book, its impact on the prosperous boom-town of Corinth, and the impact it can have on our western culture and world today.

Paul, in second Corinthians, goes after the Corinthian misconception that "success" in life and ministry can be measured in stuff:...in accomplishments, possessions, image...in externals.  His message is incredibly challenging to our performance oriented culture.  On the surface, Im quick to deny that I truly judge success in those terms, but if I look deeper it becomes clear that in some ways I do.  For me, the obvious clue pointing in that direction is how quickly I wonder where God is when the hard times hit.  In 2 Corinthians Paul over and over holds up his hardship as evidence of God's refining and mysterious presence in his life.  My default setting is to assume God's ABSENCE in those times, not his PRESENCE.

Anyway...great book, we're having fun studying it...listen along if you want...the podcasts should be up next week on our website (last years series on 2 Cor is up now..)

FYI...thanks for praying for James Pitts last week.  After 5 days of a high fever he was diagnosed with strep throat, given antibiotics, and has since recovered perfectly.

PRAYER NEED

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For the past 4 days Scott Pitts' 2 year old son (James) has had a fever of 100+.    Scott is one of our full-time staff members...a crucial link in the ESBS chain.  As you can imagine, they are concerned, especially in light of their 4 year old son Isaac, and his very serious fever two years ago.

Today the fever is running as high as 104.5.

Let's pray that God heals James, and comforts Scott and Carla as they deal with the situation.

Prayer Room

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ESBS prayer room in the ranch house

So, after 5 years, and a lot of talk about what a good idea it would be...we finally have a prayer room at the ESBS...and I for one am really excited about it.  Here's why:  

I've been doing this job long enough, and have become sufficiently good at the "mechanics" of running the school that I now clearly run the risk of leaving God completely out of it.  On one hand it seems ridiculous to talk about leaving God out of a Bible school, but on the other hand anyone who knows anything about the routine of real life (diapers, bottles, bills, blisters...whatever...) knows that its entirely possible to leave God out of just about anything when you feel like a juggler with 10 balls in the air.

I don't want to chug along running an OK school, living an OK life, having an OK marriage, being an OK dad, simply because I feel like things are...well...OK...so I never sit still and let God in.  The challenge for me, and the reason for the prayer room, is to acknowledge the reality that life is about knowing God, and that when we listen we hear...and learn...and our lives head towards those little surprises God reserves for those who don't miss the cues.  

I love that about God.  That's my favorite part about knowing him really...the surprises...the wild and strange way that he leads us...in ways and towards places so unlike what we would ever intend or imagine.  I don't want to miss that any more than I already have.   

"I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (psalm 27:14)

Dawn Masucci in the h-iz-ouse..

Mark and Dawn Masucci

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We're pleased to have Dawn Masucci back on campus this week teaching 1 Corinthians.  Dawn is a favorite with the students every year she comes.  I'd encourage everyone to listen to her lectures on 1 Corinthians (coming this week on our audio page)...you won't regret it!  Such an amazing book!

Dawn, and her husband Mark are on staff full-time with YWAM Montana where they head up "SBS International," the organization responsible for overseeing all of the SBS schools across the world.  Dawn has also just recently begun a leadership coaching organization, "Leadership 13", which partners with ministries for a one year period of leadership training and organizational coaching.

Anyhooo...we're fired up to have Dawn here this week, she's a YWAM legend, a great personal friend, and an amazing teacher.

Tom