December 15, 2008 12:06 p.m.
Last Monday morning, my 7 year-old Katy and I were trying to determine what the symbol was on the chocolate she was about to eat for breakfast from her “Hannah Montana 32 days of Chocolate - Christmas and New Year Countdown Calendar. (breathe) It was either a cross, or a sword, or a tulip, or a guitar, or a microphone. Katy ate it before we were able to draw out any deep Christmas sentiment.
As believers decorate their houses with Christmas decorations (especially those anatomically incorrect angels) let’s consider a couple of things, to more thoughtfully celebrate the incarnation.
Eph 5:10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
Eph 5:17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
These verses are moral in focus, but we see in the symbols and celebration of Passover, (Ex 12) the life and death, moral importance of attention to detail. God had proved with the blood on the doorframes that symbols matter and are meant to invoke questions.
Ex 12:26 Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?'
27 And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.'”
Ex 13:8 “On the seventh day you must explain to your children, ‘I am celebrating what the LORD did for me when I left Egypt.’
Ex 13:14 “And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, ‘With the power of his mighty hand, the LORD brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery.
The symbols and celebration of Passover, in fact, point us to Christ.
1Co 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ, at an arbitrary time of year, with capricious and pagan symbols and rituals, with inaccurate portrayals of timelines etc., I can’t help but wonder if the freedom to make up our own celebration has been a bane or blessing.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if revived evangelicals really looked closely at our traditions and tried to be more accurate and thoughtful in our celebration. What if we just changed one thing each year, like putting Gabriel (Lu 1:29 Mary was greatly troubled at *his* words…) on top of the tree instead of a winged “Barbie”.
Perhaps in time we might even make our own Exodus from a date that has been all but swallowed up by consumerism and aim at something a little more scientifically verifiable like September. (?)
But before we get completely crazy, maybe one of us will come up with a good idea that catches on and begins to reform our Christian tradition just a little. So I’m challenging you to experiment. Read Exodus 12. Consider the importance of symbol and celebration. Think about the questions you want your children to ask and the answers you will give them and shape your Christmas accordingly.
I would be interested to know how you make out
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Dec 8, 08
I have experimented with two types of spiritual retreat. One is very much agenda driven with specific goals and timelines, the other is completely unstructured fellowship with Jesus and seeking to listen to him. Last summer I spent three days camping at Long-Point with my dog, “Max” and a bunch of books and a journal and God.
After adjusting to the loneliness and recognizing my relational “thirst” I directed it towards God and spent the mornings in devotional reading and writing and prayer.
The area of my life that the finger of mercy and grace pointed to specifically was anger.
Jas 1:20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
My expression of anger has, by default, been patterned after my dad’s. And although he has been with the lord for 14 years now, I don’t think I have ever buried him as my prime discipliner/example in this regard.
Biblically, that function belongs to an earthly father “for a little while” Heb 12:10 and intentionality is required, I discovered, to divert ones gaze in this respect.
I think this is what Jesus was doing in that strange little story, the only story from his childhood, after which Joseph seems to disappear from the pages of scripture.
Lu 2:42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
And as the story goes, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem until his parents returned and found him, days later, an eternity in the hearts of parents. Jesus response was this,
Lu 2:49 "Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?"
It is as though Jesus made the leap from the jurisdiction of one discipliner/example to another, something perhaps we must all do intentionally.
Eph 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Heb 12:6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Whether we have had good fathers or not, they are never perfect. As a child reaches the age of idealism (12 or so) he or she will be able to see those imperfections quite clearly.
Perhaps this is our cue as parents to begin pointing our children more intentionally towards the example we are imperfectly following ourselves, as we replace what our parents modeled to us with what God displays to us everyday.
Ro 5:8 But God demonstrates (present tense) his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
La 3:22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
On Nov 13 08 I came across a note in my day-timer referring to this new discipline I had sought to put in place on that trip. The note read, “Am I more patient, loving?” Months after putting this new thought in place, I was able to register some internal victory.
