Have a busy few days coming up. Work Christmas party Friday night, Saturday night having some folks over our house and Sunday my boss is having a party at his house. It will be nice to visit and be around some people we don't normally hang with.
Was able to talk about my faith in Christ to some of the people I work with today. One thing led to another and we were discussing the gospel. It was pretty amazing actually. Praying for hearts that will hear, mine included.
On a side note I would like to profess my love of Francine Rivers. She is a phenomenal storyteller. I just finished "and the Shofar blew." Great book. I have read 4 or 5 of her books now and looking for more.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Sanctified and Holy
Listen to Paul's introductory words to the church at Corinth:
I Corinthians 1:2
"To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours."
I was beginning to read through the book of I Corinthians the other day, and couldn't seem to get past verse 2 (above). What do I do with this?
There is a lot packed in this little verse. This was written to a church where just a few versus later Paul is rebuking them on their divisiveness - he does this two different times in the first 3 chapters! Most of us know the other issues addressed in the book - namely sexual immorality, lawsuits, drunkeness in their gatherings.
Paul is saying the church is made holy through Jesus, and yet called to be holy. The church (its people) are set apart through Christ and yet called to be set apart. Reread the verse. What is he trying to say?
I believe he is saying "it is finished" - and yet there is still work to be done. This is a theme repeated in other scriptures throughout the new testament. We ARE sanctified in Christ, and yet called to be holy. So our job/duty/work is to trust in the finished work of Jesus in our lives in order to fulfull all we are called to be in Christ. Jesus alone has sanctified me, and because I am learning to trust more and more in that, I am becoming more and more holy. Wow!
I Corinthians 1:2
"To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours."
I was beginning to read through the book of I Corinthians the other day, and couldn't seem to get past verse 2 (above). What do I do with this?
There is a lot packed in this little verse. This was written to a church where just a few versus later Paul is rebuking them on their divisiveness - he does this two different times in the first 3 chapters! Most of us know the other issues addressed in the book - namely sexual immorality, lawsuits, drunkeness in their gatherings.
Paul is saying the church is made holy through Jesus, and yet called to be holy. The church (its people) are set apart through Christ and yet called to be set apart. Reread the verse. What is he trying to say?
I believe he is saying "it is finished" - and yet there is still work to be done. This is a theme repeated in other scriptures throughout the new testament. We ARE sanctified in Christ, and yet called to be holy. So our job/duty/work is to trust in the finished work of Jesus in our lives in order to fulfull all we are called to be in Christ. Jesus alone has sanctified me, and because I am learning to trust more and more in that, I am becoming more and more holy. Wow!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Revolting against culture
Don't forget to revolt against our consumeristic culture this holiday season. Don't take everything you are fed, especially when it comes to giving and receiving gifts. You truly don't have to "go with the flow." It is in the times we revolt that people begin to ask the really important questions. It is in the revolting that God could be glorified in our lives.
Pause and ask some Jesus questions. I will spare you of my Jesus questions, and challenge you to come up with your own.
So, if you want to be a revolutionary like Jesus, there is no better time to start.
Pause and ask some Jesus questions. I will spare you of my Jesus questions, and challenge you to come up with your own.
So, if you want to be a revolutionary like Jesus, there is no better time to start.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Monday Night
Was able to have dinner with George and Ann, and attend a bible study with them. It was a good experience. Great to see and spend time with good friends. Great to be in the presence of honest seekers.
When I got home Kylie was waiting for me to put her to bed. When I was rocking her quietly, after a story and some scripture reciting, she quietly whispered in my ear "I love you daddy." It felt like she really understood what those words meant, and to me it meant the world.
Made me think about the last time I was quietly reflecting on God and from an honest heart said "I love you daddy." Isn't that what God is looking for from us? To gently allow him to rock us and hold us and be overwhelmed by his goodness and love for us. So much to the point we can't help but say "I love you daddy." He wants to be that close to us, and for us to experience him in that way.
When I got home Kylie was waiting for me to put her to bed. When I was rocking her quietly, after a story and some scripture reciting, she quietly whispered in my ear "I love you daddy." It felt like she really understood what those words meant, and to me it meant the world.
Made me think about the last time I was quietly reflecting on God and from an honest heart said "I love you daddy." Isn't that what God is looking for from us? To gently allow him to rock us and hold us and be overwhelmed by his goodness and love for us. So much to the point we can't help but say "I love you daddy." He wants to be that close to us, and for us to experience him in that way.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
the gods aren't angry
Thursday night saw Rob Bell at the Brown Theatre here in Louisville. He has an amazing way of witnessing to scripture. Bottom line for me - we continue to treat our relationship with God as if He needs to be satisfied in some way, or He will "zap" us. We continue to practice our religion, instead of walking in the way of Jesus. We go to "church" to appease our God, we offer our religious sacrifices b/c in some way we think God needs them and/or requires them. We spend a great deal of energy figuring out the pattern - so we can go forth in the world and correct the errors in other denominations.
