Saturday, November 12, 2011
Latest Events in the World
The first two are about the Cain situation, the last three are about the Penn State/Sandusky situation. The last three, I think, are the most important, moving ones to read.
The Scriptorium
Ann Coulter
The Gospel Coalition: Justin Taylor
The Gospel Coalition: Tim Henderson
Strawberry-Rhubarb Theology
God help us all.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The School of Gratitude
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"So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." - Hebrews 13:12-15
If we were to interview five people who know you best, would they say that you are a glass half-full or a glass half-empty kind of person? Do you tend toward gratefulness or grouchiness? I've taught at Harvest frequently that there are three learned levels of thankfulness. Everybody is enrolled in the school of gratitude—but too many people are flunking out!
First there's basic, for the lack of a better term, elementary school thankfulness. Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." Thanksgiving is the sacrifice.
I can almost hear you say, "Okay! You want me to be thankful? Fine! I'll make a list. Here are some things. I'll make the sacrifice. I'll be thankful on command!" Congratulations. You're in elementary school gratitude. It's a place to start. But don't stay there!
Once you have developed a consistent habit of thanksgiving, it's time to graduate to the next level—high school thankfulness. First Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything, give thanks."
"I guess I can find something to be thankful for in every situation. I might not be thankful for my husband, but I'm thankful for my kids." "I might not be thankful for my job, but I'm thankful for my health insurance." "I might not be thankful for my health, but I'm thankful for my sister...my pastor." In other words, deliberate, but selective gratitude.
Finding something to be thankful for in everything is certainly a step above having random grateful thoughts, but there is still plenty of room for developing a deeply thankful heart. Here's what you're going for, brothers and sisters: Graduate school thankfulness. Ephesians 5:18-20 says, "Giving thanks to God at all times for all things." No matter what's happening; no matter how dark the moment is, God is in control. He can be explicitly trusted. He's working out a purpose beyond what you can imagine. Some of it you'll see in this life; some of it you'll see in the life to come. Give thanks to God. Go for it. Give thanks to God for the hardest part of your life. Just say, "Thank You God for this. You are good!" Watch the blessing begin to flow your way.
~ James MacDonald (c) 2008 Walk in the Word
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
ESV Study Bible
You Tube Video (5-minute clip)
Official blog
Official webpage
Facebook group page
Order your ESV Study Bible today!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Steven Curtis Chapman's Family Tragedy, in People Magazine
Beginning on page 64, you will find full page spreads honoring the memory of Maria Sue Chapman. Steven Curtis, his wife Mary Beth, other children, and Will Franklin (the sibling who accidentally struck her with the SUV in their driveway) are all interviewed in this week's People. It is a touching, endearing, tear-jerking interview but also a very honest and real one. I feel like I've come to know them better in these months since Maria's death, and I feel their pain so deeply even though I never knew Maria personally.
I greatly respect the Chapman family, and even more so now. I highly recommend you read this. It is also available on People's website but only a portion of it and without the wonderful family photos. I don't want to include the link here because there are even more raunchy photos on the website that I do not want to link to my blog. If you purchase the magazine, you can just turn straight to page 64 without even looking at the rest of it (although I admit there's also a touching tribute to Bernie Mac somewhere in the middle).
Just thought you may want to know! But you need to pick it up today because next week, they'll probably all be gone.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Olympics Update
No, I don't do that.
I really admire Michael Phelps and all that he's accomplished, but now I know even more so why Phelps is not my favorite Olympian this year (Shawn Johnson, women's gymnastics is)... Read this article and try, like me, not to gag. I have never wanted to gag more. And I love food.
http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/08/breakfast-of-champions.html
Enough said.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Oklahoma City Church Tragedy
Monday, June 16, 2008
Flooding Update
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20080615/Midwest.Flooding/
Thank you for your continued prayers for all those affected!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Chapman Tragedy
One of my all-time favorite Christian music artists, especially during my teen years, is Steven Curtis Chapman. His songs have touched my life in a lot of different ways over the years. This morning on my way to work, my heart broke for him and his family in hearing the news of his daughter's tragic death.
Maria Sue, just 5-years-old, was tragically killed at her home yesterday, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. She was accidentally hit in the driveway of the family's home by a vehicle driven by her teenage brother. It's believed that he did not see the girl (I can't imagine any other explanation). The accident was witnessed by several family members (how tragic!).
Steven and his wife, Mary Beth, have three biological children and three adopted children, of which Maria was the youngest.
