tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23893033822364022472024-02-06T23:28:15.942-05:00Freely Acceptedand dearly lovedUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-57852253976337753652013-12-20T08:54:00.001-05:002013-12-20T08:54:46.696-05:00Jump for Joy!<p dir=ltr>God is with us. All will be well!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_M1sO-n65E1FN9IbxN7uJH0iQLBPXmvBfy0gp61WfAzjUVRk380YGQ5rzfuKyKXncIhCc07dYWuQN5SUCe4dEQT2AM2yyrr-ZKmBRNOP6s_aejehoiBlSlGaai_qrkF8pQpAVgazMLw/s1600/Screenshot_2013-12-20-05-51-34.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_M1sO-n65E1FN9IbxN7uJH0iQLBPXmvBfy0gp61WfAzjUVRk380YGQ5rzfuKyKXncIhCc07dYWuQN5SUCe4dEQT2AM2yyrr-ZKmBRNOP6s_aejehoiBlSlGaai_qrkF8pQpAVgazMLw/s640/Screenshot_2013-12-20-05-51-34.png"> </a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-10622873240699287072013-12-04T07:34:00.000-05:002013-12-04T07:34:30.441-05:00Hurts so GoodI asked for an honest life. I asked for the ability to see more clearly where there is duplicity in my life. Flat on my back, weak, and sore is where I get my honesty check. I am so annoyed when I get sick. How dare life obstruct my way when "I'm on a roll." ?<br />
<br />
Yesterday was one of those days. It started with a migraine the night before. Next morning when my alarm went off I sat up on the side of my bed and just sat there. Did someone put the Halloween pumpkin on my pillow last night while I was sleeping? It felt like I was trying to balance my own head so I wouldn't tip back over right into my pillow. Okay. Not a good sign for the day. <br />
<br />
Despite the morning ritual which begins with coffee and reading, I still just sat there trying to wake up. My exercise buddy is faithful to pick me up in the morning for our workouts. It wasn't going to happen. My body would not cooperate. Arrrgh! I hate being weak! <br />
<br />
After my hissy fit with myself, it was clear to me that I would be doing nothing but laying on my couch and resting. Okay then. I might be on my back but at least I can still read. Ha. Ever try to read after a bad migraine? Forget about it. <br />
<br />
It's going to be a Podcast day. It was. I've been recently following a new guy, Sirini Rao over at Blogcast FM. If I can't exercise my body, at least I can do some mental squats. You know, the kind that hurt so good? Well, I wasn't disappointed. I listened in and out for hours of him interviewing some great writers/thinkers. I was so groggy for most of the day that I wasn't sure who I was hearing but it was all good. Danille Leporte, Greg Hartle, Justine Musk, to name a few. <br />
<br />
What do they all have in common? Many things, but one thing stands out. Each has a driving desire for an authentic and generous life. Each one seem to have a relentless pursuit to live honestly with themselves and others. The effect? People get inspired to do the same. <br />
<br />
So here's my attempt today. I don't like being weak. I feel guilty when I take care of myself. I am the first one to tell another to "rest; take it easy; be good to you." but will resist that same counsel when I am weak. What's up with that? How is that honest? Do I have a martyr complex or something? What drives me to be good to others and treat my own self with such contempt? If I was my best friend, I'd be looking for a new buddy! I would never talk to a friend the way I talk to me. <br />
<br />
Before I start a sloppy pity party, let me stop it here. I know a few things to be true. <br />
1. As a man thinketh, so he is.<br />
2. I have a choice in what I think about<br />
3. My behavior is the result of my thoughts<br />
<br />
Maybe mine is more of a self-control issue. Perhaps I need to hirer a bouncer to stand at the entrance of my brain and check some IDs. No thought that's not true and honorable allowed to pass through. Period.<br />
<br />
So, ready to do some heavy (mental) squats? Squat this.<br />
<br />
You are wonderful. You are worth all the drama. You belong. You are freely accepted. You are dearly loved. You are worth fighting for, crying over, standing up for. Your life counts. Your mistakes don't define you. Your worth is intrinsic. You are loved unconditionally. Nothing you can do or not do changes this. You are enjoyable; not tolerated. You are welcomed; not sidelined. You don't need to knock; you can fling the door right open! Your picture deserves to be in someone's wallet or one someone's refrigerator. You are adored, cherished, longed for. Someone hurts when you are hurt. Someone is happy when you are happy. You are never ever alone. You never will be. The welcome mat is always out for you. The light is always left on for you. Your company is anticipated. You bring a stir of joy wherever you are. Even most of your jokes are funny! You are uniquely gifted to thaw out the frozen people. Your love is a fire for the weary and worn soul. You are beautiful. You were made for love; you were made for triumph, for praise. You are full of wonder.<br />
<br />
How was that workout? Does it hurt so good? <br />
<br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-53953207364000259542013-11-16T10:00:00.000-05:002013-11-16T10:00:04.226-05:00There’s Enough for Everyone to Have Seconds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepmcqlgqNKM8BjDWmdqzOwI8B2PpNRtGf_aXC8zFui_arPBqqg8IrJY-Bys4QP2GcDJ1koLQj49iT-623fg8Ri_XqWjQTCMQqVr6RbQ2z1pyolopRsrdQKDNShb5sjfOKackA1_LReoo/s1600/normanrockwellthanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepmcqlgqNKM8BjDWmdqzOwI8B2PpNRtGf_aXC8zFui_arPBqqg8IrJY-Bys4QP2GcDJ1koLQj49iT-623fg8Ri_XqWjQTCMQqVr6RbQ2z1pyolopRsrdQKDNShb5sjfOKackA1_LReoo/s1600/normanrockwellthanks.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s my tribute to Thanksgiving. It has nothing to do with pilgrims, turkeys, marshmallow
creations or even giving thanks! Crazy. I know.
