Archive for ::: | Faith | :::
State of the Blog Address :: One More Silent Week
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Those of you who follow this blog with any regularity know very well that my last week was spent in observance of Lent, denying myself each and every source of social media in an attempt to draw closer to God. It’s been a good week; a long week, for sure! Yet, I feel like the first three or four days were actually more like a much-needed break. An over-due nap, perhaps. Either way, I didn’t feel much self-denial or sacrifice and I don’t feel like it was a dedicated “draw closer to God” time at all.
I did seek His counsel on one very important issue regarding this blog, however, and that was the question of whether or not to continue. I believe He’s answered that with a definitive “yes.” And for that, I am so very grateful! I can honestly say I feel ready to return to regular writing and am invigorated to share life through this medium once again. I’m just not sure about the regularity just yet. As the last post stated, I have another site that is just beginning and seemingly tons of other weekly responsibilities I have to tend to. Responsibilities that I am unequivocally called to…I’m sure of that. And as difficult as it is to admit, this blog plays second fiddle to those responsibilities.
So, I continue to wrestle with those questions and continue seeking God in more deliberate ways this upcoming week. One way or another, the blog posts will resume. The interaction will continue. And the heart of this website will remain. I’m excited to return, but for at least another week I ask for your patience as I seek God’s heart a bit deeper. May you be blessed!
UPDATE: While I still hold to the fact that I will continue writing, I won’t be doing a whole lot on this site for the time being. Sometimes we just have to cut out the things that aren’t necessary for a season, and that’s exactly what I’m doing for now. I will, however, be doing lots of work with the Open House webpage and blog. So come by there often to connect!
Until then, thanks for coming by! I’m sure I’ll return some time in the future! =)
God, Fortresses and Rocks :: A Reflection on Psalm 71
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With the snow moving in this past weekend and ruining our Saturday night gathering at Open House for the second time in a month, I’ve decided to post my thoughts on Psalm 71 here for everyone to share in. You see, I really felt compelled to share these thoughts in the hopes that challenge and some introspection might occur. On the positive side, I got to spend the entire day Saturday snowed-in with my wife, forced to rest and just “be” in light of the snow, and I really enjoyed and needed that. I was, however, a bit bummed-out about the fact that I didn’t get to share my thoughts with everyone. Not in a “I love to hear myself talk” kind of way, but in a “I love to hear other people wrestle with thoughts and ideas” kind of way. Let me explain.
Psalm 71 ( <— scroll over to read), at first glance, is just another psalm from David. It is littered with language of salvation, rescue, hope, trust, rocks and fortresses. The message from David is very clear.
Save and protect me God. Life stinks, I need help, and you are the only help I can rely on.
And, as Bible-believing followers of Jesus, this should be our reaction to trouble, right? Cry out to God and wait for His answer. Wait for His action. Wait for Him to kick butt.
Yeah, I said kick butt. Read More→
God, Adam and Eve :: Why Love and Control Are Not the Same
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I was reading in Genesis the other day, taking in the Bible in a bit of a different way. There is a new publication by Zondervan that takes the TNIV version of the Bible and lays it out in one readable story: chronologically, in story form, omitting the places where events are repeated, delivering the story of God’s love in a seamless, readable way. You can look at it in depth over there under the Amazon Books section. ===> (Plug finished!)
I’ve read the story of Adam and Eve many times and heard a variety of sermons on the subject. The delightful thing about the Bible, though, is its ability to speak to you in new ways each time it is opened. It’s really incredible!
In the account of the fall of man, we all know and understand that the forbidden fruit was eaten against the request of God, and mankind fell into sin. I knew all about that. What struck me during this reading, however, was completely different. I’m sure I’ve read and heard about the Tree of Life that was placed next to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil plenty of times, but I don’t think I ever considered it. You see, God placed the Tree of Life in the same category as all the other trees. They were free to eat of it. They were free to receive life. And God could have left it that way. No Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, no problem…right? Just offer life with now choice of rebellion or death. Why not? (Genesis 2:8-9)
Unfortunately, there can’t be love when that kind of control is present. Read More→
Why Present Tense is Good News For You and Me
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What’s the difference in these words?
Cleansed :: Cleanses
Same word, right? Same idea? Same meaning?
You would be tempted to think so, and in so doing, find yourself on the short side of God’s immeasurable grace.
1 John 1:7 tells us that Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all our sin. All our mess and failings. All that separates us from God. Scroll over that verse and notice the tense there. What if it said “cleansed?” What if it said Jesus’ blood cleansed us of all our sin the moment we accepted Him as Savior? Past tense. Singular event. That would still be a pretty awesome feat.
But what about tomorrow?
And the next day? Read More→
Holy Itches :: My Entrance Into the Blogosphere
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So I’m praying with my wife tonight and this phrase keeps popping up in my head.
“God, give us a Holy itch.”
A “Holy itch?” Seriously? What kind of a random thought is that? Couldn’t I get something more profound or cool or just not-so-stupid? But it wouldn’t cease. A holy itch. What is that, anyway? I mean, I’m a guy and I itch a lot, so which one’s are Holy and which one’s aren’t? (No comment.) Is there a definitive difference? Are you itching now?
But as we continued to pray, I found that the idea of an itch was precisely what I want. I want God to place down in me and my wife some sort of itch that we can never scratch. You know, like those annoying throat itches you get that can’t be scratched from the throat or the ear. They just teeter in there in some sort of tactile limbo, eluding every effort to appease the itch. But when you finally contort your face, mouth and eyes to get that thing, it feels so good that you should win a medal for reaching it.
The “Holy itch” is not too different. Read More→
