We'll, we have a new President. No matter who you voted for, it is good to see the peaceful transfer of power continue as it has for over two hundred years. It's wet here this weekend. Hopefully it won't get too cold anytime soon.
Without further ado, here are the links:
Why we don't like hypocrites.
Interesting article.
This could be a problem.
Evidently this is a big problem.
Making peace with stories.
Predictions that missed.
Is the gospel of success a good thing?
Human touch is important.
So, is globalism really the problem?
Food as medicine.
This is pretty cool.
Top questions about heaven.
Good post from Brad Gray.
Beauty in continuity.
Money in the heart.
All about the experience?
Is your gospel tiny?
A classic post from Michael Spencer.
Four things to watch for.
Idolizing power.
Have a blessed week!
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Weekend Wanderings
This week is the last week of President Obama's terms in office. Some are sad he is leaving, while others are glad. At times like this, when the office changes hands, should remind us that no matter who is in the White House, Jesus is on the throne. We have a King that will never give up the rule.
On to the good stuff:
Where it's hardest to be a Christian.
Julie Roys reviews Silence.
Another review of Silence.
Empathy.
Remaining faith.
Lauren R.E. Larkin on a free gift.
This is a bit odd.
Now we know what the Pope thinks of "fake news."
Feel like God is silent?
3D gospel.
Scott Davis on the Lord's Supper.
Good words from Philip Yancey.
Jared C. Wilson on love and hate.
Chaplain Mike is dreaming.
David Fitch reviews You Are What You Love.
The end of Christmas.
Unexpected inheritance.
Bob Edwards on half truths.
Keith Giles on revival.
How to get along with others?
Have a blessed week!
On to the good stuff:
Where it's hardest to be a Christian.
Julie Roys reviews Silence.
Another review of Silence.
Empathy.
Remaining faith.
Lauren R.E. Larkin on a free gift.
This is a bit odd.
Now we know what the Pope thinks of "fake news."
Feel like God is silent?
3D gospel.
Scott Davis on the Lord's Supper.
Good words from Philip Yancey.
Jared C. Wilson on love and hate.
Chaplain Mike is dreaming.
David Fitch reviews You Are What You Love.
The end of Christmas.
Unexpected inheritance.
Bob Edwards on half truths.
Keith Giles on revival.
How to get along with others?
Have a blessed week!
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Blast From the Past: Light
This was first posted on August 25, 2009.
Sunday morning we were talking about 1 John 1:5 , where John declares that God is light. That verse is one of the few times where Scripture says God is something. It's hard for me to imagine pure light with no darkness at all. God is light, and that light is so pure that it is impossible for one of us to see God and live. Maybe taking the idea of staring at the sun and multiplying it by infinity might approach the idea of God being light, but probably not.
Now think of Adam and Eve in the Garden before the Fall, spending their time in God's presence. They walked and talked with their Creator. Were they pure enough to be able to see the glory of God and still live? I think that they were, even though I can't wrap my tiny brain around that. Unfortunately, that purity and close relationship was broken by sin, and people could no longer stand to see God. Moses only saw the afterglow of God's presence and had to put a veil on because the people couldn't even stand to look on that reflection of God's glory.
Then along comes Jesus, the One called the Light of the world. He revealed the Father to us and abolished the barrier between us and God by his death, burial, and resurrection. Now we are the light of the world. Think about what that means. If people are to see the glory of God, they will see it in those of us who follow Jesus. Jesus said that people don't take a light and hide it, but rather allow it's light to shine. In the same way, we are not to hide the light of God that is in us, but we are to live our lives in such a way that people see God in us.
I believe that we let our light shine by taking it where the darkness is. If you light a candle outside on a sunny day, there is not much light seen from that candle. In the same way, if the only time we shine is when we are with other followers of Jesus, our light is not going to be as bright. We also can't sit behind walls and lob "truth grenades" at those outside and expect any light to be seen. We need to shine where those living in darkness can see God's light in us.
Sunday morning we were talking about 1 John 1:5 , where John declares that God is light. That verse is one of the few times where Scripture says God is something. It's hard for me to imagine pure light with no darkness at all. God is light, and that light is so pure that it is impossible for one of us to see God and live. Maybe taking the idea of staring at the sun and multiplying it by infinity might approach the idea of God being light, but probably not.
Now think of Adam and Eve in the Garden before the Fall, spending their time in God's presence. They walked and talked with their Creator. Were they pure enough to be able to see the glory of God and still live? I think that they were, even though I can't wrap my tiny brain around that. Unfortunately, that purity and close relationship was broken by sin, and people could no longer stand to see God. Moses only saw the afterglow of God's presence and had to put a veil on because the people couldn't even stand to look on that reflection of God's glory.
Then along comes Jesus, the One called the Light of the world. He revealed the Father to us and abolished the barrier between us and God by his death, burial, and resurrection. Now we are the light of the world. Think about what that means. If people are to see the glory of God, they will see it in those of us who follow Jesus. Jesus said that people don't take a light and hide it, but rather allow it's light to shine. In the same way, we are not to hide the light of God that is in us, but we are to live our lives in such a way that people see God in us.