Here’s my spin. Take a look at
that wholesome scene with the mother leaning over the turkey. It yells out abundance. There will be plenty of turkey tonight, and
the next day, and the next…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The point is when you sit at the table, you do not think
things like, “skimpy, sparse, not enough for all.” Just the opposite, you think
abundance and ‘dig right in!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s shift gears a moment with a rather unpleasant and
probably impolite topic that you most certainly wouldn’t bring up around that
Norman Rockwell feast…jealousy and envy.
Can you imagine this conversation at the table?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What she said</b>:
“So, did you see the new car that our neighbors got? Pretty sweet ride. That
guy has all the breaks! And he knows it too!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What you heard</b>: “
<u>I deserve</u> a new car. I work harder than him and at least I have the
common sense to be humble about it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, excuse me. Did
the truth just smack you up side the head?
Good. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Why can’t we see someone’s abundance in life as something to
celebrate instead of deflate?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, a young friend made a comment to me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m so irritated.
All these people are getting engaged. It's so freakin’ annoying.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, the truth is, there’s enough love and romance in the
world to go around. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s sad. How much of our internal conversations are
stuck on that track of thinking?</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Everything
good happens to everyone else.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course hardship and setbacks come to all. But what is really at the core of this
thinking? What feeds that cruel monster
Envy? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suggest it is rooted in a belief system that is tied to
two things. </div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">How
you see God</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">How
you perform in life</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I see God as a player who “only loves you when you’re
playin’” well then, good luck. You are stuck in a perpetual game of tag. All is good when God is “it” but it really is
disappointing when he tags you. You come
to the end of yourself pretty quickly. Trying to catch God’s approval is an
exhausting game. Some people spend all
their lives and money in pursuit of it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead consider a true and tested mindset. God is generous in all ways. His entire creation screams out, “Hey! I’m so
abundant! Check out all that I have made.
Oh, and don’t forget, there is the unseen realm that you can’t see…at
least yet!” (a plug for one of my
favorite books, <i>More than Meets the Eye by Richard Swenson </i>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we believe this truth, we are at our finest. We are at our most glorious state. It’s faith.
It’s believing that there is plenty of love, and wealth, and kindness,
and honor and life to go around. It’s
showing up at the Thanksgiving table expectant, looking forward to the mashed
potatoes and gravy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How much of our anger and irritations are seated in the fact
that we just believe we deserve better and more? Heaven help us when Mr. Perfect gets
“blessed” and we feel overlooked. If you
are loved by God, He won’t disappoint you.
He’s not always trying to “test you” either as if you are in the
perpetual school of life. Rubbish! He
actually enjoys you. He gets a kick out
of you. So much so it causes Him to
shout for joy and sing. Check it out.
