January 18, 2008
Absorbing Nutrients
I am one of those people who gets bored easily. But when something captivates me, I am awestruck and impressed, never forgetting what I have seen and heard. Surely, in this society of sensory overload, it is increasingly more difficult to be awestruck. I believe the key to remain awestruck, is creativity, which stimulates appeal. If something appeals to us, we will then ingest it--much like food. If the food presentation isn't good, we will probably turn up our noses and walk away. But if the presentation is appetizing, our mouths will water and we will immediately begin to savor every bite. In doing so, our bodies will naturally absorb important nutrients better than any vitamin could ever benefit us.
So would I rather take a pill or savor a plate full of pan-seared tilapia, whipped potatoes and asparagus drizzled in herb butter?
We live among a generation who wants nothing to do with the church. If we listen to them for very long, we will discover that it's not the message of the church they dislike, but rather the way it is presented.
Just as the restaurants need the creativity of its chefs, communicators in the church need to work skillfully with the gifts they have been given: crafting images, writing songs, painting pictures, telling stories, etc. to help whet the appetites of those hearing and experiencing the truths of God's Word.
This is one of the callings that I believe God has given me. I don't want to ever become so concerned about what exact spiritual "nutrients" are needed, that I forget what the meal should actually taste like. I want to feast on the riches of the truths of God's Word and savor every bite; I want to participate in that Divine feast in every way possible. God help me to express the truths of your Word creatively so that it becomes irresistable to those who need to absorb the "proper nutrients"!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
January 16, 2008
More Than Conquerors
I tend to forget how powerful God really is. Romans 8:37 says "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." I usually just brush by this verse, but today I read about a legend of an ancient civilization that gave me a new perspective. The ancient Phrygians believed that every time they conquered an enemy, the victor absorbed the physical strength of his victim and added so much more to his personal strength and valor.
Could it be that every time I victoriously encounter a trial or temptation, my spiritual strength could be doubled? 2 Chron. 20:15 says," Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the enemy. For the battle is not yours but God's. Take up your positions and stand firm to see the deliverance the Lord will give you."
All I can say is...may the enemy be sorry for ever messing with me!
More Than Conquerors
I tend to forget how powerful God really is. Romans 8:37 says "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." I usually just brush by this verse, but today I read about a legend of an ancient civilization that gave me a new perspective. The ancient Phrygians believed that every time they conquered an enemy, the victor absorbed the physical strength of his victim and added so much more to his personal strength and valor.
Could it be that every time I victoriously encounter a trial or temptation, my spiritual strength could be doubled? 2 Chron. 20:15 says," Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the enemy. For the battle is not yours but God's. Take up your positions and stand firm to see the deliverance the Lord will give you."
All I can say is...may the enemy be sorry for ever messing with me!
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Good Shepherd
January 14, 2008
I take comfort in this thought today:
John 10:14-15
I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Jesus has tried for Himself all of the experiences through which he will ask me to pass; and He would not ask me to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for me. This is the blessed life--not anxious to see far in front, nor fretting about the next step, nor eager to choose the path, nor burdened with responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time. It is comforting to know that the Shepherd is always ahead of His sheep.
He is already in the tomorrows, and all of the tomorrows have to pass before Him before I can experience them.
I take comfort in this thought today:
John 10:14-15
I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Jesus has tried for Himself all of the experiences through which he will ask me to pass; and He would not ask me to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for me. This is the blessed life--not anxious to see far in front, nor fretting about the next step, nor eager to choose the path, nor burdened with responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time. It is comforting to know that the Shepherd is always ahead of His sheep.
He is already in the tomorrows, and all of the tomorrows have to pass before Him before I can experience them.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Be Still
January 11, 2008
I am a collector of "words." When a word speaks to me, I think about it, expound upon it, etc. I guess that's what songwriters do... Anyway, the word "Still" has impressed me lately. Of course, my favorite words are found in God's Word--especially this verse: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
As Christians, our walk with God is full of activity. We clap our hands and sing for joy, we walk by faith, we run toward the eternal prize, we bow down before God, we stand firm in what we believe. The wise Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "Everything is appropriate in its own time." There is a time and a season for everything; a time for every event under Heaven."
There is also a time to be still; to rest and to listen. It is in the stillness and quietness that I can gain strength and hear God's voice. When I am still and quiet, I realize that God is God!
We have many responsibilities in the Christian life and the Bible is clearly marked with instructions about what we are to "do" to lead godly lives. Sometimes, however, situations may be out of our control, or we may go through times of disillusionment, grief or confusion. It is during these trials that is particularly important for me to be still. I need to cease striving to fix things that only God can handle. He promises to work when we roll our burdens onto Him and wait in stillness before him. (Ps. 37:5)
As a bird lets down its wings to rest upon a branch, I want to "let down my wings" and cease from fluttering so that I can gain strength and direction for the journey ahead. I really want to learn the beauty and blessing in the art of being still before God. I want to understand the calmness and peace that comes as I wait in His presence until I hear from Him. Then, I believe that I wil return to ALL of my activities (of which there are MANY!) with greater purpose, greater meaning and greater enthusiasm than ever before!
I am a collector of "words." When a word speaks to me, I think about it, expound upon it, etc. I guess that's what songwriters do... Anyway, the word "Still" has impressed me lately. Of course, my favorite words are found in God's Word--especially this verse: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
As Christians, our walk with God is full of activity. We clap our hands and sing for joy, we walk by faith, we run toward the eternal prize, we bow down before God, we stand firm in what we believe. The wise Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "Everything is appropriate in its own time." There is a time and a season for everything; a time for every event under Heaven."
There is also a time to be still; to rest and to listen. It is in the stillness and quietness that I can gain strength and hear God's voice. When I am still and quiet, I realize that God is God!
We have many responsibilities in the Christian life and the Bible is clearly marked with instructions about what we are to "do" to lead godly lives. Sometimes, however, situations may be out of our control, or we may go through times of disillusionment, grief or confusion. It is during these trials that is particularly important for me to be still. I need to cease striving to fix things that only God can handle. He promises to work when we roll our burdens onto Him and wait in stillness before him. (Ps. 37:5)
As a bird lets down its wings to rest upon a branch, I want to "let down my wings" and cease from fluttering so that I can gain strength and direction for the journey ahead. I really want to learn the beauty and blessing in the art of being still before God. I want to understand the calmness and peace that comes as I wait in His presence until I hear from Him. Then, I believe that I wil return to ALL of my activities (of which there are MANY!) with greater purpose, greater meaning and greater enthusiasm than ever before!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A New Year, A New Day
January, 10, 2008
I am always comforted by David, the Psalmist and his candid way of letting God know just how he felt about things, and then he ended up praising Him. No matter where this poet began, he always ended with worshiping God. I want my life to be like David's Psalms. Even though I may gripe or complain, or seem discontented, I want my days, weeks, months, and years to end in praise to the Living God, just as David did. Augustine couldn't have said it any better: Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee."
Oh God, help me to rest in You. I don't know what each day holds for me, but help me to rest in the mystery of this journey called life.
More on this later...
I am always comforted by David, the Psalmist and his candid way of letting God know just how he felt about things, and then he ended up praising Him. No matter where this poet began, he always ended with worshiping God. I want my life to be like David's Psalms. Even though I may gripe or complain, or seem discontented, I want my days, weeks, months, and years to end in praise to the Living God, just as David did. Augustine couldn't have said it any better: Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee."
Oh God, help me to rest in You. I don't know what each day holds for me, but help me to rest in the mystery of this journey called life.
More on this later...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