Quite frankly - I just don't get it anymore and am tired. More tired than I have ever been. Tired of listening to the religious arguments, and tired of still wanting to participate in them. I have been trying to leave the old way for many years and God willing I feel I am almost home! Need to drop my judgement and bitterness and get about the work to which I am called. The work of incarnating Christ to everyone I come in contact with - even the religious zealots!!
Lord Jesus - Pour your Spirit out.
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On a more serious note - put some lights up on the house today. It was an interesting experience to say the least. They actually look pretty good though. Kylie loves them!
Quite frankly - I just don't get it anymore and am tired. More tired than I have ever been. Tired of listening to the religious arguments, and tired of still wanting to participate in them. I have been trying to leave the old way for many years and God willing I feel I am almost home! Need to drop my judgement and bitterness and get about the work to which I am called. The work of incarnating Christ to everyone I come in contact with - even the religious zealots!!
Lord Jesus - Pour your Spirit out.
--------------------------
On a more serious note - put some lights up on the house today. It was an interesting experience to say the least. They actually look pretty good though. Kylie loves them!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Happy Birthday
Celebrated my mom's birthday this weekend. Went to assembly at Central Church of Christ. It was good to see some old friends and family. We then spent the rest of Sunday at mom and dad's house. Besides the Bengals looking like the Bengals of old, it was great time. We shared a meal together and got to give mom some pretty good presents. I am proud she is my mom. She has taught me so much about loving and caring for people. Blessings to you mom!
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Getting ready for Thanksgiving. We celebrate thanksmas with Scott and Glenna this coming Thursday. I am looking forward to more time with family and celebrating all that God has blessed us with.
And finally the great theological insight! As we search to be church, especially in a corporate setting - no two experiences will/should be the same. The church, because it is organic in nature is always growing and changing. If that is true, then our experiences together will be different. So, if you believe this at all, then why do we try and mimic or manufacture certain expereinces from week to week?
Emily and I were part of an amazing small group in Cincinnati, but it is not the goal to make our current small group experience like that one, right? We have to allow room for the Spirit of God to move among the community of believers seeking and searching for the will of God in their lives. Hard for me (and I think most humans) to grasp this. We constantly want what once was. We have a hard time trusting God to bring us something fresh and new, or at least I do!
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Getting ready for Thanksgiving. We celebrate thanksmas with Scott and Glenna this coming Thursday. I am looking forward to more time with family and celebrating all that God has blessed us with.
And finally the great theological insight! As we search to be church, especially in a corporate setting - no two experiences will/should be the same. The church, because it is organic in nature is always growing and changing. If that is true, then our experiences together will be different. So, if you believe this at all, then why do we try and mimic or manufacture certain expereinces from week to week?
Emily and I were part of an amazing small group in Cincinnati, but it is not the goal to make our current small group experience like that one, right? We have to allow room for the Spirit of God to move among the community of believers seeking and searching for the will of God in their lives. Hard for me (and I think most humans) to grasp this. We constantly want what once was. We have a hard time trusting God to bring us something fresh and new, or at least I do!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Weekend and hope
Had a good weekend. Visited the Ezells place in Wilmore, KY. It is truly God's country. Everything from the restaurant we ate at "Solomon's porch" to the cross atop the water tower, this place oozed religion. Plus it is located in the middle of some of the most beautiful scenary you will find anywhere. Anyway, it was good to spend the day with them, and we look forward to getting to do it again soon!
I am looking foward to hearing Rob Bell when he comes to Louisville on the 29th. "The gods aren't angry" is the title of the lectures. Should be interesting -as I have been listening to his sermons every week for the past 6 months.
Discussion in last night's small group:
-As we walk deeper in our relationship with Christ, what are our hopes for our lives? Have they changed? Should they change?
Bible has a lot to say about the hope we have in Christ. So, what are your hopes? Sure we have some for the after-life, but what about today, tomorrow or 5 years from now? Any relationships that could use some changing? Anything regarding money and your stuff? What about family/friends/job/time? Hopes - what really separates us from the rest of the world. The hope(s) that are made available in Christ. It is really pretty exciting to think about.
I am looking foward to hearing Rob Bell when he comes to Louisville on the 29th. "The gods aren't angry" is the title of the lectures. Should be interesting -as I have been listening to his sermons every week for the past 6 months.
Discussion in last night's small group:
-As we walk deeper in our relationship with Christ, what are our hopes for our lives? Have they changed? Should they change?
Bible has a lot to say about the hope we have in Christ. So, what are your hopes? Sure we have some for the after-life, but what about today, tomorrow or 5 years from now? Any relationships that could use some changing? Anything regarding money and your stuff? What about family/friends/job/time? Hopes - what really separates us from the rest of the world. The hope(s) that are made available in Christ. It is really pretty exciting to think about.
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