The Old Testament is hard to read and understand. There are historical-cultural difficulties, meaning that there is quite a gap that separates us from this Old Testament world of temples and animals sacrifices, sabbatical years and dietary laws. How could this different world be relevant to us today?
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Think (6)
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Journey with Jack (3) - Joy and Truth
This is a very interesting biography on CS Lewis by John Piper. It is addressed to a group of mainly Reformed pastors, which may be a different demographic from my readership. Yet, I have experienced some of what Piper has in regards to reading Lewis, and I hope that listening might help you to become more fully alive in Jesus, even if some of the specifics of his focus might not seem as particularly relevant to you. And perhaps this video will serve as a means to your reading Lewis, which might serve as a means to your loving Jesus more.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Disciplines w/ a Twist
First, a description of disciplines and their importance. Then, some disciplines with a twist.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
We do not think like that, but we should.
What happens when we run up against a hard truth of Scripture? Do we ignore it? Do we tame it down? Do we make excuses for Scripture's assertions? Do we nullify it by self-identifying as sinners and saying it is simply impossible? Do we suppress it? Do we exchange the truth about God for a lie in order to worship and serve, not God, but something he has created? Do we even think in terms of truth when we come to Scripture or only in terms of the vibes we get? Or do these hard truths serve to keep us away from Scripture in the first place?
We do not think like that, but we should.
What happens when we run up against a hard truth of Scripture? Do we ignore it? Do we tame it down? Do we make excuses for Scripture's assertions? Do we nullify it by self-identifying as sinners and saying it is simply impossible? Do we suppress it? Do we exchange the truth about God for a lie in order to worship and serve, not God, but something he has created? Do we even think in terms of truth when we come to Scripture or only in terms of the vibes we get? Or do these hard truths serve to keep us away from Scripture in the first place?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Reverse Thinking
Thanks to one of my old friends from GHP for this link. This is one of the coolest, most creative things I have seen.
Thou, Oh Lord!
Praise the LORD!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
(Psalm 150)
No matter where you are in life right now, no matter what you are suffering, no matter the sins you've committed, no matter the highs or lows, I know this: There is a God who is really there, who really loves you, whose Son died and rose to bring you into the family. He stand ready to welcome you no matter where you are. His arms are open. As GK Chesterton says, "Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair." There is sweet forgiveness in God if you will only humble yourself and accept that forgiveness. God is madly, deeply, truly, sacrificially in love with you.
Our hearts were made for God, and they were not made simply to see that he is there. They were made to rejoice in him. They were made for worship. God is glorified in our worship. How many of our sins would be killed and our worries recede if only we would see and savor God, our hearts delighting in his glory! Let your heart and soul be caught up in praise...
This is a good one right here.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
(Psalm 150)
No matter where you are in life right now, no matter what you are suffering, no matter the sins you've committed, no matter the highs or lows, I know this: There is a God who is really there, who really loves you, whose Son died and rose to bring you into the family. He stand ready to welcome you no matter where you are. His arms are open. As GK Chesterton says, "Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair." There is sweet forgiveness in God if you will only humble yourself and accept that forgiveness. God is madly, deeply, truly, sacrificially in love with you.
Our hearts were made for God, and they were not made simply to see that he is there. They were made to rejoice in him. They were made for worship. God is glorified in our worship. How many of our sins would be killed and our worries recede if only we would see and savor God, our hearts delighting in his glory! Let your heart and soul be caught up in praise...
This is a good one right here.
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