.
So it should come to no surprise to those who know me that my theology is pastorally driven. In other words, I believe that the doctrines of the faith are of critical importance, and that it is the duty of each individual Believer to know the basics of the faith. However, when someone has just suffered a great loss, or they are in pain either emotional or physical, or they are in the middle of a crisis, they don’t really care too much about how theologically sound you are or what your view on particular redemption might be. They want/need to know about a loving God. As I like to tell the church folks, people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
And, unfortunately, there are those among us who care more about finding out your doctrinal proclivities ahead of the needs of your heart. That’s one of the reasons I like Rick Warren. He is very practical in theological application. His preaching may not be doctrinally focused, but it is certainly not shallow. Rick has been under a relentless attack from some of the people that I respect the most, theologically anyway. So when I saw that John Piper had interviewed Rick, I thought, “Boy, that will be a doosey.”
The interview is 98 minutes and can be seen here. Warren Interview
That got me to thinking about this Doctrine thing. By “us”, I mean us Baptists. If you're an Arminian, I have all of eternity to show you how wrong you were. But in this life, I choose to minister instead of argue.
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Biblical Turbulence
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I have started and stop writing over at Biblical Turbulence so many times that I've lost count. My bad. Maybe I can do like my buddy Dan over at Navy Christian and get some guest writers. Hmmm. Not a bad idea. Glad I thought of that!
I think that I was/am taking that site too serious, like sometimes I take real live pastor not quite serious enough.
Anyway, I have written on BT again. No promises of if and when the next post will be. I'll let you know here.
I have started and stop writing over at Biblical Turbulence so many times that I've lost count. My bad. Maybe I can do like my buddy Dan over at Navy Christian and get some guest writers. Hmmm. Not a bad idea. Glad I thought of that!
I think that I was/am taking that site too serious, like sometimes I take real live pastor not quite serious enough.
Anyway, I have written on BT again. No promises of if and when the next post will be. I'll let you know here.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Ultimate Valentine
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But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ramping Up For V-Day
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. eloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:7-11 (NKJV)
Eating Paper For Jesus
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A little boy named Joey loved Jesus and wanted to make sure He knew it. To find the best way for communicating his love he sought his mom’s counsel and asked, “Mom, I know that Jesus lives inside my heart but how do I tell him I love him? Do you think if I write ‘I love you’ on a piece of paper and eat it, He’ll get the note?”
Kids do say the darndest things. Nevertheless, Joey does has a point. No, I’m not advocating the eating of paper. I am advocating the internalization of God’s word, and the external action that should accompany it. The first step is this internalization of the word. David wrote in Psalm 119:103, " How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey." A cow will eat grass, hay, whatever...I ain't no farmer...but it has a terrible digestive system. So it will regurgitate the partially chewed grass. This is called cud. It will then continue to chew the cud, swallow, regurgitate, chew, on and on this process goes until it has chewed the cud into a pulverized substance that it can digest. (David said that the word is sweet as honey. I doubt it would taste like cow puke.) Nevertheless, we are to do something similar to God's word. Take it in. Meditate. (that's the chewing the cud part) Internalize. Bring it back to memory. We do this until the Word has fully digested into our system. In-other-words, until we have a greater understanding of what the truth of the Scripture has to offer.
But that is step one. Step two is to put what has been digested into action. Paul said, "Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master." Colossians 3:23 (CEV) So we are to be more than just theologs studying and internalizing the Word, we are to put what we know into action by serving Jesus in everything that we do. Are you a carpenter? The build for Jesus. Do you empty trash cans? Write technical manuals? Are you a CEO? An engineer? A bank president or a ditch digger? Then do it for the Lord. What Paul was saying was that the best way to tell Jesus that you love Him, is showing others that He loves them. Adrian Rogers was fond of saying, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." The bottom line is that folks come to church looking for what people need most…someone to care enough to reach out, to be a friend, to say with the simplest of invitations, “I care about you. You are important to me.” How many more people would come to your church if they could feel like they are important to God, simply because they were important to His people?
Listen to how Peterson's paraphrase put that verse from Colossians. "Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance." Colossians 3:23 (The Message)
A little boy named Joey loved Jesus and wanted to make sure He knew it. To find the best way for communicating his love he sought his mom’s counsel and asked, “Mom, I know that Jesus lives inside my heart but how do I tell him I love him? Do you think if I write ‘I love you’ on a piece of paper and eat it, He’ll get the note?”
Kids do say the darndest things. Nevertheless, Joey does has a point. No, I’m not advocating the eating of paper. I am advocating the internalization of God’s word, and the external action that should accompany it. The first step is this internalization of the word. David wrote in Psalm 119:103, " How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey." A cow will eat grass, hay, whatever...I ain't no farmer...but it has a terrible digestive system. So it will regurgitate the partially chewed grass. This is called cud. It will then continue to chew the cud, swallow, regurgitate, chew, on and on this process goes until it has chewed the cud into a pulverized substance that it can digest. (David said that the word is sweet as honey. I doubt it would taste like cow puke.) Nevertheless, we are to do something similar to God's word. Take it in. Meditate. (that's the chewing the cud part) Internalize. Bring it back to memory. We do this until the Word has fully digested into our system. In-other-words, until we have a greater understanding of what the truth of the Scripture has to offer.
