Done with the New Testament...
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We just finished the New Testament...and the students are off on Christmas break, heading all across the country today, back to the places from which they came (Texas, Hawaii, Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, Ontario, Illinois, all over North Carolina).
It's always weird for me to think about the scattering that happens at breaks...I walk around the empty campus and it's so obvious to me that the lifeblood of the program is the people. I'm so thankful for this community, so full of life, full of God...each person a part of it by the sovereign direction and leading of the Lord. I'm aware that this year's school, these people, and these moments together are precious once-in-a-lifetime gifts from God. It's clear to me today, standing around with Jessie the camp dog, and an empty campground, that my focus needs to be to not ever take one of these days God has given us together for granted.
Many of our students are still looking for additional tuition money to finish the school. Quarter 3 payment is due Jan 3. Pray for God's provision, and if you feel lead to be a part of it, let me know...tphillips@camplurecrest.org
merry christmas
Tom
Meet Wren Francis
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| Katie and baby Wren |
Subscribe in a readerWe're rejoicing today at the birth of John and Katie's daughter Wren. Born yesterday. Katie was the third side of the ESBS 2010-11 staff triangle of trust...with Scott and I....:).... We loved spending a year with her and John, and we're so fired up about Wren's arrival...we've got a spot saved for her at the school for 2030.
Congratulations John and Katie
Student blog
Subscribe in a readerGod continues to break things wide open in the lives of the students in this year's class. I'm so encouraged by what God is doing. In many ways the curriculum/study/lecture/classroom stuff etc. is just a backdrop for the real business God does in the hearts of each student as they experience what I would call "real christianity"...that is, a community of people who don't pretend to be someone they aren't...who don't ignore real issues/conflict and struggles...and who at the end of the day strive to look at each other through the redemptive lense of the gospel.
I love that about this school, and I continually hear from students that they've not experienced a community quite like this one before. I'm sad to hear that, but I'm also thankful that God is helping us create an atmosphere here of authentic christianity...real life...and real fellowship.
I'd encourage everyone to get to know our students more intimately through reading their weekly blog posts. There is a link to the blog page at the bottom of our school web-page...or just click here
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
Subscribe in a readerThis 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.