andrew dodson

Instead of a YouTube video this weekend, I’m posting an interactive tour of Sweetwater’s new facility. They are a musical instrument and audio equipment dealer, based out of Fort Wayne, IN. I actually applied for a graphic design position with this company a long time ago, but didn’t get it. Part of me is glad because I’m not sure I would’ve liked moving to northern Indiana. But, after seeing this facility, it might be worth it!

> Tour the new Sweetwater facility

(p.s. – this is my first post using Wordpress 2.5 – I really like it!)

Luke 24:1-6 Listen

24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,

1. What is the will of God in this passage?

We can’t have salvation without the resurrection. While Christ is still at work, the resurrection made the new covenant complete – enabling salvation for those who place their faith in His work.

2. In light of God’s will, what is He like?

He is faithful & merciful. He did what He said He would do, all for the purpose of saving sinners.
3. What are practical ways we can apply God’s will?

We can have full assurance that our faith and salvation are real. If Christ was not resurrected, it makes Him a liar. But, the tomb was empty and He appeared to many. His work on the cross and the resurrection defeated sin and death. We can be sure that if we have placed our faith in Him, we will be saved.

4. What are ways we blow God’s will?

Verse 4 says the ladies were “perplexed” by the empty tomb. Even though Jesus said he would rise from the dead. Their first reaction should’ve been to remember His words and celebrate. Instead, it’s almost as if they completely forgot His words. We can often fail to remember God’s promises and be perplexed by life instead of celebrate.

5. What does the resurrection mean to you?

It makes my faith real. It saves me. It is a reason to celebrate.

Here’s some links for you:

• This site has a rather in depth review of the new ESV Personal Size Reference Bible.  They seem to like the TruTone edition, which is what I picked up a couple of weeks ago.  It is now my “go to church” and/or “on the go” Bible.
• The Percussion Table.  Will someone buy this for me, please? (YouTube demonstration included)
• Some new Greek New Testament texts have been found.  Hooray for evidence of truth!

There’s some good stuff happening in the world of music…

• The Dave Matthews Band released the eleventh installment of its Live Trax series today.  I haven’t picked it up yet, but plan to soon.  From a set list standpoint, there’s nothing spectacular about the show.  But, I’ve read that there are some very solid performances of several songs.  They’re great about making a song sound different each time they play it, so I’m looking forward to hearing it.
• The Counting Crows released their latest album today.  Judging from the 30-second clips on iTunes, it’s good to hear them rocking out a bit more.  August and Everything After is one of my all-time favorite albums, and I’ve enjoyed pretty much everything else they’ve released.  I’m looking forward to picking this up too.
• Starfield also released their latest album today.
• For those that are wondering… The Josh Martin Band still exists.  We rehearsed last night and worked on two new songs.  To date, we have six new songs in the mix for our next album.  Josh has several more ideas that he’s still finishing up, but we’re in good shape for having enough new material for our next studio album.  I’m hoping we can start recording later this spring or this summer.

James 1:22-25 Listen

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

I need to confess something. This has been on my mind for the last couple of weeks. I’ve realized, especially lately, that I care more about knowing what the Bible says than putting it into practice. I’ve made theology an idol.

The last few years of my life have been spent searching the Scriptures to know what they say about everything. I’ve always considered being a Christian similar to being a politician. Hear me out. If you asked a politician how they felt about abortion and didn’t get a response, wouldn’t they lose credibility? The same goes for Christians. If someone asks me how to get to heaven, or if they need to be baptized, or if homosexuality is a sin, I better have an answer. We need to be able to defend our faith.

But, what good is knowing what the Bible says about something if we don’t put it into practice? I’m like the man who looks in the mirror and walks away forgetting what I look like. In my small group this past week, we talked about being reflections of Christ to people around us. But, once I close my Bible, I forget what Christ looks like. I forget how he acts. We’ve made a cliche out of the question, “What would Jesus do?” but it’s such a great question to ask ourselves in every situation. I can easily tell a person what the Bible says about something. But, if they don’t see it in my actions, I’m merely a hypocrite and no different that the lost person. Why would they want to be a Christian if the only Christians they know don’t practice what they preach?

