For the past few months both of us have been mulling over prayer. What is prayer? How do we pray? What is prayer good for? What should we pray for? Does prayer do anything? Thanks to a few good books (A Method for Prayer by Matthew Henry, A Guide to Prayer by Isaac Watts, and A Praying Life by Paul Miller) and numerous experiences of direct and specific answers to prayer, we have been able to witness God great love for us. At one point Jacob was at work and his nose began to bleed. He was the only person covering his department and did not want to leave his post, after saying a quick prayer that God would stop the bleeding a customer needed some assistance, for God's own glory he stopped the bloody nose! On a Tuesday night this month we prayed before we ate our dinner that God would grant us humility. An hour later we had conversation with a complete stranger and had opportunity to show God's love, simultaneously we both felt like total idiots. We both now say to be careful what we pray for or we just might get it, praise God for his wonderful treatment of his people.
Are these two examples of using prayer as a wishing method or God as a genie in a bottle? No, and God certainly hates being treated as a good luck charm. These are merely two instances of God response to his children for his own glory.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Internship Update
Internship
Presbytery
This month Jacob came under care of the Great Lakes Presbytery as an intern. This was quite a big step. The call we feel to work in the ministry has now been officially recognized and supported by the church. We feel very blessed to know that our life in the ministry will be prayerfully supported by the wonderful churches in the Great Lakes Presbytery. Shaun Newsome ( Reformed University Fellowship) was ordained at this past Presbytery. This is another great blessing to the church, students at MSU, and us. Jacob's wife, Amy, and his mother-in-law were both able to be there and witness this wonderful event, as well as other members from Providence PCA.
Teaching
Jacob taught another LADS (life and doctrine study) this past month finishing up the survey of the minor prophets. There were a lot of great discussions and things learned. This month was hard teaching since there were a few times that Jacob would spend all week preparing just to cancel the study. This was very discouraging but he kept with it and did end up growing in many ways.
Jacob and Amy are still teaching the young kids Sunday school,. We loves teaching these kids but we do find it hard at times to keep their attention. He is taking this as an opportunity to learn all aspects of the ministry from the youngest to oldest. It has been such a joy to see God's love through the eyes of children.
Another big event of this past month for teaching was Jacob preaching at the Lansing City Rescue Mission. Usually the people who attend are male, but this week there were many women and children there as well. Jacob was very nervous at first but was glad to be able to preach and is excited to preach again soon.
Speaking of preaching again soon, Jacob has been offered the opportunity to preach at a small church in Hastings Michigan. He will be preaching on John 1:29-34 on the first Sunday in June. This is a great learning experience and opportunity to preach and we are thrilled at this chance!
Studying
This month Jacob has been studying 3 books. He has been reading Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul; The Westminster Assembly: Reading It's Theology in Historical Context by Robert Letham; and A Praying Life by Paul Miller. If you are interested in learning more about these books please visit our blog, the site is listed below.
Presbytery
This month Jacob came under care of the Great Lakes Presbytery as an intern. This was quite a big step. The call we feel to work in the ministry has now been officially recognized and supported by the church. We feel very blessed to know that our life in the ministry will be prayerfully supported by the wonderful churches in the Great Lakes Presbytery. Shaun Newsome ( Reformed University Fellowship) was ordained at this past Presbytery. This is another great blessing to the church, students at MSU, and us. Jacob's wife, Amy, and his mother-in-law were both able to be there and witness this wonderful event, as well as other members from Providence PCA.
Teaching
Jacob taught another LADS (life and doctrine study) this past month finishing up the survey of the minor prophets. There were a lot of great discussions and things learned. This month was hard teaching since there were a few times that Jacob would spend all week preparing just to cancel the study. This was very discouraging but he kept with it and did end up growing in many ways.
Jacob and Amy are still teaching the young kids Sunday school,. We loves teaching these kids but we do find it hard at times to keep their attention. He is taking this as an opportunity to learn all aspects of the ministry from the youngest to oldest. It has been such a joy to see God's love through the eyes of children.
Another big event of this past month for teaching was Jacob preaching at the Lansing City Rescue Mission. Usually the people who attend are male, but this week there were many women and children there as well. Jacob was very nervous at first but was glad to be able to preach and is excited to preach again soon.
Speaking of preaching again soon, Jacob has been offered the opportunity to preach at a small church in Hastings Michigan. He will be preaching on John 1:29-34 on the first Sunday in June. This is a great learning experience and opportunity to preach and we are thrilled at this chance!
Studying
This month Jacob has been studying 3 books. He has been reading Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul; The Westminster Assembly: Reading It's Theology in Historical Context by Robert Letham; and A Praying Life by Paul Miller. If you are interested in learning more about these books please visit our blog, the site is listed below.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Who is God?
It is rather difficult to describe God. When we begin to ponder who God is several different qualifiers rear up: who is God in relation to me? Who is God in relation to creation? Who is God in relation to himself? The description of God depends on the qualifying context.
"What is your answer if the context is: describe who God is in relation to you? Perhaps through your walk with the Lord you have grown in relationship with him and some very detailed and intimate words may be used to describe who God is in relation to you.