Zephaniah 3:17. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you really, I mean really believed this, how would it
change your opinion of Mr. Always-Gets-All-the-Breaks? Would you feel jealous? Would you want his new car? I think not. It’s much like being in love. You want to treat others with love when you
are so saturated yourself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being aware of God’s immense love and enjoyment of you is
the remedy for jealousy. Live your life
fully. Live it fully aware you are dearly
loved and enjoyed. Let others live their
lives. Be happy when happiness comes to
them. Remember, there is abundance at
His Thanksgiving table. He’s not holding
back on you. Don’t you hold back either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, pass me the rutabagas…again!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-26013015814370638502013-11-01T12:30:00.000-04:002013-11-01T12:30:02.089-04:00Unmistakeable Me?So, I'm on a journey. Where am I going? Well, my compass is pointed towards "Exhilarating Clarity". I have that statement written on my Vision Board which I picked up from a line in a book somewhere. <br />
<br />
I am currently doing a 12 week Body for Life challenge, taking yoga classes 2 evenings a week and seeing a counselor. I am smiling as I type. Can you guess what season of life I'm in? So this is what 50 looks and feels like for me! <br />
<br />
I am reading all sorts of stuff that I have never read before. My latest read was an ebook called<b> The Art of Being Unmistakable by Srivas Rao. </b>It's a short read but packed with some punch. For example,<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Honesty and Imperfection</b></div>
<i>In a world where everybody has a voice, the only "personal brand" that will stand out is one that is honest, imperfect, vulnerable, and rough around the edges. When you polish anything too Much, it loses the thing that makes it shine from within. Then we cannot trust it anymore.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I really question if I am honest with myself and others. Probably not. I know I have lots of internal struggle. I know what I wish I had the courage to say but then my "polite and diplomatic" persona cuts right in front of the line like a rude person at an amusement park. " Excuse me! I've been waiting in this damn line for nearly on hour so that I could yell like a mad woman on this 2 minute roller coaster! " I really disapprove of rude people and polite alter egos. I truly want to be authentic and stop the bull but I don't know how. Look, I taught an Etiquette course for children! Emily Posts book on Etiquette was part of my inheritance. What would people think of me? Perhaps that is the wrong question? Does being authentic mean being rude? Actually, I think I recall something else I read by Solomon.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Proverbs 27:5</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So it's good to hide love and better to openly rebuke. Hm mm....and what do you suppose is best? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My answer. Be real. Be vulnerable. Be willing to risk offending. It's not the end of the world to offend someone. So what if you fall out of some one's "good graces." If it's easy to get in good with someone it's just as easy to get out. Typically, I have found that the perfect people have nothing substantial to offer except some platitudes and party lines. No thank you. I'd rather sit next to a stranger on a bus and pour out my soul. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh God, deliver me from the trap of treating people as commodities as something to be used and minimized. I want to see, really see people. To hear people, to listen. To shut up and let them bleed it out. Sure it's messy. But it's okay because we are more alike than different. We are born to adversity; we all have that in common.</div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-32410330059977575812013-08-13T09:04:00.000-04:002013-08-13T09:04:08.345-04:00Don't RememberThis morning I sat on my deck with my bible across my crossed legs. Typical scene for me. I love sitting cross legged; my bible fits perfectly between my knees. Like most mornings, I come expecting to be changed in some degree by what I read and what I hear. I know by now that anytime spent in God's word is mind-altering. Here's a portion for you.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Isaiah 43:18-19<br />
"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. <br />
'Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?"<br />
<br />
Hmm....do not call to mind the former things. Not something I can hear me saying to my children. In fact, quite the opposite. I insist they remember. I can hear myself saying, "' I forgot" is not a good excuse." However, here in this passage, the Lord is commanding us to not call to mind something. I think calling something to mind is not passive. It sounds proactive to me. When I call something to mind I am deliberate. I want to recall it. I call it back like I call my child in from play. <br />
<br />
The Lord goes a little further. He says, "or ponder things of the past". Pondering involves reflection. Again, this is not a passing thought. This is something you give yourself over to. This is something you marinate your mind and emotions in. Hum....sounds a little scary now. Do you know where I'm going with this? Calling to mind and pondering the former things can be obstacles in seeing what God has ahead for you; for me.<br />
<br />
