Embracing Joblessness!

Its official- We are crazy! I have stepped down from my role as youth director at CrossPointe Church. It has become apparent over the past few months that full-time ministry, full-time seminary and full-time family cannot all be done well without burning out or something worse. I will be looking for part-time work and will be spending more time building our support team. I am trying to remember the last time I have not had a job, and I had to go back to age 14. The year 1982! That is a long, long time. We are committed to seminary and the opportunity God has provided with Redeemer seminary here in Austin.
Thanks for your support, thanks for your prayers, and thanks for coming along for this crazy ride with us.

New Home

Thanks for all of your prayers! We have successfully moved out of our old home and the new owners have moved in. Our new home in Mayfield Ranch. The plan is to move in on January 8th. The great news is the home is lovely, new (built in 2007), and in a really nice neighborhood. We are eager to move our stuff and get settled in. Thanks again to all of you for your prayers, support, and encouragement over the past few months.

Redeemer Seminary Houston in the news

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/7268753.html

Redeemer Austin in one of two recent locations added in Texas from the mothership in Dallas. Take a look! Good overview of what we believe God is doing in the church and more specifically through Reformed teaching.

Proverbs 31 wife

I was thinking recently about how thankful I am to have such an amazing wife. Proverbs 31 says:

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not harm, all the days of her life.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Lord thank you for Shellee my lovely wife! When we got married 16 years ago I thought I was doing pretty well for myself. Little did I know just how fortunate I was and how richly God had blessed me. I really could not imagine living life, family, and ministry without her.

Question: An excellent wife who can find? Answer: A dumb dude named Tim!

Fun with Homes

Thank you to so many of you for praying for our home to sell. On Monday last week we signed and offer letter and are in the middle of moving forward with the sell. Praise God! This will be a big financial burden off of our backs. We have begun to look for new homes which is almost as exciting as selling your existing home. We have narrowed the search and are pushing for an out of this world deal (pun intended). We know God will open doors and provided the perfect place for us to live and are thankful for his providence in helping us sell this one.

Foot Washing and Dr. Ferguson

This may be as hard for you to believe as it is for me, but while Dr. Sinclair Ferguson was visiting Redeemer here in Austin I got my shoes and glasses cleaned by him! He got down on the flower, cleaned my shoes, got up and cleaned my glasses. It turns out he is very thrifty and wanted to take advantage of the towlette he had opened up- thus he cleaned his shoes, Steve Vandenberg's (seminary president) and my shoes. It was a bit humbling and a new experience. After spending some time with Dr. Ferguson I have become a huge fan. Not only is he a good teacher and preacher, but he is really a wonderful man. If you have not heard him speak or read any of his books I strongly encourage you to do so. He has a new book called By Grace Alone and my brief reading has found it to be excellent as well. I will update everyone on the next time Dr. Ferguson is in town. My advice, don't miss it!

You dont want to miss this!

Austin Campus Information and CoursesYou are cordially invited to hear Dr. Sinclair Ferguson speak at 7:00pm, Thursday, October 21, on "The Reformation and the Rediscovery of Justification" at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Austin

Great Article- Your Jesus is too Small

http://byfaithonline.com/page/ordinary-life/your-jesus-is-too-small

Off to a good start!

Please pray for Tim as he gets accustomed to his new schedule.  He is taking 15 units at Redeemer, is working full-time, and has a busy household. Although he is overwhelmed at times, he is thoroughly enjoying his course work and loves learning about the Lord. His love for our Lord and Savior is already growing as his knowledge of Him increases. Praise be to God for such a wonderful school equipping saints  for His kingdom.