Here's an interesting quote I found in another blogworld:
"People who have church are lost; people who are church are found."
Very true! There's a big difference between these two:
Do you come to church to "DO CHURCH"? (Me-centered-mentality)
See some of my old friends in church.
Just sit in the pews and worship God then leave.
Express my heart to God in psalms.
Worship God if time or schedule permits.
Compartmentalizing.
(or)
Do you come to church to "BE THE CHURCH"? (Other-centered-mentality)
Seek those who are hurting in our community.
Worship God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Encourage the wayward to return to God.
Pray for the sick, the lost.
Lead new seekers to Jesus.
Visit those in the hospital or at home.
Write a card; call a friend.
Make yourselves available for others.
Get connected with people who do not know Jesus.
Build relationships.
God is first, family second, job third and the rest is dead last!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The Grasshopper Syndrome
Great article I found on web...
To every Christian, who are you in the eyes of God? A grasshopper believer or faith-filled believer? Read on...
30Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it."31But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." 32And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."
Numbers 13:30-33 NKJV
30But Caleb tried to encourage the people as they stood before Moses. "Let’s go at once to take the land," he said. "We can certainly conquer it!" 31But the other men who had explored the land with him answered, "We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!" 32So they spread discouraging reports about the land among the Israelites: "The land we explored will swallow up any who go to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. We felt like grasshoppers next to them, and that’s what we looked like to them!"
Numbers 13:30-33 The Message
As a person who struggles with a chronic illness that seems to take me from walkers to wheelchairs and back again regularly, occasionally I deal with something I call, "The Grasshopper Syndrome." Many have suffered from this ailment along life’s road.
According to Scripture, the children of Israel had spies go out from among them to explore the Promised Land and after the spies reported back, they found themselves similarly afflicted with this "disease." The spies had ventured out to take a look at things and though the land was plenty with sustenance like they had never seen before, they were unable to truly see it. Why? Because they immediately focused on their enemy. The longer they looked at their opposition, the bigger they became. Soon their faith in the Jehovah Who had brought them out of the bondage of Egypt, was swallowed up. With it went their ability to believe that they could indeed conquer and possess the land.
They were definitely suffering from "The Grasshopper Syndrome." They no longer saw themselves as mighty men of war or God’s chosen people, but instead referred to themselves as "grasshoppers." Grasshoppers are fairly harmless little bugs that often get stepped on unless they quickly hop away. Israel’s confidence in God and in themselves as His children quickly evaporated. Strangely enough, they were quickly convinced that their opponents saw them just as they were seeing themselves and in that vein of thinking, they may have been right.
Let’s take my current situation for example. I have an injured left foot and an injured right hand. Bilateral injuries like mine are very devastating because all balance is lost, and it is very difficult to remain steady on one foot. I can choose to call myself "a cripple," or I can instead say that I am "temporarily inconvenienced." I can say that I am "unable to do anything because of the tremendous obstacles," or I can say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Grasshoppers see everything around them as being bigger than them. The child of God sees God as being around everything, which makes every thing around them grow incredibly small.
When we act like a grasshopper, others see us that way. When we act like a faith-filled believer ready to conquer in Jesus’ Name, we are seen just that way. No matter how big that obstacle is in your life, the Holy Spirit—which is resident in you—is more powerful. Your Father in Heaven is bigger than any devil you will ever face. The King of Kings and Lord of Lord—in whose image you were created—is the same Almighty One Who lives in you.
Should you run into enemies today as you travel on towards your "Promised Land," (Heaven) remember the promises of God regardless of the giants (various problems in life). You are not a grasshopper…so don’t behave like one! Reflect His image as He brings you through to that place of rich fulfillment. You are destined for great things in God — do not settle for anything less.
To every Christian, who are you in the eyes of God? A grasshopper believer or faith-filled believer? Read on...
30Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it."31But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." 32And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."
Numbers 13:30-33 NKJV
30But Caleb tried to encourage the people as they stood before Moses. "Let’s go at once to take the land," he said. "We can certainly conquer it!" 31But the other men who had explored the land with him answered, "We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!" 32So they spread discouraging reports about the land among the Israelites: "The land we explored will swallow up any who go to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. We felt like grasshoppers next to them, and that’s what we looked like to them!"
Numbers 13:30-33 The Message
As a person who struggles with a chronic illness that seems to take me from walkers to wheelchairs and back again regularly, occasionally I deal with something I call, "The Grasshopper Syndrome." Many have suffered from this ailment along life’s road.