Verse 19...."Behold...." Pause for a moment right here. The Lord is trying to get our attention. He wants us to stop, look, and listen. This is not a drive -by or drive-thru exercise. Slow down, take a seat and look up. Listen to what He has to say, "Girl, I will do something new, NOW, it will spring forth; will you see it happen?" <br />
<br />
What are you remembering this morning? Does it fill your thoughts with regret? Is there anything you can do right now to correct the past? No. So here's a suggestion. Don't travel down into that valley of regret and what if so-and-so garbage. Instead look over the wasteland <u>from the bridge</u>. Let evaluated experience inform course changes for the future but do not get on your slop boots and hike down into that mess! The Lord is doing a NEW thing in your life NOW! He even promises you He will pave a roadway in the wilderness. Keep reading your bible. It's all there.<br />
<br />
Maybe you are recalling a significant relationship right now. Maybe you are rehearsing hopes and dreams that never came true. Little sister, can I tell you straight? STOP IT. Perhaps your heart is breaking because someone else's dream is coming true right now. Do you know that one person's joy does not diminish yours? In fact, I say their joy increases yours. We are becoming genuine like Christ as we rejoice with those who are happy. You might not feel it now, but so what. It's true. There is enough of God's love and joy to fill every crevice open to Him! <br />
<br />
So, are you going to be aware of the NEW and NOW in your life today? The choice is yours. I love you. I am praying for you. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-65395707674066027072011-03-24T15:48:00.000-04:002011-03-24T15:48:38.718-04:00No longer a slave<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2011/03/24/no-longer-a-slave/">No longer a slave</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-9714524075418897102011-03-15T18:45:00.001-04:002011-03-15T19:01:23.858-04:00Contend To The End<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31v3VpaCxpRcVI13I8S7uR1kJWg0T7VGXp16TklPbdXO8DCyLfK5R2AD4d3_AuYAzoE25ZAlRSAZ7DZ3H0C-CyIFjFLvmdvAMFEZCmZMlCyB3lIAsS6rw5uXgakp4O-SEmLWwrkLtTlk/s1600/hebrews9_28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31v3VpaCxpRcVI13I8S7uR1kJWg0T7VGXp16TklPbdXO8DCyLfK5R2AD4d3_AuYAzoE25ZAlRSAZ7DZ3H0C-CyIFjFLvmdvAMFEZCmZMlCyB3lIAsS6rw5uXgakp4O-SEmLWwrkLtTlk/s400/hebrews9_28.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584445611665329810" /></a><br />Tullian is becoming one of my favorite preachers/teachers to listen to. Here's his recent post. <br /><br /><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2011/03/14/contend-to-the-end/">Contend To The End</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-37134978603610338362011-02-25T22:55:00.001-05:002011-02-25T22:56:38.534-05:00Having Fun with Animoto:)<a href="http://animoto.com/play/RhMqsY6WJo8ALa84Wr3OpA">test 2</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-80857160846052478022011-02-25T12:46:00.006-05:002011-02-25T13:16:58.552-05:00Evangelism and Hospitality<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx__ft05tG0VaYpjH3O_1zl_Qa3wdNw3_T9PQtVStZY9AI6_1o6cBXSA38M0PbTusazZ7snv1x1Wjp0FhMpG5_624UT1GX8zdvZ5GZSYvOhAvw7sOME5Bx65OFefzEGBpDGv_tPOckUL8/s1600/1030101810.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx__ft05tG0VaYpjH3O_1zl_Qa3wdNw3_T9PQtVStZY9AI6_1o6cBXSA38M0PbTusazZ7snv1x1Wjp0FhMpG5_624UT1GX8zdvZ5GZSYvOhAvw7sOME5Bx65OFefzEGBpDGv_tPOckUL8/s400/1030101810.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577688929084782386" /></a><br />The other night, our care group discussed the issue of heaven which led us into a discussion on hell which led us to a talk on evangelism. Historically, those talks can turn into occasions for feeling condemned. It was different this time. I think we are getting it. It's not "doing", it's being. I don't do marriage. I am married. We don't "do" evangelism. We are in the work of opening our lives and homes to strangers. We make room for others. We are friendly and inviting to outsiders. We are others centered.<br /><br />Here's a good article and link to a message on it. Enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="http://">www.http://mrlauterbach.typepad.com/gospeldrivenlife/2011/02/the-depths-of-hospitality.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-86669343353974724412011-02-23T15:35:00.000-05:002011-02-23T15:36:57.665-05:00Animoto Rocks!<object id="vp1Jr3T4" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1298493252&f=Jr3T4teVziToLEpm1OmQLw&d=37&m=b&r=240p&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1Jr3T4" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1298493252&f=Jr3T4teVziToLEpm1OmQLw&d=37&m=b&r=240p&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Create your own <a href="http://animoto.com">video slideshow</a> at animoto.com.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-935731207715801582011-01-31T10:44:00.000-05:002011-01-31T10:47:04.973-05:00Alone Make Much of You<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><table id="itemcontentlist"><tbody><tr><td style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 1.4em; "><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; "><a rel="nofollow" name="1" target="_blank" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~3/sW6bK8Jhbq8/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email" style="color: rgb(91, 33, 26); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 20px; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1296486602_1" style="color: rgb(54, 99, 136); ">With mercy make me free</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 9px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-size: 13px; "><span>Posted:</span> 30 Jan 2011 12:01 AM PST</p><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">“O Jesus, take my bent away<br />For thinking much of me,<br />And kill my pride, and from this day<br />With mercy make me free.