From This Day's Thought
In the days of His earthly ministry, only those could speak to Him who came where He was. If He was in Galilee, men could not find Him in Jerusalem; if He was in Jerusalem, men could not find Him in Galilee. But His Ascension means that He is perfectly united with God; we are with Him wherever we are present to God; and this is everywhere and always.
William Temple
Friday, October 31, 2008
Listen Up!
Devotional based on the teaching of Ray Stedman...
Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts . . . (Psalm 95:7b-8a).
God speaks to us in this Psalm to tell us what it is that He essentially wants in worship, what makes worship true worship. It is that today we would listen to His voice! That is what He wants. He wants us to heed his voice--not just come together.
It is commendable for people to come to a church service, but the value of it soon vanishes if all we do is sit while our thoughts are elsewhere. The central fact of worship is to listen to the Word of God, the voice of God. That is why the exposition of Scripture must be the central thing in public worship. Those churches that have departed from this are making a travesty of worship. Worship must include listening to the voice of God, hearing what He has to say, and letting His Word correct our attitudes and our reactions. I wish it were possible for each of you to watch people during the hour of worship. Externally it looks as though you are all paying attention. You sit there quietly, with rapt, turned-up faces, your eyes open and staring straight ahead, apparently attracted by what the Word of God is saying. But having sat there myself, I know it is not always true. Some of you are playing golf. Others of you are rehearsing a business deal. Some of you are planning a trip. Some are going over a conversation you had two days ago. It would be fascinating at the end of a service to know where everybody has been! But God is desirous that whatever else you may do in a service, when His Word is speaking, listen! And not only listen, hearken! Hearken means to heed the Word, to do something about it, to let it really change you.
Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts . . . (Psalm 95:7b-8a).
God speaks to us in this Psalm to tell us what it is that He essentially wants in worship, what makes worship true worship. It is that today we would listen to His voice! That is what He wants. He wants us to heed his voice--not just come together.
It is commendable for people to come to a church service, but the value of it soon vanishes if all we do is sit while our thoughts are elsewhere. The central fact of worship is to listen to the Word of God, the voice of God. That is why the exposition of Scripture must be the central thing in public worship. Those churches that have departed from this are making a travesty of worship. Worship must include listening to the voice of God, hearing what He has to say, and letting His Word correct our attitudes and our reactions. I wish it were possible for each of you to watch people during the hour of worship. Externally it looks as though you are all paying attention. You sit there quietly, with rapt, turned-up faces, your eyes open and staring straight ahead, apparently attracted by what the Word of God is saying. But having sat there myself, I know it is not always true. Some of you are playing golf. Others of you are rehearsing a business deal. Some of you are planning a trip. Some are going over a conversation you had two days ago. It would be fascinating at the end of a service to know where everybody has been! But God is desirous that whatever else you may do in a service, when His Word is speaking, listen! And not only listen, hearken! Hearken means to heed the Word, to do something about it, to let it really change you.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
All Things
To forsake Christ for the world is to leave a treasure for a trifle, eternity for a moment, reality for a shadow, all things for nothing.
William Jenkyn
William Jenkyn
At Home
God's thoughts, his will, his love, his judgments are all man's home. To think his thoughts, to choose his will, to love his loves, to judge his judgments, and thus to know that he is in us, is to be at home.
George Macdonald
George Macdonald
Monday, October 27, 2008
My Grandsons (two of the three)
Their first school picture. Junior Kindergarten. What trouble they have been giving the teachers. They aren't always into the rules etc. Sounds like their Grandma is rubbing off on them. Pray for them and little Carson, who looks like he is joining this family very soon. And, he is 17 months already. Does it sound like dysfunction to you. I thought so for a while but now....sounds like family in the process to me. :)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
"God Loves You"
From Alan Knox through Guy Muse....Thanks
I have a message for all brothers and sisters in Christ...
To those who did not want to paste a fake smile on your face and act like everything is fine... God loves you!
To those who did not sign up to help in the new "ministry program" even though you felt pressured and made to feel less spiritual... God loves you!
To those who did not feel like sitting through another mini-concert and lecture that did not apply to you... God loves you!
To those who struggle with sins that are not the kinds of sins other believers accept... God loves you!
To those who have been called uncommitted because they do not attend every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, and special event... God loves you!
To those who have struggled with their relationship with God and have been instructed that the answer is to get more involved with programs... God loves you!
To those whose children do not memorize all their Bible verses or cannot find every book of the Bible within 2.7 seconds... God loves you!
To those who do not work in the nursery, even after being guilted and given dirty looks... God loves you!
To those who choose not to bow your head and close your eyes... God loves you!
To those who feel they can never be good enough, can never do enough, can never look good enough, can never say the right things... God loves you!