But that is step one. Step two is to put what has been digested into action. Paul said, "Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master." Colossians 3:23 (CEV) So we are to be more than just theologs studying and internalizing the Word, we are to put what we know into action by serving Jesus in everything that we do. Are you a carpenter? The build for Jesus. Do you empty trash cans? Write technical manuals? Are you a CEO? An engineer? A bank president or a ditch digger? Then do it for the Lord. What Paul was saying was that the best way to tell Jesus that you love Him, is showing others that He loves them. Adrian Rogers was fond of saying, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." The bottom line is that folks come to church looking for what people need most…someone to care enough to reach out, to be a friend, to say with the simplest of invitations, “I care about you. You are important to me.” How many more people would come to your church if they could feel like they are important to God, simply because they were important to His people?
Listen to how Peterson's paraphrase put that verse from Colossians. "Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance." Colossians 3:23 (The Message)
Monday, February 7, 2011
There Is Nothing Wrong With Her At All
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OK. So, there is also romantic love to talk about, and I cannot think of a more romantic passage in all the Bible than Song of Songs 4.
1 How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, you are beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are like doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.
2 Your teeth are white like newly sheared sheep just coming from their bath. Each one has a twin, and none of them is missing.
3 Your lips are like red silk thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks behind your veil are like slices of a pomegranate.
4 Your neck is like David's tower, built with rows of stones. A thousand shields hang on its walls; each shield belongs to a strong soldier.
5 Your breasts are like two fawns, like twins of a gazelle, feeding among the lilies.
6 Until the day dawns and the shadows disappear, I will go to that mountain of myrrh and to that hill of incense.
7 My darling, everything about you is beautiful, and there is nothing at all wrong with you.
I can hear the Queen of Sheba now..."Shut up, Solomon. You had me at the Goats of Gilead!"
After all, there is nothing wrong with her at all. And as a bonus, she has all of her teeth!
OK. So, there is also romantic love to talk about, and I cannot think of a more romantic passage in all the Bible than Song of Songs 4.
1 How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, you are beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are like doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.
2 Your teeth are white like newly sheared sheep just coming from their bath. Each one has a twin, and none of them is missing.
3 Your lips are like red silk thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks behind your veil are like slices of a pomegranate.
4 Your neck is like David's tower, built with rows of stones. A thousand shields hang on its walls; each shield belongs to a strong soldier.
5 Your breasts are like two fawns, like twins of a gazelle, feeding among the lilies.
6 Until the day dawns and the shadows disappear, I will go to that mountain of myrrh and to that hill of incense.
7 My darling, everything about you is beautiful, and there is nothing at all wrong with you.
I can hear the Queen of Sheba now..."Shut up, Solomon. You had me at the Goats of Gilead!"
After all, there is nothing wrong with her at all. And as a bonus, she has all of her teeth!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
God Never Fails
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So in this month dedicated to the topic of Love, let’s look at some of the attributes of Love. In other words, what is love? Well, the first thing that can be established is what the Bible says about the topic. Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, had this to say…
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (NIV)
It is a great list of Love’s attributes and characteristics, and a very famous passage. Basically, Paul says that love is the greatest of the Spiritual Gifts (read chpts 12 and 14) as well as the first of the Fruits of the Spirit. (see Galatians 5 and my take on the fruit here) So, love makes both lists. We should have all of the Fruits of the Spirit, and everybody has at least one gift. So you should be a loving person in there somewhere!
But what makes love so valuable as a Believer?
1) Jesus said it would distinguish us from non-Believers.
2)It is a part of the Greatest Commandment, and the second Greatest…Love God, love your neighbor.
3) It is the embodiment of God. Therefore, to love is to be godlike (little g) and to have love is to have God.
John told us in 1 John 4 that we should “ love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (7-8)
God doesn’t just love. He IS love. So John says God is Love, the embodiment of that elusive thing. And Paul describes love as an attribute that we should strive to make most near and important to our lives. So, let’s smash these concepts and re-read 1 Corinthians 13, shall we? I'm replacing the word Love (agapao) with the word God (Theos)
If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have God, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have God, I’m nothing. If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have God, I receive no benefit whatsoever. For God is patient, God is kind, God it isn’t jealous, God doesn’t brag, God isn’t arrogant, God isn’t rude, God doesn’t seek His own advantage, God isn’t irritable, God doesn’t keep a record of complaints, God isn’t happy with injustice, but He is happy with the truth. God puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.
God never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (CEV)
No. He doesn’t. When we manifest love in our lives and the lives of others, we manifest the most powerful attribute of God. His unending mercy.
So in this month dedicated to the topic of Love, let’s look at some of the attributes of Love. In other words, what is love? Well, the first thing that can be established is what the Bible says about the topic. Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, had this to say…
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (NIV)
It is a great list of Love’s attributes and characteristics, and a very famous passage. Basically, Paul says that love is the greatest of the Spiritual Gifts (read chpts 12 and 14) as well as the first of the Fruits of the Spirit. (see Galatians 5 and my take on the fruit here) So, love makes both lists. We should have all of the Fruits of the Spirit, and everybody has at least one gift. So you should be a loving person in there somewhere!