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">O Jesus, grant the gift to see<br />The treasure that you are,<br />And as the night eclipses me,<br />O be my Morning Star.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">And now if I should serve, or lead,<br />Or give, or mercy show,<br />O Jesus, let my love be freed,<br />And like a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1296486602_2" style="color: rgb(54, 99, 136); ">river flow</span>.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">O Jesus, be the treasure of<br />My heart and all I do,<br />And may the river of my love<br />Alone make much of you.”</p><cite style="font-style: normal; "><span class="author">— <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1296486602_3" style="color: rgb(54, 99, 136); ">John Piper</span></span><br /><span class="book" style="margin-left: 16px; "><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/using-our-gifts-in-proportion-to-our-faith-part-2" style="color: rgb(91, 33, 26); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1296486602_4" style="color: rgb(54, 99, 136); ">"Using Our Gifts in Proportion to Our Faith, Part 2"</span></a></span><br /><span class="academic" style="margin-left: 16px; ">(Minneapolis, Minn.: <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1296486602_5" style="color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Desiring God Ministries</span>, Nov. 7, 2004)</span></cite><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/OfFirstImportance/~4/sW6bK8Jhbq8?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email" height="1" width="1" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " /></div><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-28864356298265972942011-01-17T14:24:00.000-05:002011-01-17T14:24:55.275-05:00Social Media Revolution<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sIFYPQjYhv8?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-70334714318839978882011-01-13T17:57:00.004-05:002011-01-13T18:30:43.178-05:00Listen Twice; Speak Once<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQumpSJSmdpyP-6kZ1twJjV9L26poNozU5uhocxQiVz0Kd5vImudw" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; ">Have you ever heard the saying,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; "><b>"with two ears and one mouth you should listen twice and speak once." </b>Anytime I hear someone speak on listening, I perk up. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Recently, I heard an attorney speak on the topic of synergy. Okay, sounds like an interesting topic. Synergy makes the world go round. But it wasn't the topic that impressed me, it was what he did. He walked into the room, introduced himself and then had all of us tell him our first names. Okay. Polite guy. Like him already. However, what he was doing was showing us what real listening is like. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He proceeded to teach his material all the while using our names throughout the time. Whoa! How did he do that? Does he have some magic trick that helps him remember stuff? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> How about this. He listened. He was focused on us. He wasn't just giving the appearance of politeness. He was engaged. He was humble. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>"It's the arrogant person who thinks they are picking up everything someone is saying." </i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He said that we all tend to wander off but says the remedy for that is to acknowledge you are doing it and then apologize for it. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"I'm sorry but I was distracted while you were speaking and really wasn't listening. Would you please repeat what you just said?"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thanks Albert. I'm all ears. </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-12288150461323946432010-12-23T09:38:00.003-05:002010-12-23T09:48:01.798-05:00Why do we celebrate??<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Why We Celebrate</span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center">Why do we celebrate<br />Jesus’ birth at Christmas,<br />though we don’t know when He was born?<br />It was necessary and inevitable<br />that we select a date<br />to celebrate an eternal miracle--<br />the coming to earth<br />of God in human form...Jesus,<br />Who changed the entire world<br />with His message of love,<br />forgiveness, humility and peace.<br />Christmas is an obligatory<br />and indispensable holiday<br />marking the transformation<br />from guiltless selfishness<br />to striving to follow His example<br />of service to God and our fellow man.<br /><em>That</em> is worth celebrating.<br />- Joanna Fuchs-</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553888989473562146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V9TjAph6J27whFegsXZRXYAs67B3K9CKaU_9wpMDLssSPn43uJ1tzbHyE0AdEfed45q6QVyfj577tcs7ciXMGc2RVMzl3ZtEOcFEs9cSWKY1zKo3-7RDqNacEQ2DCq0jMTWrrswfJwU/s400/the-nativity-story-08.