Friday, February 29, 2008
From Oswald Chambers...
This is just a little too close for comfort in my own life...
"Many a Christian worker has left Jesus Christ alone and gone into work from a sense of duty, or from a sense of need arising out of his own particular discernment. The reason for this is the absence of the resurrection life of Jesus. The soul has got out of intimate contact with God by leaning to its own religious understanding. There is no sin in it, and no punishment attached to it; but when the soul realizes how he has hindered his understanding of Jesus Christ, and produced for himself perplexities and sorrows and difficulties, it is with shame and contrition he has to come back.
We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper down than we do, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him; instead of this we make our common - sense decisions and ask God to bless them. He cannot, it is not in His domain, it is severed from reality. If we do a thing from a sense of duty, we are putting up a standard in competition with Jesus Christ."
From My Utmost for His Highest, February 28
"Many a Christian worker has left Jesus Christ alone and gone into work from a sense of duty, or from a sense of need arising out of his own particular discernment. The reason for this is the absence of the resurrection life of Jesus. The soul has got out of intimate contact with God by leaning to its own religious understanding. There is no sin in it, and no punishment attached to it; but when the soul realizes how he has hindered his understanding of Jesus Christ, and produced for himself perplexities and sorrows and difficulties, it is with shame and contrition he has to come back.
We need to rely on the resurrection life of Jesus much deeper down than we do, to get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him; instead of this we make our common - sense decisions and ask God to bless them. He cannot, it is not in His domain, it is severed from reality. If we do a thing from a sense of duty, we are putting up a standard in competition with Jesus Christ."
From My Utmost for His Highest, February 28
Monday, February 25, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Bumbo Heads are Coming!!!
Leave it to Ethan to put the baby's Bumbo on his head and take on that Martian look. What a kid!
Speaking of the baby, Logan was looking good...and quite the little man...as we got ready for church on Sunday. Ready...all together..."Awww..."
Monday, February 18, 2008
Press On!
So this morning I was on the treadmill...yes, I use a treadmill...for about a week now. Anyway, I decided to bump up my time and distance this morning and was feeling good about my initiative. I know you have heard of "hitting the wall" - well, I didn't hit the wall but I at least saw it coming closer. About that time...and I had to laugh...the shuffle on my iPod brought up this song...and it got me through the additional time and distance!"Press On"
When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall
When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all
Chorus:
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on
To press on
Dan Burgess ©1983 Belwin-Mills Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP) All rights admin. by Warner Bros. Publications, Inc. (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
"El Ranchero!"
Most Southerners are well acquainted with the idea of "comfort food". We are no exception. But as much as fried chicken, meatloaf, or mashed potatoes might bring "comfort" - so do chips, cheese dip, burritos and tamales from El Ranchero!!! Granny came to visit this weekend and bought us lunch at our local Mexican hangout.
Here is a snapshot of Dawson singing to Logan..."I love you a bushel and a peck..."
Meanwhile, Ethan was also there...just hanging out!
Here is a snapshot of Dawson singing to Logan..."I love you a bushel and a peck..."
Meanwhile, Ethan was also there...just hanging out!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Real Foundation
A thought came to me the other day. I thought about all that I had read and been taught over the years concerning Jesus’ teaching at the end of Matthew 7, the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount.
“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock. Anyone who hears my teachings and doesn't obey them is like a foolish person who built a house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash.” Matthew 7:24-28
You probably are very familiar with this story. At some point in the Christian journey, we are all challenged to build our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Cornerstone (Matthew 24:32), the one true foundation (I Corinthians 3:11). “The wise man built his house upon the rock” – the Sunday School song echoes in our head.
But if I were to ask you to close your eyes, to clear your thoughts and then create a mental image based on a given word, what vision comes to mind with the word “foundation”? My mental image is that of a construction site with either a concrete slab or gray concrete blocks stacked and mortared in precise rows.
All in all, a solid foundation, quite in line with local building codes. But a concrete foundation is not the same as a foundation of solid, bedrock. And there is where my heart realized the problem. Concrete is not rock. Concrete is strong and very flexible in its uses. In fact, more concrete is used than any other man-made material on the planet. But therein lies the problem: concrete, regardless of its strength, is man-made. In fact, the irony is that concrete is a mixture of crushed rock and sand, a mixture that might give you some strength for a while. But ask anyone who has ever poured concrete and they will be quick to tell you that you MUST reinforce the concrete or it will not stand up to the weathering and deterioration caused by wear-and tear. But even then, the steel rebar used to reinforce is fallible, subject to rust.