I need to make more progress here, but there are measurable results and a sense of encouragement that still flows from this unstructured time away. God is my example and provides discipline in a way that I want to model to my kids. He reminds me how I should respond when anger tempts me to simply fall in to old patterns. He points out where I need to apologize at home.
Next up: Let’s experiment with Christmas a little.
I have experimented with two types of spiritual retreat. One is very much agenda driven with specific goals and timelines, the other is completely unstructured fellowship with Jesus and seeking to listen to him. Last summer I spent three days camping at Long-Point with my dog, “Max” and a bunch of books and a journal and God.
After adjusting to the loneliness and recognizing my relational “thirst” I directed it towards God and spent the mornings in devotional reading and writing and prayer.
The area of my life that the finger of mercy and grace pointed to specifically was anger.
Jas 1:20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
My expression of anger has, by default, been patterned after my dad’s. And although he has been with the lord for 14 years now, I don’t think I have ever buried him as my prime discipliner/example in this regard.
Biblically, that function belongs to an earthly father “for a little while” Heb 12:10 and intentionality is required, I discovered, to divert ones gaze in this respect.
I think this is what Jesus was doing in that strange little story, the only story from his childhood, after which Joseph seems to disappear from the pages of scripture.
Lu 2:42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
And as the story goes, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem until his parents returned and found him, days later, an eternity in the hearts of parents. Jesus response was this,
Lu 2:49 "Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?"
It is as though Jesus made the leap from the jurisdiction of one discipliner/example to another, something perhaps we must all do intentionally.
Eph 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Heb 12:6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Whether we have had good fathers or not, they are never perfect. As a child reaches the age of idealism (12 or so) he or she will be able to see those imperfections quite clearly.
Perhaps this is our cue as parents to begin pointing our children more intentionally towards the example we are imperfectly following ourselves, as we replace what our parents modeled to us with what God displays to us everyday.
Ro 5:8 But God demonstrates (present tense) his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
La 3:22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
On Nov 13 08 I came across a note in my day-timer referring to this new discipline I had sought to put in place on that trip. The note read, “Am I more patient, loving?” Months after putting this new thought in place, I was able to register some internal victory.
I need to make more progress here, but there are measurable results and a sense of encouragement that still flows from this unstructured time away. God is my example and provides discipline in a way that I want to model to my kids. He reminds me how I should respond when anger tempts me to simply fall in to old patterns. He points out where I need to apologize at home.
Next up: Let’s experiment with Christmas a little.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Dec 2, 08
Ps 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Typically, any intentional tasting that we do involves a clean and discerning palate. The picture of someone seeking to appreciate a new wine, while at the same time chewing gum, is meant to be farcical.
Any desire to experience the lord, to know him better, will require laying aside some competing happiness, whether the pleasure of sin, or some legitimate satisfaction like sleep, or food, or sex, or the company of people.
We may experience lack in these areas for some other reason and bemoan our situation, or brag about it, but when they are laid aside for the sake of meeting with God, experiencing him, seeing more of him, gaining insight and wisdom and joy in holy companionship with him, he sees and honors in ways we might not have imagined.
The thrice repeated guarantee from Mt 6, when you give, pray and fast, in secret, is this, “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” “Reward” is not mentioned as a mere possibility. This is an underscored promise. There will be something to seek and find and keep.
Once you have tasted and found something good, it is expected that you would add it to your diet, a new discipline, a new insight, becomes part of the new normal. This is one way God grants new desires and along with them, new fulfillment and satisfaction and spiritual growth and happiness in him.
Gaining increased contentment with God by means of any intentional self-deprivation will include trial and error. It takes practice and tweaking like anything else.
The aim is always to divert the natural impulse to reliance on Christ, seeking after Christ, listening, waiting, recording our lessons and prayers to draw on when we don’t have the emotions or the words that would naturally attract us to him.
This past summer, I took 3 days camping alone with no agenda other than to listen. What I learned, I am still, as of yesterday, seeking to apply. And I am finding success because of the experience at Long-Point. I’ll talk more about this next time.