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-75782836744623499972010-12-14T11:08:00.000-05:002010-12-14T11:08:38.281-05:00Random Acts of Glory!<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SXh7JR9oKVE?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-27012020352613291682010-12-02T17:33:00.004-05:002010-12-02T18:03:00.048-05:00Parenting in the Thick and Thin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmkMsUXx4T1X9v2goKL4fJD0kZsnY8xG1HT0w1dswH6VD2oQ-NvOkjznXKxjpG052iMEdkDTyj030TeUNI2yvlmmkx2u6Ekqkh5sC9FXVpat-TGLryUbg57tLV392B8PFLPpdmwD6EhY/s1600/exhausted.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 151px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546221512512409058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmkMsUXx4T1X9v2goKL4fJD0kZsnY8xG1HT0w1dswH6VD2oQ-NvOkjznXKxjpG052iMEdkDTyj030TeUNI2yvlmmkx2u6Ekqkh5sC9FXVpat-TGLryUbg57tLV392B8PFLPpdmwD6EhY/s400/exhausted.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Do you ever feel beat up in the day? Ever heard yourself utter, "how long O Lord, how long?" I remember with acute vividness a defining moment in my parenting world. It was right after the birth of my second daughter. I looked at her, all sweet and pudgy-cheeked. I scooped her up towards my chest and cried. Yep. Cried. The reality of who I was as a person, as a parent had been revealed to me already. I knew that I couldn't promise her that I would never get angry with her or raise a harsh voice. No, I had discovered that after my first child. I didn't know I couldn't be perfect. I had all those good examples around me. I was intentionally raising my daughter in God's way. How could I not be perfect? I didn't understand. I didn't understand grace. I didn't know that God would fill in all the gaps, fill up all the leaks. What mom needs the Savior when she's got "it" all together? Can I say it. I'm hopeful in all my weakness. He shows up so brilliantly in my darkness! </div><div>Experience has taught me not to make a promise I couldn't keep. However, I did (and still do now that I have teenagers!) point them to Jesus Christ. He's the Rock. He does the impossible really well. Look to Him kids. He won't disappoint you.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-86361218410836346552010-10-21T21:18:00.000-04:002010-10-21T21:18:24.704-04:00NEW E*TRADE Baby -- Time Out<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/x0GsNhLt9Ds/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x0GsNhLt9Ds?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x0GsNhLt9Ds?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p>I love these commercials! Go E-trade!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-58065358521222470022010-10-20T23:38:00.001-04:002010-10-20T23:41:23.353-04:00Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art<object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/nhvaDJTUmrU/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nhvaDJTUmrU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nhvaDJTUmrU?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-31101123482768583152010-10-20T22:54:00.006-04:002010-10-20T23:16:39.711-04:00Stand and Bear Witness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ7zRfQyZIHuZXTJGe7H0MUIhMOfeBeyaZvGXxzLewljQwPJW05tZFCXxnuf4JlYmHYLKlEmYsiBxQLV6qnwebUw8KETomoixh2BPowHvNq8lXk_ACcDwlpw3X5or8mHvezbC-kpiCj8/s1600/moon+rise.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ7zRfQyZIHuZXTJGe7H0MUIhMOfeBeyaZvGXxzLewljQwPJW05tZFCXxnuf4JlYmHYLKlEmYsiBxQLV6qnwebUw8KETomoixh2BPowHvNq8lXk_ACcDwlpw3X5or8mHvezbC-kpiCj8/s400/moon+rise.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530332362328443906" /></a><br />I love the way Spurgeon says things. I can picture a father figure speaking over his children with the charge, 'testify of His faithfulness. Has He ever left you or deserted you in a field of contention without His aid? No! Never! This is our Friend, our Savior. Is it any wonder we love Him so?' <br /><br />Thanks to D. Ortland for quote below:<br /><br /><em>20 October 2010A Faithful Friend <br />'There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.' --Proverbs 18:24<br /><br />Spurgeon:<br /><br />Christ is 'a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.' And in order to prove this from facts, we appeal to such of you as have had him for a friend. Will you not, each of you, at once give your verdict, that this is neither more nor less than an unexaggerated truth?<br /><br />He loved you before all worlds; long ere the day star flung his ray across the darkness, before the wing of angel had flapped the unnavigated ether, before aught of creation had struggled from the womb of nothingness, God, even our God, had set his heart upon all his children.<br /><br />Since that time, has he once swerved, has he once turned aside, once changed? No; ye who have tasted of his love and know his grace, will bear me witness, that he has been a certain friend in uncertain circumstances. . . .<br /><br />You have often left him; has he ever left you? You have had many trials and troubles; has he ever deserted you? Has he ever turned away his heart, and shut up his bowels of compassion? No, children of God, it is your solemn duty to say 'No,' and bear witness to his faithfulness. </em>--'A Faithful Friend,' in Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon (New York: Sheldon, Blakeman & Co., 1857), 13-14Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-27643272590821638732010-10-14T20:22:00.000-04:002010-10-14T20:22:38.221-04:00True Love-Phil Wickham (with Matt Chandler & CJ Mahaney)Here's another reminder that we are drawn to the beauty of the Savior, not driven to obedience to a moral code.