Steven's web site now has a revised main page with details and funeral information, to see it click here. Meet Maria and see a wonderful video with her and her daddy here. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to Shaohannah's Hope.
I have so many Scripture verses running through my head, but the one that sticks out the most to me is Romans 5:1-5. It reminds us that through our suffering, God is working in us.
Prayers across the globe are being lifted up for the Chapman family during this devastating time of loss. Here's mine:
Dear Heavenly Father, please be with the Chapman family and draw them close to you. May they fall into your loving and open embrace and may their faith only be strengthened during this time, not lessened. Especially be with the oldest son right now as he's surely feeling devastated. I'm sure he really loved his sister and that he would never mean to do something like this. Please watch over him and protect his thoughts from the evil one. Keep them all focused on you so they remember that you are in control, that you are faithful, that you are good, and that you keep your promises. Help them to draw closer together as a family and help them to use this tragedy to only bring more glory to your name. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Photos (c) AP Photos
Side note: I'm having trouble with the spacing on this post for some reason. Please forgive the strange extra spaces. I figured it was better than the no spaces it was giving me before. Thanks for your patience!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Trying Not to Despair
Despite the dark and difficult times, God has always shown himself faithful and true. I am frustrated and feeling alienated, but God reminds me he's my friend. I am exhausted and depleted, but God reminds me he's my strength. I am desperate and lost, but God reminds me he's my guide. I am compulsively eating and filled with anxiety, but God reminds me he's all I need.
It's during these times when I'm at my weakest and lowest that I often fight bitterness, anger, resentment, denial, and fear. But today I'm fighting hard against those things and struggling to get my head above water to where I can feel and see clearly God's grace and mercy raining down on me.
Today I was encouraged as I read this article, written by my pastor. Please read it and be encouraged as well, loved ones.
Your Rod and Your Staff Comfort Me
by James MacDonald
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want . . . Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:1,4
Hidden in the last phrase of Psalm 23:4 is the assurance that when the Lord is your shepherd, you are safe and secure: “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
A shepherd would be lost without two instruments: the rod, which is a tool of protection, and his staff, a tool of correction.
The word, rod literally can be translated “club.” A shepherd carries this tool to guard his sheep. The rod was a long piece of wood with a metal tip and sometimes metal studs driven through it. If a dangerous animal got near his flock, the shepherd would wield his rod and drive it away. This is a picture of God’s care and protection as we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”
Nothing is allowed in your life but that Almighty God has permitted it. Nothing you are experiencing is without His permission. God says, “We will let her go through that. She will draw down upon My strength and experience My love and goodness. Yes, allow that.” He’ll also say, “No, no. Don’t allow that. That will overwhelm him. He is not ready for that.” That is His protecting rod.
The shepherd also has another tool, the staff. The staff is that crooked, wooden thing you always see in a shepherd’s hands in the Christmas play. A shepherd will use that tool to get his sheep back on the right path. What are you doing over there? Get back over here. Back on the path! Has God had to do that to you sometimes? This is His correcting influence.
Protecting is safety. Correcting is security.
As hard as it is to have God correcting us, instructing us, and setting us straight, Hebrews 12 says that correction is proof of the Lord’s love (see vv.5-11). If you are without correction, then you don’t even know the Father. You are not one of His children.
There is something incredibly secure in knowing that the Lord loves you enough to keep at you. I grew up in a home where my dad had some things to say. And he had some ways of following through big-time if I didn’t listen to what he was saying. While that wasn’t always the happiest situation, it was security for me.
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me” is a message of safety and security. The Lord’s correction and protection is proof of His love.
(c) 2008, Walk in the Word, www.walkintheword.com
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Good Friday article
http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/newsletter/2003/apr18.html
Our church has us come to Good Friday services dressed in black and without talking, in rememberance of the silence and sadness of the day. Then we have one of the most amazing Easter services I've ever been to, with lots of rejoicing... shouting HE IS RISEN! at the top of our lungs, standing up, cheering, clapping, and singing songs of celebration. It is a great way to remember the sadness of Jesus' death and the reality of his payment for our sins, and the empty tomb three days later and the victory we all have through him.
It's an exciting weekend and I can't wait to remember him and celebrate! I pray that you will as well.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
God is Good Even When Life is Bad article
God is Good Even When Life is Bad
When things are going smoothly in your life, you might not find it hard to believe that God is good. But if life takes a bad turn and something devastating happens, you might ask, “How could a good God allow this?” If you know that kind of pain, then you can empathize with the Old Testament prophet, Daniel. For more, click here.
(c) 2008, Walk in the Word.