I don't usually recommend books that I haven't read yet but this one is definitely on my "to read" list.
Surrounded by the Sacred by Clayton King
I know Clayton well enough to know that his passion for Christ is real and deep. God has given Clayton adventures all over the world and here in the U.S. as he has learned to listen and follow what God is telling him.
I can not wait to get to this book myself. Check it out and if you read it before me be sure to tell me your favorite part.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
What do I owe?
"Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." Romans 13:7
Everytime I think of owing something my first thought is money. I owe, I owe, so off to work I go...
But this verse grabbed me this morning. To whom do I owe respect or honor or something else not mentioned here? Is it veterans or current military personnel? Is it those older than myself? Is it those with more experience?
To each of us we may owe honor and respect to someone different. I know I owe honor and respect to my wife and family. Someone else may owe to a good friend or a boss or a classmate.
Never the less we all are called to love.
Romans 13:8-10 clearly tells us that to love our neighbor fulfills the law and does our neighbor no harm. Therefore, if we make it a point to love then debts of honor and respect should be paid by the very love that is shown.
Wow my head is starting to hurt a little...must go pray now.
Everytime I think of owing something my first thought is money. I owe, I owe, so off to work I go...
But this verse grabbed me this morning. To whom do I owe respect or honor or something else not mentioned here? Is it veterans or current military personnel? Is it those older than myself? Is it those with more experience?
To each of us we may owe honor and respect to someone different. I know I owe honor and respect to my wife and family. Someone else may owe to a good friend or a boss or a classmate.
Never the less we all are called to love.
Romans 13:8-10 clearly tells us that to love our neighbor fulfills the law and does our neighbor no harm. Therefore, if we make it a point to love then debts of honor and respect should be paid by the very love that is shown.
Wow my head is starting to hurt a little...must go pray now.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Nicole Nordeman
This past Sunday I used the song "I AM" by Nicole Nordeman to help illustrate God's faithfulness throughout life. Here are the lyrics...hope they encourage you today also.
Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn´t always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed
You watched my team win
You watched my team lose
Watched when my bicycle went down again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said, Elbow Healer, Superhero
Come if You canYou said, I Am
Only sixteen, life´s so mean
What kind of curfew is at 10pm?
You saw my mistakes
And watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I would never love again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper
Be my best friend
And you said, I Am
You saw me wear white by pale candlelight
I said forever to what lies ahead
Two kids & a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it´s 2am
And when I´m weak, unable to speak
Still I´ll call You by name
Shepherd, Savior, Pasture Maker
Hold onto my hand
You say, I Am
The winds of change & circumstance blow in & all around us
So we find a foothold that is familiar
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer
When life had begun,
I was woven & spun
You let the angels dance around the throne
And who can say when, but they will dance again
When I´m free & finally headed home
I´ll be weak, unable to speak
Still I´ll call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer
Lord & King, Beginning & the End
I Am
Yes, I Am
Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn´t always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed
You watched my team win
You watched my team lose
Watched when my bicycle went down again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said, Elbow Healer, Superhero
Come if You canYou said, I Am
Only sixteen, life´s so mean
What kind of curfew is at 10pm?
You saw my mistakes
And watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I would never love again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper
Be my best friend
And you said, I Am
You saw me wear white by pale candlelight
I said forever to what lies ahead
Two kids & a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it´s 2am
And when I´m weak, unable to speak
Still I´ll call You by name
Shepherd, Savior, Pasture Maker
Hold onto my hand
You say, I Am
The winds of change & circumstance blow in & all around us
So we find a foothold that is familiar
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer
When life had begun,
I was woven & spun
You let the angels dance around the throne
And who can say when, but they will dance again
When I´m free & finally headed home
I´ll be weak, unable to speak
Still I´ll call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer
Lord & King, Beginning & the End
I Am
Yes, I Am
foundation
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)
The words of Jesus come at us not as simple instruction or command but rather as pure love from a holy savior to His beloved. Wow!...that sounded like a preacher.
But it's true. Jesus doesn't tell us things just to hear Himself speak. He offers His word as an act of love for each of us and as we obey His word to us we can experience the joy of His love.
"to obey is better than sacrifice," (I Samuel 15:22)
It's really pretty simple. Obey = solid life Not obey= shaky life
Storms come either way. Things can get rough. You can even get shaken a bit. However, when all is said and done only one kind of house is still standing. The one built on Jesus' word. It's a great home to live in.
The words of Jesus come at us not as simple instruction or command but rather as pure love from a holy savior to His beloved. Wow!...that sounded like a preacher.
But it's true. Jesus doesn't tell us things just to hear Himself speak. He offers His word as an act of love for each of us and as we obey His word to us we can experience the joy of His love.
"to obey is better than sacrifice," (I Samuel 15:22)
It's really pretty simple. Obey = solid life Not obey= shaky life
Storms come either way. Things can get rough. You can even get shaken a bit. However, when all is said and done only one kind of house is still standing. The one built on Jesus' word. It's a great home to live in.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Command or Blessing?
Some are familiar with Acts 1:8.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (ESV)
I've heard many preachers and teachers use this passage to motivate people to go out and witness to their neighbors, family, and friends. They promise the power of the Holy Spirit if you'll just go out and witness to someone. They use this verse as if it's a command to us. That's not quite what the passage says.
BE-ing God's witness is a blessing that comes from the empowerment provided by the Holy Spirit. In other words...
1) Holy Spirit comes on you.
2) You receive power from the H.S.
3) You enjoy the blessing of BE-ing a witness.
You get the chance to be a witness because God empowers you through His Holy Spirit.
God does not empower you because you witnessed. God's actions are motivated by the core of who He is...LOVE.
By BE-ing a witness that includes all of life. It's not just one activity on some spiritual to do list. It's life with Christ.
Nothing is a greater blessing than being used by Almighty God for His glory and His purpose and His Kingdom.
Enjoy BE-ing a witness today as God empowers you.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (ESV)
I've heard many preachers and teachers use this passage to motivate people to go out and witness to their neighbors, family, and friends. They promise the power of the Holy Spirit if you'll just go out and witness to someone. They use this verse as if it's a command to us. That's not quite what the passage says.
BE-ing God's witness is a blessing that comes from the empowerment provided by the Holy Spirit. In other words...
1) Holy Spirit comes on you.
2) You receive power from the H.S.
3) You enjoy the blessing of BE-ing a witness.
You get the chance to be a witness because God empowers you through His Holy Spirit.
God does not empower you because you witnessed. God's actions are motivated by the core of who He is...LOVE.
By BE-ing a witness that includes all of life. It's not just one activity on some spiritual to do list. It's life with Christ.
Nothing is a greater blessing than being used by Almighty God for His glory and His purpose and His Kingdom.
Enjoy BE-ing a witness today as God empowers you.
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