tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4563505055693500912024-02-19T23:54:51.298-06:00The Burning Word"So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:8).Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.comBlogger1341125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-58946461618111736632017-09-30T23:45:00.000-05:002017-09-30T23:45:31.940-05:00Book Review: Ordering Your Private World<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Ordering Your Private
World, Revised and Updated</i>, by Gordon MacDonald</div>
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When I picked up this book, I thought it was a book about
time management. However, I quickly discovered it was book about the care of an
individual's soul. It is part warning against the driven, disorganized,
distracted busyness that pushes people to "burnout, breakdown, or
blowup" (pg. 10). MacDonald states, "A soul--our spiritual space-- is
empty when one tries to do soul-based things but makes little or no effort to
keep that soul filled" (pg. xviii).</div>
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It is also part instruction manual, as MacDonald explains
the resources we can use to keep our souls filled. The key is disciple, or more
accurately, the spiritual disciplines. He states, "If we are ever to
develop a spiritual life that gives contentment, it will be because we approach
spiritual living as a discipline, much as the athlete trains his or her body
for competition" (pg. 121). He lists five spiritual exercises: "the
pursuit of silence and solitude, singing, regularly listening to God; the
experience of reflection and meditation; and prayer as worship and
intercession" (pg. 128). He also deals with role of friends and periods of
rest in restoring balance to the inner world. </div>
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Much of the book resonated with me. I saw myself reflected
in his descriptions of the disorganized person. His discussion on journaling
was helpful (although I would have liked a more detailed how-to). I liked that
he included singing in his list of spiritual exercises. There is some helpful
insights to glean throughout this book.</div>
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However, there were a few things I didn't like. His
treatment of the spiritual exercises was uneven, and in some places, thin.
While I doubt it was his intention, it seemed like reading and studying the
Bible were merely options at the table and not the main course. In his effort
to avoid hard and fast rules, he missed the opportunity to guide a novice into
a deeper understanding.</div>
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Overall, <i>Ordering Your
Private World</i> was a helpful book. It helped me to recognize some errors in
my own spiritual development and encouraged me to approach spiritual
development with more disciple. Should you read it? If you are new to the
spiritual disciplines, I would recommend you start somewhere else like Don
Whitney's <i>Spiritual Disciplines for the
Christian Life</i>. If you are familiar with the spiritual disciplines, but
wonder why you should bother with them, then you would probably be helped by
this book.</div>
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Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for free in
exchange for an honest review.</div>
Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-31707014491716862352016-01-12T12:47:00.000-06:002016-01-12T12:47:57.754-06:00Adjusting Your PlansNearly two weeks into the new year and the newness has worn off. That new year smell has faded, and you have probably settled into the same old routines. Why bother with fad-ish resolutions or goals for the new year? After all, there is life to be busy with. But is it the life you want? Are you finding yourself frustrated at the lack of accomplishment in your life?<br />
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Breathe.<br />
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Sometimes, the best way forward is to stop moving and take a look around. Are you missing something? Do you need to continue moving in the same direction? Is the resistance you are feeling positive or negative resistance? Positive resistance is the feeling you might have if you were breaking free from a restraint. As you strain against the bonds, you feel hope and the sense of anticipation at the coming freedom. Negative resistance is that feeling that keeps you from straining at the bonds that hold you back. Negative resistance says, "What is the sense of trying, things never change."<br />
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Sometimes we put too much pressure on the decisions and moments in our life. You hear of an individual who hit a turning point in life or a person who had a make-or-break moment. These concepts leach into our lives, and shape our thinking about what comes next.<br />
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Let's say you decide to lose weight. You struggle with comfort eating, poor self-esteem, inexperience with exercise (which often leads to injury), poor eating habits, etc. Thus the decision to lose weight, then becomes your "make-or-brake" moment. You throw all of your hopes on this one, single, solitary, in-the-moment decision--and you expect it to bear the weight of that commitment.<br />
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And then, somebody brings donuts to work or invites you to a dinner. You go to the gym only to experience physical pain because you didn't quite know how to use that one machine, and now you need a few days to recover. Your make-or-brake moment cracks under the pressure, and you console yourself with a pint of ice cream. It seems you were destined to be fat.<br />
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The real issue isn't what you want to accomplish or even why you want to accomplish it. The real issue is that your plans are often frustrated because you place to much emphasis on the wrong things. Simply put, while there are make-or-brake moments, there are also constant opportunities to either change your course or recommit to it.<br />
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People give up too easily because they think to narrowly about big things. They want change to be instantaneous. They want to move from A to Z without ever touching on the rest of the alphabet. All of this can be applied to discipleship. There is a sense in which people fell that spiritual growth should be automatic. They think a believer should go from sinner to saint in a twinkling of an eye. This view takes our justification (the legal declaration by God that we are right with him) and confuses it with our sanctification (the process by which the Spirit brings that righteousness to bear fruit).<br />
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Whether we are at the gym working off the last five years of Christmas cookies (and other stuff) or reading our Bible for encouragement, we need to recognize that there are a thousand make-or-break decisions throughout our day. No one wrong decision can derail our progress if we are quick to repent and confess and correct course. If we put too much pressure on one moment, it will break our momentum. But if we recognize that each success will only bring us success if we keep building on it and each failure will only lead to failure if we give, then we move forward.<br />
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If you make a wrong turn in your day, make a u-turn. If things aren't going the way you planned, adjust your plan (and maybe your expectations--that's a post for another day). God has promised not to give up on you, so you aren't allowed to give up on you, either.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-42871703582936702512016-01-05T19:51:00.000-06:002016-01-05T19:51:09.474-06:00Praying in FaithMy Bible reading plan has me in 1 Chronicles (and other place) right now. Although the first few chapters are mostly genealogies, there are encouraging bits and pieces here and there. First Chronicles 5:20 states, "And when they [the Rubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh] prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given over into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him."<br />
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Notice that the Chronicler attributes their success not to their ability or size of their army, but to the Lord's response to their prayer. What makes this remarkable is that he has already described the army. He states they were "valiant men who carried shield and sword, and drew a bow, expert in war, 44,760, able to go to war" (1 Chr. 5:18). Their power to prevail was not rooted in their own power.<br />
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Whether the army they fought was bigger, we are not told. But the battle must have been intense. Notice that it says they "cried out to God" and that "he granted their urgent plea." The battle wasn't a walk in the park. These were valiant men, experts in war. They were able and willing, yet their pleas to God were urgent. I don't imagine them to be cowards curled up in the fetal position in a foxhole asking God to get them out of trouble. These were men who were in the heat of battle praying for strength or wisdom or both.<br />
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Their prayers won the day because they trusted the Lord to answer. The author of Hebrews states, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (Heb. 11:6). Paul touches on the importance of the Word to our faith. He states, "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? . . . So faith comes from hearing the, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:13-17).<br />
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Reading Scripture, studying it, meditating on it, memorizing it, hearing it read, taught, or preached has the potential to grow our faith--if we act upon it. As faith grows, prayer grows. I am convinced that a person's prayer life is directly proportional to their faith in God. If you believe there is a God, and that he rewards those who seek him, then you will seek him. You will not only seek him in weakness, but even when you feel absolutely capable of handling by yourself.<br />
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Truths to remember:<br />
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1. There is God.<br />
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2. He answers prayers prayed in faith.<br />