According to Scripture, the children of Israel had spies go out from among them to explore the Promised Land and after the spies reported back, they found themselves similarly afflicted with this "disease." The spies had ventured out to take a look at things and though the land was plenty with sustenance like they had never seen before, they were unable to truly see it. Why? Because they immediately focused on their enemy. The longer they looked at their opposition, the bigger they became. Soon their faith in the Jehovah Who had brought them out of the bondage of Egypt, was swallowed up. With it went their ability to believe that they could indeed conquer and possess the land.
They were definitely suffering from "The Grasshopper Syndrome." They no longer saw themselves as mighty men of war or God’s chosen people, but instead referred to themselves as "grasshoppers." Grasshoppers are fairly harmless little bugs that often get stepped on unless they quickly hop away. Israel’s confidence in God and in themselves as His children quickly evaporated. Strangely enough, they were quickly convinced that their opponents saw them just as they were seeing themselves and in that vein of thinking, they may have been right.
Let’s take my current situation for example. I have an injured left foot and an injured right hand. Bilateral injuries like mine are very devastating because all balance is lost, and it is very difficult to remain steady on one foot. I can choose to call myself "a cripple," or I can instead say that I am "temporarily inconvenienced." I can say that I am "unable to do anything because of the tremendous obstacles," or I can say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Grasshoppers see everything around them as being bigger than them. The child of God sees God as being around everything, which makes every thing around them grow incredibly small.
When we act like a grasshopper, others see us that way. When we act like a faith-filled believer ready to conquer in Jesus’ Name, we are seen just that way. No matter how big that obstacle is in your life, the Holy Spirit—which is resident in you—is more powerful. Your Father in Heaven is bigger than any devil you will ever face. The King of Kings and Lord of Lord—in whose image you were created—is the same Almighty One Who lives in you.
Should you run into enemies today as you travel on towards your "Promised Land," (Heaven) remember the promises of God regardless of the giants (various problems in life). You are not a grasshopper…so don’t behave like one! Reflect His image as He brings you through to that place of rich fulfillment. You are destined for great things in God — do not settle for anything less.
Monday, March 26, 2007
The Last Painting
I'm not sure if I have posted this on my blog before but just thought I do it again. Powerful video!
NCAA Hoops Part Two..
Okay! I confess.. My 1 out of 4 predictions is bad!! However, besides Kansas (KU), I always root for the underdogs. :)
Here I go again with my predictions:
Final Four:
UCLA over Florida (sorry, I hate the Florida team. I don't like champions a repeat champions.)
Georgetown over Ohio State
Championship:
Georgetown over UCLA
But I am prepared for an 0 for 2 prediction because it's more likely that Florida will play against Ohio State and Ohio State will win it all! Go UNDERDOGS!!
Here I go again with my predictions:
Final Four:
UCLA over Florida (sorry, I hate the Florida team. I don't like champions a repeat champions.)
Georgetown over Ohio State
Championship:
Georgetown over UCLA
But I am prepared for an 0 for 2 prediction because it's more likely that Florida will play against Ohio State and Ohio State will win it all! Go UNDERDOGS!!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
NCAA Hoops
Here's my prediction:
Elite Eight:
KU over UCLA
Memphis over Ohio St.
Florida over Oregon
North Carolina over Georgetown
Final Four:
KU over Florida
Memphis over North Carolina
Championship:
KU over Memphis
Hey! I'm a Kansas fan so must root for my home state teams!! :)
Elite Eight:
KU over UCLA
Memphis over Ohio St.
Florida over Oregon
North Carolina over Georgetown
Final Four:
KU over Florida
Memphis over North Carolina
Championship:
KU over Memphis
Hey! I'm a Kansas fan so must root for my home state teams!! :)
Monday, March 19, 2007
News and thoughts..
Yesterday in deaf worship was great!! There's no place else I rather be than praising God at Fairfax on Sundays! I'm thanking God, today, for the time we shared with God yesterday. My family and I took Asrat Kebede out for lunch yesterday and had a wonderful time. We didn't have a whole lot of time as we had to return to church for our girls "Stick Skit" practice. They're enjoying it very much!
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One of our sister in Christ, sis in law, Maureen, is now at home after being in the hospital for several weeks. Maureen continues to battle against cancer that has spread all over her body. A couple weeks ago, she had only 50/50 chance to live. Right now, she's resting at home on a hospital bed. No hospice at this time. So please, please keep praying for her and her family!
