Post Card #7 – Are We There Yet?

We have all heard this question asked on road trips – either by your children, recently, or by yourself when you were the impatient child in the back seat. In either case it makes the journey quite stressful.

Last week I posted about unwelcome hitchhikers, namely sin, that tries to hijack our journey. This week it’s the critic within that makes our journey miserable with questions like these, “Are you still behind? Have you not caught up yet? When will you ever find time to do all this reading?” What are we to do in such times? It’s not like we can kick ourselves out of the car so we can travel in peace!

The answer is as simple as choosing to whom we’ll listen. If you’re behind – it’s okay – this isn’t a race. If you’re lacking the time you need, then pray and ask God to multiply what time you do have. It’s prayers like these that give us the grace we need to keep pressing forward, even if it’s only an inch at a time. After all the journey is about getting to know Him, and the critic within would rather do anything but know God more.

Next time you hear the question, “Are we there yet?” You can say with confidence, “No, but I’ll get there soon enough! Now, sit back and enjoy the ride!”

P.S. John Owen’s book, Apostasy, is available at Metro’s bookstore for $6. We’ll start reading it next week with the “further study”. Make sure you get your copy on Sunday, or order it online.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Since this week’s message is focusing on Mother’s Day, we will be delaying our Hebrews Study plan for another week. This week I encourage you to purchase the next “further study” book for the following two weeks. It’s by John Owen titled, Apostasy From The Gospel.

Father, I pray for each person traveling Route 66 this year. Thank you for giving them the desire to follow hard after You. Would You help them stay focused and motivated in their daily pursuit of You. We realize that any effort we make to know and love You is only because Your love has drawn us to do so. What an amazing God You are. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your church. Thank You for a biblically sound church that helps us grow and mature. May we not give up if we’ve fallen behind. I pray that You will give us ears to hear…minds to understand…and a heart that cares.

In Jesus’ precious name – Amen!

Postcard #6 – Traveling Companions

I realized this morning that I have unknowingly picked up a hitchhiker who isn’t a welcomed traveling companion. His name is Anger, and he has been dwelling in my sinful heart – undetected – that is until now.

Three, no four times this weekend my anger welled up towards my husband over stupid things. And what’s worse is the fact that once Anger made his presence known – I actually listened to his reasons for traveling with me! Thank God for His Word that helps me to see those hitchhikers that would enter my car, attempting to hijack my journey.

Sin is an ever present obstacle that we must watch out for and repent of when detected. Our Savior is the only traveling companion we need! He will make sure we stay the course and finish the trip. Thankfully, it’s Christ alone who can take away those hitchhikers and provide safety in our travels, but we must recognize sins presence in order to repent. When you think about it, the whole purpose of this trip is to travel the ancient road in order to see sin more clearly. In light of this truth, I guess my trip is succeeding!

I encourage you with the following from Mr. Spurgeon:

Have you seen Jesus lately?
“But they did not know who He was.” Luke 24:16
The disciples ought to have recognized Jesus, they had heard His voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is amazing that they did not know Him. Yet is it not so with you also? Have you seen Jesus lately? You have been to His table–and you have not met Him there. You are in a dark trouble, and though He plainly says, “It is I–do not be afraid,” yet you do not recognize Him. Alas! our eyes are blinded! We know His voice; we have looked into His face; we have leaned our head upon His bosom–and yet, though Christ is very near us, we are saying, “O that I knew where I might find Him!”

We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect His image. Yet how frequently we open that precious book–and have no glimpse of our Well-beloved! Dear child of God, are you in that state? Jesus walks through the glades of Scripture, and desires to commune with His people. Yet you are in the garden of Scripture–but cannot see Him, though He is always there!

Make it your prayer, “Lord, open my eyes–that I may see my Savior present with me!” It is a blessed thing to desire to see Him. But oh! it is better far to gaze upon Him! To those who seek Him–He is kind; but to those who find Him–He is precious beyond expression!

NOTE: Next week our Hebrews study returns. Use this week to catch up or finish Grow In Grace, by Sinclair Ferguson. Enjoy the Journey!

