I have been listening to the recordings of the Sermons my Senior Pastor has preached over the last 9 years here and something struck me today while listening to His sermon from Matthew 5:1-2, which was His opening sermon to the series they were starting going through the beatitudes.
His desire 9 years ago is the same desire as He has for the church today. It is the desire that God has for His children. That desire is that we find abundant joy in the presence of God. David said in the Psalms In Thy presence is joy. How true that is.
Our world is seeking happiness but they are looking in all the wrong places. The temporary things of this world provide temporary joy. True abundant overflowing joy, can only be found in the presence of God. Joy is found as we dig into the riches of the Word of God on a daily basis and allow His word to wash us and cleanse us(Ephesians 5:26) so that our lives may be transformed by the renewing of our minds.(Romans 12:2)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
10 Songs
I was tagged by Chris Day to share what 10 songs come up when I put my play list on Shuffle. So here goes
10. Wonderful Maker- Jeremy Camp
9. Art of Breaking - TFK
8. Strong Tower - Kutless
7. Beautiful One - Jeremy Camp
6. Does Anybody Hear Her - Casting Crowns
5. Shadows - 12 Stones
4. Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman
3. Creed - Petra
2. Cassie - Flyleaf
1. Mystery- Jonah 33
10. Wonderful Maker- Jeremy Camp
9. Art of Breaking - TFK
8. Strong Tower - Kutless
7. Beautiful One - Jeremy Camp
6. Does Anybody Hear Her - Casting Crowns
5. Shadows - 12 Stones
4. Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman
3. Creed - Petra
2. Cassie - Flyleaf
1. Mystery- Jonah 33
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Change in Perspective
I am sitting in my office going over the lesson for tonight listening to the Kutless Live from Portland Cd. I have listened to this Cd plenty of times but this is the first time I really listened to what they were saying between songs and I just want to share it.
"You see God is real in my life and we can argue about politics all day long and about different beliefs but the truth is God changed my life and there is no argument you can ever say to change my mind about that."
Why is it as Christians we get so caught up in the politics and the doctrines that we lose focus of the bigger picture. I am not saying we should never discuss politics or doctrine, I find that extremely important and useful. But why do we allow those doctrinal and political differences to rob us of true worship with other Brothers and Sisters in Christ?
Why don't we ever just sit down and talk about all that God has done for us. Set the doctrinal differences aside and just praise God for who He is and what He has accomplished
"You see God is real in my life and we can argue about politics all day long and about different beliefs but the truth is God changed my life and there is no argument you can ever say to change my mind about that."
Why is it as Christians we get so caught up in the politics and the doctrines that we lose focus of the bigger picture. I am not saying we should never discuss politics or doctrine, I find that extremely important and useful. But why do we allow those doctrinal and political differences to rob us of true worship with other Brothers and Sisters in Christ?
Why don't we ever just sit down and talk about all that God has done for us. Set the doctrinal differences aside and just praise God for who He is and what He has accomplished
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Where the thoughts come from
This is my office where all my crazy thoughts hit me at. It is my little sanctuary. So far life here in Mabton has been great. To the left of the desk is a wall of bookshelves and then where the picture is taking from is the door and next to the door on the back wall is a row of chairs for people to relax in.
Fear of the Lord
The idea of fearing the Lord has been all around me the past few weeks. I was reading Proverbs 14 today and the idea of fearing the Lord is presented in a positive light throughout the chapter
Proverbs 14:2 - "He who walks in uprightness fears the Lord"
Proverbs 14:26 "In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge"
Proverbs 14:27 "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death"
Lord I would pray that you instill in me a healthy fear of who you are. That Lord in my heart would be a fear that motivates me to love and serve you in ways I never thought possible. Psalm 36 tells us that the ungodly have no fear before there eyes. Lord I do not want to live as the ungodly. I want to fear you and your standards of righteousness and holiness. I love you Lord
Proverbs 14:2 - "He who walks in uprightness fears the Lord"
Proverbs 14:26 "In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge"
Proverbs 14:27 "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death"
Lord I would pray that you instill in me a healthy fear of who you are. That Lord in my heart would be a fear that motivates me to love and serve you in ways I never thought possible. Psalm 36 tells us that the ungodly have no fear before there eyes. Lord I do not want to live as the ungodly. I want to fear you and your standards of righteousness and holiness. I love you Lord
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Facing the Giants
My Wife and I watched the movie "Facing the Giants " last night. For those of you who don't know, the movie is about a Christian School Football team and the success they experience as they begin to give God the glory in all situations. It was created by a church on a small budget using all volunteers. To be honest you can tell it is not professional acting and the movie seems kind of cheesy. I am also not enthralled that the movie portrays as you trust and glorify God you will have a good life(Football team winning states, Coach getting a new truck, etc.) I think it gives the false message that as we trust God we will get everything we want, which just is not true.
With that said, I do believe it was a good movie and had a good message behind it. It challenged me to really evaluate how much I am glorifying God. Am I really giving God the glory in all things, including the small stuff?
Also in the movie they give the analogy of two farmers praying for rain, but only one farmer is out preparing His fields for the rain to come. Which farmer really believer God would provide rain? Which farmer am I? Am I just paying lip service to God by praying with my words, or I am praying with my actions that God will provide what I need.
So if you can handle some cheesy acting, and some questionable doctrine take two hours and check this movie out.
With that said, I do believe it was a good movie and had a good message behind it. It challenged me to really evaluate how much I am glorifying God. Am I really giving God the glory in all things, including the small stuff?
Also in the movie they give the analogy of two farmers praying for rain, but only one farmer is out preparing His fields for the rain to come. Which farmer really believer God would provide rain? Which farmer am I? Am I just paying lip service to God by praying with my words, or I am praying with my actions that God will provide what I need.
So if you can handle some cheesy acting, and some questionable doctrine take two hours and check this movie out.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Sacred Romance
I have been reading "Sacred Romance" by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis and I just wanted to share a few thoughts that are really standing out in my mind.
"There is a spiritual dimension to this external world in our desire to do good works, but communion with God is replaced by activity for God."
I think this is the problem with the church today. We have lost the focus on our relationship with God and focused solely on doing work for God. We see this illustrated in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. I am sure we all know the story of Martha busily preparing the feast and getting frustrated at her sister who was just sitting at the feet of Jesus. So she Goes to Jesus,and says Jesus tell my sister to get off her bum and help, but Jesus does not respond as Martha had hoped. Instead Jesus says "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part"
That is not the response Martha was looking for. Lets heed the words of Jesus and choose the "good part." Stop with your busy schedule, stop with doing the work of God and take time to sit at the feet of Jesus and just listen to Him. We need time WITH God before we do WORK for God. Lets not replace our intimate "sacred romance" with mere activity.
"There is a spiritual dimension to this external world in our desire to do good works, but communion with God is replaced by activity for God."
I think this is the problem with the church today. We have lost the focus on our relationship with God and focused solely on doing work for God. We see this illustrated in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. I am sure we all know the story of Martha busily preparing the feast and getting frustrated at her sister who was just sitting at the feet of Jesus. So she Goes to Jesus,and says Jesus tell my sister to get off her bum and help, but Jesus does not respond as Martha had hoped. Instead Jesus says "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part"
That is not the response Martha was looking for. Lets heed the words of Jesus and choose the "good part." Stop with your busy schedule, stop with doing the work of God and take time to sit at the feet of Jesus and just listen to Him. We need time WITH God before we do WORK for God. Lets not replace our intimate "sacred romance" with mere activity.
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