I believe that we let our light shine by taking it where the darkness is. If you light a candle outside on a sunny day, there is not much light seen from that candle. In the same way, if the only time we shine is when we are with other followers of Jesus, our light is not going to be as bright. We also can't sit behind walls and lob "truth grenades" at those outside and expect any light to be seen. We need to shine where those living in darkness can see God's light in us.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Weekend Wanderings
It's chilly here in the sunny South. A snowstorm dropped a decent amount of snow not too far from us, but we only ended up with a dusting. The NFL playoffs begin this weekend, so I imagine a lot of folks are going to be spending a bit of time in front of their televisions. My favorite teams are out so I'll be watching just to see some hopefully good football.
Enough small talk. On to the good stuff:
Stop worrying!
Love, or a lack thereof.
Op ed by Jonathan Edwards, of all people.
Good post from Chad West.
The hyper-examined life.
This shows some promise.
The monks of Mount Athos.
The birth of brunch.
Leaders or lemmings?
A terrible loyalty.
Cool new electronics.
Classic post from Michael Spencer.
Guessing wrong.
Keith Giles on cultural blind spots.
Conversational bodies.
2016 in pictures.
Jonathan Storment on seeing the cross.
Wagging tongues.
Good post from Adam Morton.
This may not have been such a good idea.
Have a blessed week!
Enough small talk. On to the good stuff:
Stop worrying!
Love, or a lack thereof.
Op ed by Jonathan Edwards, of all people.
Good post from Chad West.
The hyper-examined life.
This shows some promise.
The monks of Mount Athos.
The birth of brunch.
Leaders or lemmings?
A terrible loyalty.
Cool new electronics.
Classic post from Michael Spencer.
Guessing wrong.
Keith Giles on cultural blind spots.
Conversational bodies.
2016 in pictures.
Jonathan Storment on seeing the cross.
Wagging tongues.
Good post from Adam Morton.
This may not have been such a good idea.
Have a blessed week!
Friday, January 6, 2017
Church Signs: "A Church Alive...
...Is Worth the Drive."
This was on the sign in front of a church just down the road from our house. Now, I have no firsthand knowledge of how "alive" this church is, so I won't address that. My issue is more with the idea of making a (possibly long) drive to a church.
When Jan and I were in the process of trying to find a church a few years ago, we visited a few churches within the metro area of which our city is a part. Most of them had good things going for them, and probably could be considered "alive" by most folks. None of them had any doctrinal issues that would have been a deal breaker.
There was one thing that steered us away from all of these churches. They were all at least a twenty to thirty minute drive from our house. While that would have been fine if all we were looking for was a Sunday morning worship service, we were looking for something quite different. We were looking for community, a place where we could serve, love, and be loved. We were looking for a group that we could join with in living as brothers and sisters who saw life together as the church as far more than just a once or twice a week meeting. We wanted a spiritual family that spent time fellowshipping and discipling as a part of day-to-day life.
We wanted to serve with the folks we worshipped with and worship with the folks we served with. We desired to be fully part of a community of faith. Fortunately, we have found that and I can't imagine traveling one day a week to worship with people who I only see on that day.
There are a lot of folks who do prefer the drive in order to find a church which is "alive." I know that there are churches like that who do kingdom work and truly make disciples. However, I believe that the model of smaller, parish type churches who live in community and are a part of the neighborhood where they are located are what is going to do the most work for the kingdom in the days to come. I believe that a time may come in this country when followers of Jesus will have to live in community in order to continue. It might do us good if we started now.
This was on the sign in front of a church just down the road from our house. Now, I have no firsthand knowledge of how "alive" this church is, so I won't address that. My issue is more with the idea of making a (possibly long) drive to a church.
When Jan and I were in the process of trying to find a church a few years ago, we visited a few churches within the metro area of which our city is a part. Most of them had good things going for them, and probably could be considered "alive" by most folks. None of them had any doctrinal issues that would have been a deal breaker.
There was one thing that steered us away from all of these churches. They were all at least a twenty to thirty minute drive from our house. While that would have been fine if all we were looking for was a Sunday morning worship service, we were looking for something quite different. We were looking for community, a place where we could serve, love, and be loved. We were looking for a group that we could join with in living as brothers and sisters who saw life together as the church as far more than just a once or twice a week meeting. We wanted a spiritual family that spent time fellowshipping and discipling as a part of day-to-day life.
We wanted to serve with the folks we worshipped with and worship with the folks we served with. We desired to be fully part of a community of faith. Fortunately, we have found that and I can't imagine traveling one day a week to worship with people who I only see on that day.
There are a lot of folks who do prefer the drive in order to find a church which is "alive." I know that there are churches like that who do kingdom work and truly make disciples. However, I believe that the model of smaller, parish type churches who live in community and are a part of the neighborhood where they are located are what is going to do the most work for the kingdom in the days to come. I believe that a time may come in this country when followers of Jesus will have to live in community in order to continue. It might do us good if we started now.
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