But what makes love so valuable as a Believer?
1) Jesus said it would distinguish us from non-Believers.
2)It is a part of the Greatest Commandment, and the second Greatest…Love God, love your neighbor.
3) It is the embodiment of God. Therefore, to love is to be godlike (little g) and to have love is to have God.
John told us in 1 John 4 that we should “ love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (7-8)
God doesn’t just love. He IS love. So John says God is Love, the embodiment of that elusive thing. And Paul describes love as an attribute that we should strive to make most near and important to our lives. So, let’s smash these concepts and re-read 1 Corinthians 13, shall we? I'm replacing the word Love (agapao) with the word God (Theos)
If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have God, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have God, I’m nothing. If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have God, I receive no benefit whatsoever. For God is patient, God is kind, God it isn’t jealous, God doesn’t brag, God isn’t arrogant, God isn’t rude, God doesn’t seek His own advantage, God isn’t irritable, God doesn’t keep a record of complaints, God isn’t happy with injustice, but He is happy with the truth. God puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.
God never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (CEV)
No. He doesn’t. When we manifest love in our lives and the lives of others, we manifest the most powerful attribute of God. His unending mercy.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Insomnia, Love, and The Grand Story of God
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I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. Psalm 77:1-3 (NLT)
I'm not sure exactly what was going on in the life of Asaph, but it is certain that he was deeply troubled. In way of reference, he was the grandson of Samuel, choirmaster for David, and the writer of Psalm 50 and Psalms 73-83. But whatever was going on in his life, when he wrote Psalm 77, he was drowning. In what I'm not sure: financial trouble, relational trouble, family problems, maybe work related stress, or it could have been the troubles that come to our own mind when we struggle with insomnia. It is obvious that whether the stress produced insomnia or the insomnia produced stress, Asaph blamed God for his lack of sleep.
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search. (vs 4-6, NKJV emphasis mine)
I have been there. Have you? That closing in feeling that causes you to lie awake at night, one eye open, the other tightly closed, "shouting to God." Praying to the Father with hands outstretched to heaven, like a small child pleading to a parent to pick them up and comfort them. And the stress continues, and the situation, on the surface, seems hopeless...almost like fate itself is against you, like you cannot win/overcome this situation/have any hope, any longer. Asaph believed he was fated for doom; that God had abandoned him...
And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” (vs10 NLT)
But with one word--remember--he moves from despair to hope...
But then I remember all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. (vs 11-12 NLT)
It is funny, because I think that we sometimes forget that we make up a small part in a grand story. But like Asaph, we must remember that the grand story is not about us and our struggles, but about God and His great faithfulness and love. While we may be drowning in debt, divorce, depression , or dissatisfaction, God is more powerful than the waters.
When the waters saw you, O God, the waters looked and trembled! The sea quaked to its very depths... Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there! You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds. (16, 19-20 NLT)
Our troubles, the waters that are pouring over us, the things of our nightmares and insomnia, TREMBLE when we remember God, and His story. When we remember the way He has saved us in the past. The way that He has loved us, with a never ending love.
Have you ever shouted at God? You don't have to, He knows your feelings. Yet it might be helpful for you to yell sometimes. Many times in the Psalms we read of people shouting to Jehovah. Like any relationship, YOU must let your emotions have some say so. This is true in human and divine relationships. One of my favorite passages on prayer is James 5:16, " The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." The word fervent is the Greek word Energeo and it means "to put forth power." It's where we get the English word for energy. "Pray with power," James tells us. Shout to the Lord!
J.C. Ryle once said, "Let us knock loudly at the door of grace and settle in our own minds that cold prayers are a sacrifice with out fire."
Are you full of insomnia? Stress? Troubles? Then remember that God loves you, and shout to the heavens! Pray with a fervent heat, and most of all, trust Him with your little story, and you'll be suprised to see how well it lines up with His grand one.
I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. Psalm 77:1-3 (NLT)
I'm not sure exactly what was going on in the life of Asaph, but it is certain that he was deeply troubled. In way of reference, he was the grandson of Samuel, choirmaster for David, and the writer of Psalm 50 and Psalms 73-83. But whatever was going on in his life, when he wrote Psalm 77, he was drowning. In what I'm not sure: financial trouble, relational trouble, family problems, maybe work related stress, or it could have been the troubles that come to our own mind when we struggle with insomnia. It is obvious that whether the stress produced insomnia or the insomnia produced stress, Asaph blamed God for his lack of sleep.
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search. (vs 4-6, NKJV emphasis mine)
I have been there. Have you? That closing in feeling that causes you to lie awake at night, one eye open, the other tightly closed, "shouting to God." Praying to the Father with hands outstretched to heaven, like a small child pleading to a parent to pick them up and comfort them. And the stress continues, and the situation, on the surface, seems hopeless...almost like fate itself is against you, like you cannot win/overcome this situation/have any hope, any longer. Asaph believed he was fated for doom; that God had abandoned him...
And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” (vs10 NLT)
But with one word--remember--he moves from despair to hope...
But then I remember all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. (vs 11-12 NLT)
It is funny, because I think that we sometimes forget that we make up a small part in a grand story. But like Asaph, we must remember that the grand story is not about us and our struggles, but about God and His great faithfulness and love. While we may be drowning in debt, divorce, depression , or dissatisfaction, God is more powerful than the waters.
