Monday, December 24, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Not the strongest first post
I finally finished another book. Not the spiritual giant type like Shaver finds the time to read, just something simple and humorous from Anne Lamott. Here's a couple things that caught my attention though:
In retelling a story of her fear of going to serve in a prison, she was given this advice by her preacher, "In dark times, give off light. Care for the least of God's people. She quoted the Reverend James Forbes as saying, "Nobody gets into heaven without a letter of reference from the poor."
"Finally, we stood outside the inner gate, showed our IDs to the guards, and got our hands stamped with fluorescent ink. "You don't glow, you don't go," said one cheerful, pockmarked guard, which was the best spiritual advice I'd had in a long time.
As we stepped into a holding pen, my mind spun with worries about being taken hostage, having a shotgun strapped to my head with duct tape. I don't think Jesus would have been thinking thete same thoughts: everything in him reached out with love and mercy and redemption. He taught that God is able to bring life from even the most death-dealing of circumstances, no matter where the terror alert level stands."
I continue to be lost inside words like love, mercy, redemption. I confess I find so many times that don't bring life to bad situations like I ought. I love the idea of a letter of recommendation from the poor, that they and not my family and friends would speak of who I really am. I remember reading recently that it is our waitresses and those that serve us that will speak to who we truly are at the judgement. Scary way to think sometimes.
In retelling a story of her fear of going to serve in a prison, she was given this advice by her preacher, "In dark times, give off light. Care for the least of God's people. She quoted the Reverend James Forbes as saying, "Nobody gets into heaven without a letter of reference from the poor."
"Finally, we stood outside the inner gate, showed our IDs to the guards, and got our hands stamped with fluorescent ink. "You don't glow, you don't go," said one cheerful, pockmarked guard, which was the best spiritual advice I'd had in a long time.
As we stepped into a holding pen, my mind spun with worries about being taken hostage, having a shotgun strapped to my head with duct tape. I don't think Jesus would have been thinking thete same thoughts: everything in him reached out with love and mercy and redemption. He taught that God is able to bring life from even the most death-dealing of circumstances, no matter where the terror alert level stands."
I continue to be lost inside words like love, mercy, redemption. I confess I find so many times that don't bring life to bad situations like I ought. I love the idea of a letter of recommendation from the poor, that they and not my family and friends would speak of who I really am. I remember reading recently that it is our waitresses and those that serve us that will speak to who we truly are at the judgement. Scary way to think sometimes.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Spiritual Formation
What do you think of when you hear the words, "spiritual formation"?
Just some thoughts please...
Just some thoughts please...
Thursday, July 19, 2007
FYI
This is my more personal blog, what I'm dealing with. I would post it here but I don't know if you would really care to hear all of it.
www.nathanshaver.blogspot.com
www.nathanshaver.blogspot.com
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Welcome Gilchrist to the nagging brotherhood.
I have invited a dear brother and fellow thinker/lover of God to join our little community. Sorry Gabe, you are the only guy who knows not of the greatness of Matt Gilchrist. Come on he has Christ, built into his last name. Welcome the stud of love who has no hair on top of his head, but more good stuff inside than we could ever want.
Peace,
Shaver
Monday, July 2, 2007
Quote
I'm getting excited about Andrew Murray again. I only have time to post it. May these words spur our action and prayer.
“Let us never forget that everything begins with and depends upon the individual. Let no one who hears the call of God to this new consecration wait for the church to act or to wait for his fellow believers to act. Let him offer himself with his whole being so that Christ may be magnified through him. Dear fellow Christian, begin at once, and give God no rest until Christ has the place in your heart that He claims. Let devoted loyalty to His kingdom be the fruit of intense attachment to His person. Let His love become a holy passion, and let Him find in you one upon whom He can count to seek, above everything and at any sacrifice, to make His name known to every individual.
Depend on it: God will use you to lift others around you into the fullness and the fruitfulness of the abundant life in Christ Jesus.”
-Andrew Murray, Reaching Your World for Christ, p. 30
“Let us never forget that everything begins with and depends upon the individual. Let no one who hears the call of God to this new consecration wait for the church to act or to wait for his fellow believers to act. Let him offer himself with his whole being so that Christ may be magnified through him. Dear fellow Christian, begin at once, and give God no rest until Christ has the place in your heart that He claims. Let devoted loyalty to His kingdom be the fruit of intense attachment to His person. Let His love become a holy passion, and let Him find in you one upon whom He can count to seek, above everything and at any sacrifice, to make His name known to every individual.
