Thursday, February 11, 2010
Bad link on last post
Sorry, that was a bad link for some reason. Here is the correct one Hold Fast 412
Moving Blog Locations
Because of upcoming transitions and an attempt to simplify my life a little, I will be blogging over at Hold Fast 412 from here on out.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
God bless!
Sorry for any inconvenience.
God bless!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
On the blogs for Wed., February 3, 2010
Some reading for this morning:
Jews & Gentiles (this was an interesting perspective)
Questions to struggle with (these are excellent discussion starters)
What is the gospel (good summary by Dr. K)
Leading yourself (insightful)
On Reading (some tips for setting reading goals)
Maybe more later...
Jews & Gentiles (this was an interesting perspective)
Questions to struggle with (these are excellent discussion starters)
What is the gospel (good summary by Dr. K)
Leading yourself (insightful)
On Reading (some tips for setting reading goals)
Maybe more later...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Stand still and Rise up
During my bible reading this morning I was struck again by Moses' exhortation in Exodus 14:13. They were told to stand still and watch God save them.
Then, my mind went to Joshua 1:2. Here God tells Joshua to "arise, go over this Jordan."
Sometimes God tells us to stand still and watch; sometimes God says get up and get going into the place that he has called us.
Regardless, the focus in both cases is the same--God's word, God's power, God's promises, God's commands, and God's presence.
What is he telling you to do today?
Regardless, trust Him and obey Him...for there is no other way!
Then, my mind went to Joshua 1:2. Here God tells Joshua to "arise, go over this Jordan."
Sometimes God tells us to stand still and watch; sometimes God says get up and get going into the place that he has called us.
Regardless, the focus in both cases is the same--God's word, God's power, God's promises, God's commands, and God's presence.
What is he telling you to do today?
Regardless, trust Him and obey Him...for there is no other way!
On the blogs for Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010
Some early reading today:
They're on the same Team (good reminder)
Even Now... (good encouragement this morning)
Praying (excellent reminders & encouragement to pray w/o ceasing)
Reading (for those who do not like to read, this is good encouragement to begin)
Shopping Carts and the Gospel (this is eye-opening)
11 Innovations for your church (probably will not see these as all that innovative, but maybe that's the point)
Living with Less (I needed to hear this)
They're on the same Team (good reminder)
Even Now... (good encouragement this morning)
Praying (excellent reminders & encouragement to pray w/o ceasing)
Reading (for those who do not like to read, this is good encouragement to begin)
Shopping Carts and the Gospel (this is eye-opening)
11 Innovations for your church (probably will not see these as all that innovative, but maybe that's the point)
Living with Less (I needed to hear this)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
On the blogs for Sunday, January 31, 2010
Here are few good ones for today:
Missional Church (this was excellent!)
Fasting (good insight)
Believing is evidence (very good)
Missional Church (this was excellent!)
Fasting (good insight)
Believing is evidence (very good)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
A few more blogs from my reading this evening...
Another review of The Shack (this was insightful)
Meditating on God's Word
Sunday's Comin' (you gotta watch this! Prepare to shout!)
Meditating on God's Word
Sunday's Comin' (you gotta watch this! Prepare to shout!)
On the blogs for Saturday, January 30, 2010
Some good reading for the snow days ahead:
Church Dynamics
What the Redeemed Should Do (this is good)
You are missional (be careful, I'm warning you, your toes will hurt--and hopefully our hearts will be convicted)
Bitterness (I thought this was insightful, though it might be convicting)
Baby Steps (this was a good reminder)
Why Churches Stall (this is good)
10 Temptation Truths (thought this was a good warning for arsenal against sin's temptations)
Holy Humdrum (another good reminder)
That's it...for now...
Church Dynamics
What the Redeemed Should Do (this is good)
You are missional (be careful, I'm warning you, your toes will hurt--and hopefully our hearts will be convicted)
Bitterness (I thought this was insightful, though it might be convicting)
Baby Steps (this was a good reminder)
Why Churches Stall (this is good)
10 Temptation Truths (thought this was a good warning for arsenal against sin's temptations)
Holy Humdrum (another good reminder)
That's it...for now...