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We got a call from a deaf family living in Texas that we haven't seen in such a long, long time. It was great to see them all!! We've know them since 1996 and they're a wonderful and humbling family. They shared with us some sad news. Two couples that we know and love have divorced! I sense Satan's has been gaining "wins" now than "losses". I believe the result of both "divorces" were due to adultery. Christians around the world need to ante up their faith with God, protect their minds and hearts with God's armor (Ephesians 6:10-17) and always be ready. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9 (niv)
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Go Lady Wildcats!!! I've decided (after several days of reluctance) to be my two oldest girl's softball coach. The league was desperately in need of head coaches and we wanted our girls to play softball this Spring. So I'll have a full plate this Spring season, especially April and May!! Pray for me as I juggle between two jobs!
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Speaking of growth and transformation, each committed believer of God need to realize growth is a day by day adventure like climbing Mt. Everest. Ask a brother or sister in Christ if they see any spiritual progresses. Be forewarned! You may not like what they may "honestly" say to you. Be humble in heart and accept criticisms. For such a person is wise because he/she receives instructions. Otherwise, you're a fool for not listening. Read Proverbs 23:9..
If you become a "change agent", it's a gift of God that rocks your soul, surprises you and changes you. You will begin to see life much more clearly. If you go your own way, you will remain blinded because the wisdom isn't from God Himself. Surrender your life to God and He will direct your path in life!
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One of our sister in Christ, sis in law, Maureen, is now at home after being in the hospital for several weeks. Maureen continues to battle against cancer that has spread all over her body. A couple weeks ago, she had only 50/50 chance to live. Right now, she's resting at home on a hospital bed. No hospice at this time. So please, please keep praying for her and her family!
-------------
We got a call from a deaf family living in Texas that we haven't seen in such a long, long time. It was great to see them all!! We've know them since 1996 and they're a wonderful and humbling family. They shared with us some sad news. Two couples that we know and love have divorced! I sense Satan's has been gaining "wins" now than "losses". I believe the result of both "divorces" were due to adultery. Christians around the world need to ante up their faith with God, protect their minds and hearts with God's armor (Ephesians 6:10-17) and always be ready. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9 (niv)
--------------
Go Lady Wildcats!!! I've decided (after several days of reluctance) to be my two oldest girl's softball coach. The league was desperately in need of head coaches and we wanted our girls to play softball this Spring. So I'll have a full plate this Spring season, especially April and May!! Pray for me as I juggle between two jobs!
--------------
Speaking of growth and transformation, each committed believer of God need to realize growth is a day by day adventure like climbing Mt. Everest. Ask a brother or sister in Christ if they see any spiritual progresses. Be forewarned! You may not like what they may "honestly" say to you. Be humble in heart and accept criticisms. For such a person is wise because he/she receives instructions. Otherwise, you're a fool for not listening. Read Proverbs 23:9..
If you become a "change agent", it's a gift of God that rocks your soul, surprises you and changes you. You will begin to see life much more clearly. If you go your own way, you will remain blinded because the wisdom isn't from God Himself. Surrender your life to God and He will direct your path in life!
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Friday, March 16, 2007
Healthy Temple
Good morning, Bloggers!!
I've entered the fourth week of staying in shape by going to the gym 3+ times a week, drinking lots of water (refrain, as much as you can, from HCFS liquids such as soda products and high-energy drinks and excessive use of alcohol), eating veggies and lean meats, using extra virgin olive oil instead of fatty dressings and recover well from all the strenuous activities (avoiding all kinds of stress-related obstacles). There are alot of people smoking cigarettes and cigars. It is such a nasty habit.
In addition to this, I'm working in keeping a positive attitude to self, my family and others. It's good for the heart and soul! Negative thoughts and feelings attacks every potential of good things. When I stay away from fats and sugar, I do all I can to stay away from all the negative things in life (people and society). Even though, I do all I can to be a positive influence to others living a negative life, I pray that they'll see an example that I show to them.
Why am I doing all this? Why is this so important? What does this have to do with God?
Because this body of mine is the temple of the Lord!
