Kendrick Vinar

We’re ending our week in Williamsburg with a day at Busch Gardens. Our
first time for the family. So far the log ride is tops. With school in
session and rain predicted the lines are short.

Had to try my first blog post from iPhone. Up next: favorite “What
About Bob?” quotes.

Today my lovely wife is 40. I am the happiest and most blessed man on earth. Nana makes the Prov. 31 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Proverbs 31 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F20031001-20031031" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F20031001-20031031" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p20031001.01-1">The Words of King Lemuel</h3> <p id="p20031001.06-1"><span class="chapter-num" id="v20031001-1">31:1&nbsp;</span>The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:</p> <div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p20031002.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v20031002-1">2&nbsp;</span>What are you doing, my son?<span class="footnote">&nbsp;<a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Hebrew 'What, my son?'">[1]</a></span> What are you doing, son of my womb?<br /> <span class="indent"></span>What are you doing, son of my vows?<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031003-1">3&nbsp;</span>Do not give your strength to women,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>your ways to those who destroy kings.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031004-1">4&nbsp;</span>It is not for kings, O Lemuel,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>it is not for kings to drink wine,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>or for rulers to take strong drink,<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031005-1">5&nbsp;</span>lest they drink and forget what has been decreed<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031006-1">6&nbsp;</span>Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and wine to those in bitter distress;<span class="footnote">&nbsp;<a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Hebrew 'those bitter in soul'">[2]</a></span><br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031007-1">7&nbsp;</span>let them drink and forget their poverty<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and remember their misery no more.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031008-1">8&nbsp;</span>Open your mouth for the mute,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>for the rights of all who are destitute.<span class="footnote">&nbsp;<a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Hebrew 'are sons of passing away'">[3]</a></span><br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031009-1">9&nbsp;</span>Open your mouth, judge righteously,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>defend the rights of the poor and needy.</p> </div> <h3 id="p20031010.01-1">The Woman Who Fears the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span></h3> <div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p20031010.07-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v20031010-1">10&nbsp;</span><span class="footnote">&nbsp;<a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet">[4]</a></span> An excellent wife who can find?<br /> <span class="indent"></span>She is far more precious than jewels.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031011-1">11&nbsp;</span>The heart of her husband trusts in her,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and he will have no lack of gain.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031012-1">12&nbsp;</span>She does him good, and not harm,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>all the days of her life.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031013-1">13&nbsp;</span>She seeks wool and flax,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and works with willing hands.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031014-1">14&nbsp;</span>She is like the ships of the merchant;<br /> <span class="indent"></span>she brings her food from afar.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031015-1">15&nbsp;</span>She rises while it is yet night<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and provides food for her household<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and portions for her maidens.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031016-1">16&nbsp;</span>She considers a field and buys it;<br /> <span class="indent"></span>with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031017-1">17&nbsp;</span>She dresses herself<span class="footnote">&nbsp;<a href="#f5" id="b5" title="Hebrew 'She girds her loins'">[5]</a></span> with strength<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and makes her arms strong.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031018-1">18&nbsp;</span>She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.<br /> <span class="indent"></span>Her lamp does not go out at night.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031019-1">19&nbsp;</span>She puts her hands to the distaff,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and her hands hold the spindle.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031020-1">20&nbsp;</span>She opens her hand to the poor<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and reaches out her hands to the needy.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031021-1">21&nbsp;</span>She is not afraid of snow for her household,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>for all her household are clothed in scarlet.<span class="footnote">&nbsp;<a href="#f6" id="b6" title="Or 'in double thickness'">[6]</a></span><br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031022-1">22&nbsp;</span>She makes bed coverings for herself;<br /> <span class="indent"></span>her clothing is fine linen and purple.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031023-1">23&nbsp;</span>Her husband is known in the gates<br /> <span class="indent"></span>when he sits among the elders of the land.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031024-1">24&nbsp;</span>She makes linen garments and sells them;<br /> <span class="indent"></span>she delivers sashes to the merchant.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031025-1">25&nbsp;</span>Strength and dignity are her clothing,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and she laughs at the time to come.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031026-1">26&nbsp;</span>She opens her mouth with wisdom,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031027-1">27&nbsp;</span>She looks well to the ways of her household<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and does not eat the bread of idleness.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031028-1">28&nbsp;</span>Her children rise up and call her blessed;<br /> <span class="indent"></span>her husband also, and he praises her:<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031029-1">29&nbsp;</span>&#8220;Many women have done excellently,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>but you surpass them all.&#8221;<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031030-1">30&nbsp;</span>Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>but a woman who fears the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> is to be praised.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v20031031-1">31&nbsp;</span>Give her of the fruit of her hands,<br /> <span class="indent"></span>and let her works praise her in the gates. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <p><span class="footnote"><a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">31:2</span> Hebrew <em>What, my son?</em> <br /> <span class="footnote"><a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">31:6</span> Hebrew <em>those bitter in soul</em> <br /> <span class="footnote"><a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">31:8</span> Hebrew <em>are sons of passing away</em> <br /> <span class="footnote"><a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">31:10</span> Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet <br /> <span class="footnote"><a href="#b5" id="f5">[5]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">31:17</span> Hebrew <em>She girds her loins</em> <br /> <span class="footnote"><a href="#b6" id="f6">[6]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">31:21</span> Or <em>in double thickness</em> </p> </div> </div>
woman look like she’s loafing. She loves God and always wants to do His will. She’d go anywhere on the planet to serve God. She’d live in Africa or Asia or anywhere in between if God called us to move. 