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Will you call out to him in prayer? John says, "And this is the confidence we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15). Let 2016 be a year of faithful prayer.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-71782369487662085332016-01-04T10:04:00.000-06:002016-01-05T11:21:55.481-06:00Reading Challenge 2016<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9d2OIzLfbWy-iMtZ_lETUOE2nnWMuW7is5RjXlA-kUp053e49zMLwAsHCAsgx-nfvwmEBYfuvc7OZMtA3VZV2CXvy-P2RoBAzioAQgrdIqopFiLoV2UeFY9JAiM3XUTh4vnLFYJabsTS/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9d2OIzLfbWy-iMtZ_lETUOE2nnWMuW7is5RjXlA-kUp053e49zMLwAsHCAsgx-nfvwmEBYfuvc7OZMtA3VZV2CXvy-P2RoBAzioAQgrdIqopFiLoV2UeFY9JAiM3XUTh4vnLFYJabsTS/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">According to <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/16/a-snapshot-of-reading-in-america-in-2013/">Pew Research Center</a>, "<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.6px;">As of January 2014, some 76% of American adults ages 18 and older said that they read at least one book in the past year." In that same year, half of the people polled had read more than five books, the other half had read fewer than five books. I would guess there hasn't been much change in the last year. How many books did you read in 2015? One? Two?Five? Ten? Zero? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.6px;">Reading is important. It is a powerful tool for growth. Mark Twain supposedly said,<span style="background-color: black;"> "</span></span></span><span style="background-color: black;">The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." But reading, like many other things, requires that one develops a taste for it. There was a time in my childhood where I hated reading, then I loved it, then I cooled towards it. It wasn't until after I came to Christ that I began reading again. It took awhile for the love of reading to kick in. Now, I really enjoy reading. </span><br />
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According to Goodreads, I read 53 books last year. I may have read more than that, but I'm terrible at keeping track of what I have read. I didn't include commentaries or devotions in the count in 2015. Many of the titles are actually books I read to Sophia at bedtime. I rarely have a plan, I read what catches my attention or has been recommended by someone I respect. <br />
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This year, I decided I need a plan. There was a 26 book challenge floating around last year that I really considered, but never got around to it. I was revisiting it when Tim Challies, a blogger I follow, issued his <a href="http://www.challies.com/resources/the-2016-reading-challenge">2016 Reading Challenge</a>. It is a challenge broken up into 4 categories: light, avid, committed, and obsessed. If a person makes it through the obsessed list, they will have read 104 books in 2016. I'm hoping to complete the challenge. I at least want to make it through the light and avid sections (13 books each), that is about two books every week.<br />
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The thought of reading a 104 books in 2016 might make your brain hurt. So my challenge to you is to set your own goal. How many books did you read last year? If you read one book last year, why not aim for two this year? If you read five books, try to read ten. If you didn't read a single book last year, why not aim to read one book this year. I would challenge you to read at least one book in addition to reading your Bible this year. I plan to offer recommendations in the weeks and months to come.<br />
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Are you willing to read more this year than last year? Here are a few quick tips.<br />
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<b>1. Pick a format that works best for you. </b>Do you have a long drive to work? Try an audio book. Do you have a tablet? Try reading an ebook. Don't like gadgets? Get a print book.<br />
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<b>2. Start of with a shorter book.</b> Should you decide this is the year you are going to read the classics, fantastic. However, avoid starting with <i>War & Peace</i>. Look for a book with few than 300 pages (not counting the end notes and other material--you can skip this stuff). Skip introductions about the book not written by the author. I attempted to read Frankenstein several years ago, and gave up because I had to slog through 80 pages of introduction by an expert. Later, I picked it up again, only this time I started where Mary Shelley did. It was quite enjoyable.<br />
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<b>3. Read a little bit each day.</b> You don't have to block out an hour of your time each day to be a reader. Set a side 15 minutes or read 10 pages or a chapter--whatever works best for your schedule. Pack a book with you wherever you go, so you can make the most of down time (lines, doctor's office, etc.).<br />
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<b>4. Pick a book that really interests you.</b> This may seem unimportant, but you will most likely finish a book that you want to read. If you start a book and it bores you, put it down and get a different book. Your third grade teacher may not approve, but it's okay. Don't waste time on boring books.<br />
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<b>5. Don't break the bank.</b> I love books and bookstores. I can spend hours in a bookstore, and I'm always adding to my library. But you don't have to build your own library (if you don't want to or can't afford to). There is a magical place that will let you borrow books of various kinds--it's called a library (I know you probably knew that). Most libraries will even help you get books that they don't physically possess, either by inter-library loan or by purchase. If you don't have a library card, get one and wear it out. The library is also a great way to encourage daily reading. When you check out a book you have to have it back on a certain day--use that as a deadline to drive your reading.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-90711583646042250432016-01-02T13:24:00.001-06:002016-01-02T13:46:35.946-06:00A New Year of Dwelling in the Word<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXhY5ZWjdnUnMSg_BgRthO-bkEkQZ2phCOzpm-nDZdQHYOG9rSzgFXIT6F01_H56z56nzxtdlyaJ1UodHpFZSFFoU6klIJAxXWPvPrQqlQzTgGDNFYAsmhkKqtIVjzeTgVBXGGfGIbyac/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXhY5ZWjdnUnMSg_BgRthO-bkEkQZ2phCOzpm-nDZdQHYOG9rSzgFXIT6F01_H56z56nzxtdlyaJ1UodHpFZSFFoU6klIJAxXWPvPrQqlQzTgGDNFYAsmhkKqtIVjzeTgVBXGGfGIbyac/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a>It's a new day in a new year. Although the calendar is a arbitrary way of slicing up time, it is the method most of us use. Each day is a new opportunity to make plans, change course, or dream new dreams. For many the idea of making resolutions in the new year is silly. If you have made resolutions in the past, but failed to keep them you might be hesitant to make new ones this year. So don't. Don't make any resolutions. Why make resolutions that you aren't going to keep.<br />
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Why not make a plan instead? Instead of a vague resolution like "I will lose weight this year." Why not come up with an actual plan? There are thousands of places that you can borrow a plan from. They all typically involve: healthy eating, exercise, and accountability. Why not select a weight loss program and ask family and friends to spend the next 6 weeks making changes? Make a plan (or borrow one). Take it one day at a time. Do it together.<br />
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Why not approach our spiritual growth in a similar fashion? As I began pondering the new year, Colossians 3:16 came to mind. Paul states, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Col. 3:16). How can I let the word of Christ dwell in me richly?<br />
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In order for the word to dwell in someone, they must dwell in the word. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). How do you dwell in the word of Christ? By reading, studying, memorizing, praying, and meditating upon the word of God.<br />
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Let's not resolve to do these things for the new year. Let's make a plan to accomplish these these things in the new year.<br />
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<b>1. Reading the Bible in the New Year.</b><br />
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There are several plans out there that will take you through the whole Bible in one year. Some will take you through the New Testament in a year. Some plans last two or three years. Some plans can be completed in as little as 10-15 minutes a day, and some require much more time. Some focus on several passages, while others focus on one book at a time. Find a plan and stick to it. Invite friends and family to read with you.<br />
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Justin Taylor put together a list of Bible reading plans. You can find them <a href="http://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/justintaylor/2015/12/28/reading-the-whole-bible-in-2016-an-faq/">here</a>.<br />
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Ligonier Ministries also put together a list. You can find it <a href="http://www.ligonier.org/blog/bible-reading-plans/">here</a>.<br />
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Joe Carter offered different approach to Bible reading in a year. Check it out <a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-change-your-mind2">here</a>.<br />
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<b>2. Study the Bible in the New Year.</b><br />
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Again there are several resources out there that could help you accomplish this, but I will recommend three basic resources that will help you grow in your study of the Bible.<br />
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<i>Living by the Book </i>by Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Hendricks<br />
<i>Read the Bible for Life</i> by George H. Guthrie<br />
<i>How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth</i> by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart<br />
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<b>3. Memorizing the Bible in the New Year.</b><br />
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Again, there are several resources available to help you with memorizing Scripture. I use Fighter Verses on my iphone, but you can access them on <a href="http://fighterverses.com/set-5-core-esv/week-52/">here</a>.<br />
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Here are a couple of articles to encourage you: <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-tips-for-bible-memory">Five Tips for Bible Memory</a> and <a href="http://gotherefor.com/offer.php?intid=29133">Are We Using Our Memory for the Glory of God.</a><br />
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<b>4. Praying the Bible in the New Year.</b><br />
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Donald Whitney's book <i>Praying the Bible</i> is a great resource. It is simple and straight forward. It doesn't take a lot of time to read, and can be put into to practice quickly.<br />
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<b>5. Meditating on the Bible in the New Year.</b><br />
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Donald Whitney's methods of meditation is my go-to resource. You can find a copy <a href="http://biblicalspirituality.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Meditation-Methods-Summary-17.pdf">here</a>.<br />