Depend on it: God will use you to lift others around you into the fullness and the fruitfulness of the abundant life in Christ Jesus.”
-Andrew Murray, Reaching Your World for Christ, p. 30
Friday, June 29, 2007
Son of Man. Son of God.
I just finished an exercise in Matthew. I went through and blocked out all the times, "Son of Man" appears in the book. Then I went through and circled all the times "Son of God" is stated. I had heard in College that "Son of Man" and "Son of God" were huge themes in the book, but simply doing this exercise has really opened up some great thoughts and insights.
1. Jesus refers to himself only as the "Son of Man". Not once does he ever refer to himself as the "Son of God". He could have, but he never did.
2. Whenever "Son of God" appears it is stated by either Critics/Enemies, or Believers.
3. Three statements of belief: I will note that the disciples say it once after their experience of Jesus walking on the water, through the storm. Once by the Centurion and other soldiers who exclaimed it during the earthquake at Calvary. Another occurrence by the demons who were sent out from two men into a herd of pigs. The other five statements are made by the two thieves, the priests, and Satan. All made in mockery.
This was a rewarding and enlightening exercise. I would recommend it to you as a great way to see the humility of Christ in the midst of mockery, slander and torture. He never breaks! Truly he is the Son of God!
Matthew 14:33
1. Jesus refers to himself only as the "Son of Man". Not once does he ever refer to himself as the "Son of God". He could have, but he never did.
2. Whenever "Son of God" appears it is stated by either Critics/Enemies, or Believers.
3. Three statements of belief: I will note that the disciples say it once after their experience of Jesus walking on the water, through the storm. Once by the Centurion and other soldiers who exclaimed it during the earthquake at Calvary. Another occurrence by the demons who were sent out from two men into a herd of pigs. The other five statements are made by the two thieves, the priests, and Satan. All made in mockery.
This was a rewarding and enlightening exercise. I would recommend it to you as a great way to see the humility of Christ in the midst of mockery, slander and torture. He never breaks! Truly he is the Son of God!
Matthew 14:33
Saturday, June 23, 2007
In The Name of Jesus
Aaron, I know that you have already read the book, but my oh my. Henri Nouwen's work In The Name of Jesus, is a must for all those leading in the 21st Century. I found it to be practical and called out the deeper struggles without completely crippling the reader. I felt encouraged and challenged, disciplined and loved. This is a must.
(oh I got it at the CCU Library for $4 on the book sale shelf. Aaron you should visit often. HA!)
(oh I got it at the CCU Library for $4 on the book sale shelf. Aaron you should visit often. HA!)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Saturday, June 2, 2007
God Provides
I've been keeping a word file that I call "A Book of Remembrance". Something that I write in when God does cool things for us. I'll print it up when I get enough pages and years from now our kids can read all the good things that God has done for us. We need to record these remarkable experiences. I just finished an entry in it and I thought I could post it on the blog. So, maybe this will give you a little window into our lives and inspire you to share more of the wonderfully practical (some not so practical - but blessings / gifts all the same) things God does in our lives on the blog.
Last night Lori told me that something went wrong with the finances and we didn’t have the right amount of money to pay the bills on time (due very soon). We really didn’t know what we would do so we prayed for God to help us somehow. I prayed later on that night – more fervently – that He would make a way somehow. I really didn’t know have any idea He would do it.
Today I went to move our white Oldsmobile (’94 Cutlass Supreme) to our side of the street. It had been sitting in front of our neighbor’s house for about two months because the breaks needed replacing (and we couldn’t afford $650 right now) and I had been meaning to move it (let alone just start the car every now and then). It started right up but when I pressed the gas it was like the wheels were frozen or something. I pressed harder on the gas and it went slowly. I figured, “whatever, it’s only 20 feet across the street”. But it started squealing… our neighbor, Felipe, from across the street came and motioned to me – I stopped and he told me that the back right tire wasn’t moving at all. The other tires were just pulling it along. After that he said he’d give me $500 for it without even looking at it. Hmmm… I hadn’t thought of that. I parked the car and told him I’d think about it. There was one long skid mark from one parking spot to the other.