She’s a loving and supportive wife. I know that she’ll always support and encourage me. I can trust her 100% all the time. She’s loyal and respectful, yet always full of wisdom. She has helped me so many times in so many ways – in personal decisions and church leadership. She’s got great intuition with people. She laughs and she’s flexible – putting up with my spontaneous and crazy ideas. 

Nana loves and serves her children tirelessly. She homeschools all subjects and teaches them the most helpful life skills. She’ll play basketball or take the kids swimming. She’s the best chef in town –  healthy and delicious food. She loves to travel and speaks Spanish. She can sing and play the flute.

She’s smart, kind, and patient. She’s the best friend any person could ask for. She’s gracious and a good listener.

Many women have done nobly but you, Nana, excel them all.

Thursday, May 1st is the National Day of Prayer. When Christians unite under the common banner of Jesus Christ to pray – it’s great to show up and support the effort. 

There are two events in Chapel Hill – both at noon. One is at Grace Church, 200 Sage Road. Jim Reklis will be leading prayer through several key areas for our nation. Nathan Fancher will lead worship.

Secondly, there will be a prayer gathering on the UNC campus – at the old well. Students, pastors and local leaders will gather to pray for nation. Brad Novosad and I will be there to participate and support the event.

Durham is having a noon prayer meeting at the Durham Marriott at Civic Center.

You can search for prayer locations here. Or learn more about the National Day Prayer at their website.

We took out the best admin staff in the Triangle this week – just to say thanks. Okay, it was administrative assistant’s week. We really are blessed to work with Arielle, Emily, Aska, and Kathy. They are behind the scenes helping so many things happen. Nothing healthy about this lunch: Red Robin burgers and fish-n-chips. Well… Arielle got a salad.

Who do you appreciate? If you had one month to live I bet that you’d really express your heart to that person. Why not do talk to them now? You won’t regret it.

My son, Joseph, and I went to see “Expelled – No Intelligence Allowed” with DeWayne and the X (Grace’s Wed. youth group) at SouthPoint.

It’s a definite must-see to understand what is at stake in opening the discussion about evolution vs. intelligent design. 

I was interviewed yesterday by Paul Nagy, Touchstones: Spiritual Experience, WCOM-FM 103.5.

We had a fun time discussing a ton of topics for 60 minutes. Paul’s goal is to be reflect the full range of spirituality in the community. Well… he got a shot of Grace.

You can listen to the interview here.

Reuters ran an article yesterday “To fight prostitution, some say target clients.” This is a key strategy change. For years prostitutes have been criminals while the men buying sex have walked away. We’ve targeted the supply not the demand. The strategy has not worked. If there is demand, then those wanting to make money will come up with supply – one way or another. Tragically, literally millions of girls around of the world have been violated and forced into prostitution.

Many women (or young girls) in prostitution are not there by choice. They are victims of modern day slavery. Often they’ve been promised a job, tricked into crossing international borders, and forced into a life of prostitution. The article states that “some 85 percent of women found working in British brothels are estimated to be from outside Britain, a reversal from 10 years ago when 85 percent of them were British citizens.” This a pretty radical and recent trend.

To fight prostitution and modern day slavery, we need a change of perspective. We need to rescue prostituted girls and prosecute buyers of sex. This “paradigm shift” is working. Sweden outlawed buying sex in 1999. They have seen significant change. 

Be part of the solution: get educated and lift up your voice for those who cannot. “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psa 82:3-4 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Psalm 82:3-4 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F19082003-19082004" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F19082003-19082004" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><div class="block-indent"> <p class="line-group" id="p19082003.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v19082003-1">3&nbsp;</span>Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;<br /> <span class="indent"></span>maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.<br /> <span class="verse-num" id="v19082004-1">4&nbsp;</span>Rescue the weak and the needy;<br /> <span class="indent"></span>deliver them from the hand of the wicked.&#8221; (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div> </div>
)

You can read more here: full article.

We are starting a new series at Grace Church entitled “One Month To Live.” I’m really excited about what God is going to do in lives through our study together. I’ve already started hearing some cool stories. 

There’s a new blog that we’ve started for the upcoming six weeks. It’ll have a daily devotional by a Grace Church member for each of the 30 days (5 entries per week). I think the insights and stories that people share will be very inspiring and challenging. 

Watch out Durham and Chapel Hill… people are listening to God and living each day to the fullest. Grace is on the move.

Check out the Grace Church “One Month To Live” Blog.

This past week the conference “Together for the Gospel” took place in Louisville, KY. They had a great line up of speakers passionately committed to advancing the gospel of Christ (e.g. John Piper, RC Sproul, Albert Mohler, CJ Mahaney, Mark Dever, John MacArthur, Ligon Duncan, and Thabiti Anyabwile).

You can listen or download the messages here: Together for the Gospel ’08