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God's Strength vs My Weakness

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in  weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12: 9 We were studying this Scripture a short while ago in a Wednesday night Bible study.  It reminded me of an incident many years ago that underscored the central truth in this verse. I was a brand new Christian then in my last semester of college.  I had bought a brand new shiny Bible, and was on my way to a Bible study.  Across the street, headed toward me, was my biology lab partner with her boyfriend.  Sheer panic hit me.  I did not want to have to explain why I was carrying a Bible, but there was no way to get out. of it.  So I screwed up my courage, crossed the street, and explained why I was carrying the Bible.  Very reluctantly I witnessed to them. Maybe a week later I was at work as a delivery boy, and my lab partner rushed up to me and very excitedly said "Phil, it worked, it worked!".  I was in a hurry to get out my ne...
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Pre-Christian Influences

 I entitled this post "Pre-Christian Influences" because when I sat down to do my "spiritual biography" in seminary, I realized that God had been knocking on my door, so to speak, my whole life. To start off with, my parents enrolled me in a kindergarten program in a Methodist church. I have pictures of me as a shepherd in their annual Christmas program.  My parents were attending there 1) because my Dad was raised Methodist, and 2) they were going for my benefit. My next influence was a neighbor who was a friend of the family, Mrs. van Ostenburg.  I attended a Reform church with her and her children.  She was my Sunday School teacher.  I remember that I really liked going to church with her.  I was doing that because I think by this time my parents  had stopped going to church.    My third and most important influence was Drew Peterson.  He was the guy who was my primary influence in becoming a Christian.  I think later on I will d...
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Preamble

 I have decided to call this blog "On My Way to the Celestial City".  You will probably recognize the reference to John Bunyan' classic work , Pilgrim's Progress. The book tells the story of Christian and his journey toward his heavenly home (Celestial City).  Since this is going to be about my own journey, the blog's title is appropriate. The first several entries will be in roughly chronological order as I sort through certain events in my life that had spiritual significance.  It was what I had to do in my master's thesis when I was in seminary.  My thesis dealt with God's call of Abraham in Genesis 12, seeing Abraham's call as my call.  When Abraham asked where he was going, God told him I will tell you on the way. I felt that also applied to me.  I am on a journey with God to my heavenly destination. Well, that is what this blog is all about.  I hope to impart certain things I have learned on the way.  We  will see how it goes.
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