I was there to sign copies of my latest book Are You Fit For Life. We had a great group show up and I ended up signing books for two hours one day and one hour the next. It was a lot of fun to meet great people and participate in the conference. By the way, you can get information about the book at www.fitforlifebook.com.
One of our evenings was spent at a dinner with my publisher, Crossway, and the release party for the brand new English Standard Study Bible. I have been studying and preaching with the ESV for some time now and many in our church have also adopted this new, and beautifully accurate translation of God’s Word. I highly recommend it. Now the Study Bible is due to be on sale in bookstores in October. Go to www.crossway.org for more information. This will be the most comprehensive, clear and conservative Study Bible ever produced. I can’t wait to get my hands on one! Of course we will carry them in our Prestonwood Bookstores as soon as they are available.
The picture here is of me and British scholar and author Dr. J.I. Packer (on the right) and the dynamic young pastor of the amazing Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington, Mark Driscoll. Dr. Packer is a theological hero for many of us and is the general editor of the ESV and chief consultant for the Study Bible. We all had a great time celebrating and anticipating the upcoming release of the Study Bible which will be a gift to the church in our generation.
Have you ever wondered if a person can really change? If you know anything about baseball you most likely follow the story of Texas Ranger outfielder, Josh Hamilton. In 1999, Josh was the #1 draft choice in major league baseball, but a series of bad choices took this straight arrow kid from North Carolina down the road of drug and alcohol addition. Like a prodigal son, he wasted everything and nearly threw his life and future away. Banned from baseball and living in desperation, there seemed to be no hope for Josh. But the faithful love of his young wife and her family and a loving confrontation with his grandmother brought Josh back from the brink - Jesus changed his life. From crack cocaine, heroin and alcohol addiction, his life was transformed. Forgiven and free in Christ he was able to conquer his addiction and was restored to his faith, family, and baseball career. With very little minor league experience, this five-tooled ballplayer made it all the way to current stardom in the Big Leagues. He is the greatest talent I have seen in a generation. He has
Mantle/Mays kind of talent (that’s for all you baseball fans). So after a great half season in Texas and being voted an American League All Star, Josh stunned the sports world with an unbelievable display of Home Run power that few have ever seen. In the historic Yankee Stadium during Monday night’s Home Run Derby, Josh captured the hearts of sports fans everywhere. Hitting ball after ball deep into the night and setting the Home Run Derby record, the “Hambino” shared the reason why he was there – God, through “His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” changed his life. A dream was now a reality – telling the world of the power of Jesus to change a life. It is an amazing story of grace and redemption.
Josh Hamilton is a witness to what Jesus can do with a life given over to Him. So Sunday, I’m going to be speaking on How A Person Can Really Change. The answer is in God’s Word found in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. If you can’t join us at Prestonwood, go to our website and watch the streaming video www.powerpoint.org of our eleven o’clock service. I can’t wait to tell this story of Jesus and His Power to save. Leave a comment and tell me how Jesus changed your life – Jack.
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3 comments:
Thank you for your message on Josh Hamilton. I will be watching for your message on the Daystar Net. Sunday. I lead a Bible study every Thursday night to a group of men who struggle with addiction. It is a Christ centered recovery program. I shared the Josh Hamilton story. I speak every week about the life changeing power of Jesus Christ, it is awsome when the whole world can see it right before our eyes. God Bless you. I listen to your message every morning on XM Radio.
I am a member of Prestonwood and a huge baseball fan (Go Cubs!) I can identify with Josh Hamilton and I love the way he represents our Lord on the national stage. I have overcome my own addiction/habit through the power of Jesus Christ. I now have over 4 years of clean time, praise God. Prestonwood has played a huge part in my recovery and I am happy to be involved in the Celebrate Recovery ministry. I know that God delivered me not only for my own good, but so that he can use me for his purpose. I continue to pray for knowledge of his will for me and the power to carry it out. I had the privilege of meeting you and sharing my story at a basketball game a few years ago. You have been a huge inspiration and encouragement to me. Thank you for your leadership, support, and most of all, your unwavering focus on Jesus. Please continue to encourage those struggling with hurts, habits, and hang-ups to attend our Celebrate Recovery on Monday nights in the chapel. I have seen real change in many and I can't wait to see what God will do next.
Pastor Jack,
I know you are man of God. I just finished my first season as Assistant Coach for local Junior College Baseball team. PTL ... that we won the State Championship for California. It was great to witness and shared to the players and coaches I was with about Jesus. Two years after I was saved, the Lord taught me a new understanding what he did at the cross and his finished work. I know there are many people out there in the world, that need the Lord. That there is hell to avoid and know there heaven to gain. We need to share to them about God's love and his wonderful grace. I can't wait to see you again in person Pastor Jack.
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