Now, let's pretend that we're the actual "temple" in Jerusalem and there's alot of selling and marketing going on in us (temple). Jesus entered the "temple" finding alot of things He doesn't like. Well, let's change the tone! He hates it! He's driving mad finding things are wreaking havoc in His "temple" (us)! In Mark 11:15, "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,..." Can you imagine Him going into your life (temple) and overturning things around?? When you're not taking care of God's temple in you, you're making Jesus and the Holy Spirit very uncomfortable. I've often felt that way. When I start uncaring for my own body (temple), I'm not making things easy for Jesus. Even though, He ask that we give Him our yoke for His is lighter, it seems we take it back and continue on with the burdens of life. (Mt. 11:29-30)
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16
I think this is very easy to memorize.. The famous verse, John 3:16, we can remember 1 Corinthians 3:16 which talks about the "temple of God". The "temple of God" are those who believe in Jesus and have been baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Other Scripture, also in the same book, is: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;.." In other words, we're to keep the "temple" sacred, not defiling it, not prostituting it, not to desecrate it which is a horrid sacriledge. It's like robbing God in the worse sense! There are tons of examples in the Old Testament in how Israel defiled the temple of the Lord and that the Lord had to give just punishment for their actions.
"What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." 2 Corinthians 6:16
If we're to defile the "temple" we have in our very life, what then will God be walking among? Will the temple be filled with various ingredients of the world: smoke, excessive use of alcohol, promiscuous sex (outside of marriage) and gluttony?? Not only the physical substances like these above, but the filth and negativism of the mind and heart (the wildly blatant, tasteless examples of the world and its influences). I wouldn't want a "rotten, bad apple ruining the whole batch"!! Either we get rid of that "bad apple (temple)" or do "EXTREME TEMPLE IMPROVEMENT"!! And, of course, you become what you read (see)!!
"Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!" 1 Corinthians 6:15
Remember, He's the Head of the church and we're that church. Church isn't a building or a structure or a physical place. The church are made up of people. The "temple" of the Lord is the church (2 Cor. 6:16)!!
"So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Cor. 6:20 NLT)
Here's an excerpt from Rick Warren made a couple weeks ago..
How do you honor God with your body? It’s simple. You take care of it. This is a good time for a confession. In January 2005, I started asking God what he wanted to do with me for the next 25 years. I started thinking about the P.E.A.C.E. Plan and what God wanted to do through the global Church in the coming years. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was going to need a lot more energy. I needed to get in shape. So I confessed to God that I hadn’t been in the kind of shape he needed me to be in the past. Then I told him that I wanted to honor him with my body and consciously take better care of it from now on.
Psalm 119:73 (TLB) says, “You made my body, Lord. Now give me the sense to heed your laws.” God set up the principles of good health. He says there’s a balance between sleeping, eating, and exercising. He says you need all three.
My guess is that everyone reading this article needs to work on at least one of these three issues. Some of you aren’t getting enough sleep. You’re tired all of the time. And often it’s because you’re staying up and doing something that isn’t all that important. By having just one extra hour of sleep on most nights, you’d be surprised at how much more effective you’d be in ministry. God can’t use somebody who’s tired all the time.
Psalms 127:2 (NLT) says, “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” For some of you the most spiritual thing you could do is go to bed. You need to get your rest.
Some of you need to control your eating. I don’t know why God made food taste so good. He could have made it all taste like oatmeal, but he didn’t. So we need to practice self-control. Just because it tastes good doesn’t mean it does good things to our bodies. What you put in your stomach – and what you don’t – matters.
And of course, you need exercise. We all do. Many of us will start a whole new exercise regiment this month – hoping to start the new year off right. Stick to it. Put it on your schedule. Don’t let it become just a whim that you forget about by February. This is the year to get this right.
You can have a wrong attitude or a right attitude toward your body. What’s the wrong attitude? You can neglect it – just not pay attention to what you are doing to it. Reject it – tell God you want someone else’s body. And you can perfect it. Worshiping your body is just as wrong as worshiping anything else.
But the right attitude is to respect it and protect it. That’s what God wants you to do with your body. Why? Because God created it, Jesus paid for it, and the Holy Spirit lives in it.
1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT) says, “Athletes practice discipline and self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” We take care of our bodies because we want to please God. We’ll be rewarded for that in eternity.
Depressed.. Fatigued.. Confused.. Whacked out of order.. Need a "Extreme Temple Improvement" done?? Come and see me or email me. But. You need to do your part and be consistent and discipline yourselves.
Go get in shape and build a healthier temple – and watch God transform your mind, body and soul then He will use you in ministry more effectively this year!!!
Still MV
Awesome song! Storm and flood represents the problems we have in the world today. But God rises us all above them all with His love though we may pass through them as passing through the valley of the shadow of death.