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What is your plan for dwelling in Christ this year? Why not pick a Bible reading plan and print out a few copies to give to family and friends? Why not get a few resources and begin working through the process? Don't leave your spiritual growth the chance this year. Make a plan. Stick to it. Get others involved.<br />
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Note: I chose the Daily Bible Reading Plan found in the ESV Study Bible. Bro. Ray Gilliland, a mentor and friend, recommended reading through a study Bible in a year, so this year I'm hope to read through the ESV study Bible.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-88912454175720417712016-01-01T16:17:00.000-06:002016-01-01T16:17:41.175-06:00Applying the Gospel in the New Year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffmdnXqanYcSvuh5UGVj3eCjDDLD92_8W3BIWybL-WM3z5NSKipRBWWu15neL3ax-s8auHErpWxhHryk-nepv-0iz2AnyXQQCQSlWiJl-uccCHCKGaN6f9JWlVhpfybKvFIgEBZrw4PAt/s1600/IMG_3018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffmdnXqanYcSvuh5UGVj3eCjDDLD92_8W3BIWybL-WM3z5NSKipRBWWu15neL3ax-s8auHErpWxhHryk-nepv-0iz2AnyXQQCQSlWiJl-uccCHCKGaN6f9JWlVhpfybKvFIgEBZrw4PAt/s320/IMG_3018.JPG" width="320" /></a>It has been nearly a year of radio silence, or should I say blogging silence. A lot happened in 2015, much of it was wonderful: we finalized Gloria's adoption, I turned 40, and I became a doctor (of Education). Some of it was not wonderful: I have wrestled with diabetes, my contract at adult ed. wasn't renewed, and I got the flu. Throughout the year I found my resolved tested, and at times, I wasn't sure I would make it through, but by the grace of God, I have begun a new year.<br />
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Writing has always been a dream of mine, but somewhere in the back of my mind I didn't believe I had what it takes to be a writer. Having completed a doctoral thesis, I now know what I was lacking--perseverance. This blog got placed on a shelf as I did the hard work of writing my thesis and wrestling with my own insecurities.<br />
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During my course work at seminary, they called it "impostor syndrome." I think most people feel it no matter what they are doing: writing, studying, working, parenting, etc. It's a nagging voice somewhere deep inside that says, "You don't belong here. You don't have anything to contribute. If you don't turn back now, they will all know you're a fraud." Maybe you have felt that way. Maybe the voice you hear is meaner. Maybe it wants you to believe you don't have the right to enjoy your life.<br />
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But have you ever stopped to consider that the voice is wrong? The Bible teaches that every human being is created in the image of God (it also teaches that the image is marred because the presence of sin in the human heart, but that is a post for another day). Because we are image bearers, we all have something to offer. Whatever knowledge, experience, or skill set you possess, you are uniquely fitted to transform the environment in which you find yourself.<br />
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While you may be painfully aware of every one of your weaknesses and limitations, you must also become aware of your abilities, talents, strengths, and gifts. While it is not impossible to live a life of purpose without being aware God, it is certainly much more difficult. It is also much more dangerous because you might live your life for the wrong purpose.<br />
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The best way to combat that accusing voice is to apply the gospel. Humanity was made to be different, to live in communion with God, but sinned broke that relationship. All human beings are guilty of sin, and we feel it, even when we don't know how to express it, explain it, or even if we don't believe it. It manifests itself as guilt, shame, feelings of inferiority, feelings of superiority, pride, prejudice, and so on. God in his mercy sent his Son, Jesus to become like us, and to give his life as an offering for ours. He paid our penalty, so that we might share in his righteousness. Through that gift, God calls everyone everywhere to repent of their sin and believe in Jesus Christ. To accept his death and resurrection as the solution for our sin.<br />
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What does it look like to apply the gospel? Imagine the voice returns to you and says, "You don't belong." You can say, "Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (see Rom. 8:31-39)." The voice tells you, "You're a failure!" You can say, "I have an advocate with the Father, Christ Jesus the Righteous (See 1 John 2:1-2)." The voice screams, "Nobody loves you." You can say, "But God shows his love to us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)."<br />
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If you are trusting Christ as the sole source of your righteousness with God, then you belong, and nothing can change that. To that end, I invite you to join me in the coming year as I renew my commitment to this project. I don't assume I have all the answers, but I want to share what I'm learning. The articles that I post will center on the things that view as most important: the gospel, the Bible, discipleship, family (marriage and parenting), and more. There will be several changes coming this blog in the weeks and months ahead. I hope you join me on this journey.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-64338799009622195612015-01-08T12:44:00.000-06:002015-01-08T12:44:23.386-06:00Made to Reflect<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=29893&picture=reflection-on-water" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0AnN4M0mU1TTZg2qCJChKPunX6igHP5GZ6tmX22C6TIfZZRM123Fc6hUmLePnKMSJTL8QsSpAlNcVv5aY3BOUAXvrDUbqJ6NFvUKR-Fvf6fDAajG4BbgoW-2ozL5UcKV5nSrDLuIHeTe/s1600/reflection-on-water.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=29893&picture=reflection-on-water">Photo by George Hodan</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Have you ever looked into a puddle, and saw your reflection? Surely you have looked at yourself in the mirror. I often imagine our distant ancestors peering a bucket of water or into a polished metal piece, transfixed by the reflection looking back at them. I imagine it like the myth of Narcissus, a young man who saw his reflection in lake, and fell in love with his own beauty. He was turned into a flower for his trouble. Yet, I doubt the ancient world was transfixed by the reflections they saw. They probably learned to ignore them much like our generation. Our reflections probably only serve to remind us of our flaws or satisfy our sense of worth, but they can do so much more.<br />
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Mankind was created in the image and likeness of God--designed to reflect his glory back into this world. In all of our relationships and experiences, their is a way in which we can reflect God. Paul identifies the husband and wife relationship with the relationship of Christ and the church. Parenthood is linked to God the Father. Even work and rest find deeper meanings when we see the connection to creation and redemption. Yet in Adam the image was corrupted, so that our relationships and experience do not always reflect the glory and goodness of God. <br />
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Initially, we were made so that others viewing us would see God at work within us. We would reflect him: not necessarily in our outward appearance (as a child would his parents), but in our attitudes and actions. In this way, the reflection points back to the source. As fallen human beings, we no longer reflect our source properly. Yet in Christ, the image is being restored within believers. As the Spirit works in our lives, characteristics of a fallen life give way to the characteristics of Christ--strife is replaced with peace, anger is replaced with joy (See Gal. 5:16-24).<br />
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As we think about our initial purpose (reflecting God's glory) and the
Spirit's sanctifying work (bringing Christ out in us), we can return to the
mirror with a renewed sense of purpose--reminder. Our reflections point us back to ourselves. If we aren't careful, we might fall into Narcissus's folly. Seeing our reflections can remind us to look beyond our outer appearance, and reflect on the shape of our inner person. Are we reflecting the glory of Christ? Just as we give careful attention to our appearance, we must give careful thought to our attitudes and actions.<br />
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In this world, we are often reminded of the need to slow down and reflect. We need to reflect on ourselves: our attitudes, actions, and purpose. We were created and redeemed for a purpose--to reflect the glory of our Maker.As you reflect upon this truth, I hope other come to see Jesus in you. <br />
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<br />Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-85497203038588263982014-06-19T15:22:00.000-05:002014-06-19T15:22:36.810-05:00The Grace of a Day <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBDRY-Df9YLpHxLZnHlci-ZLQP9VpTcGUcvk7kdn6t9Vd7PE2GBvSsixYChxSH-nSN5x_eYeV20igaliQolOsA3wCDpBV2oZ74ffkv2EhL7LtgzPE0AUfDSKq7OhErlo3DRgT8Zzz-Szf/s1600/gan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBDRY-Df9YLpHxLZnHlci-ZLQP9VpTcGUcvk7kdn6t9Vd7PE2GBvSsixYChxSH-nSN5x_eYeV20igaliQolOsA3wCDpBV2oZ74ffkv2EhL7LtgzPE0AUfDSKq7OhErlo3DRgT8Zzz-Szf/s1600/gan.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a>I had the privilege of getting to attend the Southern
Baptist Convention in Baltimore, Maryland last week, and from there my family
and I traveled to New York City. We returned home early Tuesday morning, and
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We got Gandalf when he was a kitten. Although he was several
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order to tame him, I would hold him for long periods of time. This level of
attention forged a bond between him and me that he never outgrew. Anytime we
would go away for an extended period, I was certain to find him happy to see me
and desperate for my attention.</div>
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I could always count on him to stalk me for days (often
weeks) after every trip. If I sat down, he would sit near me (or on me). If I
got up and went to the next room, he would follow me. He would lay by me when I
went to bed, and get up when I got up. If I was able to escape his constant
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Over the course of the last twelve years, this pattern had
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following a return from an absence. There would be days of nudging and nuzzling
and stalking. During a normal day, it wouldn’t be unusual for Gandalf to rub
his face against my hand or leg once or twice. Experts say this behavior is a
cat’s way of marking the object they are rubbing as their own. Yet in the days
after I had returned from a trip, he would rub against me countless times. I
always understood it to mean, “Mine! Mine! Mine! Now you can’t leave again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although we had affection for one another, we didn’t always
get along. Gandalf was, after all, a cat. He wanted attention when he wanted it.