Monday, January 25, 2010
On the blogs for Monday, January 25, 2010
Here are just a few for this morning:
Kingdom & the Church (good question worth pondering)
American Idol (don't read if you are an addict)
Praying for your pastor
Temple Prostitution (interesting perspective--not for the faint of heart though)
Kingdom & the Church (good question worth pondering)
American Idol (don't read if you are an addict)
Praying for your pastor
Temple Prostitution (interesting perspective--not for the faint of heart though)
Friday, January 22, 2010
Some more blogs for today...
Personal Mission Statement (something to consider)
Seen and Not Heard (interesting)
Relational Leadership (interesting)
Kids and Media (wow!)
Seen and Not Heard (interesting)
Relational Leadership (interesting)
Kids and Media (wow!)
On the blogs for Friday, January 22, 2010
Here is some blog reading for your weekend enjoyment:
Advance (an eBook by Dr. Alvin Reid; looks to be a good read)
Public passion vs. Private devotion (very convicting--ouch!--mainly for pastors, but relates to everyone)
Coming Clean (if you know someone who needs this (wait, we all need this--guys, pay attention)
Cooperation (interesting)
Be Jesus-full (good reminder)
Grow (looks to be a good resource)
Memorize now (maybe a good tool for scripture memorization--nothing will beat just meditating on the scripture though)
Advance (an eBook by Dr. Alvin Reid; looks to be a good read)
Public passion vs. Private devotion (very convicting--ouch!--mainly for pastors, but relates to everyone)
Coming Clean (if you know someone who needs this (wait, we all need this--guys, pay attention)
Cooperation (interesting)
Be Jesus-full (good reminder)
Grow (looks to be a good resource)
Memorize now (maybe a good tool for scripture memorization--nothing will beat just meditating on the scripture though)
Monday, January 18, 2010
On the blogs for Monday, January 18, 2010
Some good reading:
I Have a Dream (a must see; sadly, I think this is the first time I've ever watched the whole speech--what did I learn in high school?)
Enjoying the Bible so far? (must see and read the caption at the top--that's most of us in a nutshell)
Girls in Church (guys, please read)
Girls in Church, the wife's point of view (girls, please read)
Enjoy those 11 minutes (interesting read for all the NFL football fans)
Biblical Illiteracy (very interesting)
Approachability & Accountability (good, especially for pastors)
Mutual Edification (interesting perspective)
Social Gospel (great analysis)
Leader's Focus (good reminders for all leaders)
More from The Shack (hasn't been talked about much lately, but I thought this was a pretty good assessment)
A Great Leadership Team (I wonder how we can make these gospel-centered?)
Easily Offended (interesting)
Pharisees & Twitter (thought these were pretty funny)
8 Reasons for Biblical Preaching (good stuff)
The Pentateuch (interview of my Hebrew professor in seminary--great guy!)
For all the Fathers out there (read this)
Enjoy!
I Have a Dream (a must see; sadly, I think this is the first time I've ever watched the whole speech--what did I learn in high school?)
Enjoying the Bible so far? (must see and read the caption at the top--that's most of us in a nutshell)
Girls in Church (guys, please read)
Girls in Church, the wife's point of view (girls, please read)
Enjoy those 11 minutes (interesting read for all the NFL football fans)
Biblical Illiteracy (very interesting)
Approachability & Accountability (good, especially for pastors)
Mutual Edification (interesting perspective)
Social Gospel (great analysis)
Leader's Focus (good reminders for all leaders)
More from The Shack (hasn't been talked about much lately, but I thought this was a pretty good assessment)
A Great Leadership Team (I wonder how we can make these gospel-centered?)
Easily Offended (interesting)
Pharisees & Twitter (thought these were pretty funny)
8 Reasons for Biblical Preaching (good stuff)
The Pentateuch (interview of my Hebrew professor in seminary--great guy!)
For all the Fathers out there (read this)
Enjoy!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Some more for today
God's People on Mission
Being slow to speak
Systems and Culture (interesting: how could we apply this to church life?)
A tattoo for Jesus? (very interesting question)
Being slow to speak
Systems and Culture (interesting: how could we apply this to church life?)