Lectio Divina
I found this great article in BST's blog yesterday and thought I'd share this with you today. I like the author's first two points: (1) Expect the Bible to change your life and (2) Understand that the same passage of the Scriptures has manylayers of meaning. Please take the time in reading this. Your soul deserves this information.
Lectio Divina: Ancient Practice Yields Fresh Messages
Whitney Hopler
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Tony Jones' new book, Divine Intervention: Encountering God through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina, (Think Books, 2006).
If you're looking for a fresh message from God's Word, you may discover it through an old practice: lectio divina ("sacred reading"). This ancient way of approaching Scripture can be a powerful way for you to tap into what God wants to tell you today.
Here's how you can use the ancient practice of lectio divina to discover new messages from God:
*Expect the Bible to change your life.
Recognize that the Bible does much more than other materials you read. Know that it doesn't just inform and entertain; it also has the power to transform you from the inside out. Know that the Bible is unique among books because its words are living and active. Expect God to use the Bible to change your life in exciting ways.
* Understand that the same passage of Scripture has many layers of meaning.
Realize that there's always more you can learn from any single passage of Scripture. Know that Scripture has literal, spiritual, allegorical, moral, and analogical meanings that can speak to you personally as the Holy Spirit guides you while you read.
* Know that praying Scripture is a powerful way of conversing with God.
Invite God to lead you to what He truly wants to say to you by using His inspired words in Scripture. Understand that, if you read the Bible prayerfully, its timeless truths will reveal God's timely messages to you in whatever situation you currently find yourself.
* Recognize the importance of listening.
Understand the key to hearing from God is listening well. Learn how to be truly quiet. Practice eliminating distractions and unnecessary noise from your life. Expect God to speak to you if you make time to pay attention to His voice.
* Read ("lectio").
Set aside time dedicated to lectio divina: 10 minutes for reading, 5 minutes for meditation, 10 minutes for prayer, and 5 minutes for contemplation. Schedule it for the time of day or night that works best for you. Designate a quiet place to use. Make sure you're not too hungry or tired, so you won't be too distracted. Choose a just a few verses of Scripture to use for devotional reading; remember that you want a small taste of Scripture to savor for an extended period of time. Experiment with passages of from different parts of the Bible, and ones that are both familiar and unfamiliar to you. If you're having trouble choosing passages, consider using a lectionary (a list of Scripture passages that follows the church calendar), and using the assigned reading for the current date. Read your chosen passage slowly, over and over, to let it sink in. Read both silently and out loud. Focus only on the words themselves, without trying to figure out what they mean. Simply absorb the passage. If your mind wanders, just gently return to your reading and continue. Relax and receive the passage as a gift from God to you
* Meditate ("meditatio").
Keep the Scripture passage at the front of your mind and ponder it. Consider which word or phrase stands out above the others to you. Once a certain word or phrase rises to the top of your thoughts, focus just on that and let the rest of the passage fall away. Then ask yourself what the word or phrase is causing you to feel and think. Consider what you see when you shine a light on the word or phrase in your mind's eye. Don't rush the meditation process; stick with it for the full amount of allotted time rather than hurrying into prayer. Give God time to say all He wants to say to your heart through the word or phrase.
* Pray ("oratio").
Ask God why He gave you the particular word or phrase you focused on today, and why you felt or thought what you did when you meditated on it. Invite God to show you what He wants you to do with what He has given you during this devotional time. Be persistent as you pray, seeking to know how you should apply this experience to your life. Listen carefully and patiently for God's response, trusting that He will reward your faithfulness with answers.
* Contemplate ("contemplatio").
Rest in the love God gave you to experience during this devotional time. Imagine that you're ascending a ladder into heaven and letting the concerns of this world fall away. Thank God for the gift of the fresh message He has just given you through His Word. Write down your thoughts about this experience in a journal.
* Make it a habit.
Don't worry if you get distracted in the middle of lectio divina, or if you can't get to it every day as hoped. Just do your best to practice it as well as you can, whenever you can. Make it a regular part of your schedule. Look forward with eagerness to the new messages God will give you through His Word in the future.
Adapted from Divine Intervention: Encountering God through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina, copyright 2006 by Tony Jones. Published by Think Books, a division of NavPress, Colorado Springs, Co., www.navpress.com.