He bit me on more than one occasion because my feet crowded “his space” on my
bed. Gandalf didn’t meow much on a normal day, unless he wanted food or snacks.
But when he did meow, he just wouldn’t quit. I never enjoyed his nagging.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we returned home Tuesday, nothing surprised me about
Gandalf’s behavior. The noise, the stalking, the rubbing—it was all normal. He
even kept with tradition and pestered me to pet him while I was trying to go to
sleep (which I obliged because I was, after all, happy to see him too). When I
got ready to leave for work Wednesday morning, there he was meowing in my
shadow as he traced my steps from room to room. As I closed the door, I
imagined he would pass the long day napping as he awaited our return.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We returned home from church a little later than usual.
Sophia sprang into the house as I opened the door blazing past a sleeping
Gandalf. But something wasn’t quite right. He didn’t move. He didn’t flinch. He
was still as a stone. And I knew. I hoped I was wrong, but I knew. He was gone.
His body was cold and stiff to the touch. Gone. Just gone. No notice, no
warning. As full of life and energy as a 12 year-old cat can be in the morning,
and 12 hours later he was gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I reflected on our time together, I couldn’t help but
wonder, “Why now?” Why couldn’t he have lasted a little longer? But as I
thought about it, I realized God had given me (and Gandalf) a day. A day to
renew our affections. A day to share. Had I realized that Tuesday would be our
last day together, a weary traveler would have found obsessed cat’s nagging
less annoying. I would have lingered a little longer while scratching him
behind the ears. And in that realization, I knew the grace of a day. Reflecting
on that day, I have learned a few things:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Time is short</b>.
People (almost) always assume they have more time. We plan for futures we are
not promised. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Make the most of
every day.</b> Yesterday is gone. We might be left with good memories or
regrets, but we can’t change the past. Tomorrow isn’t promised. Live today like
it is the most important day of your life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. There is no shame
in crying.</b> Whether tears of joy or tears of sorrow, there is no shame in
shedding tears. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Enjoy it while it
lasts.</b> The circumstances of our lives are always changing. The old saying
warns, “Don’t blink or you might miss it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was reminded by a man recently to make the most of Sophia’s childhood,
because it would pass before I realized it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. God’s grace is sufficient
for all our needs.</b> Whether we are dealing with loss—of a family pet, a
family member, a job, etc., He is enough. He is even enough when we are dealing
with the outpouring of his favor. If our hopes and fears are anchored in
Christ, we have more than we can ever need.</div>
<br />
<br />Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-78700464647266591762014-04-23T10:13:00.002-05:002014-04-23T10:13:49.596-05:007 Lessons Learned While Building a Habit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UyJY2t60fMxce1Z0KmDasBmzocVrfBB__Cy_Ryd4jbbm5ijZkh2RV2yyOJxAsRvT4JUrFLAAjKgg58V-Yrlc0IoRoZGNco7oqTnJEOgNTWxjBfevLv-XF5zUtA7UzcE0BzyJ5fkWEzPt/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UyJY2t60fMxce1Z0KmDasBmzocVrfBB__Cy_Ryd4jbbm5ijZkh2RV2yyOJxAsRvT4JUrFLAAjKgg58V-Yrlc0IoRoZGNco7oqTnJEOgNTWxjBfevLv-XF5zUtA7UzcE0BzyJ5fkWEzPt/s1600/photo.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I am working on building better habits. Bad habits seem to develop with little effort, and that is where they get there power. There is no conscious desire to start a bad habit. We just find something that we like (and shouldn't), and we keep doing it because we like it. For example, I eat when I get stressed. A lot of the time, I don't realize that I am feeling stressed or how much I am eating. The trigger-response automatic thinking drives habitual behavior.<br />
<br />
The difficulty in forming good habits is that it requires conscious thought. One must decide to change, to think differently, and to overcome deeply ingrained patterns. You have to think about the new "habit" a lot. Old habits die hard (especially the worst ones). New habits are not easily formed, especially when they we haven't lost all our old desires. When the old desires and new desires meet on the battlefield of our wills, it is like to storm fronts clashing. Thing are bound to get tossed around.<br />
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But if we hold our ground, we'll weather the storm. The more we nurture the new desires that are shaping the new habits we want to form, the weaker our old desires will become. Be warned: old desires are like vampires in that they suck the life out of you and aren't easily killed (just when you think you laid that sucker to rest, he springs to life again). And if old habits are vampires, new habits are wild flowers--beautiful, but easily trampled on.<br />
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One of the new habits I have been working on relates to Bible reading. After years of following a daily Bible reading plan, I fell out of the habit. And for over a year, my Bible reading revolved around preparation for messages. At first, I didn't recognize what was happening. Then one day, I realized I was spiritually anemic. My heart and my faith were growing cold. I was discouraged and on the verge of despondency.<br />
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Yet in the midst of it all, God awakened me to an renewed desire for him. I knew that if I wanted to rekindle my faith, I would have to get into the Word and let the Word get into me. I had experimented with Dr. Grant Horner's <a href="http://www.thevinefellowship.com/10Lists.pdf">Bible Reading Plan</a> a couple of years ago, but fell behind, got discouraged, and gave up. But a little over a month ago, I felt compelled to revisit it. After some consideration, I adapted Dr. Horner's plan. I went from his 10 lists to 12. I adjusted some of the lists, such as the Prophets. On Dr. Horner's list you read Isaiah through Malachi. I broke it into two lists: the Major Prophets (Isaiah-Daniel) and the Minor Prophets (Hosea-Malachi).<br />
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Here is some of what I have learned in the past 31 days.<br />
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<b>1. You have to make Bible reading a priority. </b>As Christians we should be committed to reading the Scripture. If we don't make it a priority in our life like food and air, it won't get done as often as we hope.<br />
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<b>2. To make it a priority, you have to set aside time for it.</b> In spite of my persistent prayers for more time, God has seen fit to give me the same number of hours in my day as everyone else. I had to make changes in my schedule to make time for reading the Bible. I have a little girl and didn't want to interfere with spending time with her, so I had to chose a time when she was asleep. I opted for early mornings because she has a tendency toward rising early. Staying up late and having to get up early doesn't work well for me. I don't feel right if I get less than six hours sleep. Getting up early meant I had to kill my evening ritual of watching t.v. to "unwind." Now, if I'm up past 10 p.m., I start getting really tired (and a little cranky). <i>If you are not used to getting up early in the morning move your alarm clock away from the bed.</i><br />
<br />
<b>3. You need to have a plan. </b>My reading takes about 45 minutes, when I am fully awake and engaged. Sometimes, I takes longer (especially if I doze off). I follow Dr. Horner's advice and read quickly, not so quickly that I can't remember what I reading, but I don't take a lot of notes either. My Bible reading is just that, not studying. Determine what plan you want to follow. There are tons of them available. There are even special Bibles that are divided into daily readings. Make sure you keep track of what you have read. Set aside plenty of time for your reading. Most plans don't take more than 30 minutes a day (even for slow readers). <a href="http://visualunit.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/bible-reading-chart1.pdf">Here</a> is a helpful <a href="http://visualunit.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/bible-reading-chart1.pdf">chart</a> to help you keep track.<br />
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<br />
<b>4. Approach it as a joy, and not a burden.</b> Sometimes, people are tempted to think of necessary things as a burden. If we aren't careful, we will treat "having to do our Bible reading" as a chore. It is kind of like getting socks (or underwear) for Christmas. Most kids know there necessary, but they prefer toys and fun stuff. The Bible isn't Christmas socks. It is through the Scripture that we come to know our Lord and Savior.<br />
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<b>5. Give yourself grace.</b> If you have to split your reading up or if you doze off, don't get discouraged. Your building a habit that goes against your natural inclinations. It takes time. Lots of time. God is gracious in his invitation. He already accepts you in Christ. Don't be afraid. If he is willing to be patient with Gideon (and numerous others in Scripture), he won't run out of patience with you.<br />
<br />
<b><b>6. Find a way to keep you accountable.</b> </b>I have been telling people
(like you the reader) about my experiment. It keeps you motivated
because you never know when someone will say, "How is your reading
going?"<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>7. Don't break the chain.</b> I read an article sometime back to talked about Jerry Seinfeld's secret to success. Ultimately, it was a simple commitment to daily practice--get a calendar, mark the days you practice with an "x", once you have a chain of "x"s don't break the chain. <br />
<br />
<br />
In the end, what matters is that you get into the Bible. You can follow any plan. You can use an audio Bible. Stick with it until you couldn't imagine skipping a day. May the Lord bless your time in his Word.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-86834701691772648612014-04-04T09:11:00.000-05:002014-04-04T09:11:44.572-05:00Why Isn't It Working?I have heard many Christians say, "I've been praying. I wonder why it isn't working." An atheist would scoff, and say it is because there is no one there to hear our prayers. But how is the believer to respond?<br />
<br />