A tattoo for Jesus? (very interesting question)
Psalm 46:10
A couple of weeks ago, we taught on the importance of daily personal bible study in our Sunday morning gathering right after Christmas.
The theme was "Moving Forward by Going Back to the Basics". We talked about the fundamentals of the Christian life--daily personal devotions.
In personal devotions, there are two key elements: personal bible study and prayer.
This past Sunday, we tackled the subject of silence, solitude, and private prayer. Certainly there are all kinds of praying, but this kind is probably the kind we (I know I do) struggle with the most.
Our lives are so noisy and fully of distractions and commotion that we need this time un-distracted time in the presence of our heavenly Father. This is one of his gifts to us as his children: the opportunity and privilege to spend uninterrupted time with Him.
It is also important to realize the connection between prayer and personal bible study. We looked again at Luke 10:38-11:13 to see how Luke, in his narrative, put these two things together.
Mary "sitting at the feet of Jesus" and the questioning disciples directly after this incident saying, "Lord, teach us to pray."
How's it coming finding some uninterrupted time with Jesus? Have you made a plan for this? I'm learning that if I don't plan for it, it usually doesn't happen. My schedule is so chaotic that I have to make a conscious & intentional effort to have that kind of time alone with the Father.
God bless you as you endeavor in this exercise of faith.
The theme was "Moving Forward by Going Back to the Basics". We talked about the fundamentals of the Christian life--daily personal devotions.
In personal devotions, there are two key elements: personal bible study and prayer.
This past Sunday, we tackled the subject of silence, solitude, and private prayer. Certainly there are all kinds of praying, but this kind is probably the kind we (I know I do) struggle with the most.
Our lives are so noisy and fully of distractions and commotion that we need this time un-distracted time in the presence of our heavenly Father. This is one of his gifts to us as his children: the opportunity and privilege to spend uninterrupted time with Him.
It is also important to realize the connection between prayer and personal bible study. We looked again at Luke 10:38-11:13 to see how Luke, in his narrative, put these two things together.
Mary "sitting at the feet of Jesus" and the questioning disciples directly after this incident saying, "Lord, teach us to pray."
How's it coming finding some uninterrupted time with Jesus? Have you made a plan for this? I'm learning that if I don't plan for it, it usually doesn't happen. My schedule is so chaotic that I have to make a conscious & intentional effort to have that kind of time alone with the Father.
God bless you as you endeavor in this exercise of faith.
On the blogs for Monday, January 11, 2010
Enjoy these today...
What's your definition of responsibility? (this is excellent!)
Past hurt from places of sin (if you know someone dealing w/ this, pass it along)
Talking points for Brit Hume (whether you agree or not, this is interesting)
Sheer Grace (this is great!)
Prayer Guide (after Sunday's sermon, this would be a good tool)
The Myth of Perfect Parenting (interesting)
Just three pages a day (good challenge)
Happy reading!
What's your definition of responsibility? (this is excellent!)
Past hurt from places of sin (if you know someone dealing w/ this, pass it along)
Talking points for Brit Hume (whether you agree or not, this is interesting)
Sheer Grace (this is great!)
Prayer Guide (after Sunday's sermon, this would be a good tool)
The Myth of Perfect Parenting (interesting)
Just three pages a day (good challenge)
Happy reading!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
On the blogs for Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010
Here are some catch up blogs for the last week:
Teaching our children to trust God
Gallup on decreasing numbers (interesting)
The first interpreters (thought this was thought-provoking)
Ways to Encourage a Missionary
Discipleship & Youth Ministry (this and the link Voddie points to are interesting)
Bible Reading Plan (since the goal is to be in the scriptures everyday, here is a less intimidating plan)
Accountability
Seasons of Church Life (this is interesting)
Why single dudes aren't busy (interesting)
What do you live for
That's just your interpretation (good point)
Teaching our children to trust God
Gallup on decreasing numbers (interesting)
The first interpreters (thought this was thought-provoking)
Ways to Encourage a Missionary
Discipleship & Youth Ministry (this and the link Voddie points to are interesting)
Bible Reading Plan (since the goal is to be in the scriptures everyday, here is a less intimidating plan)
Accountability
Seasons of Church Life (this is interesting)
Why single dudes aren't busy (interesting)
What do you live for
That's just your interpretation (good point)
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year
I'm sitting in a hotel room in Boone, NC with all the snow outside with my family and some friends as 2010 makes its debut.