Ps 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Typically, any intentional tasting that we do involves a clean and discerning palate. The picture of someone seeking to appreciate a new wine, while at the same time chewing gum, is meant to be farcical.
Any desire to experience the lord, to know him better, will require laying aside some competing happiness, whether the pleasure of sin, or some legitimate satisfaction like sleep, or food, or sex, or the company of people.
We may experience lack in these areas for some other reason and bemoan our situation, or brag about it, but when they are laid aside for the sake of meeting with God, experiencing him, seeing more of him, gaining insight and wisdom and joy in holy companionship with him, he sees and honors in ways we might not have imagined.
The thrice repeated guarantee from Mt 6, when you give, pray and fast, in secret, is this, “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” “Reward” is not mentioned as a mere possibility. This is an underscored promise. There will be something to seek and find and keep.
Once you have tasted and found something good, it is expected that you would add it to your diet, a new discipline, a new insight, becomes part of the new normal. This is one way God grants new desires and along with them, new fulfillment and satisfaction and spiritual growth and happiness in him.
Gaining increased contentment with God by means of any intentional self-deprivation will include trial and error. It takes practice and tweaking like anything else.
The aim is always to divert the natural impulse to reliance on Christ, seeking after Christ, listening, waiting, recording our lessons and prayers to draw on when we don’t have the emotions or the words that would naturally attract us to him.
This past summer, I took 3 days camping alone with no agenda other than to listen. What I learned, I am still, as of yesterday, seeking to apply. And I am finding success because of the experience at Long-Point. I’ll talk more about this next time.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Nov. 27, 08 9:40 a.m.
On another morning during a particularity rich devotional time I found myself contemplating, “the lord is my portion: from
La 3:24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
which led to this quick word study
The word “portion” is used 67 times in the NIV to speak of...
an allotment of land
part of an animal used for sacrifice
the expectable consequences of sin
a serving of food
one’s ability or gifting
In this group of 67 verses is a sub-set of 6 verses that speak of God as “my portion”, the God who has granted, bequeathed himself to the believer.
La 3:24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Jer 51:19 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including the tribe of his inheritance—the LORD Almighty is his name.
Jer 10:16 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance—the LORD Almighty is his name.
Ps 142:5 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
Ps 119:57 You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words.
Ps 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
And then this one verse which stands alone…
De 32:9 For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance.
We are not the only ones looking forward to that blessed consummation we will have with him…
Re 19:9 Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!
Jesus anticipates our arrival even more than we anticipate his…
2Co 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Guys. We need to move beyond whatever gynophobia we have with the imagery of the church being the bride of Christ and cultivate a longing for him.
2Ti 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
On another morning during a particularity rich devotional time I found myself contemplating, “the lord is my portion: from
La 3:24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
which led to this quick word study
The word “portion” is used 67 times in the NIV to speak of...
an allotment of land
part of an animal used for sacrifice
the expectable consequences of sin
a serving of food
one’s ability or gifting
In this group of 67 verses is a sub-set of 6 verses that speak of God as “my portion”, the God who has granted, bequeathed himself to the believer.
La 3:24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Jer 51:19 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including the tribe of his inheritance—the LORD Almighty is his name.
Jer 10:16 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance—the LORD Almighty is his name.
Ps 142:5 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."
Ps 119:57 You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words.
Ps 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
And then this one verse which stands alone…
De 32:9 For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance.
We are not the only ones looking forward to that blessed consummation we will have with him…
Re 19:9 Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!
Jesus anticipates our arrival even more than we anticipate his…
2Co 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Guys. We need to move beyond whatever gynophobia we have with the imagery of the church being the bride of Christ and cultivate a longing for him.
2Ti 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Nov 25, 08 11:58 a.m.
The goal of devoting ourselves to prayer for a specified period of time was to express to God that we treasure the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ” more than any earthly pleasure and that we are seeking him as our reward.
In praying together I had to confess that there was something about it that I did not like. I tried to define it and the best I could come up with was that I did not like being vulnerable and appearing dependant in front of my wife who knows more about my weaknesses and failings than anyone else.