Perhaps through your walk in life you have been distant with the Lord and thus the words used to describe him in relation to you are vast and impersonal. What is your answer if the context is: describe who God is in relation to creation? Perhaps through the work of the Holy Ghost you understand the Scriptures to reveal God as creator of all things and thus describe God as creator of creation and in relation to creation as being King of all things.
Perhaps through cynicism, doubt, and disbelief your perception of God in relation to creation is near deism. Because of this disbelief you describe God in relation to his creation as far away and distant. a
What is your answer if the context is: describe who God is in relation to himself? The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Question 4 paints a wonderful picture of God describe WHAT God is:
Q 4: What is God?
A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
This is very helpful to gain a little understanding of what God is and through learning what God is we can know a bit about who God is.
But the question remains how can we describe God? If we try to use the right words to elaborate on his attributes we fall short since mere human words cannot grasp or display who he is. If we try to use enough words to describe God we will fall short simply due to God's eternal infinite nature, there simply aren't enough words in existence to add up to a perfect human description of God.
Yet there is a perfect description of God. It is not because a pious or holy person thought of it, it is not because a gifted or devout person devised it. The only perfect description of who God is, is the description he himself has given. Exodus Chapter 3:13-14 God states who he is.
13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'
This is who God is and this is his description of himself. He cannot be described in any way we know because there is nothing with which we can compare him to in order to fully understand who he is. When describing himself God refers back to himself. This is rather funny to think when defining or describing words one of the first rules is: do not use the word you are trying to describe in it's definition or description. Yet God does exactly that, God WAS, IS, and WILL BE forever!
"What is your answer if the context is: describe who God is in relation to you? Perhaps through your walk with the Lord you have grown in relationship with him and some very detailed and intimate words may be used to describe who God is in relation to you.
Perhaps through your walk in life you have been distant with the Lord and thus the words used to describe him in relation to you are vast and impersonal. What is your answer if the context is: describe who God is in relation to creation? Perhaps through the work of the Holy Ghost you understand the Scriptures to reveal God as creator of all things and thus describe God as creator of creation and in relation to creation as being King of all things.
Perhaps through cynicism, doubt, and disbelief your perception of God in relation to creation is near deism. Because of this disbelief you describe God in relation to his creation as far away and distant. a
What is your answer if the context is: describe who God is in relation to himself? The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Question 4 paints a wonderful picture of God describe WHAT God is:
Q 4: What is God?
A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
This is very helpful to gain a little understanding of what God is and through learning what God is we can know a bit about who God is.
But the question remains how can we describe God? If we try to use the right words to elaborate on his attributes we fall short since mere human words cannot grasp or display who he is. If we try to use enough words to describe God we will fall short simply due to God's eternal infinite nature, there simply aren't enough words in existence to add up to a perfect human description of God.
Yet there is a perfect description of God. It is not because a pious or holy person thought of it, it is not because a gifted or devout person devised it. The only perfect description of who God is, is the description he himself has given. Exodus Chapter 3:13-14 God states who he is.
13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'
This is who God is and this is his description of himself. He cannot be described in any way we know because there is nothing with which we can compare him to in order to fully understand who he is. When describing himself God refers back to himself. This is rather funny to think when defining or describing words one of the first rules is: do not use the word you are trying to describe in it's definition or description. Yet God does exactly that, God WAS, IS, and WILL BE forever!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
April Newsletter
This is a copy of our monthly newsletter. If you would like to be on our list please send an email to jatoman09@gmail.com
Internship:
Jacob's internship this month focused on officially coming under care of Great Lakes Presbytery. In order to come under care the local church session of Christ Church first had to interview and recommend Jacob to Presbytery. The next step is Great Lakes Presbytery interviewing and then hopefully officially bringing Jacob under care. This is a great opportunity for us to have the support from the Michigan churches and congregations and is in many ways final confirmation of the call God has placed on both our lives. As an intern at Providence PCA Jacob will be developing goals for his personal growth, learning to prepare sermons, teaching, visiting, evangelizing and working closely with pastor Helopoulos. We are so thankful that Jacob has been given the opportunity to be an intern at Providence and work for the glory of God's kingdom in Lansing and the world.
Fun Happenings:
This month was a ton of fun! It started off by celebrating Easter with our Providence family. This was a great time of fellowship and we loved being able to celebrate our first married Easter at Providence. We also had the privilege of watching the children of friends from church for a weekend. It was very energy consuming, but we kept up pretty well thanks to the obedience of the children and plenty of mountain dew and coffee. We enjoyed practicing our parenting skills and working together to get meals prepared and kids ready for bed. We also celebrated Amy's birthday which was a wonderful time to be especially thankful for Amy. We had a great day relaxing together and enjoy each others company. Another big event this month was a kids movie night which was hosted at Grandad Henning's house. The event went great! The kids enjoyed having a big room to play in before the movie and to spread out in during. This was a great time of fellowship for the children of Providence.
Ways you Can Help
If you would like to make a charitable donation to help with internship expenses please write a check to Providence PCA and put in the memo line Internship Fund, and mail them to
If you would like to help via prayer, prayers can be sent to the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit.