Tony Jones is a nationally recognized leader and published author in youth ministry and the emerging church movement. He serves on the National Working Group of the Faith as a Way of Life Project at Yale and is an active police chaplain in Edina, Minnesota. His primary interests lie in the intersection of faith with contemporary issues, practical theology, and the emerging church. Tony and his wife, Julie, live in Minnesota with their three children-- Tanner, Lily, and Aidan-- and a 90-pound yellow Labrador Retriever.
Lectio Divina: Ancient Practice Yields Fresh Messages
Whitney Hopler
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Tony Jones' new book, Divine Intervention: Encountering God through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina, (Think Books, 2006).
If you're looking for a fresh message from God's Word, you may discover it through an old practice: lectio divina ("sacred reading"). This ancient way of approaching Scripture can be a powerful way for you to tap into what God wants to tell you today.
Here's how you can use the ancient practice of lectio divina to discover new messages from God:
*Expect the Bible to change your life.
Recognize that the Bible does much more than other materials you read. Know that it doesn't just inform and entertain; it also has the power to transform you from the inside out. Know that the Bible is unique among books because its words are living and active. Expect God to use the Bible to change your life in exciting ways.
* Understand that the same passage of Scripture has many layers of meaning.
Realize that there's always more you can learn from any single passage of Scripture. Know that Scripture has literal, spiritual, allegorical, moral, and analogical meanings that can speak to you personally as the Holy Spirit guides you while you read.
* Know that praying Scripture is a powerful way of conversing with God.
Invite God to lead you to what He truly wants to say to you by using His inspired words in Scripture. Understand that, if you read the Bible prayerfully, its timeless truths will reveal God's timely messages to you in whatever situation you currently find yourself.
* Recognize the importance of listening.
Understand the key to hearing from God is listening well. Learn how to be truly quiet. Practice eliminating distractions and unnecessary noise from your life. Expect God to speak to you if you make time to pay attention to His voice.
* Read ("lectio").
Set aside time dedicated to lectio divina: 10 minutes for reading, 5 minutes for meditation, 10 minutes for prayer, and 5 minutes for contemplation. Schedule it for the time of day or night that works best for you. Designate a quiet place to use. Make sure you're not too hungry or tired, so you won't be too distracted. Choose a just a few verses of Scripture to use for devotional reading; remember that you want a small taste of Scripture to savor for an extended period of time. Experiment with passages of from different parts of the Bible, and ones that are both familiar and unfamiliar to you. If you're having trouble choosing passages, consider using a lectionary (a list of Scripture passages that follows the church calendar), and using the assigned reading for the current date. Read your chosen passage slowly, over and over, to let it sink in. Read both silently and out loud. Focus only on the words themselves, without trying to figure out what they mean. Simply absorb the passage. If your mind wanders, just gently return to your reading and continue. Relax and receive the passage as a gift from God to you
* Meditate ("meditatio").
Keep the Scripture passage at the front of your mind and ponder it. Consider which word or phrase stands out above the others to you. Once a certain word or phrase rises to the top of your thoughts, focus just on that and let the rest of the passage fall away. Then ask yourself what the word or phrase is causing you to feel and think. Consider what you see when you shine a light on the word or phrase in your mind's eye. Don't rush the meditation process; stick with it for the full amount of allotted time rather than hurrying into prayer. Give God time to say all He wants to say to your heart through the word or phrase.
* Pray ("oratio").
Ask God why He gave you the particular word or phrase you focused on today, and why you felt or thought what you did when you meditated on it. Invite God to show you what He wants you to do with what He has given you during this devotional time. Be persistent as you pray, seeking to know how you should apply this experience to your life. Listen carefully and patiently for God's response, trusting that He will reward your faithfulness with answers.
* Contemplate ("contemplatio").
Rest in the love God gave you to experience during this devotional time. Imagine that you're ascending a ladder into heaven and letting the concerns of this world fall away. Thank God for the gift of the fresh message He has just given you through His Word. Write down your thoughts about this experience in a journal.
* Make it a habit.
Don't worry if you get distracted in the middle of lectio divina, or if you can't get to it every day as hoped. Just do your best to practice it as well as you can, whenever you can. Make it a regular part of your schedule. Look forward with eagerness to the new messages God will give you through His Word in the future.
Adapted from Divine Intervention: Encountering God through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina, copyright 2006 by Tony Jones. Published by Think Books, a division of NavPress, Colorado Springs, Co., www.navpress.com.