<br /><br /><object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/FzbK2A5BN1I/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FzbK2A5BN1I?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FzbK2A5BN1I?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-48775406375951493262010-10-12T20:34:00.011-04:002010-10-13T18:29:31.459-04:00Five Reasons to Have Children and Keep Them<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnK_olkpbcB8axyiNY7og4v6gDsWclxUG7ISNrH5HEaLtokLBUylV0Eojr3yx8lJNg8KQZPFINLwJcZWDvFyzjmfzbvFCeD9Jgg4yGmxi0gjE1_2fvPDbl0e-mwJ7GV5UvD8wfmMZ4t8/s1600/izzy+girl+at+school.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnK_olkpbcB8axyiNY7og4v6gDsWclxUG7ISNrH5HEaLtokLBUylV0Eojr3yx8lJNg8KQZPFINLwJcZWDvFyzjmfzbvFCeD9Jgg4yGmxi0gjE1_2fvPDbl0e-mwJ7GV5UvD8wfmMZ4t8/s200/izzy+girl+at+school.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527660404329607746" /></a><br />Did you ever think you needed a reason to have children? Well, in case I have any readers who are childless, do press on. And for those who do have kids but wonder why they should keep them; press on. <br /><br />1. Pets are cute, but they are not children. No disrespect meant to those who love their pets like a family member. I have my black lab who is the "baby" of our all female family, (except for my husband) She's cute; she's always in a good mood, but she has never left me a sweet note on my pillow about how much she loves me.<br /><br />2. Children make you see life through a different lens...the lens of a child. You forget what it's like to be a kid when you are all grown up, have your career, and so on. Kids take you back to that time in your life. For me, it makes me incredibly grateful for the husband I share life with. He's a good dad. He's not perfect, but hey, he's in the game. He helps them with homework, instructs them about life, enters into their joys and sorrows. I had no such experience. I love having a reference point for what a good daddy looks and sounds like.<br /><br />3. Having children gives you Attention Deficient Disorder. Hey...that's not a bad thing! Oh my gosh....I'm glad I get to jump from thing to thing. First of all, my kids think I am a walking dictionary and can't possibly not understand their math equations! I wouldn't want to disappoint them except for the ADD that pulls me away to the next child! Thank you ADD. You have rescued me from all these inflated expectations of my dear kids.<br /><br />4. Children make you laugh! Come on, everything from the first time they winch their little faces to poop in their diaper! You know what I'm talking about. You know it makes you laugh. Then they start to read and want to play Scrabble with you. Great. A little awkward when your daughter only has the k-c-f letters left and puts them around the only available vowel...you guessed it. "Is that a word, Daddy?" I don't know what's funnier; their phonetic exercise or trying not to make eye contact with your spouse:) <br /><br />5. Children are a gift. Plain and simple. Undeserved gift from the Creator who loves to bless us with what we don't deserve. It's what He does so well.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-8629946547298849342010-10-10T22:11:00.002-04:002010-10-10T22:16:45.308-04:00"Godly Rudeness"I just listened to this message with my two oldest daughters. Very good! It's a mini- parenting seminar too, especially for daddy's raising daughters. I would encourage any young Christian man to listen to it as well. I will be listening to more from Mark and Gracie. :)<br /><br /> Enjoy. <br /><object width="400" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://www.marshillchurch.org/v/qjbe3t45xfzq"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.marshillchurch.org/v/qjbe3t45xfzq" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" allowscriptaccess="always" height="275"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-12413829120340570482010-10-04T20:44:00.008-04:002010-10-07T20:48:47.937-04:00"Let Your Doing Emerge from your Being"<em><strong><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryH35d_PY1KY7TOwZQxl5Yy_cIFHlmIgw1cjiFWYyN88ItjbcZGLpj64fdO8jEfeKP4O89HVmjmeB2ppo1_H09FB4DTfG7Ne_DUrbdq1ggkimqVdEUJ7GKyEp0flKIFhXrJBzIjqab9s/s1600/annie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryH35d_PY1KY7TOwZQxl5Yy_cIFHlmIgw1cjiFWYyN88ItjbcZGLpj64fdO8jEfeKP4O89HVmjmeB2ppo1_H09FB4DTfG7Ne_DUrbdq1ggkimqVdEUJ7GKyEp0flKIFhXrJBzIjqab9s/s200/annie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524385730577786738" /></a></em></strong></em>This excerpt got me thinking....<br /><br /><strong><em>"In the 1982 film Annie, the orphan is swept out of the vile clutches of Miss Hannigan at the inner city orphanage, where she and her friends spent their “hard knock life” mired in menial tasks, and delivered into the gleaming mansion of the billionaire Mr. Warbucks. When she first arrives, she is mesmerized by its size and beauty, and by the scores of cheerful servants. Her hostess asks, “Well, Annie, what would you like to do first?” Annie misunderstands. She says she’d probably like to start by washing the windows, and then she'll move on to scrub the floors. She’s thinking she needs to get to work. The hostess just wants to know what fun thing she’d like to start her new life doing.<br /><br />Annie has not realized she is not an orphan any more.<br /><br />Christian, you are a Christian. You have a new identity. You are in Christ, and Christ is in you. Let your doing emerge from your being. It will not work the other way around."