There have been a great many worship songs released in recent memory that talk about the grave. So much so, that it has got me thinking periodically of the many times that I have been there. Times where I was duped and times where I willing walked back in and plunked myself down. Enough times for feelings of condemnation and great guilt to settle in. During a time of prayer I heard God whisper, “There’s no shame in the grave.”
In Genesis 3:1 the serpent approaches Eve and seeks to ensnare her with a very loaded question -- one she knew the answer to, but didn't KNOW the answer to. To Eve's credit she came back at the serpent with, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." Now if their conversation had ended there, our story would've concluded with -- and they lived happily ever after. But, sadly, we know it doesn't.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is the encounter that Jesus has with the Samaritan Woman at the well in John, chapter 4. There are so many reasons why I love this passage. The crux being the interaction between Jesus and the Woman, however there are many little tasty, little nuggets in the chapter, aside from that. I believe it acts as a microcosm of Jesus’ mission and ministry and as a result, it should inform how we approach our lives as it pertains to ministry.
Who remembers that old song, "Anything you can do (I Can Do Better?)" If you don't, its basically about two people trying to outdo one another. I think sometimes in moments of pure and unadulterated stupidity, we sing it to God. But then God, in His infinitely tender mercy, sings it back to us. Not in the voice of a petulant child, but with the voice of a loving Father who's desire is for His children to have everything He intends for them to have.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. (Colossians 3:16a) Those are the exact words I said to my 8-month-old yesterday when I was preparing to feed him. I sat the spoon and the food down on the tray and he proceeded to pick up the tub of pureed veggies and … Continue reading Dude, You’ve Got to Open It First
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1) "Jesus Christ, if that's who you believe in, Jesus Christ, admittedly was not perfect when he was here on this earth." This ridiculously … Continue reading In Case of Emergency, Break Glass
“The soul’s safety is in its heat. Truth without enthusiasm, morality without emotion, ritual without soul, make for a church without power. Desitute of the fire, nothing else counts; possessing Fire, nothing else matters.” Samuel Chadwick
If we are going to attain the life that God wants for every believer we have to develop a virtue almost non-existent in the 21st century. Honor. Honor is key to receiving anything from God. God tells us in 1 Samuel 2:30 “But now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from me; for those who … Continue reading A Matter of Honor
This year the kids and I have been working hard at memorizing more of the Bible. There can be no exaggeration to the importance of hiding the Word in our hearts. If you have the scripture hidden in your heart it's a lot easier to meditate on. We don’t always have our Bibles in front … Continue reading A Walk Through Psalm One
O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalms 34:3 I've been pondering lately on what it means to "Magnify the Lord." He is most certainly and without doubt worthy to be magnified and exalted. To be praised and glorified. But how do we magnify God? The obvious answer is … Continue reading O Magnify the Lord
Things Pondered 