I openly confessed my pride and pretense, seeking forgiveness and cleansing and maturity in Christ. Theresa and I found the following day a greater freedom to trust one another and an increased joy in partnering toward spiritual growth and service. We are enjoying a deeper sense of friendship and freedom to share the joys in our stumbling toward greatness.
C. S. Lewis
"When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. Insofar as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving toward the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased."
God granted himself as reward as well. I’ll talk about that tomorrow
The goal of devoting ourselves to prayer for a specified period of time was to express to God that we treasure the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ” more than any earthly pleasure and that we are seeking him as our reward.
In praying together I had to confess that there was something about it that I did not like. I tried to define it and the best I could come up with was that I did not like being vulnerable and appearing dependant in front of my wife who knows more about my weaknesses and failings than anyone else.
I openly confessed my pride and pretense, seeking forgiveness and cleansing and maturity in Christ. Theresa and I found the following day a greater freedom to trust one another and an increased joy in partnering toward spiritual growth and service. We are enjoying a deeper sense of friendship and freedom to share the joys in our stumbling toward greatness.
C. S. Lewis
"When I have learned to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. Insofar as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving toward the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased."
God granted himself as reward as well. I’ll talk about that tomorrow
Monday, November 24, 2008
Nov 24. 08 11:20 a.m.
Theresa and I, in an effort to count our marriage as “rubbish” in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus…
Php 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
…have embarked on a spiritual experiment that I have termed, “body worship” which is similar to fasting for the purpose of prioritizing and relying on and knowing Jesus experientially. Here is the first installment on this topic; a textual recipe if you will. I will add our goals and lessons learned at a later date.
Body Worship 1
1Co 6:20 nlt for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Ro 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
1Co 7:3 nlt The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. 4 The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self–control.
Php 3:8 nlt Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
Mt 6:17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Ge 15:1 Do not be afraid… I am your shield, your very great reward.
Tit 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
1Ti 4:12 Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Theresa and I, in an effort to count our marriage as “rubbish” in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus…
Php 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
…have embarked on a spiritual experiment that I have termed, “body worship” which is similar to fasting for the purpose of prioritizing and relying on and knowing Jesus experientially. Here is the first installment on this topic; a textual recipe if you will. I will add our goals and lessons learned at a later date.
Body Worship 1
1Co 6:20 nlt for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Ro 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
1Co 7:3 nlt The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. 4 The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self–control.
Php 3:8 nlt Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
Mt 6:17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Ge 15:1 Do not be afraid… I am your shield, your very great reward.
Tit 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
1Ti 4:12 Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Nov. 22 08 10:35 a.m.
In these experiments I will aim at being factual to the point of being blunt so as to give you data you can consider for your own use. But never assume I am unemotional about what I find.
Emotions are a top priority to God as he uses them to lead to salvation and further sanctification and if our emotions are not directed toward that purpose, they will lead in only one other direction.
2Co 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
So again we are aiming at proving God in our experience of joy (no regret) and knowing that at the same time, to one degree or another, we are avoiding death.
Joy is worth fighting for and the best means of proving God, so, a quote for John Piper…
“When we understand… the fight for joy is mainly a fight too see [Jesus] we grasp… that joy is a gift and a spontaneous experience. The joy that comes from seeing beauty is spontaneous no matter how hard one fought to see.”
We are engaged on a quest to see Jesus any way we can because he is worthy of our longing gaze no matter how, like Zacchaeus, we must strive to put ourselves in the best place to see.
Lu 19:4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore–fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
May you strive in your obedience to him today to see him, experience something of him and the joy that this experience brings. Then you will have satisfied your soul and will have excess to satisfy the spiritual thirst of others.
Isa 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
In these experiments I will aim at being factual to the point of being blunt so as to give you data you can consider for your own use. But never assume I am unemotional about what I find.
Emotions are a top priority to God as he uses them to lead to salvation and further sanctification and if our emotions are not directed toward that purpose, they will lead in only one other direction.
2Co 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
So again we are aiming at proving God in our experience of joy (no regret) and knowing that at the same time, to one degree or another, we are avoiding death.