Tony Jones is a nationally recognized leader and published author in youth ministry and the emerging church movement. He serves on the National Working Group of the Faith as a Way of Life Project at Yale and is an active police chaplain in Edina, Minnesota. His primary interests lie in the intersection of faith with contemporary issues, practical theology, and the emerging church. Tony and his wife, Julie, live in Minnesota with their three children-- Tanner, Lily, and Aidan-- and a 90-pound yellow Labrador Retriever.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Heal Our Land MV
Another beautiful song! Rings true since so much chaos and calamity is happening in the world!
On Eagles Wings MV
Awesome!! How I long for the day when I will fly away to Heaven! Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Friday, March 09, 2007
Identity Crisis
See www.christianchronicle.org for the article on "Identity Crisis".
Excerpt (in part):
Features - Churches face ‘identity crisis’
By Bobby Ross Jr.The Christian Chronicle
Big Macs. Chicken McNuggets. Filet-O-Fish Sandwiches. Walk into most any McDonald’s and you have a good idea what’s on the menu.
In a manner of speaking, Churches of Christ used to be that picca.“We were a franchise church,” said Steve Sandifer, pastoral care minister at the Southwest Central church in Houston. “If someone said song 728b, you knew what that meant. The order of worship was very similar. We had our own unwritten liturgy that showed up in prayers.
Even many of the buildings came from the same plans.”Visit one of the nation’s nearly 13,000 a cappella congregations today, though, and you might not know if the church sings from shaped notes in a hymnal or words flashed on a big screen.
Men only might pass the communion trays, or women might join them. The King James Bible might be preferred, or Scripture could be read from The Message.
In the past, Churches of Christ were distinguished by belief in church autonomy, baptism for forgiveness of sins, weekly Lord’s Supper on Sunday, public male leadership, plurality of elders and a cappella singing, said David Duncan, pulpit minister at the Memorial church in Houston. “Now, some congregations have given up most, if not almost all, these distinctive characteristics,” Duncan said.
Comment:
Mack Lyon, televangelist, In Search of the Lord’s Way television ministry, Edmond, Okla.: Why yes! There is an identity crisis among us! Of course there is! Even our own people don’t know who we are and — well, we don’t stand for anything.
We seem to be afraid to preach and teach about baptism or divorce or a cappella music. There are deacons (will-be elders) who have never heard one sermon about why we don’t sing with instrumental accompaniment in our worship.
Elders are no longer feeding the flock of God as they are charged. And they will give account to God on judgment day for that! In the absence of biblical teaching, apostasy is certain! Calling a church a “Church of Christ” doesn’t make it so. We are a Christian as far as we measure up to what Christianity was in the New Testament. And, a church is a “church of Christ” only as far as it measures up to the one described in the New Testament.
Per Mack Lyon's comments, this is pretty much where I stand!
Excerpt (in part):
Features - Churches face ‘identity crisis’
By Bobby Ross Jr.The Christian Chronicle
Big Macs. Chicken McNuggets. Filet-O-Fish Sandwiches. Walk into most any McDonald’s and you have a good idea what’s on the menu.
In a manner of speaking, Churches of Christ used to be that picca.“We were a franchise church,” said Steve Sandifer, pastoral care minister at the Southwest Central church in Houston. “If someone said song 728b, you knew what that meant. The order of worship was very similar. We had our own unwritten liturgy that showed up in prayers.
Even many of the buildings came from the same plans.”Visit one of the nation’s nearly 13,000 a cappella congregations today, though, and you might not know if the church sings from shaped notes in a hymnal or words flashed on a big screen.
Men only might pass the communion trays, or women might join them. The King James Bible might be preferred, or Scripture could be read from The Message.
In the past, Churches of Christ were distinguished by belief in church autonomy, baptism for forgiveness of sins, weekly Lord’s Supper on Sunday, public male leadership, plurality of elders and a cappella singing, said David Duncan, pulpit minister at the Memorial church in Houston. “Now, some congregations have given up most, if not almost all, these distinctive characteristics,” Duncan said.
Comment:
Mack Lyon, televangelist, In Search of the Lord’s Way television ministry, Edmond, Okla.: Why yes! There is an identity crisis among us! Of course there is! Even our own people don’t know who we are and — well, we don’t stand for anything.
We seem to be afraid to preach and teach about baptism or divorce or a cappella music. There are deacons (will-be elders) who have never heard one sermon about why we don’t sing with instrumental accompaniment in our worship.