I went back inside and thought, “Wow, God is providing, I think.” I looked on the Kelly Blue Book website and it seemed like a good deal. When Lori got home we prayed about it and we felt like it was right. So, I took action on it and we sold the car! What an answer to prayer – right on time. Thank you God for answering our prayers.
Last night Lori told me that something went wrong with the finances and we didn’t have the right amount of money to pay the bills on time (due very soon). We really didn’t know what we would do so we prayed for God to help us somehow. I prayed later on that night – more fervently – that He would make a way somehow. I really didn’t know have any idea He would do it.
Today I went to move our white Oldsmobile (’94 Cutlass Supreme) to our side of the street. It had been sitting in front of our neighbor’s house for about two months because the breaks needed replacing (and we couldn’t afford $650 right now) and I had been meaning to move it (let alone just start the car every now and then). It started right up but when I pressed the gas it was like the wheels were frozen or something. I pressed harder on the gas and it went slowly. I figured, “whatever, it’s only 20 feet across the street”. But it started squealing… our neighbor, Felipe, from across the street came and motioned to me – I stopped and he told me that the back right tire wasn’t moving at all. The other tires were just pulling it along. After that he said he’d give me $500 for it without even looking at it. Hmmm… I hadn’t thought of that. I parked the car and told him I’d think about it. There was one long skid mark from one parking spot to the other.
I went back inside and thought, “Wow, God is providing, I think.” I looked on the Kelly Blue Book website and it seemed like a good deal. When Lori got home we prayed about it and we felt like it was right. So, I took action on it and we sold the car! What an answer to prayer – right on time. Thank you God for answering our prayers.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Response...
First, I want to turn your attention also to Psalm 1 it's a great parallel passage!
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked will perish.
Concerning, the counsel of the Holy Spirit, you are very right! I stand and agree with you. I did want to comment on the counsel of others, pastors, secular counselors, etc. I read this moments ago before reading your blog. I love how the things of the Lord can pop up whenever we are pursuing him.
"Anybody who lives beneath the cross and who has discerned in the Cross of Jesus the utter wickedness of all men and of his own heart will find there is no sin that can ever be alien to him. Anybody who has once been horrified by the dreadfulness of his own sin that nailed Jesus to the Cross will no longer be horrified by even the rankest sins of a brother. Looking at the Cross of Jesus, he knows the human heart. He knows how utterly lost it is in sin and weakness, how it goes astray in the ways of sin, and he also knows that it is accepted in grace and mercy. Only the brother under the cross can hear a confession."
"The greatest psychological insight, ability, and experience cannot grasp this one thing: what sin is. Worldly wisdom knows what distress and weakness and failure are, but it does not know the godlessness of men. And so it also does not know that man is destroyed only by his sin and can be healed only by forgiveness. Only the Christian knows this. In the presence of the psychiatrist I can only be a sick man; in the presence of a Christian brother I can dare to be a sinner."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,Life Together.
This book was an encouragement and challenge in how I lead my family and live within the context of the world and church. Must read! It's really short.
Much love to you brothers.
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked will perish.
Concerning, the counsel of the Holy Spirit, you are very right! I stand and agree with you. I did want to comment on the counsel of others, pastors, secular counselors, etc. I read this moments ago before reading your blog. I love how the things of the Lord can pop up whenever we are pursuing him.
"Anybody who lives beneath the cross and who has discerned in the Cross of Jesus the utter wickedness of all men and of his own heart will find there is no sin that can ever be alien to him. Anybody who has once been horrified by the dreadfulness of his own sin that nailed Jesus to the Cross will no longer be horrified by even the rankest sins of a brother. Looking at the Cross of Jesus, he knows the human heart. He knows how utterly lost it is in sin and weakness, how it goes astray in the ways of sin, and he also knows that it is accepted in grace and mercy. Only the brother under the cross can hear a confession."
"The greatest psychological insight, ability, and experience cannot grasp this one thing: what sin is. Worldly wisdom knows what distress and weakness and failure are, but it does not know the godlessness of men. And so it also does not know that man is destroyed only by his sin and can be healed only by forgiveness. Only the Christian knows this. In the presence of the psychiatrist I can only be a sick man; in the presence of a Christian brother I can dare to be a sinner."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,Life Together.
This book was an encouragement and challenge in how I lead my family and live within the context of the world and church. Must read! It's really short.
Much love to you brothers.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
The Lord searches the heart
I'm in the middle of my quiet time and felt I should blog my meditations...