You just can’t mix sand and rock and expect the same strength or dependability as solid, natural rock. For many years, I tried to mix the “sand” of my own idols, agendas, and motives in with good intentions to include enough “rock” so as to add strength, all the while desiring to pour the substance into my forms. It did not work. And the truth is, this is a hard proposition. I want to bring sand to the construction site and every time, it undermines the building process. Then a storm comes and I am reminded in a dramatic way…sometimes a devastating way…I need the solid rock. So may we all learn.
Oh, and by the way, verse 29 of Matthew 7 says that the people were astonished at the teaching of Jesus because He taught as one who had authority. So the next time you spend time with our Teacher, look to be astonished!
“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock. Anyone who hears my teachings and doesn't obey them is like a foolish person who built a house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash.” Matthew 7:24-28
You probably are very familiar with this story. At some point in the Christian journey, we are all challenged to build our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Cornerstone (Matthew 24:32), the one true foundation (I Corinthians 3:11). “The wise man built his house upon the rock” – the Sunday School song echoes in our head.
But if I were to ask you to close your eyes, to clear your thoughts and then create a mental image based on a given word, what vision comes to mind with the word “foundation”? My mental image is that of a construction site with either a concrete slab or gray concrete blocks stacked and mortared in precise rows.
All in all, a solid foundation, quite in line with local building codes. But a concrete foundation is not the same as a foundation of solid, bedrock. And there is where my heart realized the problem. Concrete is not rock. Concrete is strong and very flexible in its uses. In fact, more concrete is used than any other man-made material on the planet. But therein lies the problem: concrete, regardless of its strength, is man-made. In fact, the irony is that concrete is a mixture of crushed rock and sand, a mixture that might give you some strength for a while. But ask anyone who has ever poured concrete and they will be quick to tell you that you MUST reinforce the concrete or it will not stand up to the weathering and deterioration caused by wear-and tear. But even then, the steel rebar used to reinforce is fallible, subject to rust.
You just can’t mix sand and rock and expect the same strength or dependability as solid, natural rock. For many years, I tried to mix the “sand” of my own idols, agendas, and motives in with good intentions to include enough “rock” so as to add strength, all the while desiring to pour the substance into my forms. It did not work. And the truth is, this is a hard proposition. I want to bring sand to the construction site and every time, it undermines the building process. Then a storm comes and I am reminded in a dramatic way…sometimes a devastating way…I need the solid rock. So may we all learn.
Oh, and by the way, verse 29 of Matthew 7 says that the people were astonished at the teaching of Jesus because He taught as one who had authority. So the next time you spend time with our Teacher, look to be astonished!
A Beautiful Woman
I had the wonderful privilege of taking the most beautiful and amazing woman out on a date tonight! Thanks to Granny for taking care of the boys, Rita and I got to celebrate "anniversa-birthda-valentines". Looking across the table (at the same restaurant where we had our first date 14 years ago Feb 4) tears welled up as I realized how blessed I am. I am a thankful man! You know...it makes me want to SHOUT!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Real Friends!
First Baptist Woodstock served as host this week for a regional evangelism conference. My former pastor, Dr. Danny Forshee, was a speaker for the conference. Wow, it was good to hear this man of God preach. His message was tailored to the crowd of pastors and evangelists, but his passion for Jesus Christ had him running and shouting! We had some very good time to catch up and reconnect a relationship that I had missed over the past couple of years.
I also got to spend a little time with my great friend Michael Ray. Once again, I was reminded what its like to have friends that love you and accept you unconditionally. I can't wait to spend more time with Michael and his family in the near future!
I also got to spend a little time with my great friend Michael Ray. Once again, I was reminded what its like to have friends that love you and accept you unconditionally. I can't wait to spend more time with Michael and his family in the near future!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Enough
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
When winds blow hard and storms rage strong.
When fires burn hot and quench my song.
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
When the sun's warm rays beam down on me.
When songs of praise burst out of me.
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
When tears are cried,
When this flesh sighs,
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
Your blood, once spilled, covers still.
Your grace, once given, sustains each breath.
Because of Your love so undeserved and so veiled by sin,
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
Redeemer, Savior, Shelter, Friend -
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
When winds blow hard and storms rage strong.
When fires burn hot and quench my song.
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
When the sun's warm rays beam down on me.
When songs of praise burst out of me.
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
When tears are cried,
When this flesh sighs,
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
Your blood, once spilled, covers still.
Your grace, once given, sustains each breath.
Because of Your love so undeserved and so veiled by sin,
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
Redeemer, Savior, Shelter, Friend -
You, Oh LORD, are enough.
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