When the waters saw you, O God, the waters looked and trembled! The sea quaked to its very depths... Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there! You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds. (16, 19-20 NLT)
Our troubles, the waters that are pouring over us, the things of our nightmares and insomnia, TREMBLE when we remember God, and His story. When we remember the way He has saved us in the past. The way that He has loved us, with a never ending love.
Have you ever shouted at God? You don't have to, He knows your feelings. Yet it might be helpful for you to yell sometimes. Many times in the Psalms we read of people shouting to Jehovah. Like any relationship, YOU must let your emotions have some say so. This is true in human and divine relationships. One of my favorite passages on prayer is James 5:16, " The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." The word fervent is the Greek word Energeo and it means "to put forth power." It's where we get the English word for energy. "Pray with power," James tells us. Shout to the Lord!
J.C. Ryle once said, "Let us knock loudly at the door of grace and settle in our own minds that cold prayers are a sacrifice with out fire."
Are you full of insomnia? Stress? Troubles? Then remember that God loves you, and shout to the heavens! Pray with a fervent heat, and most of all, trust Him with your little story, and you'll be suprised to see how well it lines up with His grand one.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Love. * cultivating Spirit-given character
Calvin Miller has been a favorite author for me for several years. Back in the 2001 I discovered his writing for the Sunday school arm of LifeWay Christian Resources. His newest project is simply titled Love. Cultivating Spirit Given Character.
Miller takes us on a six week journey of discovering the deeper meaning of the word Love and its concepts. Love is more than a feeling or an emotion, Miller asserts. It is a word that is used flippantly in today’s culture, and overused by a society with little depth. True Love is seen most clearly as an attribute of God’s character. By focusing on the Fruits of the Spirit, Miller opens up the truest meaning of love. Of the nine fruits listed in Galatians 5, love starts them all, because it is the starting place for Spirit directed living, the first in a set of keys to achieving Spiritual Victory.
Broken down into six weekly studies that can be done individually or in a group setting, Love breaks down of preconceived notions of what Love is all about. Topics include defining love and understanding God’s longing and His unconditional love.
As with anything written by Calvin Miller, I highly recommend Love for your personal study, or in your Sunday School or Small Group.
Miller takes us on a six week journey of discovering the deeper meaning of the word Love and its concepts. Love is more than a feeling or an emotion, Miller asserts. It is a word that is used flippantly in today’s culture, and overused by a society with little depth. True Love is seen most clearly as an attribute of God’s character. By focusing on the Fruits of the Spirit, Miller opens up the truest meaning of love. Of the nine fruits listed in Galatians 5, love starts them all, because it is the starting place for Spirit directed living, the first in a set of keys to achieving Spiritual Victory.
Broken down into six weekly studies that can be done individually or in a group setting, Love breaks down of preconceived notions of what Love is all about. Topics include defining love and understanding God’s longing and His unconditional love.
As with anything written by Calvin Miller, I highly recommend Love for your personal study, or in your Sunday School or Small Group.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Ultimate Valentine
.
If you get nothing else out of the “Love Month”, get this: Jesus loves you and wants you to be a part of His family. That is the central story of the Bible. God loves mankind, His creation, and wants them brought back to Him. He loved you so much that He was willing to give His Son so that you could be reconciled to Him. Now that's what I call a Valentine!
Food for thought.
You say: "It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 111:28)
You say: "I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (2 Cor 9:8)
You say: "I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5)
You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I forgive you (Romans 8:1)
You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:16)
If you get nothing else out of the “Love Month”, get this: Jesus loves you and wants you to be a part of His family. That is the central story of the Bible. God loves mankind, His creation, and wants them brought back to Him. He loved you so much that He was willing to give His Son so that you could be reconciled to Him. Now that's what I call a Valentine!
Food for thought.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Love Month
So it's February. Sorry I haven't written in a while.
This is what we call in the USA the "Love Month". We celebrate love on February 14...Valentine's Day.
I plan to put some posts up about the subject from God's point of view. To start, here's a re-post from Feb 2010.
Blessings, everybody.
Steve,
Every seminary graduate has them. Those profs who speak louder and with more to tell us than any text book ever could. I had two I absolutely adored. One of these great men was Steve Drake. We had some friends in common, but mostly he was a great mentor.
In my “Foundation for Ministry” class, Steve told us the story of a wife that came to his office for counseling. “I not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even! Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as badly as he has hurt me.” With the Wisdom of Solomon, Dr. Drake suggested that she go home and treat her husband as if she "truly" loved him. She should go out of her way to be kind and generous; She should spare no effort at pleasing him and enjoying him. “Make him believe that your love is undying and that you can’t live without him. Then tell him you want a divorce. That will really hurt him.” She was thrilled with the plan and went about acting “as if” she loved him. For two months, she showed kindness, support and love. When Dr Drake had not heard from her those two months, he called and asked if she was ready for the divorce. “Divorce?” she exclaimed. “Never! I’ve found out I really do love him.”