If we buy into what some churches are teaching, we might conclude that God's greatest desire for us is our happiness. There are many professing Christians today who believe God doesn't want us to suffer hardship or want. They believe that God will remove every obstacle from their path so they can march to heaven on an easy path. Within this kind of thinking, unanswered prayer leaves the believer confused. <br />
<br />
However, the Bible teaches a different way of understanding. We are promised tribulation in this world. The rest we yearn for is still yet to come, so we plod along relying on our Lord. God's great desire for believers is their holiness, not their happiness. Hardships teach us perseverance, and perseverance, when we have learned it well, produces faith.<br />
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It doesn't take much to make a child (or some adults) happy. You just have to give them what they want, when they want it. Holiness requires more. To be holy, one must often go against their own nature. They must deny themselves some of their desires. It takes effort, but holiness is what God demands from all people. Once the taste for holiness is required, it brings happiness. But until we do the hard work of waiting, learning, and growing, we will never experience lasting holiness or happiness.<br />
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With this backdrop, let us return to the opening question. Why do some prayers go unanswered? Charles Bridges, a pastor in the 1800s, addressed as similar question his book, <i>The Christian Ministry</i>. While his initial question was more concerned with why ministry isn't always as fruitful as one would hope, his answer applies here. He stated,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But why is this promised blessing withheld?--"Even so; Father; for so it seemth good in they sight." Yet we must not slumber in acquiescence without self-inquiry. Do we fervently seek and cherish this influence? Do we actively "stir up the gift of God which is in us?" Above all, does our pulpit set out that full exhibition of our Divine Master, which alone commands this heavenly blessing? The encouragement of prayer and faith are always the same. God is indeed absolutely sovereign in the distribution of his blessing; but by his command to seek, he has pledged himself, that we shall not seek in vain. Having freely promised, he will faithfully perform. Let all means be used in diligence, but in dependence--in self-denial, but in self-renunciation.</blockquote>
So the simple answer to our question is that God doesn't answer because he has chosen to hold back. The reasoning may escape us in the present (and possibly in the future), but we must push forward. When every effort has been made, every motive examined, every sin confessed, yet there is no discernible reason for our lack of success, we must trust in God's sovereign wisdom. He is worthy of our undying trust, even when we don't know what he is doing.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-44165063703634761442014-04-01T09:27:00.002-05:002014-04-01T09:27:57.575-05:00Pray Like It's on Him, Work Like It's on Him, Too!I watched <i>Healed by Grace</i> the other night. It was a movie about a girl who gets injured in a car wreck, has her dreams of being a dancer crushed, but find outs God had other plans for her. It was a pretty good movie (but this isn't a movie review). During one scene, the chorus of the song playing in the background said something like, "Pray like it's on him, work like it's on you."<br />
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The words resonated with me. Too often Christians are afraid means. I'm not talking about mean people, but the instrument or method used to obtain an end. We forget that God in his sovereign wisdom not only ordains ends (what's going to happen), but the means (ways) in which they come about. Without straying too far off course let me say, that God does not cause sin, nor can he sin (there is a much larger conversation to be had at this point, but I will save it for another post). My point about means is that when God calls us to pray, it is because he means it to bring about its purpose.<br />
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The expression, "pray like it's on you, work like it's on him," captures the responsibility of the believer to appropriate God's means in order to bring about God's purposes. There is another expression I have heard frequently, "Put legs to your prayers." It means we have to do more than pray. For example, if you have a friend who is an unbeliever, it is right and good to pray for them to come to faith. However, they still need the hear the message of Christ, if they are to believe. Paul said, "How can they believe in one of whom they have never heard?" So praying for the unbeliever is good (and necessary), but we must also tell them about Jesus.<br />
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Many believers today have come to believe that effort is a sign of weak faith. One might reason, if I have to work at it, I don't really believe. While in some cases, such reasoning may be true, it is clearly false in the vast majority of cases. Throughout the Bible the natural life is used as an analog for the Christian life. What I mean is that Paul and other can talk about believers as infants, children, young men (and women), and elders. Life, whether physical or spiritual, is a maturing process. In life, there is always effort being exerted.<br />
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People who are waiting for the Lord to make things happen in their life need to carefully consider if they are using the appropriate means that God appointed. Praying for clean clothes might work for a family that lost everything in a house fire or a homeless person because they have no other means to get those things. But a person who has the means to have cleans cloths (cloths, washer, detergent, water, etc.), shouldn't expect God to do their laundry for them.<br />
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Often times believers feel frustrated with the lack of growth in their spiritual life, but fail to make the connection between their lack of Bible study, meditation, prayer, and worship. True, even the most devout experience spiritual dryness at times. But most frequently, when our spirits grow cold it is because we have turned away from the all-consuming fire, that is our God (Heb. 12:29). If we were to use God's appointed means of worship, study, prayer, fellowship, etc., we would discover our lives rekindled and our maturity increasing.<br />
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Effort should be expected in the Christian life. God has been driving home the truth of Philippians 2:12-13 to me in recent months. Paul states, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12-13). These verses teach us at least two things two things: God expects us to work and he grants us what we need to get the work done.<br />
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While the quote, "Pray like it's on him, work like it's on you," offers us a glimpse of our responsibility, it might be better for us to say, "Pray like it's on him, work like it's on him." Paul demonstrates this pattern in several places. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). "For this [to present everyone mature in Christ] I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me" (Col. 1:29). "Such is the confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3:4-6).<br />
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You might be tempted to think (or say), "If it is all up to God, then why do I need to do anything?" The short answer is because that is what God said to do. For a longer answer, consider what I've said about means and ends. If we don't use God's appointed means, we cannot achieve God's appointed end. I am not implying that we can somehow stop God's plan. As Mordecai reminded Esther, "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this"(Esther 4:14).<br />
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So, pray hard. God delights in answering the prayers of his people, and has appointed them to pray so that he might display his grace in answering them. And work hard, but not in your strength alone. None of us are sufficient in our own strength, but God's grace is sufficient for us. As you labor, remember that you do not toil alone, for God is at work in you to will and work for his good pleasure. In the end, we need to "Pray like it's on him, and work like it's one him," too!Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-15574277060090918032014-03-22T16:19:00.001-05:002014-03-22T16:19:22.448-05:00Spring is in the AirIt is a beautiful day outside, and spring seems to be gaining a foothold here in Kentucky. I don't think it has won the war with winter, but soon enough winter will find itself boxed up and put away until next year. All that means warmer days, more daylight, and the return of bugs (It can't all be great right).<br />
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Spring is a time of hopefulness. The naked, leafless trees that looked so lifeless in winter will soon be clothed in lavish greenery. The brown, lifeless grass slain by the sun's autumn retreat will soon find the courage to breath again. Flowers are beginning to emerge in the field. The annual celebration of the Resurrection, Easter, is drawing near.<br />
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The rhythms of our world teach us something about life. There is a time to be born, a time of growth and productivity, a time of decline, and a time of death. The seasons serve as a reminder. What will happen to us in the winter of life? If we were to agree with the Hindu, the seasons would simply repeat themselves until we were good enough to exit the cycle. If we were to agree with the secularist, we would assume winter ends, but we know no more. But as Christians, we know that winter isn't the end.<br />
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For the believer, the last earthly winter give way to the spring of resurrection. Life begets life. Those who live by faith in Christ, have life now and will have life then. They are the heirs of light. A day is coming when we will no longer be subject to sin and suffering. And while, many will discard such thoughts as pipe dreams, we have the sure Word of God. For those with eyes to see, God's fingerprints are on everything. But those who have been blinded cannot see the proof right in front of their faces.<br />
