I had a thought this morning (I know this is shocking, but keep reading). It should probably be expanded on at a later time, but I'm on my way out the door, so here it is:
If the only way that people know that you abstain from a given activity is because you berate people who participate, you have probably missed the point.
Thoughts? Let's see some comments.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Fourteen?
"Peter urged us to live our lives in a Holy way so that we may speed up Christ's return. To do that we need to know what sin is, but more importantly we need to know and seek the heart of God. To make it a list of dos and don'ts, simply returns us to bondage and we lose the freedom we found in Christ. But we also can not let the world determine right and wrong. God sets the standard of Holiness, not man."
In the past hour, I have been mentally struggling with the recent Vatican release of seven additional so-called 'deadly' or 'mortal' sins. While struggling with how I feel about it, a great friend spiritual confidant pointed out that "Aren't all sins deadly?" That, in addition to the above statement from Brent over at LeaveThe99, have really helped me sort through it. The new list includes:
What do you all think about this? Why did they release seven more? Did the others finally expire after nearly a thousand years? Do we really need a pope to tell us what a sin is?
In the past hour, I have been mentally struggling with the recent Vatican release of seven additional so-called 'deadly' or 'mortal' sins. While struggling with how I feel about it, a great friend spiritual confidant pointed out that "Aren't all sins deadly?" That, in addition to the above statement from Brent over at LeaveThe99, have really helped me sort through it. The new list includes:
- Environmental Pollution
- Genetic Manipulation
- Accumulating Excessive Wealth
- Inflicting Poverty
- Drug Trafficking and Consumption
- Morally Debatable Experiments
- Violation of Fundamental Human Rights
What do you all think about this? Why did they release seven more? Did the others finally expire after nearly a thousand years? Do we really need a pope to tell us what a sin is?
Monday, March 24, 2008
God Provides The Lamb
Genesis 22:1-8
1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.
During some of study time (and by study time, I mean the kind that I actually enjoy) this morning, God gave me an interesting illustration that may or may not make sense to you.
In Genesis 22, God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Issac. Abraham is obedient and sets out with his son. When Issac asks where the lamb is, Abraham responds by telling him that "God will provide the lamb." This proves to be truer than Abraham knows. When Abraham is poised to sacrifice his son, an angel of God tells him to lay down the knife and then does indeed provide a more traditional lamb.
One of the greatest, if not the greatest, goals that a follower of Christ can have is to give up their will in favor of the Father's will.
This process is not easy and is often frustrating to many who seek communion with God. This struggle leads many to ask the question of why God would even bother to give us free will only to ask that we give it away.
If we look at Luke 22, when Jesus is on the Mount of Olives agonizing before his arrest, we see him pray "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." In this simple prayer, we see two great truths: First, "take this cup", we, as humans, have a will. Second, "yet I want your will", our wills may not be the same as God's.
So, just as God gave Abraham a lamb so that he might sacrifice it back to God, God has given us each free will so that we might be able to lay it down and choose His will over ours.
Today, let yourself be a living sacrifice to the One who gave you that life (Romans 12).
1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.
“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”
2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”6 So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, 7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”
8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.
During some of study time (and by study time, I mean the kind that I actually enjoy) this morning, God gave me an interesting illustration that may or may not make sense to you.
In Genesis 22, God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Issac. Abraham is obedient and sets out with his son. When Issac asks where the lamb is, Abraham responds by telling him that "God will provide the lamb." This proves to be truer than Abraham knows. When Abraham is poised to sacrifice his son, an angel of God tells him to lay down the knife and then does indeed provide a more traditional lamb.
One of the greatest, if not the greatest, goals that a follower of Christ can have is to give up their will in favor of the Father's will.
This process is not easy and is often frustrating to many who seek communion with God. This struggle leads many to ask the question of why God would even bother to give us free will only to ask that we give it away.
If we look at Luke 22, when Jesus is on the Mount of Olives agonizing before his arrest, we see him pray "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." In this simple prayer, we see two great truths: First, "take this cup", we, as humans, have a will. Second, "yet I want your will", our wills may not be the same as God's.
So, just as God gave Abraham a lamb so that he might sacrifice it back to God, God has given us each free will so that we might be able to lay it down and choose His will over ours.
Today, let yourself be a living sacrifice to the One who gave you that life (Romans 12).
Why Worship by John Fischer
Why Worship?
by John Fischer
I will worship God today because it is good and right to do so.
I will worship God today, not because of what it will do for me, or because it is popular, or because it is Sunday, or because I like the worship music, but for the simple reason that I was made to do this. To worship God is what I am here for.
Worship is not an asset. It is not an added benefit to my life like working out or taking vitamins. Nor is it a secret formula that will add a deeper dimension to my life. Worship is the air I breathe. It is the blood pumping through my veins. It is the cells in my body that reproduce and keep me alive for this. Everything else I do is extemporaneous. To worship God is the root of my being.
I understand why, but it is not necessarily good that worship has become a trend—a seminar that pastors attend to learn how to do it better. Music directors are now worship leaders, and this is all well and good, but it can also be demeaning to worship if we end up thinking that this is all worship is: the latest idea that will get more people to come to church.
Remember the pet rock craze? Or canned air? Or rain in a jar? Or anything else so basic that someone tries to make a buck off of packaging, in a clever way, what everyone already has for the taking? In the same way we risk the danger of belittling worship by marketing it or using it as a means to an end. No one needs to sell worship to anyone. Worship is the end. The Westminster Catechism calls it the "chief end" of man. That's another way of saying it is the most important thing we were created to do. And if it's that important, then it is accessible to everybody, all the time.