Here is the point; her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established, sometimes, not so much by fervent promise but by repeated deeds. We can learn a valuable lesson from this story. If we put our words into action and if you will SHOW your love with deeds, it will return to you in abundance. As Paul said, “If I gave all my wealth to the poor, and if I were burned alive for my deeds, if I didn’t have love, it would all be for nothing!”
I am afraid that we have lost sight of that, and we have begun, as a culture and a society, to only offer love conditionally. If you give it to me, I'll give it back. Thank God, He offers us unconditional love. No strings attached. We need to be more like that. I fear greatly for my beloved Southern Baptist Convention, that we have become a Convention of Ephesian believers...those whose love has grown cold. We are right on the money with our doctrine and theology, but just like the church in Ephesus, we have left our first love. Remember, they didn't lose it, they left it! We leave the love of Jesus when we want a Baptism every Sunday, but never evangelize. When we want a church full on Sunday, as long as no visitor sits in our seat. Lots of youth and young married couples, but no contemporary music and certainly no disruptions caused by teens and young children. We want our students to go to Bible Drill, but heaven help the poor youth worker who asks for $25 to buy pizza.
Let us stop with the games of playing AT church, and let us put our love into action. I really, honestly, truly, certainly do believe that if we will, we will find full churches, filled baptisteries, and youth growing strong in their faith.
This is what we call in the USA the "Love Month". We celebrate love on February 14...Valentine's Day.
I plan to put some posts up about the subject from God's point of view. To start, here's a re-post from Feb 2010.
Blessings, everybody.
Steve,
Every seminary graduate has them. Those profs who speak louder and with more to tell us than any text book ever could. I had two I absolutely adored. One of these great men was Steve Drake. We had some friends in common, but mostly he was a great mentor.
In my “Foundation for Ministry” class, Steve told us the story of a wife that came to his office for counseling. “I not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even! Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as badly as he has hurt me.” With the Wisdom of Solomon, Dr. Drake suggested that she go home and treat her husband as if she "truly" loved him. She should go out of her way to be kind and generous; She should spare no effort at pleasing him and enjoying him. “Make him believe that your love is undying and that you can’t live without him. Then tell him you want a divorce. That will really hurt him.” She was thrilled with the plan and went about acting “as if” she loved him. For two months, she showed kindness, support and love. When Dr Drake had not heard from her those two months, he called and asked if she was ready for the divorce. “Divorce?” she exclaimed. “Never! I’ve found out I really do love him.”
Here is the point; her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established, sometimes, not so much by fervent promise but by repeated deeds. We can learn a valuable lesson from this story. If we put our words into action and if you will SHOW your love with deeds, it will return to you in abundance. As Paul said, “If I gave all my wealth to the poor, and if I were burned alive for my deeds, if I didn’t have love, it would all be for nothing!”
I am afraid that we have lost sight of that, and we have begun, as a culture and a society, to only offer love conditionally. If you give it to me, I'll give it back. Thank God, He offers us unconditional love. No strings attached. We need to be more like that. I fear greatly for my beloved Southern Baptist Convention, that we have become a Convention of Ephesian believers...those whose love has grown cold. We are right on the money with our doctrine and theology, but just like the church in Ephesus, we have left our first love. Remember, they didn't lose it, they left it! We leave the love of Jesus when we want a Baptism every Sunday, but never evangelize. When we want a church full on Sunday, as long as no visitor sits in our seat. Lots of youth and young married couples, but no contemporary music and certainly no disruptions caused by teens and young children. We want our students to go to Bible Drill, but heaven help the poor youth worker who asks for $25 to buy pizza.
Let us stop with the games of playing AT church, and let us put our love into action. I really, honestly, truly, certainly do believe that if we will, we will find full churches, filled baptisteries, and youth growing strong in their faith.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Twenty Years And Counting
Today is my wedding anniversary. Despite the fact I earn my living with the dispensation of words, I'm not much on prose. But let me tell you about what this day means anyway.
20 years ago Patty Anderson woke up a single woman. Within eight hours, she had become Patty Leigh. Well, they say hind sight is twenty-twenty and all that...but looking back, I can say I wouldn't blame her if she would want to change her mind about that day. It has been rocky at times. Four states, about 20 moves, 7 jobs, the loss of a child, and at least a million tears later, who could blame her?
But here we are twenty years down the road and we are more blessed and happy than at any time in our lives. We have given our youth, dreams, money, and health to be right here. And while at times it has been tough, it has never been a question that we would make it to this day, and beyond.
To say that I love Patty, this woman that God put into my life and made my best friend, would be to do an injustice to the relationship that we have. Love fails to capture the true essence of what we have. And while it may sound kitschy or cliché, the only phrase I can think of is soul-mate. We have become...no, we are... so close that our souls have intertwined, and we have become, as the Bible says, one flesh. What we do, we do for each other as if it were for ourselves. I know, I know, it sounds like circular logic, but it is not. It is something you can only experience, not be told about in writing.
My prayer for every couple is that their love be as true, as sacrificial, and as eternal as ours. Some couples are married for 50 or 60 years. We will be side by side in heaven, my darling, forever. I have no doubt that whatever form August 4th takes in eternity, we will know that day! And anniversary cake in heaven (Angel Food Cake?) will be divine and calorie free! I look forward to spending my life and after-life with you.