To those who have had their questions, struggles, and pains all too easily brushed aside or fixed... God loves you!
To those who can't live up to the obligations and expectations that others have placed on them... God loves you!
To those who ask the wrong questions... God loves you!
To those who are ridiculed for being different and who stopped trying to look and act like everyone else... God loves you!
To those who have nothing to put into the offering plate... God loves you!
To those who would prefer not to sing in public... God loves you!
To those who fell asleep before the closing illustration of the third subpoint of the second section of the sermon from Leviticus... God loves you!
To those who like their tattoos, piercings, and long hair... God loves you!
To those who do not get excited about the latest publication by Rick Warren, Beverly Lewis, Max Lucado, Gary Chapman, or even D.A. Carson... God loves you!
To those whose children are not little angels... God loves you!
To those who are ignored or shunned or maligned by leadership... God loves you!
To those who have not memorized the books of the Bible, don't know where Nineveh is located, and can't pronounce the name Melchizedek... God loves you!
To those who have children but no spouse, a spouse but no children, or neither spouse nor children... God loves you!
To those who need a listening ear instead of a lecture, a friend with a helping hand instead of a ministry project coordinator, or someone with a gentle tongue instead of wrath and rhetoric... God loves you!
To those who are afraid to trust, afraid to care, afraid to love, or afraid to try... God loves you!
To those who want to follow God, but don't fit any of the ministry categories... God loves you!
To those who missed "church" four weeks in a row and no one noticed... God loves you!
To those who need five hours of baby sitting instead of a 5 second hug or handshake... God loves you!
To those whose "Sunday best" includes tank tops, ripped jeans, and flip flops... God loves you!
To those who would prefer to have someone show them how to live faithfully instead of tell them to live faithfully... God loves you!
To those who feel burdened by those around them and are not allowed to rest in Christ... God loves you!
I have a message for all brothers and sisters in Christ...
To those who did not want to paste a fake smile on your face and act like everything is fine... God loves you!
To those who did not sign up to help in the new "ministry program" even though you felt pressured and made to feel less spiritual... God loves you!
To those who did not feel like sitting through another mini-concert and lecture that did not apply to you... God loves you!
To those who struggle with sins that are not the kinds of sins other believers accept... God loves you!
To those who have been called uncommitted because they do not attend every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, and special event... God loves you!
To those who have struggled with their relationship with God and have been instructed that the answer is to get more involved with programs... God loves you!
To those whose children do not memorize all their Bible verses or cannot find every book of the Bible within 2.7 seconds... God loves you!
To those who do not work in the nursery, even after being guilted and given dirty looks... God loves you!
To those who choose not to bow your head and close your eyes... God loves you!
To those who feel they can never be good enough, can never do enough, can never look good enough, can never say the right things... God loves you!
To those who have had their questions, struggles, and pains all too easily brushed aside or fixed... God loves you!
To those who can't live up to the obligations and expectations that others have placed on them... God loves you!
To those who ask the wrong questions... God loves you!
To those who are ridiculed for being different and who stopped trying to look and act like everyone else... God loves you!
To those who have nothing to put into the offering plate... God loves you!
To those who would prefer not to sing in public... God loves you!
To those who fell asleep before the closing illustration of the third subpoint of the second section of the sermon from Leviticus... God loves you!
To those who like their tattoos, piercings, and long hair... God loves you!
To those who do not get excited about the latest publication by Rick Warren, Beverly Lewis, Max Lucado, Gary Chapman, or even D.A. Carson... God loves you!
To those whose children are not little angels... God loves you!
To those who are ignored or shunned or maligned by leadership... God loves you!
To those who have not memorized the books of the Bible, don't know where Nineveh is located, and can't pronounce the name Melchizedek... God loves you!
To those who have children but no spouse, a spouse but no children, or neither spouse nor children... God loves you!
To those who need a listening ear instead of a lecture, a friend with a helping hand instead of a ministry project coordinator, or someone with a gentle tongue instead of wrath and rhetoric... God loves you!
To those who are afraid to trust, afraid to care, afraid to love, or afraid to try... God loves you!
To those who want to follow God, but don't fit any of the ministry categories... God loves you!
To those who missed "church" four weeks in a row and no one noticed... God loves you!
To those who need five hours of baby sitting instead of a 5 second hug or handshake... God loves you!
To those whose "Sunday best" includes tank tops, ripped jeans, and flip flops... God loves you!
To those who would prefer to have someone show them how to live faithfully instead of tell them to live faithfully... God loves you!
To those who feel burdened by those around them and are not allowed to rest in Christ... God loves you!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Hmmm
One-half of the ills of life come because men are unwilling to sit down quietly for thirty minutes to think through all the possible consequences of their acts.
Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal
Sunday, October 19, 2008
New From Brian Doerksen
Check out this new title and video by probably my favourite all-time Christian artist...master of worship and song-writer extraordinaire.....a real man of God....and speaks so eloquently of the Love of God and His Faithfulness.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Rob Bell's new video
Check out Bell's new Nooma video "She". If you are a mother or ever had one, you will understand.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Spent an enjoyable Sunday with family and friends. Went down to a local apple orchard and the grandkids ran and just ate apples off the trees....and had a great time. Big Turkey and Ham Feasting afterwards with all the trimmings.....family is a joy....at times tiring and unbelievable difficult and frustrating, but today and everyday, I thank God for those He has put into my life as my family and my friends. He overwhelmed me today with bountiful blessings. Missing some of the family that no longer can enjoy these times, and maybe never did.....it is more than I can understand. Family is important. We must hold tight to each other. God honours this, I think.
Spent an enjoyable Sunday with family and friends. Went down to a local apple orchard and the grandkids ran and just ate apples off the trees....and had a great time. Big Turkey and Ham Feasting afterwards with all the trimmings.....family is a joy....at times tiring and unbelievable difficult and frustrating, but today and everyday, I thank God for those He has put into my life as my family and my friends. He overwhelmed me today with bountiful blessings. Missing some of the family that no longer can enjoy these times, and maybe never did.....it is more than I can understand. Family is important. We must hold tight to each other. God honours this, I think.
I Can't Get This Song To Stop Playing.....
Check out this 2 C.D. compilation -Deeper 2 Hours of Deep Worship For Prayer and Intercession - features this song as well as many other great ones....
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Unqualified acceptance
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalm 107:1).
This is the recurrent theme of Psalm 107. The psalmist speaks of the steadfast love of God. In Hebrew, the word means "an eager and ardent desire" and refers to the fact that God's love never gives up. We sing about it in the hymn,
O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee.
The thing that finally gets to us, breaks the back of our rebellion, and sets us free from our emotional hang-ups is the unqualified love of God, which never lets us go. We might use a term that is more easily understood in our day. Instead of "steadfast love," read "unqualified acceptance." That is what God's love does. It accepts us without reserve.
From Ray Stedman
This is the recurrent theme of Psalm 107. The psalmist speaks of the steadfast love of God. In Hebrew, the word means "an eager and ardent desire" and refers to the fact that God's love never gives up. We sing about it in the hymn,
O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee.
The thing that finally gets to us, breaks the back of our rebellion, and sets us free from our emotional hang-ups is the unqualified love of God, which never lets us go. We might use a term that is more easily understood in our day. Instead of "steadfast love," read "unqualified acceptance." That is what God's love does. It accepts us without reserve.
From Ray Stedman
Monday, October 06, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
Hmmmm
Stewardship is more than setting up soup kitchens and overnight shelters. It is good and right that we reach into the river of despair and rescue people who are drowning. But it is time to move upstream and see who's throwing them in.
Edmond Browning
Edmond Browning
Folk Songs of Faith
Ray Stedman devotion based on his teaching.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
(Psalm 73:2-3)
One of the great values of the Psalms is how these wonderful folk songs of faith reflect our own experience. They are an enactment of what most of us are going through, have gone through, or will go through in the walk of faith. There have been many Christians troubled like this. They have been swayed by the seeming logic of the argument of the infidel or atheist. They say, "How can your God be both a God of love and power? If He's a God of power, as you Christians say He is and can do all things, then He cannot be a God of love, or He would do something to correct injustices." Christians are often tremendously affected by this argument and become discouraged and frightened as they face the seeming logic of it. How can God be both a God of love and power and yet allow His own to suffer so terribly at times while the unrighteous seem to prosper and everything goes well with them? That was the problem this man was facing.
Lord, help me to trust, despite what I often see around me, that You are a God of both infinite power and infinite love.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
(Psalm 73:2-3)
One of the great values of the Psalms is how these wonderful folk songs of faith reflect our own experience. They are an enactment of what most of us are going through, have gone through, or will go through in the walk of faith. There have been many Christians troubled like this. They have been swayed by the seeming logic of the argument of the infidel or atheist. They say, "How can your God be both a God of love and power? If He's a God of power, as you Christians say He is and can do all things, then He cannot be a God of love, or He would do something to correct injustices." Christians are often tremendously affected by this argument and become discouraged and frightened as they face the seeming logic of it. How can God be both a God of love and power and yet allow His own to suffer so terribly at times while the unrighteous seem to prosper and everything goes well with them? That was the problem this man was facing.
Lord, help me to trust, despite what I often see around me, that You are a God of both infinite power and infinite love.
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