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With spring's budding presence around us, let us renew are hope. Let us remind ourselves that we, like this world, are being made new. This time of year is merely a sampling of what is in store when God makes all things new (in the fullest possible sense). Let us look toward that day with joy and gladness. Even as we are excited for spring to arrive in all of its fullness, we should yearn more earnestly for Christ's return.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-53054281652149968862014-02-26T16:03:00.000-06:002014-02-26T16:03:27.062-06:00The Time of My LifeIt is hard to believe that this year marks the 20th anniversary of my high school graduation. In some ways, it seem like only yesterday--that is until I see an old photo. When I see an old photo, I wonder what happened to the time. I know where the time went. I won't bore you with the details. Life happened. <br />
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Twenty years ago, I was ruminating on the un-reassuring promise that those days "were the best days of my life." Such a promise cast a long, dark shadow over my future. I feared that if high school represented the best life had to offer the rest of life would be nearly impossible to bear. I battled with depression, anxiety, and insecurity in those days, and the thought of things only getting worse, pushed in me in a bad direction.<br />
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At 18, I didn't think I would be around to see a 20 year reunion. A couple of years ago, around my 36th birthday, I realized I had lived longer than the teenage me thought we would. With that realization, I came to understand that I had been operating on old plan. I hadn't made a "what comes after 35 plan." <br />
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In truth, the boy I was died along time ago. It happened late in 1995, when the truth of the gospel awakened my heart to reality of God and my need of forgiveness. My life took a definite turn (although the journey hasn't always gone as smoothly as I had hoped it would). I still make a lot of mistakes, but I am a different person today.<br />
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I have spent the last 18+ years discovering the best times of my life. In 1999, I married the love of my life, Delia. In 2008, we adopted our daughter Sophia. I have pastored the same church since August of 2001. I have learned much in the last several years.<br />
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We have encountered difficulty along the way. The hardest was the loss of our daughter Ellie in 2006. Born prematurely, she survived almost five months before she went to be with the Lord. That kind of loss changes a person, they never recover even if they are able to adjust to the new normal and move forward with life. But God, in his grace, carried us. We survived.<br />
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Even in my darkest days, I can say these are the best days of my life. Yet, through faith, I look for better days to come. I don't know that I would go back and change anything. I would be afraid that I wouldn't be the man I am today, if I did. But if I could go back, with the assurances that changes made would only make me a better person today. I probably would. <br />
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I find it interesting that days that felt life-or-death 20 years ago are often difficult to recall. Moments I swore I would never forget are lost to the past. And yet, I still let regret linger in my mind. What could have been? It doesn't matter. I'm content with what is, and excited about what is to come. I hope you are at peace with your past, and happy in present. Twenty years can pass in blink of the eye, so make the most out of this moment.<br />
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<br />Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-68544508366487311442014-01-21T21:49:00.000-06:002014-01-21T21:49:51.476-06:00An Untamed MindSometimes it feels like my brain is a tangled ball of snakes. My thoughts all wiggle and squiggle together. It is hard to know which thought to grab. Several years ago, I read an article (I don't remember where) that listed the symptoms of ADD. I remember telling Delia that I had 9 out of the 10 symptoms. I would describe my mental life in simple terms: distracted, unfocused, squirrel. Okay, that last one was a joke.<br />
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There is something beautiful about a mind that make a dozen different connections in a matter of milliseconds. There is a kind of poetic fluidity to thoughts that intersect along your brain's neuro-pathways. A thought is introduced, a connection made, and bang the wheels of your mind are whirling at the speed of light and in a matter of moments you have traversed the span of the universe of your mind.<br />
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The downside of making multiple connections in rapid succession is that it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. It is frustrating when a conversation causes your brain to take a turn, and another, and another, and so on, only to find yourself unable to remember what you were talking about in the first place. Sometimes I find myself on the far side of the universe of my mind, and I can't remember how I got there or how to get back.<br />
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I have given up on taming the beast. I'm not certain the human mind should be one tracked. It is helpful, at times, to be able to zero in on one thing--a project, a task, a conversation--but the mind seems designed to process multiple things at once (hearing, seeing, etc.). The mind seems geared to interact with and react to information. It might be detrimental to become overly focused.<br />
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While I don't think I can tame my mind, I am certain that I can train it. I have been training it for years. For example, I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, even though the films are about three hours long (the extended versions are even longer . . . and better). However, watching 15 minutes of the news grates my nerves. I can't think of a time when I watched the news without thinking: "Why would anyone watch this?". My point is watching a three hour movie should be harder to do than watching a 30 minute news program, but it isn't in my mind.<br />
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One of the keys to training a mind is to connect what your doing to what you value. To put it another way: do what you love and love what you do. Staying focused during a conversation may be naturally difficult to you, but consider the person to whom you are talking. Are you showing them care and respect? Are you learning something new? How is going to move you closer to your goals? Will it reinforce your values?<br />
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Meditation is also important. I don't mean the empty-your-mind so often reference in our culture. I mean the biblical kind in which you fill your mind with things worthy of thinking about. While it certainly includes Scripture, Philippians 4:8 seems to widen the scope of our meditation.<br />
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The next time someone or something starts moving through the briar patch of your mind and flushes out a rabbit, observe it for a moment. If it is worthy of thought, chase it. It has been my experience that God will use a stray thought to draw us closer to him. However, I should warn you that the devil uses stray thoughts, too. How do we know the difference? Why not spend some time thinking through and praying over Philippians 4:8. It is a great place to start.<br />
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I have heard that there are some animals that can't be domesticated. I think the mind should be in the category. You can train a tiger or a lion to do tricks, but at the end of the day they are still not tamed. Train your mind so that it can perform at the crack of the whip (that is, when it is necessary), but don't worry that it isn't tame. It might just be wild by design.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-1066603723429619222014-01-02T22:00:00.004-06:002014-01-02T22:00:53.645-06:00I'm BackYesterday was my first post in nearly six months. I didn't intend for the break to last so long. But I trying to find something to say, or at least worth saying. I can't say that I have succeeded, but the silence was growing weary for me. I found myself at the crossroads of do-I-continue and it-is-time-to-say-goodbye. I wasn't ready for goodbye. I think there is still some good yet to come. <br />
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For those of you who have waited around, I hope this year will prove worth it. I wanted to give you a road map for the coming year. I still don't know what all I'll be blogging about, but I plan on making at least one new post a week. Theology, education, orphan care, and family will all be on the menu, as will other things.<br />
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So, for the foreseeable future, I'm back. As always, your comments are welcome (unless you happen to be a spammer). I hope this year is fruitful.<br />
<br />
<br />Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-86619417154349411772014-01-01T12:29:00.000-06:002014-01-01T12:29:01.208-06:00Happy New Year<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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New Year’s Day. Another year is in the history books; a new
year looms before us full of hope and potential. New Year’s Day can be a time
of reflection, a time for planning. What has been is past and what will be is
not yet known. It is safe to say that the coming year will be punctuated by
moments of joy and sadness, laughter and tears, ups and downs. On the whole,
there will be a lot of everyday sort of living. But the measure of this year
will rest primarily on you. How will you approach this coming year?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Some people will make resolutions. They will decide, here
and now, what they will have accomplished in the next 365 days. They want to
lose weight, read more, eat healthier, learn a new language, etc. So they
declare their intent in the form of a resolution. Most of them will fail to
accomplish their stated goal. Someone said 80% of all resolutions fail by
Valentine’s Day, but don’t let that discourage you—20% make it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m not advocating New Year’s resolutions, but I’m not opposing
them either. You are more likely to succeed at achieving a goal that is written
down and shared with others. People with clearly stated (and written down)
goals are much more likely to succeed. This is a situation in which the fear of
embarrassment works for people. Once they have committed to a documented course
of action, they run the risk of embarrassing themselves. That fear drives them
to pursue the goal.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What I am suggesting is that we learn to embrace the new.
