Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday, December 03, 2012
The Hound Of Heaven
Pastor Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan rightly observes that Christianity is unique among all religions for it is about God’s pursuit of us to draw us to Himself. In every other religious system, people pursue their god, hoping that through good behavior, keeping of rituals, good works, or other efforts they will be accepted by the god they pursue.
The British poet Francis Thompson catches the profound nature of this reality when he writes of the relentless pursuit of God in his life. In his work titled “The Hound of Heaven,” he writes that as he fled from God he couldn’t outrun “those strong feet that followed . . . with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace.” But God’s untiring pursuit of the wayward is not just Thompson’s story. At the heart of the Christmas message is the wonderful truth of God’s pursuit of every one of us. As Paul affirms, “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law” (Gal. 4:4-5).
And it’s not just the Christmas story. It’s the story of God’s pursuit of Adam and Eve after the fall. His pursuit of me! His pursuit of you! Where would we be today if God weren’t the “Hound of Heaven”?
This is taken from Our Daily Bread, Dec., 23, 2011 by Joe Stowell.
The British poet Francis Thompson catches the profound nature of this reality when he writes of the relentless pursuit of God in his life. In his work titled “The Hound of Heaven,” he writes that as he fled from God he couldn’t outrun “those strong feet that followed . . . with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace.” But God’s untiring pursuit of the wayward is not just Thompson’s story. At the heart of the Christmas message is the wonderful truth of God’s pursuit of every one of us. As Paul affirms, “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law” (Gal. 4:4-5).
And it’s not just the Christmas story. It’s the story of God’s pursuit of Adam and Eve after the fall. His pursuit of me! His pursuit of you! Where would we be today if God weren’t the “Hound of Heaven”?
This is taken from Our Daily Bread, Dec., 23, 2011 by Joe Stowell.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in
green pastures ; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul ; He
guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Even though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are
with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before
me in the presence of my enemies ; You have anointed my head with oil ; My cup
overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow
me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Ps. 23
me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Ps. 23
I Wanted.. A Poem
It was spring. But it was summer I wanted
The warm days, & the great outdoors.
It was summer. But it was fall I wanted
The colorful leaves, & the cool, dry air.
It was fall. But it was winter I wanted
The beautiful snow, & the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter. But it was spring I wanted
The warmth, & the blossoming of nature.
I was a child. But it was adulthood I wanted
The freedom, & the respect.
I was 20. But it was 30 I wanted
To be mature, & sophisticated.
I was middle aged. But it was 20 I wanted
The youth, & the free spirit.
I was retired. But it was middle age I wanted
The presence of mind, without limitations.
Then my life was over, & I never got what I wanted
By Jason Lehman, could have been written by you or me.
The warm days, & the great outdoors.
It was summer. But it was fall I wanted
The colorful leaves, & the cool, dry air.
It was fall. But it was winter I wanted
The beautiful snow, & the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter. But it was spring I wanted
The warmth, & the blossoming of nature.
I was a child. But it was adulthood I wanted
The freedom, & the respect.
I was 20. But it was 30 I wanted
To be mature, & sophisticated.
I was middle aged. But it was 20 I wanted
The youth, & the free spirit.
I was retired. But it was middle age I wanted
The presence of mind, without limitations.
Then my life was over, & I never got what I wanted
By Jason Lehman, could have been written by you or me.
The Psalm of Self Written By Me And You
I am
my provider, I shall not be in want.
I have stored up hay if the grass is not green in the valley,
I have a big canteen just incase the waters are dried up.
I have a map and GPS so I can find the right path.
Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I have no fear… I have a living will, my funeral paid for and a healthy life insurance policy to care for my family.
I will fear no evil because I have theft alarms on my car and home and the police will be there in minutes will I dial 911.
My accountant and my broker, they comfort me.
I have prepared an investment portfolio that will put food on the table for years to come, even if my competitors should go belly up and I hope they do.
I have been anointed with ability and good planning.
Surely, income and dividends will follow me every month, without fail.
And I will dwell in my own home, on my terms, not a nursing home, all the days of my life.
I have stored up hay if the grass is not green in the valley,
I have a big canteen just incase the waters are dried up.
I have a map and GPS so I can find the right path.
Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I have no fear… I have a living will, my funeral paid for and a healthy life insurance policy to care for my family.
I will fear no evil because I have theft alarms on my car and home and the police will be there in minutes will I dial 911.
My accountant and my broker, they comfort me.
I have prepared an investment portfolio that will put food on the table for years to come, even if my competitors should go belly up and I hope they do.
I have been anointed with ability and good planning.
Surely, income and dividends will follow me every month, without fail.
And I will dwell in my own home, on my terms, not a nursing home, all the days of my life.