I’m going to spend a lot of time in James. I won’t say I’m going to do an in-depth, word-for-word study of the book. I’m not going to give myself a time frame. I don’t want to make any empty promises. But, what better book to dive into than the one that talks the most about putting our faith into practice?

Yes, this post is a day late.  But… it is Saturday and that’s the day I reserve for YouTube videos.  So, it works out.

This is a video produced by Mars Hill Church that represents Christ’s death on the cross.  I will warn you that it is not for the faint of heart, and slightly graphic in nature.  But, I sometimes think Christians need a reminder of what Christ did for them.

Luke 23:33-34 Listen

33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

1.  What is the will of God in this passage?

To reveal His grace; to intercede on our behalf for the sins we commit against Him.

2.  In light of God’s will, what is He like?

Forgiving, patient, humble

3.  What are practical ways we can apply God’s will?

Accept His grace as our own; To share that grace with others; To become a reflection of Christ to lost people.

4.  How do we blow God’s will?

We can not extend to forgiveness to someone who has done wrong to us; We can reject the grace God offers to us

5.  What does the crucifixion mean to you?

The crucifixion means everything to me.  Without Christ’s death on the cross, I’m still under the wrath of God.  My sins are not forgiven.  Knowing that Christ endured the cross for me is extremely humbling.  I can only hope to honor Him through obedience to bring Him glory. 

This week’s link is one of my favorites.  I’ve linked to it before, but it deserves repeating again and again.Since we celebrate Good Friday and Easter this weekend, I wanted to again link to one of the best talks I’ve heard on the cross - Mark Driscoll’s Death by Love: Reflections on the Cross.I’m particularly feeling the weight of the meaning of the cross this week.  I pray that you are too.  Our faith hinges on Christ’s work on the cross, and His resurrection on the third day.  I pray that you will spend time Friday reflecting on the cross, and time celebrating His resurrection on Sunday. 

I’m just getting this one in under the wire.  Technically, there’s still an hour left in the day!

• UK kicks off NCAA tournament play tomorrow afternoon.  I haven’t filled out my bracket just yet, but I’m praying for a Stanford and Texas upset.  Of course, we have to get past a tough Marquette squad first.
• Georgetown’s men’s basketball team is still undefeated after the first round of the NAIA national tournament.  The Tigers are now 33-0 on the season!
• I don’t think UNC will win the NCAA title.  I think it’ll be somewhat of a surprise team.  While I’ve yet to fill out a bracket, I’m not ruling out a Louisville or Georgetown champion.  I still don’t think we’ve seen Louisville play to their full potential, and the Hoyas are pretty tough.  We’ll see how my bracket unfolds, though.
• If you need a church to attend for Easter, try The Point.

Go Cats!  Go Tigers!

The Conversion Story

Somewhere in the middle of playing drums at Evergreen, visiting Crestwood and starting to play drums at Crestwood, God saved me.  I had been having weekly conversations with my friend Jeremy.  He lured me in by making great mochas.  He started sharing the gospel with me.  I had heard it a thousand times, but this time, the irresistible grace offered by God grabbed a hold of my heart.  One evening, while driving to his house, I had the urge to pull over.  It was at that moment that I accepted Christ.  I showed up at Jeremy’s house and the first thing I said was, “I did it.”

How funny is that?  The first thing out of my mouth as a Christian was completely heretical!  See, all I did was stop resisting God.  He did everything else.  He sent Christ to the cross for my sin.  Christ endured the cross for my sin.  All of this so that I could be justified by having faith in Christ’s work on the cross.  For the work He did, I am now saved.

Post Conversion

The past five years have been the most fulfilling years of my life.  I’m a part of a wonderful church.  I have great Christian friends and mentors.  I’m a part of two extremely talented bands.  I’ve been able to use the gifts and abilities God has given me to glorify Him.  It’s become a relief to no longer live for myself, but live for someone else.

Conclusion

This Friday is Good Friday.  The day Christ endured the cross for our sin.  This Sunday is Easter.  The day of Christ’s resurrection – the day He defeated death and sin for eternity.  If you’re a Christian, I hope that you will be a part of services remembering and celebrating the glory of these two events.  If you’re not a Christian, I pray that you will think about attending a service at a local church.  I pray that you will give the story of Christ’s death and resurrection a chance to become real in your life.  Is it time for you to stop resisting God too?