Joy is worth fighting for and the best means of proving God, so, a quote for John Piper…
“When we understand… the fight for joy is mainly a fight too see [Jesus] we grasp… that joy is a gift and a spontaneous experience. The joy that comes from seeing beauty is spontaneous no matter how hard one fought to see.”
We are engaged on a quest to see Jesus any way we can because he is worthy of our longing gaze no matter how, like Zacchaeus, we must strive to put ourselves in the best place to see.
Lu 19:4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore–fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
May you strive in your obedience to him today to see him, experience something of him and the joy that this experience brings. Then you will have satisfied your soul and will have excess to satisfy the spiritual thirst of others.
Isa 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Nov. 20, 08 4:50 p.m.
The first point of this blog is to do something other than waiting around hoping that God will create experiences in our lives to prove himself to us. He clearly puts that ball in our court.
Ps 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
So often we try to set up the parameters in a crisis moments... "God if you are real..." The truth is, He is real and experiencing him the way he outlines will make him seem much more so.
Faith comes by hearing. ..
Ro 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
… But faith and God are proved in our experiences.
Our own feelings of guilt are overwhelming evidence of him when we disobey his law.
Ps 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
So how could we prove him right by the joy that accompanies obedience?
Jn 15: 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
In so many ways, the Bible is set up as an experiment in risky obedience, like inching out on unsure ice only to find that it is solid enough to bear our weight as we dance for joy.
The more you risk obeying him, the more you prove him, the more joy we may have confirming the truthfulness of all that he says, most importantly, his love for us. So that is the first and primary purpose of this blog: Spiritual Experiment.
The second purpose is to address topics that are not Sunday-morning-friendly.
I am not a big fan of “shock-jock” preaching and do not think a congregation should be offended for the mere amusement of a preacher, so I would prefer to use this forum to discuss important but sensitive matters of faith. And there are many.
The third purpose is simply the overflow of a devotional life. There are just way too many spiritual theories and discoveries and experiments to ever hope to jam them into a Sunday morning sermon. They come far too randomly and too frequently and generate too much excitement to allow their benefit to sit on a shelf and grow cold while waiting for the right sermon to come along.
So what is here will be fresh, growing edges of faith along with theories waiting to be proved and discussed, all the while expanding the spiritual domain that belongs to God in my soul and hopefully yours as well.
Stay tuned…
The first point of this blog is to do something other than waiting around hoping that God will create experiences in our lives to prove himself to us. He clearly puts that ball in our court.
Ps 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
So often we try to set up the parameters in a crisis moments... "God if you are real..." The truth is, He is real and experiencing him the way he outlines will make him seem much more so.
Faith comes by hearing. ..
Ro 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
… But faith and God are proved in our experiences.
Our own feelings of guilt are overwhelming evidence of him when we disobey his law.
Ps 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
So how could we prove him right by the joy that accompanies obedience?
Jn 15: 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
In so many ways, the Bible is set up as an experiment in risky obedience, like inching out on unsure ice only to find that it is solid enough to bear our weight as we dance for joy.
The more you risk obeying him, the more you prove him, the more joy we may have confirming the truthfulness of all that he says, most importantly, his love for us. So that is the first and primary purpose of this blog: Spiritual Experiment.
The second purpose is to address topics that are not Sunday-morning-friendly.
I am not a big fan of “shock-jock” preaching and do not think a congregation should be offended for the mere amusement of a preacher, so I would prefer to use this forum to discuss important but sensitive matters of faith. And there are many.
The third purpose is simply the overflow of a devotional life. There are just way too many spiritual theories and discoveries and experiments to ever hope to jam them into a Sunday morning sermon. They come far too randomly and too frequently and generate too much excitement to allow their benefit to sit on a shelf and grow cold while waiting for the right sermon to come along.
So what is here will be fresh, growing edges of faith along with theories waiting to be proved and discussed, all the while expanding the spiritual domain that belongs to God in my soul and hopefully yours as well.
Stay tuned…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)