Patricia Dawn Anderson LEIGH. You are my BRIDE, you are MY bride, and I love you dearly. And as for me...well, I woke up this morning, twenty years later, more in love with you, and happier with you on my arm today, than I could have ever imagined was possible in 1990.
Happy Anniversary, Baby. I-heart-You.
20 years ago Patty Anderson woke up a single woman. Within eight hours, she had become Patty Leigh. Well, they say hind sight is twenty-twenty and all that...but looking back, I can say I wouldn't blame her if she would want to change her mind about that day. It has been rocky at times. Four states, about 20 moves, 7 jobs, the loss of a child, and at least a million tears later, who could blame her?
But here we are twenty years down the road and we are more blessed and happy than at any time in our lives. We have given our youth, dreams, money, and health to be right here. And while at times it has been tough, it has never been a question that we would make it to this day, and beyond.
To say that I love Patty, this woman that God put into my life and made my best friend, would be to do an injustice to the relationship that we have. Love fails to capture the true essence of what we have. And while it may sound kitschy or cliché, the only phrase I can think of is soul-mate. We have become...no, we are... so close that our souls have intertwined, and we have become, as the Bible says, one flesh. What we do, we do for each other as if it were for ourselves. I know, I know, it sounds like circular logic, but it is not. It is something you can only experience, not be told about in writing.
My prayer for every couple is that their love be as true, as sacrificial, and as eternal as ours. Some couples are married for 50 or 60 years. We will be side by side in heaven, my darling, forever. I have no doubt that whatever form August 4th takes in eternity, we will know that day! And anniversary cake in heaven (Angel Food Cake?) will be divine and calorie free! I look forward to spending my life and after-life with you.
Patricia Dawn Anderson LEIGH. You are my BRIDE, you are MY bride, and I love you dearly. And as for me...well, I woke up this morning, twenty years later, more in love with you, and happier with you on my arm today, than I could have ever imagined was possible in 1990.
Happy Anniversary, Baby. I-heart-You.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
One of the most encouraging thoughts I have is the Love that Christ has for me. Recently, Patty and I have been on a somewhat emotional rollercoaster. (Read all about our latest High Point.) But no matter where we are emotionally, I cannot help but think about what Karl Barth, the Swiss Theolog, said.
When asked by a young seminary student about the most developed theological concept he had yet to surmise, Barth thought for a moment and said, "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so."
Amen, Karl.
Barth was right. This little statement tells us a theological concept that seminarians could ponder over for years in its complexity...yet so simply put that any three year old can understand it in its simplicity.
No matter what is going on in your life, remember that the Son of God loves you.(John 3:16) He will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) And, He will be with you in every situation. (Matthew 28:18-20)
When asked by a young seminary student about the most developed theological concept he had yet to surmise, Barth thought for a moment and said, "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so."
Amen, Karl.
Barth was right. This little statement tells us a theological concept that seminarians could ponder over for years in its complexity...yet so simply put that any three year old can understand it in its simplicity.
No matter what is going on in your life, remember that the Son of God loves you.(John 3:16) He will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) And, He will be with you in every situation. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Love in Action
Every seminary graduate has them. Those profs who speak louder and with more to tell us than any text book ever could. I had two I absolutely adored. One of these great men was Steve Drake. We had some friends in common, but mostly he was a great mentor.
In my “Foundation for Ministry” class, Steve told us the story of a wife that came to his office for counseling. “I not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even! Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as badly as he has hurt me.” With the Wisdom of Solomon, Dr. Drake suggested that she go home and treat her husband as if she "truly" loved him. She should go out of her way to be kind and generous; She should spare no effort at pleasing him and enjoying him. “Make him believe that your love is undying and that you can’t live without him. Then tell him you want a divorce. That will really hurt him.” She was thrilled with the plan and went about acting “as if” she loved him. For two months, she showed kindness, support and love. When Dr Drake had not heard from her those two months, he called and asked if she was ready for the divorce. “Divorce?” she exclaimed. “Never! I’ve found out I really do love him.”
Here is the point; her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established, sometimes, not so much by fervent promise but by repeated deeds. We can learn a valuable lesson from this story. If we put our words into action and if you will SHOW your love with deeds, it will return to you in abundance. As Paul said, “If I gave all my wealth to the poor, and if I were burned alive for my deeds, if I didn’t have love, it would all be for nothing!”
I am afraid that we have lost sight of that, and we have begun, as a culture and a society, to only offer love conditionally. If you give it to me, I'll give it back. Thank God, He offers us unconditional love. No strings attached. We need to be more like that. I fear greatly for my beloved Southern Baptist Convention, that we have become a Convention of Ephesian believers...those whose love has grown cold. We are right on the money with our doctrine and theology, but just like the church in Ephesus, we have left our first love. Remember, they didn't lose it, they left it! We leave the love of Jesus when we want a Baptism every Sunday, but never evangelize. When we want a church full on Sunday, as long as no visitor sits in our seat. Lots of youth and young married couples, but no contemporary music and certainly no disruptions caused by teens and young children. We want our students to go to Bible Drill, but heaven help the poor youth worker who asks for $25 to buy pizza.
Let us stop with the games of playing AT church, and let us put our love into action. I really, honestly, truly, certainly do believe that if we will, we will find full churches, filled baptisteries, and youth growing strong in their faith.