Let go of past regrets and the lies that have held you in bondage. As Paul
says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has
gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17, NIV). Jesus is making all things new,
including you. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The simple truth is neither you nor I can change one thing
from the past. We can experience forgiveness, but it is beyond our power to
undo our mistakes. With that in mind, I have one resolution: Through faith, I
will dwell in the grace of God, in every circumstance, throughout the coming
year.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I hope this resolution serves me well. It is a bit broad,
but it is intended to cover the scope of my life. I have weight to lose, books
to read, sermons to prepare (and preach), classes to teach, papers to write,
etc. I could take the time to make resolutions that would address each area of
my life, but the one resolution serves my purpose.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In all that I face in the coming year, I want to face it in
faith. I want to rely on grace. I tried to go it on my own, in my own power and
strength, but that has left me frustrated, discouraged, and tired. In the upcoming
year, I hope to labor, by his grace, in the Lord’s strength. I will fail, but
in his grace he will not let go.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today is stretched out before me. It is the first day of a
new year, and I intend on enjoying it. I hope the year ahead is filled with
blessings for all of you. May God bless.</div>
Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-77898344184802053122013-07-09T11:47:00.000-05:002013-07-09T11:47:15.729-05:00AbideIn John 15:5, Jesus tells us, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." I don't know when I read those words for the first time, but over the years I have encountered them on multiple occasions. <br />
<br />
I studied that verse over ten years ago when I first went through Henry Blackaby's <i>Experiencing God</i>. You would think that by now, I would have mastered the meaning of this verse. But the funny thing about time is that it all depends on how you use it. If I had spent the last several years meditating upon the truth of John 15:5 and if I had spent the last several years applying it, it would have shaped my ministry.<br />
<br />
Instead, I have neglected this truth. I got busy. I thought I had enough training, enough experience to handle the less important stuff. I ran headlong into processes and projects because I thought I could really do something. Abiding didn't factor into my thinking.<br />
<br />
I thought, "I can't do everything, but I can do something." It would have been wiser to listen to Jesus, "For apart from me you can do nothing." The frustration and fruitlessness of my life is not due to the Lord's inability, but my lack of abiding. Had I focused more on the abiding and less on the doing, my abiding in him and his abiding in me would have naturally bore fruit. <br />
<br />
I can do nothing. It sounds discouraging when you first hear it, but it really is liberating. But Jesus isn't saying we won't accomplish anything in this life. He is saying that without him our lives will not produce fruit or achieve our God given purpose.<br />
<br />
Paul echoes Jesus' meaning when he states, "I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). We must begin with the knowledge that we can do nothing apart from Christ, in order to live in the truth of Philippians 4:13.<br />
<br />
If we are not careful, pride will trick us into wasting time on fruitless labor. In humility, we must come to God with empty hands. As Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."<br />
<br />
In humility, we abide in Christ. Abide in Christ means that we live in him. We commune with him in prayer and Bible study. We meditate upon his Word and work. We walk in his footsteps. When we abide, we bear fruit.<br />
<br />
Friends, don't tuck John 15:5 away for another day. Dwell on it. Let its truth sink in until it seeps into the very marrow of your soul. Let it encourage you. Let it challenge you. Let it bring you into rest. Jesus calls you to abide and promises to produce fruit in you, so abide.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-38865612405838415562013-07-08T23:32:00.000-05:002013-07-08T23:32:50.277-05:00Discpline Yourself for the Purpose of GodlinessI have heard it said, "If it says it once in the Bible, it's important. If it's in the Bible twice, it's meant to get your attention. If it's in the Bible more than twice, you better be paying attention." We know all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), and that we had better listen to it all. But the saying makes a good point. God doesn't repeat himself needlessly. How many times did God speak through a burning bush? Once.<br />
<br />
I might miss something if I only read it once, but if I read it a second time the wheels of my mind start turning. If I read it a third time, I break out a pen and begin taking notes. Something similar to that happened to me yesterday.<br />
<br />
I was studying for a class I'll be teaching in the spring (2014). The material I was looking through referred to a book I had previously read, and I decided to get it out and start reading it again. The book is Don Whitney's <i>Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life</i>. As I begin to read I was confronted with 1 Timothy 4:7, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of Godliness."<br />
<br />
My life has been less than disciplined lately. I have been struggling for a long time to pull everything together. I had just about lost all interest in trying to right the ship, so to speak. As I prayed and studied Saturday evening, the Lord confronted my laziness. Then on Sunday, I was confronted with 1 Timothy 4:7.<br />
<br />
After mulling that verse over for a bit, I went on with my studies. I had picked up a different book to look at a couple familiar passages, and guess what greeted me. It was 1 Timothy 4:7. Different author, different context, but it was the same truth, applied in a new way. So I got my pen out, and started taking notes. <br />
<br />
I was reminded that I am a disciple, a learner of Christ. The core of disciple is discipline. If I want to be like Christ, I have to pursue it. I'm prone to forget that truth. He has given me every means necessary to accomplish the task, but he expects me to use those means to do it. What is my goal? Godliness. How am I going to get there? Discipline.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-47080651782942502162013-07-06T21:21:00.000-05:002013-07-06T21:21:41.277-05:00Of Bugs and MenDo you remember that story about the ant and the grasshopper? The ant busied himself all summer gathering food, while the grasshopper fiddled his days away. Winter came and the grasshopper had nothing to eat, while the ant snug in his hill waited for winter to pass.<br />
<br />
I am amazed by the observational powers of the ancients. They took time to look, listen, and learn. At least, some of them sought to make something out of their observations. They weren't content to see or hear something, and then go their way. They pondered the meaning of what they saw and heard. They then sought to apply this new knowledge in ways that would enrich their lives and the lives of others.<br />
<br />
I believe it was Aesop who told the tale of the <i>Ant and the Grasshopper</i>. The story is rooted in the observations that ants work hard, while grasshoppers sit around making noise and destroying vegetation. Another ancient, Solomon, observed the work ethic of ants. He used the ant as a teaching tool.<br />
<br />
He said, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise" (Prov. 6:6, ESV). Then he goes on to explain what we can learn from the ant. He states, "Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest" (Prov. 6:7-8, ESV). There are several principles which can be drawn from these verses.<br />
<br />
1. Be a self-starter. Ant may serve a queen, but they don't need someone driving them with a whip. The colony needs food, and it must be gathered in. Ants just do what they need to do.<br />
<br />
2. Work when it is appropriate. There is a time for work and a time for play. Procrastination is trap that strips life of its joy and purpose.<br />
<br />
3. Don't fear hard work. Work isn't a bad thing. When we treat it as a demoralizing act, we fail to see work correctly. Work is a reflection of God's nature. He is the Creator, Sustainer, Provider, etc. All of these title describe some type of work.<br />
<br />
4. Work satisfies our cravings. When we work, we are able to get the things we need and want. We may not get as much as we want or all that we want, but hard workers, generally, get what they need.<br />
<br />
Solomon urged his reader to consider the ant. Are you like the ant? I'm beginning to fear I more like the grasshopper. I look at all the "busyness" in my life, but wonder where the productivity is. I seem to be always in motion, but I never have anything to show for it.<br />
<br />
The good news is that in Christ there is hope. There is time to correct course. If you (or I) have played the grasshopper, we can still consider the ant. We can do all things through Christ who is our strength. These truths apply to both our physical and spiritual life. The discipline that is necessary to succeed in the workplace is necessary to succeed in spiritual development. Friend, look to the ant and be wise.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-50366457777372899082013-05-16T19:29:00.001-05:002013-05-16T19:29:36.719-05:00A Birthday Reflection<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJQtLUrNQApqXkXCMVkAzfb72jOGvDqVlVH3RTxjFmIYnnGGVGl47jZZML3Gr011vwG4krrokm6sz3ldNz__dXIBjBF0R_S4CTUprlvqxtfZWgc-w6XcvZ7u2aMIdq-u7FL3YeME17U_o/s1600/grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJQtLUrNQApqXkXCMVkAzfb72jOGvDqVlVH3RTxjFmIYnnGGVGl47jZZML3Gr011vwG4krrokm6sz3ldNz__dXIBjBF0R_S4CTUprlvqxtfZWgc-w6XcvZ7u2aMIdq-u7FL3YeME17U_o/s1600/grandma.jpg" /></a>Today, May 16th, 2013 would have been my grandma's 92nd birthday. I miss her. We met the day I was born, and we become fast friends. I don't remember everything we used to do, but remember a lot. <br />
<br />
I remember jokes, she always had a new joke. My friends never believed my grandma would tell such jokes, but she did. I can't tell them today since I'm a pastor and some of the ones I remember would make a trucker blush.<br />
<br />
I remember the sacrifices she made. The letters she sent me. I remember that she used to drive 5 hours, often alone, to see me and my family. I remember delicious food, and Kentucky Fried Chicken.<br />
<br />
I remember long family vacations crammed in the car with grandma. I don't (usually) remember them fondly. Although now, I wouldn't give those memories up.<br />
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I remember the never ending smoke from her cigarettes--often lit one from the other. I remember smell of her perfume. <br />
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I remember the painful goodbyes that left a small boy angry and hurt. That anger turned to resentment which eventually became bitterness. That bitterness robbed me of opportunities to spend more time with my grandma.<br />
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I realize now that she probably cried just as hard as I did every time we said goodbye. But I was blind to that in childhood. It never crossed my mind that she hurt, too. It's embarrassing to admit, but it has only recently dawned on me.<br />