Our Captain Has Made A Way

We have a couple of weeks here to catch up if you’re behind, or to read the excellent book, Grow In Grace, by Sinclair Ferguson. Having read the first few chapters myself, I thought I might give you a taste of how good this book is:

Picture an army captain hacking his way through a jungle during a battle with guerrilla forces. He leads his men from danger to safety by first facing the dangers, impediments and tests himself. Similarly Jesus is the Captain of our salvation. He has tasted all of our experiences of temptation. He has gone further. He experienced them in their full strength, when they unleashed all their powers against him. Where we would stumble and fall, he has pressed on. He overcame temptation, conquered death and drew its sting. Now he beckons to us: “Follow me, the pathway of faith is safe for all of you to use!” (page 10)

Aren’t you grateful that we have such a Captain that has forged a way for us to follow? This journey would not be possible if He hadn’t cleared the road before us. What a Savior!

Note: Lisa Chin has several copies available in the bookstore for purchase. They are $8.

Our Travel Log

As we have just completed one-third of our journey (can you believe it?), I thought it would be a great time to start our very own Travel Log. Won’t you take a moment to upload a picture and sign in?

The next two weeks we will be taking a detour, as C.J. Mahaney will be speaking at Metro tomorrow and Dave Harvey next Sunday. Continue your own reading plan – the Hebrews Study will continue as I hear the revised schedule. Happy Traveling!

Post Card #5 – Hungry?


Greetings Travelers,

I had the opportunity today to watch a hawk in our backyard. He was obviously hungry and intent on finding his next meal. His eyes were focused and drawn to the slightest movement on the ground. Then, it happened; he made his move! Diving, he accurately set aground on his prey of choice. However, the lucky lizard wiggled free from his grip and quickly disappeared. Unsuccessful, the hawk returned to his post on the fence – empty-taloned and still hungry! The hunt began again…

Have you ever been really hungry while on the road, but in an unfamiliar place? You want to eat in order to silence the gnawing groans coming from your belly, but each exit lacks a suitable restaurant for your tastes and/or budget. Does this stop your pursuit? No, it actually makes you more desperate in your attempt to eat.

Hunger has a way of elevating our search for food to high alert! This is how it should be as we read each morning. God’s Word tells us in Jeremiah 15:16 –

Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.

What a meal the Lord has provided for us. Sometimes it feels like fast food, yet other times it is the richest feast with the choicest foods! Regardless of how it feels (or we feel for that matter!) – His Word provides much needed nourishment for our life and growth in godliness. May I encourage to continue nibbling, eating and feasting on God’s Word. No matter how much we take we are promised that it will not return void but it will accomplish all that God intends!

I bet that hawk wishes he had such a guarantee! Wait!! Now that I think of it he does:

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Luke 12:24

P.S. I still haven’t heard from most of you about your journey so far! Please comment by going to the earlier post titled: “Time For A Tune Up!”

Time For A Tune Up

Going on an extended road trip requires one to make regular stops in order to rest and check the engine making sure it’s in good shape to continue. Think of this as your en route tune up and opportunity to visit with others traveling Route 66.

Seventy-seven of us began this trip together in January, and you’ve heard from me on a regular basis. Now it’s your turn! Won’t you grab a cold soda from the fridge and take a moment to comment on this post letting us know how the road looks from your window? God speaks to us individually, and what He’s saying to you may be exactly what one of our other travelers needs to hear. Please take time to check in and tune up.

Week 14 Assignments


We pray you had a wonderful day celebrating Easter! Reading and studying the book of Hebrews this year has helped me to focus more on the true meaning of Easter and why we celebrate. I hope this was your experience as well!

This week:

Read Hebrews 4:14-5:10;
Read Bible Speaks Today – pages 93-97

Also, for further study, we’ll be reading Chapters 1 & 2 from Sinclair Ferguson’s book, Grow In Grace. If you don’t have a copy, it will be available in the Metro bookstore this week. Call Lisa for more info.