In my “Foundation for Ministry” class, Steve told us the story of a wife that came to his office for counseling. “I not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even! Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as badly as he has hurt me.” With the Wisdom of Solomon, Dr. Drake suggested that she go home and treat her husband as if she "truly" loved him. She should go out of her way to be kind and generous; She should spare no effort at pleasing him and enjoying him. “Make him believe that your love is undying and that you can’t live without him. Then tell him you want a divorce. That will really hurt him.” She was thrilled with the plan and went about acting “as if” she loved him. For two months, she showed kindness, support and love. When Dr Drake had not heard from her those two months, he called and asked if she was ready for the divorce. “Divorce?” she exclaimed. “Never! I’ve found out I really do love him.”
Here is the point; her actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established, sometimes, not so much by fervent promise but by repeated deeds. We can learn a valuable lesson from this story. If we put our words into action and if you will SHOW your love with deeds, it will return to you in abundance. As Paul said, “If I gave all my wealth to the poor, and if I were burned alive for my deeds, if I didn’t have love, it would all be for nothing!”
I am afraid that we have lost sight of that, and we have begun, as a culture and a society, to only offer love conditionally. If you give it to me, I'll give it back. Thank God, He offers us unconditional love. No strings attached. We need to be more like that. I fear greatly for my beloved Southern Baptist Convention, that we have become a Convention of Ephesian believers...those whose love has grown cold. We are right on the money with our doctrine and theology, but just like the church in Ephesus, we have left our first love. Remember, they didn't lose it, they left it! We leave the love of Jesus when we want a Baptism every Sunday, but never evangelize. When we want a church full on Sunday, as long as no visitor sits in our seat. Lots of youth and young married couples, but no contemporary music and certainly no disruptions caused by teens and young children. We want our students to go to Bible Drill, but heaven help the poor youth worker who asks for $25 to buy pizza.
Let us stop with the games of playing AT church, and let us put our love into action. I really, honestly, truly, certainly do believe that if we will, we will find full churches, filled baptisteries, and youth growing strong in their faith.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Where You Are
Possibly my favorite praise chorus is Where You Are.
I just want to be where You are
Dwelling daily in Your presence
I don’t want to worship from afar
Draw me near to where You are
I just want to be where You are
In Your dwelling place forever
Take me to the place where You are
I just want to be with You
I want to be where You are
Feasting at Your table
Dwelling in Your presence
Surrounded by Your glory
In Your presence, that’s where I always want to be
I just want to be, I just want to be with You
That about sums it up. I know He IS everywhere. (Don’t get technical with me.) But I want to be with His presence and surrounded by His love.
How ‘bout you?
I just want to be where You are
Dwelling daily in Your presence
I don’t want to worship from afar
Draw me near to where You are
I just want to be where You are
In Your dwelling place forever
Take me to the place where You are
I just want to be with You
I want to be where You are
Feasting at Your table
Dwelling in Your presence
Surrounded by Your glory
In Your presence, that’s where I always want to be
I just want to be, I just want to be with You
That about sums it up. I know He IS everywhere. (Don’t get technical with me.) But I want to be with His presence and surrounded by His love.
How ‘bout you?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Other Half
“It’s not what you do with your life; it’s who you do it with that really matters. It’s this other half that really matters” ~ Rio guy from Post Grad
It is not what you do, but who you do it with. I love that quote and I love that I’ve gotten to do half of my life with the right who!
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22 (NIV)
I don't always say it enough...I love you, Patty!
It is not what you do, but who you do it with. I love that quote and I love that I’ve gotten to do half of my life with the right who!
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22 (NIV)
I don't always say it enough...I love you, Patty!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
You Complete Me
Hmmmm. August 4th. Why does that date sound important? Something...something...Oh, yeah. It is the day I became complete.
I love the elevator scene in the movie Jerry McGuire. A deaf man is talking to his wife in ASL. He points to her and then draws a circle in the air. Interpretation: “You complete me.” No man is truly complete until he finds the one woman God intended for him—made, created, and designed to be his other half. Right down to our DNA, God matches us.
Listen, don’t take my word for it. Consider the Bible's account the first marriage...
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:21-25 (NKJV)
And so, every August 4th, I give a little extra praise to God; for knowing my DNA and completing my life by giving to me the same gift He gave to Adam-- bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, and an eternal mate for my soul.
Happy Anniversary Patty Dawn Anderson Leigh. You complete me.
I love the elevator scene in the movie Jerry McGuire. A deaf man is talking to his wife in ASL. He points to her and then draws a circle in the air. Interpretation: “You complete me.” No man is truly complete until he finds the one woman God intended for him—made, created, and designed to be his other half. Right down to our DNA, God matches us.
Listen, don’t take my word for it. Consider the Bible's account the first marriage...
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:21-25 (NKJV)
And so, every August 4th, I give a little extra praise to God; for knowing my DNA and completing my life by giving to me the same gift He gave to Adam-- bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, and an eternal mate for my soul.
