Goodbye, Dolly
1 day ago
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Update
So it's been a while. If you're still out there and checking my site, thanks!
The last few weeks were full. Between administrative duties (we Southern Baptist run on a different schedule. September 1st start our new SS year, October first starts our new financial year, and January 1st starts our new calendar year), sermon prep, I also had four funerals this month, several major surgeries in the church, and I found out that I have diabetes. A full September for sure.
We have learned much about diabetes, including a session with the PA at our doctor's office that specializes in diabetes awareness. We have much to learn, but we are confident that a change in life style, coupled with medications will allow me to control the disease without becoming insulin dependent.
On the church front, the new church year and resumption of the school year has brought our attendance up. This is always encouraging.
So we battle on, as always. I am hoping to resume regular post in the month of October and cathch up on some of the topics I have missed.
With love to all and in Him,
The last few weeks were full. Between administrative duties (we Southern Baptist run on a different schedule. September 1st start our new SS year, October first starts our new financial year, and January 1st starts our new calendar year), sermon prep, I also had four funerals this month, several major surgeries in the church, and I found out that I have diabetes. A full September for sure.
We have learned much about diabetes, including a session with the PA at our doctor's office that specializes in diabetes awareness. We have much to learn, but we are confident that a change in life style, coupled with medications will allow me to control the disease without becoming insulin dependent.
On the church front, the new church year and resumption of the school year has brought our attendance up. This is always encouraging.
So we battle on, as always. I am hoping to resume regular post in the month of October and cathch up on some of the topics I have missed.
With love to all and in Him,
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Be Back Soon
Hey everybody.
I have been dealing with a crazy busy schedule and some medical problem over the last few weeks. I should be back this week on my schedule and finish up my posts on the Fruit of the Spirit and some really interesting stuff on Revelation, plus some insight into my mysterious absence.
In Him.
I have been dealing with a crazy busy schedule and some medical problem over the last few weeks. I should be back this week on my schedule and finish up my posts on the Fruit of the Spirit and some really interesting stuff on Revelation, plus some insight into my mysterious absence.
In Him.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Fearless
Max Lucado has done it again. With Fearless, Lucado tackles the most basic of human emotions. Why do we suffer from fear? Lucado opens up the book by asking this question. He then spends the next thirteen chapters detailing some basic fears that most of us suffer. The last chapter summarizes the book by looking to God to protect us. After all, if God is in control, why should we fear anything?
In typical fashion, Lucado mixes humor with emotion, story-telling with object lesson, and ourselves in perspective with God. He has woven these qualities into a tapestry of emotion. By recounting fear in his own life, he opens up the imagination and allows us to contemplate our own fears in our own lives. In doing so, he opens up a window into some dark places. However, this ultimately allows the light of Christ to shine in.
This work also includes a study guide for each chapter at the end of the book. This would make for a great solo study, or even in a small group setting or Sunday School class.
If you are like me and have loved any of Max’s work, (I own a copy of all of his Christian living titles) you will be especially drawn to Fearless. I highly recommend it!
In typical fashion, Lucado mixes humor with emotion, story-telling with object lesson, and ourselves in perspective with God. He has woven these qualities into a tapestry of emotion. By recounting fear in his own life, he opens up the imagination and allows us to contemplate our own fears in our own lives. In doing so, he opens up a window into some dark places. However, this ultimately allows the light of Christ to shine in.
This work also includes a study guide for each chapter at the end of the book. This would make for a great solo study, or even in a small group setting or Sunday School class.
If you are like me and have loved any of Max’s work, (I own a copy of all of his Christian living titles) you will be especially drawn to Fearless. I highly recommend it!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
OK, One More Thought
The more I thought about the last Lesson of the Goose, the more I thought about Mark 14 and Jesus at Simon the Leper’s house. Here’s the story...
And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. Mark 14:3-8 (NKJV)
Why is it that we who follow the Great I Am, are the ones who are first to shout, “You can’t” every time a new plan arises? For those who see the world as the half empty glass, notice that these people “criticized her sharply.” It is so sad to see fresh ideas and enthusiasm dashed with the cold water of legalism and orthodoxy, even when it’s a half glass. Stop barking discouragement and start honking encouragement!
This woman’s passion was for Jesus and she got pounded for it. Notice Jesus says that she did what she could. What could she do?
Could she sing? That seems to be valuable in the church world. I don’t know.
Could she teach? Another commodity desperately in need. Again, I have no clue.
Could she give lots of money? This seems as the only criteria some have for judging worth in the church. Obviously she had means, because the perfume was expensive, about a year's salary. Probably $35,000 in today’s economy. But it is also possible this represented her life’s savings. But again, I don’t know.
What I do know is that she could love Jesus. And she did.
Oh how I long to always be the opposite of the Ephesian church of Revelation 2, full of correct doctrine, but cold in its application. How I long to never lose my first love, to have correct doctrine, yes, but also to see it fully implemented in my life.
There are many who see the glass half empty. Half empty treasuries. Half empty pews. Half empty ministries.
There are few who see the pews half full. Full of potential and simply awaiting someone to fill them. You know, I serve the Great I Am, not the Great I Can’t. Through Him all things are possible. I’m just gonna keep on honking encouragement until His appearing.
Even so, Lord Jesus, come!
And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. Mark 14:3-8 (NKJV)
Why is it that we who follow the Great I Am, are the ones who are first to shout, “You can’t” every time a new plan arises? For those who see the world as the half empty glass, notice that these people “criticized her sharply.” It is so sad to see fresh ideas and enthusiasm dashed with the cold water of legalism and orthodoxy, even when it’s a half glass. Stop barking discouragement and start honking encouragement!
This woman’s passion was for Jesus and she got pounded for it. Notice Jesus says that she did what she could. What could she do?
Could she sing? That seems to be valuable in the church world. I don’t know.
Could she teach? Another commodity desperately in need. Again, I have no clue.
Could she give lots of money? This seems as the only criteria some have for judging worth in the church. Obviously she had means, because the perfume was expensive, about a year's salary. Probably $35,000 in today’s economy. But it is also possible this represented her life’s savings. But again, I don’t know.
What I do know is that she could love Jesus. And she did.
Oh how I long to always be the opposite of the Ephesian church of Revelation 2, full of correct doctrine, but cold in its application. How I long to never lose my first love, to have correct doctrine, yes, but also to see it fully implemented in my life.
There are many who see the glass half empty. Half empty treasuries. Half empty pews. Half empty ministries.
There are few who see the pews half full. Full of potential and simply awaiting someone to fill them. You know, I serve the Great I Am, not the Great I Can’t. Through Him all things are possible. I’m just gonna keep on honking encouragement until His appearing.
Even so, Lord Jesus, come!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Last Lesson From The Goose
Time to move on.
We can take many lessons from the nature God created. Here are a few lessons from the formation Geese make as they fly North and South seasonally.
#5. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging- -not something less than helpful. Don't tear down--build up. Don't criticize--encourage.
Check out the "Goose" label for other lessons.
We can take many lessons from the nature God created. Here are a few lessons from the formation Geese make as they fly North and South seasonally.
#5. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging- -not something less than helpful. Don't tear down--build up. Don't criticize--encourage.
Check out the "Goose" label for other lessons.
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