Prayer Requests
together as a married couple and our ministry. Thank you all so much.
Internship:
Jacob's internship this month focused on officially coming under care of Great Lakes Presbytery. In order to come under care the local church session of Christ Church first had to interview and recommend Jacob to Presbytery. The next step is Great Lakes Presbytery interviewing and then hopefully officially bringing Jacob under care. This is a great opportunity for us to have the support from the Michigan churches and congregations and is in many ways final confirmation of the call God has placed on both our lives. As an intern at Providence PCA Jacob will be developing goals for his personal growth, learning to prepare sermons, teaching, visiting, evangelizing and working closely with pastor Helopoulos. We are so thankful that Jacob has been given the opportunity to be an intern at Providence and work for the glory of God's kingdom in Lansing and the world.
Fun Happenings:
This month was a ton of fun! It started off by celebrating Easter with our Providence family. This was a great time of fellowship and we loved being able to celebrate our first married Easter at Providence. We also had the privilege of watching the children of friends from church for a weekend. It was very energy consuming, but we kept up pretty well thanks to the obedience of the children and plenty of mountain dew and coffee. We enjoyed practicing our parenting skills and working together to get meals prepared and kids ready for bed. We also celebrated Amy's birthday which was a wonderful time to be especially thankful for Amy. We had a great day relaxing together and enjoy each others company. Another big event this month was a kids movie night which was hosted at Grandad Henning's house. The event went great! The kids enjoyed having a big room to play in before the movie and to spread out in during. This was a great time of fellowship for the children of Providence.
Ways you Can Help
If you would like to make a charitable donation to help with internship expenses please write a check to Providence PCA and put in the memo line Internship Fund, and mail them to
Providence PCA
P.O. Box 16097
P.O. Box 16097
Lansing, MI 48901
If you would like to help with tuition please mail a check to (please write Jacob Toman tuition in the memo line)Covenant Theological Seminary
12330 Conway Road
St. Louis, MO 63141
If you would like to help with living expenses please contact us for the information. Send an email to jatoman09@gmail.comIf you would like to help via prayer, prayers can be sent to the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit.
Prayer Requests
- Seminary Funds
- Funds to help offset the cost of internship expenses
- Summer work for Amy
- Shaun Newsome and his family as they move to Michigan
- Growth of Providence and be spared from wicked conflict
- Health
together as a married couple and our ministry. Thank you all so much.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Valentines Weekend
This year for Valentines weekend we got a puppy!! We had been considering a puppy for a long time and learning about different breeds and debating on the best timing for us. Well we found this cute little guy and knew that he was perfect for us, and the timing is great. I have the next week off of work which means lots of time to spend with the puppy getting him use to his home and his crate. After much deliberation last night we have decided the dogs name will be Wallace (wallie) hopper. Jacob came up with Wallace because we found this little guy online just like we met, and Wallace was the first name I knew Jacob by.
The first day/night with Wallace went a lot better then we expected. Jacob picked him up and had 3 hours alone with him before I got home. He was given his first bath (which he was terrified of) and was nice and clean when mommy got home. Wallace had some time with mommy before he met his auntie Kaleigh and cousin (dog) Kobi. The dogs get along great and are having a great time together.
Wallie is soo adorable!! He loves to just sit in your lap and cuddle. Not only does he like to cuddle, but he has begun to follow us around the kitchen wherever we go. He can't stand to be even a foot away from us. Although he loves to be near, he has spent time away from us in his pen as well as his crate. His first night went better then expected. He slept for 3 hrs, woke up played for a little bit went potty and fell asleep (asleep in his cage but directly next to our bed to stop the whining). He then slept for another 5 hrs and allowed us to get a better nights sleep then we expected.
So far having Wallace (wallie) has been soo great!! We both love him so much and are so thankful that God has provided us with this Blessing.
The first day/night with Wallace went a lot better then we expected. Jacob picked him up and had 3 hours alone with him before I got home. He was given his first bath (which he was terrified of) and was nice and clean when mommy got home. Wallace had some time with mommy before he met his auntie Kaleigh and cousin (dog) Kobi. The dogs get along great and are having a great time together.
Wallie is soo adorable!! He loves to just sit in your lap and cuddle. Not only does he like to cuddle, but he has begun to follow us around the kitchen wherever we go. He can't stand to be even a foot away from us. Although he loves to be near, he has spent time away from us in his pen as well as his crate. His first night went better then expected. He slept for 3 hrs, woke up played for a little bit went potty and fell asleep (asleep in his cage but directly next to our bed to stop the whining). He then slept for another 5 hrs and allowed us to get a better nights sleep then we expected.
So far having Wallace (wallie) has been soo great!! We both love him so much and are so thankful that God has provided us with this Blessing.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Puppy!!!
We are getting a puppy!! He is a black male schnoodle!! Jacob will be picking him up Friday afternoon and we are soooo thrilled!! We are so thankful that God has opened the doors for this to happen. Hopefully little "insert name here" will be a comfort and a joy to have. A great addition to our family!!
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