Elders are no longer feeding the flock of God as they are charged. And they will give account to God on judgment day for that! In the absence of biblical teaching, apostasy is certain! Calling a church a “Church of Christ” doesn’t make it so. We are a Christian as far as we measure up to what Christianity was in the New Testament. And, a church is a “church of Christ” only as far as it measures up to the one described in the New Testament.
Per Mack Lyon's comments, this is pretty much where I stand!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Defining Success In His Church
Here's an excerpt from the Equipper's Network Blog (http://equippersnetwork.blogspot.com).. I find this very clear and thought-provoking! I love this article because it rings true from the Bible alone!
When you look at your church and its core values and vision how would you define success? How would you compare the success of your church's core values and vision with the priorities of Jesus and the teachings of scripture?
One place to evaluate success in the local church is to examine the priorities of Jesus and the New Testament writers.
Another way to evaluate Biblical success is to study the lives of people in the Old Testament who were considered pleasing and favored of God.
Scripture points to two specific areas that make a person pleasing to God in the Old Testament. 1. The first is having 'a heart after God' 1 Sa 13:14: But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command." NIV.
2. The second is obedience to God's Word. 1 Sam 15:22: Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. NIV
Jesus also came 'to do the will of the Father' powered by the Holy Spirit.
1. In fact Phil 2:5-11 says that Jesus humbled or emptied Himself. 'Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NASU'
2. He operated by the father’s authority and the Holy Spirit's power so that he would be the perfect model for us. Jn 17:4 “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. NASU
3. Mt 3:16-17: 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." NIV
The next two places we need to look are the command of Jesus and teaching of the Apostles.
1. First, to continue His work by making disciples of all nations. Mt 28:19-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."NIV
2. Second, to equip God’s people. Eph 4:11-13, And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. NASU
If you evaluate what we are doing and compare it with these verses, how is your church doing? Is the next generation of leaders flourishing among us or are they being driven away or held in captivity to our old ways of doing things? We are commanded to be making, equipping and releasing into leadership the next generation of disciples on a continual basis. We could follow the model of Paul and continue our relationship as partners and co-laborers with the next generation of leaders as we release them to lead and make disciples of all nations.
We will need to allow them their vision and their God inspired methods. New wine needs new wineskins! God is raising up young Davids and Debras. They should be doing Great exploits for God and not starting God's work over again.
Can it be said of us that we are equipping the next generation to do great and mighty things and become men and women of valor as they do the will of the Father, empowered by the Holy Spirit in our world today?
IF WE CAN SAY YES, THAT IS SUCCESS!
When you look at your church and its core values and vision how would you define success? How would you compare the success of your church's core values and vision with the priorities of Jesus and the teachings of scripture?
One place to evaluate success in the local church is to examine the priorities of Jesus and the New Testament writers.
Another way to evaluate Biblical success is to study the lives of people in the Old Testament who were considered pleasing and favored of God.
Scripture points to two specific areas that make a person pleasing to God in the Old Testament. 1. The first is having 'a heart after God' 1 Sa 13:14: But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command." NIV.
2. The second is obedience to God's Word. 1 Sam 15:22: Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. NIV
Jesus also came 'to do the will of the Father' powered by the Holy Spirit.
1. In fact Phil 2:5-11 says that Jesus humbled or emptied Himself. 'Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NASU'
2. He operated by the father’s authority and the Holy Spirit's power so that he would be the perfect model for us. Jn 17:4 “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. NASU
3. Mt 3:16-17: 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." NIV
The next two places we need to look are the command of Jesus and teaching of the Apostles.
1. First, to continue His work by making disciples of all nations. Mt 28:19-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."NIV
2. Second, to equip God’s people. Eph 4:11-13, And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. NASU
If you evaluate what we are doing and compare it with these verses, how is your church doing? Is the next generation of leaders flourishing among us or are they being driven away or held in captivity to our old ways of doing things? We are commanded to be making, equipping and releasing into leadership the next generation of disciples on a continual basis. We could follow the model of Paul and continue our relationship as partners and co-laborers with the next generation of leaders as we release them to lead and make disciples of all nations.
We will need to allow them their vision and their God inspired methods. New wine needs new wineskins! God is raising up young Davids and Debras. They should be doing Great exploits for God and not starting God's work over again.
Can it be said of us that we are equipping the next generation to do great and mighty things and become men and women of valor as they do the will of the Father, empowered by the Holy Spirit in our world today?
IF WE CAN SAY YES, THAT IS SUCCESS!
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