The Lord our God is one God, and we will love him and worship him because of who he is and who we are. It is good and right to do so. It is arrogant not to do so. We are his creatures; he is the creator. We are the sheep of his pastures; he is the shepherd. We are mere people; he is God. To do anything but worship him is to inadvertently put us in his place, and I don't think anyone in his or her right mind really wants to be there.
www.fischtank.com
by John Fischer
I will worship God today because it is good and right to do so.
I will worship God today, not because of what it will do for me, or because it is popular, or because it is Sunday, or because I like the worship music, but for the simple reason that I was made to do this. To worship God is what I am here for.
Worship is not an asset. It is not an added benefit to my life like working out or taking vitamins. Nor is it a secret formula that will add a deeper dimension to my life. Worship is the air I breathe. It is the blood pumping through my veins. It is the cells in my body that reproduce and keep me alive for this. Everything else I do is extemporaneous. To worship God is the root of my being.
I understand why, but it is not necessarily good that worship has become a trend—a seminar that pastors attend to learn how to do it better. Music directors are now worship leaders, and this is all well and good, but it can also be demeaning to worship if we end up thinking that this is all worship is: the latest idea that will get more people to come to church.
Remember the pet rock craze? Or canned air? Or rain in a jar? Or anything else so basic that someone tries to make a buck off of packaging, in a clever way, what everyone already has for the taking? In the same way we risk the danger of belittling worship by marketing it or using it as a means to an end. No one needs to sell worship to anyone. Worship is the end. The Westminster Catechism calls it the "chief end" of man. That's another way of saying it is the most important thing we were created to do. And if it's that important, then it is accessible to everybody, all the time.
The Lord our God is one God, and we will love him and worship him because of who he is and who we are. It is good and right to do so. It is arrogant not to do so. We are his creatures; he is the creator. We are the sheep of his pastures; he is the shepherd. We are mere people; he is God. To do anything but worship him is to inadvertently put us in his place, and I don't think anyone in his or her right mind really wants to be there.
www.fischtank.com
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Be Not Afraid
Today, I am comforted and challenged by Jesus' command in Matthew 28 to 'be not afraid'. I must continually remind myself that no earthly power was able to hinder God's will in Christ's life and, likewise, no earthly power should hinder His will in my life.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thoughts From the Road
Last week I had the opportunity to lead worship for a college bible study in Virginia. As a musician, I can't say that I was on top of my game and I felt like I hadn't done as well as I could. However, it
was evident that the Spirit was there and everyone really responded to the music. As a worship leader, nights like that are invaluable. They serve as a reminder that I'm not worthy of my calling. This week, how has God made himself evident to you?
was evident that the Spirit was there and everyone really responded to the music. As a worship leader, nights like that are invaluable. They serve as a reminder that I'm not worthy of my calling. This week, how has God made himself evident to you?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Recommended Reading
Over the past couple of weeks, I have read two awesome articles that I feel like I should pass on.
The first is by John Piper and his wife and deals with the family in worship.
It can be found here.
The second article is a 'Christian Post' article that cites a recent survey regarding activities that Americans consider sinful. This article has kept me thinking for about a week. Read this one at least once.
You can check it out here.
CCC
The first is by John Piper and his wife and deals with the family in worship.
It can be found here.
The second article is a 'Christian Post' article that cites a recent survey regarding activities that Americans consider sinful. This article has kept me thinking for about a week. Read this one at least once.
You can check it out here.
CCC
Monday, March 17, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Do The Math
I felt like this was worth re-posting (the original can be found here):
The current situation:
In 2004, U.S. consumers spent $20 billion on ice cream.
In 2005, U.S. consumers spent $10 billion on cosmetic surgery.
In 2006, global military spending reached $1.3 trillion.
In 2007, U.S. consumers spent $9 billion on Starbucks coffee.
Looking forward:
For $8 billion, basic education could be provided globally.
For $9 billion, water and sanitation could be provided globally.
For $12 billion, reproductive services could be provided for all women.
For $13 billion, basic health care & nutrition could be provided globally.
The current situation:
In 2004, U.S. consumers spent $20 billion on ice cream.
In 2005, U.S. consumers spent $10 billion on cosmetic surgery.
In 2006, global military spending reached $1.3 trillion.
In 2007, U.S. consumers spent $9 billion on Starbucks coffee.
Looking forward:
For $8 billion, basic education could be provided globally.
For $9 billion, water and sanitation could be provided globally.
For $12 billion, reproductive services could be provided for all women.
For $13 billion, basic health care & nutrition could be provided globally.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Time to Elevate
Proverbs 14:34
Uprightness and right standing with God elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
This weekend, I will be with a great group of Middle Schoolers. Our focus will be God and our goal will be to take our relationships to the next level. It's time to Elevate!
Uprightness and right standing with God elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
This weekend, I will be with a great group of Middle Schoolers. Our focus will be God and our goal will be to take our relationships to the next level. It's time to Elevate!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Ignite Recap
After an awesome Sunday night with our High School students, I have spent the past few days really aware of prayer. I find myself being more consistent about constant prayer, desiring a set prayer time, and asking one question: what does prayer without requests look like? I've been asking myself how my other relationships would be doing if I focused on what others can do for me as much as I do with God. This will continue to be the focus of my thoughts, especially since my only other option at the moment is 'Reporting Irregular Items on a Multiple-Step Income Statement'.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
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