Happy Anniversary Patty Dawn Anderson Leigh. You complete me.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
First Fruits: Love
So I have been reading and studying about love this week in preparation for the message tomorrow. The first fruit is love, and that makes sense. It is the gateway to the other fruits. (You really can’t have peace, joy longsuffering, etc. with out love.) What I am finding is that the Bible sees love differently than the way we see love. We tend to see love as a feeling. God sees love as a commitment. We see love as an emotion. God sees love as a responsibility. We see love as a matter of the heart, and God sees love as a matter of the will.
I can’t help but think about (and show my age) The Partridge Family crooning “I Think I Love You.” If you “think” you love me, you don’t love me very much! However, our Western Culture has taught us that love is an emotion, a feeling. And a fifty percent divorce rate to go along with that. I don’t advocate arranged marriages, but communities that have them have a much lower divorce rate that we do. I heard about a woman from India who defended arranged marriages by saying, “We don’t get to choose our parents or our siblings, but we grow to love them.” As I said, love is a commitment, not an emotion.
It is a commitment God makes to us and asks us to make to others. It is why Jesus said that the Greatest commandment was to “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.” Matthew 22:37 (The Message) Then love others as we love ourselves. Jesus says there is a hierarchy of Love. God first. Others second. Ourselves last. What would happen if we all lived that example. I should think divorce rates would plummet. Infidelity would disappear. As would child abuse, rape, jealousy, envy, disrespect, and strife. Wars? Murders?
Overall, though we must get it straight and love ourselves and others and God the way God loves us. With a commitment and a dedication. How do we start? By loving ourselves enough to trust in God and His love for us. So start by loving yourself enough to ask God for His love to dominate your existence. Quit sitting on the premises and start standing on the promises! And remember, God loves you and wants the best for you.
Still feeling a little out-of-favor these days? A little unworthy? Then remember this---
God does not love you because you are valuable. You are valuable because God loves you.
Blessings,
Steve
I can’t help but think about (and show my age) The Partridge Family crooning “I Think I Love You.” If you “think” you love me, you don’t love me very much! However, our Western Culture has taught us that love is an emotion, a feeling. And a fifty percent divorce rate to go along with that. I don’t advocate arranged marriages, but communities that have them have a much lower divorce rate that we do. I heard about a woman from India who defended arranged marriages by saying, “We don’t get to choose our parents or our siblings, but we grow to love them.” As I said, love is a commitment, not an emotion.
It is a commitment God makes to us and asks us to make to others. It is why Jesus said that the Greatest commandment was to “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.” Matthew 22:37 (The Message) Then love others as we love ourselves. Jesus says there is a hierarchy of Love. God first. Others second. Ourselves last. What would happen if we all lived that example. I should think divorce rates would plummet. Infidelity would disappear. As would child abuse, rape, jealousy, envy, disrespect, and strife. Wars? Murders?
Overall, though we must get it straight and love ourselves and others and God the way God loves us. With a commitment and a dedication. How do we start? By loving ourselves enough to trust in God and His love for us. So start by loving yourself enough to ask God for His love to dominate your existence. Quit sitting on the premises and start standing on the promises! And remember, God loves you and wants the best for you.
Still feeling a little out-of-favor these days? A little unworthy? Then remember this---
God does not love you because you are valuable. You are valuable because God loves you.
Blessings,
Steve
Monday, June 22, 2009
Smiles
My mentor, Jim Phillips, snapped this pic on Sunday. A picture is worth a 1000 words. And this picture represents why we do what we do. It's not about us and our proclivities, our doctrine, or what we think shoud be secondary or tertiary. It is all about Him, and showing people how wonderful His love truly can be.
Blessings,
Steve
Blessings,
Steve
Saturday, June 20, 2009
* Anonymous
You know who you are. I have received unsigned cards and letters before, and I am not intimidated by them. I suppose all pastors have...from time to time. Dwight Moody did. Often, actually. He has the greatest one-liner of all times. Once, during a revival meeting in 1899, Moody was handed a note with one word, “Fool!” When he arose to preach he mentioned the note saying, “I have received many letters with no signature, but never a signature with no letter.” HaHa.
As I said, I have received a few before. Two came to me and one to my deacons while in Symsonia. They basically said I was an idiot and that the deacons were cowards. The funny thing is that even though the person thought they were anonymous, we all knew who had written them. (Hi Mureen.)
I received an “anonymous” card yesterday. You know who you are. And can I just say...
Thank You. The card was sweet, the timing perfect, and you are incredibly appreciated. I do believe that God gives us the strength to endure, but a little pick-me-up from a friend (or friends) is always great! Patty and I are thrilled, as always, to have such a loving group of people to be blessed to pastor. So again I say, thank you (or thank y’all.)
May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace. (1 Peter 2:1)
Blessings,
Steve
As I said, I have received a few before. Two came to me and one to my deacons while in Symsonia. They basically said I was an idiot and that the deacons were cowards. The funny thing is that even though the person thought they were anonymous, we all knew who had written them. (Hi Mureen.)
I received an “anonymous” card yesterday. You know who you are. And can I just say...
Thank You. The card was sweet, the timing perfect, and you are incredibly appreciated. I do believe that God gives us the strength to endure, but a little pick-me-up from a friend (or friends) is always great! Patty and I are thrilled, as always, to have such a loving group of people to be blessed to pastor. So again I say, thank you (or thank y’all.)
May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace. (1 Peter 2:1)
Blessings,
Steve
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