What does this new year hold for you and yours? How will you begin this new year? What commitments will you make for the coming year? What habits do you want to get rid of? What habits do you want to cultivate in your life? What kind of re-engineering of your life needs to take place in light of the reality of the great God and Savior we serve and in regard to the kingdom we are a part of?
All of these questions have bombarded my soul, especially being here on a little vacation with my family.
I have contemplated the parenting of my children, how I can serve my wife and children for the glory of God this new year, how I can lead our family toward greater kingdom impact, what I desire for my children to be and do as they grow up, what I will pray for them about, how I will seek to train them in the scriptures, how we, as a family, can be more kingdom of God oriented in our decisions--that's a lot to think about--then, I have remembered that I can't do any of it in my own strength or wisdom or common sense (whatever that means)...
This morning, I started a new Bible reading plan, and where should it begin; yep, at the beginning--Genesis 1 & 2. Then it sent me to Psalm 1.
That's when it hit me again--Psalm 1:2-3--delighting in the word of God and meditating on the word of God as the fundamental & sufficient nourishment for my own soul and the "counsel" (v. 1) that I desperately need in order to stay faithful to Jesus in this new year in all that he has called me to do.
And, this morning I began reading "Why Pray?" by Philip Yancey, whom I have never read anything by before. This book is an excerpt of a larger work of his (which I might have to consider purchasing). So far I have been challenged, convicted, reassured, and encouraged.
One quote from the book: "prayer exposes for a nanosecond what I prefer to ignore: my own true state of fragile dependence."
Even as an adult, I still have a tendency to try to do things in my own wisdom or the world's wisdom and in my own independent thinking. I am more like the one year who screams "My do it myself" than the one who patiently waits, hopes, and depends fully and completely upon God's grace to empower me and enable to accomplish his purposes through me by faith.
Personal devotions & prayer--that's where I'm re-newing my focus this year--the simplicity of sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to his words and wisdom and counsel for the days ahead of me for his glory.
Where & what will you re-new this year?
God bless you all in the coming year.
What does this new year hold for you and yours? How will you begin this new year? What commitments will you make for the coming year? What habits do you want to get rid of? What habits do you want to cultivate in your life? What kind of re-engineering of your life needs to take place in light of the reality of the great God and Savior we serve and in regard to the kingdom we are a part of?
All of these questions have bombarded my soul, especially being here on a little vacation with my family.
I have contemplated the parenting of my children, how I can serve my wife and children for the glory of God this new year, how I can lead our family toward greater kingdom impact, what I desire for my children to be and do as they grow up, what I will pray for them about, how I will seek to train them in the scriptures, how we, as a family, can be more kingdom of God oriented in our decisions--that's a lot to think about--then, I have remembered that I can't do any of it in my own strength or wisdom or common sense (whatever that means)...
This morning, I started a new Bible reading plan, and where should it begin; yep, at the beginning--Genesis 1 & 2. Then it sent me to Psalm 1.
That's when it hit me again--Psalm 1:2-3--delighting in the word of God and meditating on the word of God as the fundamental & sufficient nourishment for my own soul and the "counsel" (v. 1) that I desperately need in order to stay faithful to Jesus in this new year in all that he has called me to do.
And, this morning I began reading "Why Pray?" by Philip Yancey, whom I have never read anything by before. This book is an excerpt of a larger work of his (which I might have to consider purchasing). So far I have been challenged, convicted, reassured, and encouraged.
One quote from the book: "prayer exposes for a nanosecond what I prefer to ignore: my own true state of fragile dependence."
Even as an adult, I still have a tendency to try to do things in my own wisdom or the world's wisdom and in my own independent thinking. I am more like the one year who screams "My do it myself" than the one who patiently waits, hopes, and depends fully and completely upon God's grace to empower me and enable to accomplish his purposes through me by faith.
Personal devotions & prayer--that's where I'm re-newing my focus this year--the simplicity of sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to his words and wisdom and counsel for the days ahead of me for his glory.
Where & what will you re-new this year?
God bless you all in the coming year.
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