</em></strong><br /><br />Is it so hard to believe that our God's disposition towards us is favorable? Not tolerable, not reluctant, not sluggish in his affections. On the contrary! He is swift to bless! He runs to us when he sees us far off in the distance. He chases us down with his blessings. His goodness and mercy, they shall follow me ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE! Dare you believe it Christian? You must if you are to go on in this life with joy and confidence. We extol God's virtues and magnify His goodness when others observe our unbridled confidence in His love for us at all times. All times. <br /><br />Does God ever get disappointed with us? Does he give the proverbial parental sigh and wish we could "get it right?" What does Scripture say? "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and the life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20 There was a great exchange and transaction. Jesus took on all of my penalties and I got to receive all the rewards from His work! I am treated as if I'm the one who earned these benefits. He was treated as if he deserved all of my punishments. He did the work of living a perfect life and suffering for my sin. So why then do I try to add to what is complete and perfect already? Doesn't the adding to it actually pervert the splendor and awesomeness of it all?! <br /><br />Excuse me, but if I went to the Chrysler Museum tomorrow and pulled out my black sharpie and proceeded to "enhance" some work of art, well, no doubt I would be in serious trouble but worse still, I would have profaned a master's work. So how is it that I so glibly do the same thing when I try to add to The Master's magnus opus (The finished work of Jesus on the cross?) I do it daily. I do when I fail to remember my Father's immovable disposition towards me when I fall. Oh its so easy to remember He loves me when I'm acting so "good". <br /><br />What about the moments when I'm angry and rude? Not feeling the love right then. Instead of apologizing, I begin to work harder. Perhaps I resolve to read my bible a little longer, write a larger check at the fundraising banquet, speak sweeter to my husband. Great things but am I doing them out of love for God or really because I'm trying to make up for my deficit? Wait! Am I really living this "life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me..." <br /><br />Seriously. Do I believe that? Do I live by faith? Do I fight to hold on to the truth..."the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Push it out a bit. Do I fear I will fall out of His good graces? Do I ignore Him like I do others who I have offended? <br /><br />Do I interpret every bad detail in my life as His displeasure with me? Wait a minute? Doesn't that sound strangely familiar? Like the pagans who were always offering sacrifices to appease their gods. You mean I still do that too? After all of these years of following Christ. Surely I should be farther along than this? Oh God! Deliver me from my own plan for self-improvement! I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST! I HAVE BEEN RAISED TO NEW LIFE IN HIM!<br /><br />I really must be ruthless with my thoughts. I must tell my soul, "Enough! Stop your unbelieving striving. To hell with all your works! There is nothing left to do. What you could never do was done for you! Turn away and believe. Get on with being. Then your doing will be sweet."<br /><br />I just can't seem to get out of my own way. That's okay. He's got that all figured out too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-52937382684903701002010-10-03T17:33:00.002-04:002010-10-03T17:44:10.764-04:00Peace. I know the One who speaks to the waves and they listen.<tr><td valign=top><img src=http://www.guzer.com/pictures/slighthouse_wave.jpg border=0 width=100 height=85 align=left>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2389303382236402247.post-54168543024424462322010-10-03T17:15:00.002-04:002010-10-03T17:29:22.117-04:00What Should We Be Doing?Recently, a friend of mine introduced me to a new blog. Dane Ortland's Strawberry Rhubarb Theology. I feel like I'm going back to the brownie pan every time I visit his blog. Do you know what I mean? Here's a "piece of the brownie" for you to sample. I bet you'll be back for more!
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<br />From Dane Ortlund:
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<br />"I don't want to be obnoxious about this (and if this is old hat to you thanks for your patience--though if it feels old hat, that itself is probably indicative of your need for the very truth I'm mentioning here), but I'm going to keep mentioning things that are currently helping me, and right now I'm working through this question of the intersection of the startling freeness of the gospel and Christian holiness.
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<br />How would you fill in the blank? "It ought to be the primary goal of every Christian to ________________."
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<br />Pursue personal holiness? Lead others to Christ? Serve others in love? Cultivate the spiritual disciplines?
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<br />Here's Luther's answer: "<strong>It ought to be the primary goal of every Christian to put aside confidence in works and grow stronger in the belief that we are saved by faith alone" </strong>(The Freedom of a Christian [trans. M. Tranvik; Fortress 2008], 55). The primary goal of every Christian."
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0