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
6 Ways Parents Can Bless Their Children
It is imperative that children be blessed (encouraged, built-up, honored, supported, know that they are important) by their parents and by other adults in their lives. These six simple and practical principles can help parents bless their children.
1. Acceptance - You are special to me and I love you. I accept you and cherish you. I do not accept all of your behavior, but you are special to me.
2. Appreciation - Catch them doing something right and speak encouraging words to them about it. Correct them when needed and always double up on the words of appreciation.
3. Affection - Have you hugged you kid today? Hugs, eye to eye contact, high fives, a pat on the shoulder and other appropriate affection will bolster your child's self esteem and lead to a strong bond between a parent and child.
4. Availability - Love is spelled T-I-M-E. Spend time, bunches of it, with your children. Get in the backyard, get on the playground, get on the floor, pull out a crayon, clean house together, cook together, grocery shop together, sit around the table for supper. Do what you have to do to spend time with your children.
5. Accountability - Help you children develop self discipline by your actions and with your words. Set healthy personal and family guidelines that everyone will benefit everyone.
6. Affirmation - Speak, write, text, and voicemail as many positive words in a day that you can. Let your child know that they have a bright future. Begin the day and end the day with positive, uplifting words to your children.
This is taken from How To Be A Hero To Your Kids.
1. Acceptance - You are special to me and I love you. I accept you and cherish you. I do not accept all of your behavior, but you are special to me.
2. Appreciation - Catch them doing something right and speak encouraging words to them about it. Correct them when needed and always double up on the words of appreciation.
3. Affection - Have you hugged you kid today? Hugs, eye to eye contact, high fives, a pat on the shoulder and other appropriate affection will bolster your child's self esteem and lead to a strong bond between a parent and child.
4. Availability - Love is spelled T-I-M-E. Spend time, bunches of it, with your children. Get in the backyard, get on the playground, get on the floor, pull out a crayon, clean house together, cook together, grocery shop together, sit around the table for supper. Do what you have to do to spend time with your children.
5. Accountability - Help you children develop self discipline by your actions and with your words. Set healthy personal and family guidelines that everyone will benefit everyone.
6. Affirmation - Speak, write, text, and voicemail as many positive words in a day that you can. Let your child know that they have a bright future. Begin the day and end the day with positive, uplifting words to your children.
This is taken from How To Be A Hero To Your Kids.
Jesus Blesses The Children
13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15
Monday, September 03, 2012
Personal Growth
It marks a big step in your development when you realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone. Andrew Carnegie
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
The Church - The Body of Christ
Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ's body ... for we each have a diffeent work to do ... each needs all the others. Romans 12:4-5 TLB
Thursday, August 30, 2012
God is looking...
God is looking for a (people) through whom He can do the impossible - what a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves. A.W. Tozer
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Totally Disagree Even Though I Enjoyed Watching His Show With My Children Years Ago
Bill Nye The Science Guy Slams Creationism
I know many educated, intelligent, and well read people who totally disagree. I know Physicians, Engineers, University Professors, Psychologist and others who live outside of the U.S. who totally disagree. Bill, you might want to do your research.
This is very interesting. So it is okay for him to think his way is right but it is not okay for me to think that my way is right. But, are we not to be tolerant, especially those who do not believe in a God and Creationism, or place their faith in themselves or higher education. Just wondering.
To this day the evidence for creationism far outweighs the evidence for pure evolution and many creationist believe in the theory of evolution and hold to a theory of Intelligent Design.
Bill, God loves you, created you and designed you. Thank God for your intelligence.
Check this read out.
Brief and Excellent Read About Christianity and Sciense
I know many educated, intelligent, and well read people who totally disagree. I know Physicians, Engineers, University Professors, Psychologist and others who live outside of the U.S. who totally disagree. Bill, you might want to do your research.
This is very interesting. So it is okay for him to think his way is right but it is not okay for me to think that my way is right. But, are we not to be tolerant, especially those who do not believe in a God and Creationism, or place their faith in themselves or higher education. Just wondering.
To this day the evidence for creationism far outweighs the evidence for pure evolution and many creationist believe in the theory of evolution and hold to a theory of Intelligent Design.
Bill, God loves you, created you and designed you. Thank God for your intelligence.
Check this read out.
Brief and Excellent Read About Christianity and Sciense
Be Strong and Courageous
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them —to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates —all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea] on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Church - Community
The idea of a life-sharing community which is much more than a human association of the like-minded, a mutual insurance of common interest, and more too often the sum of its several parts and members, is essential to Christianity. - R.E.O. White
Taken from The Permanent Revolution, Hirsch and Catchim
Taken from The Permanent Revolution, Hirsch and Catchim
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The ocean is roaring, Lord and the sea is pounding hard. Its mighty waves are majestic, but you are more majestic, and you rule over all. Yo... -
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