Thursday, May 21, 2009
Leaving our first love
Sadly, we fall in love with the donkey, rather than the One who rode the donkey.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mom's Generosity Transformed a Life
I learned it again these past 6–8 months as I watched my mother open her home and pour her life into one of her grandchildren.
I know God ultimately does the work, but I believe God uses people with generous spirits to transform lives.
We were placed here to display God’s generosity. When, with a spirit of generosity, we give, God uses it to transform lives.
Mom, on this Mother’s Day, thanks for a generosity that transforms. All your children rise up and call you blessed. Your generosity transformed a life.
I know God ultimately does the work, but I believe God uses people with generous spirits to transform lives.
We were placed here to display God’s generosity. When, with a spirit of generosity, we give, God uses it to transform lives.
Mom, on this Mother’s Day, thanks for a generosity that transforms. All your children rise up and call you blessed. Your generosity transformed a life.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Matter of life and death
It is a matter of life and death for the culture that followers of Christ are clothed with compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility and patience. The world doesn't need more toxic Christians.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Chicken-a-la-carte
Check out: http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a-la-Carte#videoDetail
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Enthusiasm for Others
Titus 2:14 reads: He died...so that he could rescue us from constant falling into sin and make us his very own people, with cleansed hearts and real enthusiasm for doing kind things for others.
The rescue is not only for my own good but the the good of others.
Enthusiastically, I personally respond to the forgiveness of sin. With the same enthusiasm God calls me to do kind things for others.
God help me in this area for self-centered enthusiasm is narcissism. It stinks. May I not be a closed bud, but a full bloomed flower opened outward, bringing beauty and fragrance to the world about me by the enthusiastic doing of good for others. Amen
The rescue is not only for my own good but the the good of others.
Enthusiastically, I personally respond to the forgiveness of sin. With the same enthusiasm God calls me to do kind things for others.
God help me in this area for self-centered enthusiasm is narcissism. It stinks. May I not be a closed bud, but a full bloomed flower opened outward, bringing beauty and fragrance to the world about me by the enthusiastic doing of good for others. Amen
Monday, March 9, 2009
Is the Whole Earth Filled with His Glory?
Isaiah 6:3
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Really? I mean really?
Is it possible the space I call my life is void of His glory?
Have actions, intentional or not, created a vacuum void of His glory?
This I know: a vacuum void of His presence will be filled with something. With the Spirit’s help I pray it is God.
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Really? I mean really?
Is it possible the space I call my life is void of His glory?
Have actions, intentional or not, created a vacuum void of His glory?
This I know: a vacuum void of His presence will be filled with something. With the Spirit’s help I pray it is God.
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
Friday, March 6, 2009
What would you do with $100,000?
Matt Wiemer teaches fourth grade at Fresno Christian School and is part of the leadership team in PC for Children Ministries on Sunday mornings. Currently, Mr Wiemer, as he his known to his students, is teaching about the California gold rush.
Camden, our grandson, is in the class and is deep into this part of our state’s history. It has the adventure and intrigue that draws in young boys. One of Cam’s assignments is to tell how he would spend $100,000 of gold he had just found in the Sierra foothills.
Carol asked him for his answer. Here’s what he said: he would buy himself a blanket, then blankets for everyone in his family, then use some to buy blankets for homeless people. Given that there are a lot of other options for a nine year old, we thought he answer was pretty good and showed a carry heart.
I’ve been reading Jentezen Franklin’s book, Fasting. In it he draws attention to Matthew 6, where Jesus speaks, “When you give to the poor…” and “When you pray…” and “When you fast.” This is a pattern by which the child of God is live: giving, praying and fasting. Ps Franklin states, “When giving, praying and fasting are practiced together in the life of a believer, it creates a type of threefold cord that is not easily broken.”
In reading Matthew 6 I’m reminded of Isaiah 58, where the people of Israel fasted and prayed, but God was unhappy with them because they did it to be seen and they overlooked injustice, oppression and the poor.
This past year, when we had 40 days of fasting, Brad and Kellie, Camden’s parents, taught and practiced with their family the value of prayer and fasting. In addition the family helped those who were in need.
As the pace of 2009 picks up, I pray we not lose sight of these three components of our faith: giving to the poor, praying and fasting.
OH! There’s one more part of the story. Carol asked Cam what he would do with the rest of the $100,000. His quick response, “I’d hire a butler to do my homework, clean my room and make my bed.” Draw your own conclusions from that!
Blessings,
Camden, our grandson, is in the class and is deep into this part of our state’s history. It has the adventure and intrigue that draws in young boys. One of Cam’s assignments is to tell how he would spend $100,000 of gold he had just found in the Sierra foothills.
Carol asked him for his answer. Here’s what he said: he would buy himself a blanket, then blankets for everyone in his family, then use some to buy blankets for homeless people. Given that there are a lot of other options for a nine year old, we thought he answer was pretty good and showed a carry heart.
I’ve been reading Jentezen Franklin’s book, Fasting. In it he draws attention to Matthew 6, where Jesus speaks, “When you give to the poor…” and “When you pray…” and “When you fast.” This is a pattern by which the child of God is live: giving, praying and fasting. Ps Franklin states, “When giving, praying and fasting are practiced together in the life of a believer, it creates a type of threefold cord that is not easily broken.”
In reading Matthew 6 I’m reminded of Isaiah 58, where the people of Israel fasted and prayed, but God was unhappy with them because they did it to be seen and they overlooked injustice, oppression and the poor.
This past year, when we had 40 days of fasting, Brad and Kellie, Camden’s parents, taught and practiced with their family the value of prayer and fasting. In addition the family helped those who were in need.
As the pace of 2009 picks up, I pray we not lose sight of these three components of our faith: giving to the poor, praying and fasting.
OH! There’s one more part of the story. Carol asked Cam what he would do with the rest of the $100,000. His quick response, “I’d hire a butler to do my homework, clean my room and make my bed.” Draw your own conclusions from that!
Blessings,
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