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My grandma was a beautiful woman. She was strong and frightening. She was wild and gentle. She was a giving, loving person. She was haunted by a hard life, but she tried to make the most of it. I hope she knew how deeply I loved her, even though it took me awhile to remember it myself.<br />
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<br />Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-68247554956677575752013-04-16T14:14:00.002-05:002013-04-16T14:14:43.416-05:00How Did This HappenIt was meant to be a celebration of the human spirit-a testament to strength of will and to endurance. Yet this year the Boston Marathon made headlines for a different reason. A senseless act of violence that has claimed three lives and left many more injured.<br />
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As with every tragedy, our society is left searching for answers. The question, "why," is often asked, but with no hope of finding a satisfactory answer. Even if the individuals responsible are found and questioned, no answer they give will satisfy those hungry for an answer. There is no valid reason for such a blatant disregard for human life.<br />
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Even if the reasons behind the attacks were explained in a clear and cogent way, it wouldn't justify the action. I don't relish violence, but there are times when violence may be necessary. I believe in self-defense. I also believe that it is the moral obligation of the strong to protect the weak. I believe there are solid, moral grounds for nations to go to war. But what happened in Boston wasn't an act of war. It wasn't self-defense. It was an act of cowardice.<br />
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The Bible says there is an evil spirit at work in the children of disobedience (see Eph. 2). Children of disobedience refers to those who are rebellious to the will of God. I don't mean to imply that the bombers were demon possessed. I mean that there is a supernatural, evil force that blinds humanity to its own cruelty and savagery.<br />
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Have you ever wondered why we hate those who are different from us? If hate is too strong of a word for you, why do we mistrust those who are different than us? Why do we want them to be like us before we accept them? Have you ever wondered why we hurt the ones we love?<br />
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The biblical answer is that human beings, although created in God' image, rebelled against God. Now the image of God, in us, is distorted by our sinful natures. We prefer sin to the Creator of the universe. Sin impacts each individual differently, but all of us sin. Some become vain self-worshipers. Others become bombers.<br />
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We all have sinful hearts. It might be better to say, we all have dark places deep down in the core of our being. Who we are is tainted by sin. Sin is disobedience to God. That disobedience comes in a myriad of forms, but comes from the same root. It may display itself in the severest forms of cruelty and violence or it may display itself in a holier-than-thou self-righteousness.<br />
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Jesus said it best, "You must be born again." We need a change of heart that can only be brought about by the Spirit of God. We need change deep down inside. The only way to have that change of heart is to turn from sin to the living God through Jesus Christ. We are all sinners. We all need Christ to change us.<br />
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The devastation in Boston reminds us that all is not right in this world. There is a darkness that pervades this world seeking to bend the world to its will. But a Light has shone in the darkness, and his name is Jesus Christ. Not only does he help us make sense of this crazy world, he enables us to overcome it. Please pray for the families affected by this tragedy.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-11894643375706694592013-03-25T19:42:00.000-05:002013-03-25T19:42:05.398-05:00Book to Film: The Hobbit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While I enjoy watching movie adaptations of books, I tend to be bit of a purist. I fuss and complain about changes that don't matter. I can't grasp the logic. When something has done well in print and can make the leap to the screen without losing its power, why would you want to change it? It's the height of arrogance to think you can improve on a classic. I'm not opposed to artistic license, particularly where it relates bringing print to a visual medium.<br />
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Back in December, when the first Hobbit movie was released, I thought about reading the book. Maybe I should say, "read the book again." It is one of the few books that I have read more than once. It had been several years since I last read the Hobbit, and I thought it would be a good idea to refresh my memory.<br />
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However, I stopped myself from reading it before I saw the movie. I knew that if the book was fresh on my mind, I couldn't enjoy the movie. I would spend the whole movie wondering why ignored this scene or changed that line. In order to enjoy the movie, I had to see apart from the book. The movie adaptation tends to be more enjoyable when I don't think about the book upon which it is based. I can enjoy the movie as a movie, and not as a desecration of cherished book.<br />
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I thought the first Hobbit movie was alright. It wasn't terrific (there are too many needless additions for the sake of making a trilogy, and not to progress the story. I'm afraid the dwarfish love of gold has infected Peter Jackson), but on its own it was good bit of story telling. And the special effects were astounding. It just wasn't the Hobbit.<br />
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Since viewing the movie, I have read the book twice and I'm currently reading it a third time. Why would I read it three times? It's a beautiful story. It makes me laugh. It makes me cry. It makes me believe in Middle Earth--a world and realm not completely removed from ours, but full of adventure and magic. It reminds me that just as Bilbo Baggins (the main character) learned that there was a bit more to him than he realized, so to there may be a bit more to me than I realize. It reminds me that courage isn't the absence of fear, but the willingness to endure and act in spite of it.<br />
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In spite of my disappointments with all that <i>the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</i> wasn't, I intend on enjoying for what it was: eye candy. Strip away the stunning visual effects and the realistic back drops and you're left with an "Eh" kind of movie. The acting is fair. The action is exciting (even if unbelievable at times). It's a good (long) escape into another world where adventure is right outside waiting on your doorstep. <br />
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I'll give it a D for accuracy (to the book); a B+ in entertainment value; and a A+ in visual effects.<br />
<br />Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-27633813923484217582013-03-24T21:47:00.000-05:002013-03-24T21:47:14.052-05:00Sunday Recap 3-24-13<span style="color: orange;"><b>Morning:</b></span> The sermon, "Authentic Worship," focused on Luke 19:37-40. Luke reminds his reader that the right response to Jesus is worship.<br />
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1. Those who know Jesus, worship. The disciples were joyful. They praised God. They did so loudly. Their praises were rooted in the work of God.<br />
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2. Worship is possible because Jesus came. Jesus was favored by God and did the Father's will. His coming to die and be raised to life brought peace between God and man. His coming caused him to be exalted to the highest place.<br />
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3. Genuine worship will always face opposition. The Pharisees opposed Jesus' disciples because they did not want Jesus as their Messiah.<br />
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4. If humanity fails to see and proclaim Christ's glory--the rest of creation will not.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><b>Evening:</b></span> Movie night.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-53736687498802630092013-03-20T23:20:00.001-05:002013-03-20T23:20:47.855-05:00Spiritual Songs: Let Me Feel You ShineI recently downloaded David Crowder's iTunes session EP. It has several of the songs for which the David Crowder Band was famous. I have found myself falling in love with several of the songs on this album. They move me in powerful ways. I find myself singing them throughout the day. I can listen to them over and over.<br />
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This song, "Let Me Feel You Shine," has been a tremendous blessing to me over the last few days. It has become a heart cry for me. I'm continually aware of my need for God's presence and power in my life. This song reflects that kind of longing. I hope you find it encouraging. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/I_xbOF2ejHY" width="480"></iframe>Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456350505569350091.post-8392343601796721392013-03-17T22:39:00.000-05:002013-03-17T22:39:01.622-05:00Sunday Recap 3-17-13<span style="color: orange;"><b>Morning:</b></span> The sermon, "Are You Washed?," focused on Hebrews 9:11-15. The author of Hebrews reminds us that Christ brings eternal redemption by his blood-once for all. The author of Hebrews wants his readers to realize Jesus represents a greater sacrifice and a great promise.<br />
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1. Jesus offered a greater sacrifice. His sacrifice was great because it was offered in a greater place. The earthly temple/tabernacle was patterned after the heavenly reality. Jesus entered the heavenly reality. Jesus' sacrifice has a better affect. The offering in the temple made a person externally clean. The offering could change their hearts. Jesus' sacrifice cleans the conscience.<br />
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What does it mean that it cleanses the conscience? It corrects it, so that it can see right and wrong. It transforms it, so it will desire right. It enables the conscience to desire God. Jesus' sacrifice frees the conscience to serve God.<br />
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2. Jesus represents a greater promise. The Old Covenant states, "Do these things and you will live." The New Covenant in Christ's blood states, "I died that you may live." The promise in an eternal inheritance. Believers have been ransomed. They are freed from sin.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><b>Evening:</b></span> The message, "The God Who Pursues," focused on Romans 8:29-30. Paul reminds us that it is God who pursues us.<br />
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God set his sights on you. He foreknows us--that is, he loved us before he formed us. <br />
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He has a plan for us. He wants us to be shaped in the image of Christ.<br />
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He pursues us to the end. He promises us that God will bring his work to completion in our lives.Bro. Randyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18108741495244828577noreply@blogger.com0