Jeremiah 17:8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.
17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
10 “I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.
I have been returning to 17:8 alot and God has been blessing me through it but the next two verses opened up to me today.
Anyone with half a brain and/or heart can see that the human heart is desperately sick. I have marveled at this for years now. I remember when I worked at a legal copy service and copied thick legal briefs of criminals. I couldn't help but read some of their records as I meticulously copied each page. My heart would be stunned for a good while sometimes at how serious their situations were. But everyone's hearts are sick in some way. The Lord has graciously pointed out some things in my own heart lately and shown me how to walk out of them - and I'm still walking out of them. I'm so grateful for the strategies He is giving me. Things only He knows because He is the only one who knows me fully. No counselor can counsel me like the Holy Spirit. Certain people can help (and they have been helping me) but the Lord is the one who knows us individually. If counselors / pastors / etc. aren't sensitive to His voice they'll just give out some "wise" advise. Yes, I know a lot of circumstances can be addressed with tried and true Biblical principles and by knowing how people work, etc. but the Lord is the one who searches the heart. We need to learn to be sensitive and obedient to His voice and it needs to be a part of our DAILY lives in greater and greater ways. I know this is possible and I'm just being reawakened to this truth.
Thank you, Lord, that You search my heart and that You know what I need. You know how to counsel me. I pray that my heart would yield more and more to You. I pray that You would continue to walk me out of the strongholds in my life so that I can live the life You desire for me - a life of joy and great effectiveness for You.
Jeremiah 17:8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.
17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
10 “I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.
I have been returning to 17:8 alot and God has been blessing me through it but the next two verses opened up to me today.
Anyone with half a brain and/or heart can see that the human heart is desperately sick. I have marveled at this for years now. I remember when I worked at a legal copy service and copied thick legal briefs of criminals. I couldn't help but read some of their records as I meticulously copied each page. My heart would be stunned for a good while sometimes at how serious their situations were. But everyone's hearts are sick in some way. The Lord has graciously pointed out some things in my own heart lately and shown me how to walk out of them - and I'm still walking out of them. I'm so grateful for the strategies He is giving me. Things only He knows because He is the only one who knows me fully. No counselor can counsel me like the Holy Spirit. Certain people can help (and they have been helping me) but the Lord is the one who knows us individually. If counselors / pastors / etc. aren't sensitive to His voice they'll just give out some "wise" advise. Yes, I know a lot of circumstances can be addressed with tried and true Biblical principles and by knowing how people work, etc. but the Lord is the one who searches the heart. We need to learn to be sensitive and obedient to His voice and it needs to be a part of our DAILY lives in greater and greater ways. I know this is possible and I'm just being reawakened to this truth.
Thank you, Lord, that You search my heart and that You know what I need. You know how to counsel me. I pray that my heart would yield more and more to You. I pray that You would continue to walk me out of the strongholds in my life so that I can live the life You desire for me - a life of joy and great effectiveness for You.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
"When God Invades A Church"
Thank you Gabe for this article. Ive just begun the second one. I love the work of the Lord - in its entirity.
I struggle at times reading articles like this because I want to go back to Geometry in 9th grade, that is, right up a proof or a theorm that shows how this kind of movement of God takes place. What are the intergral factors? How much prayer? How much unity? How much... -- in reality i am asking, what do i have to do to make God move. The answer in my mind is nothing. God moves, period. He doesn't need us to move. He is always moving.
The thing I appreciate most from this article is the statement that said, "true 'Jesus Ministry' could only be done in and through His power, not through the strategies and limitation of this natural world and our human understanding."
The sad reality for me is that I know this, have experienced the reality of God's power -- and yet I continue to resort to my own power, yet again. Prayer for me is reasserting power to the place it needs to be --- and when he displays it --- there is NO question who is at work!
So, maybe a good question for churches would be: What can we "do" that reveals that there is NO question that YHWH is moving, not us?
-- Aaron the Almost
I struggle at times reading articles like this because I want to go back to Geometry in 9th grade, that is, right up a proof or a theorm that shows how this kind of movement of God takes place. What are the intergral factors? How much prayer? How much unity? How much... -- in reality i am asking, what do i have to do to make God move. The answer in my mind is nothing. God moves, period. He doesn't need us to move. He is always moving.
The thing I appreciate most from this article is the statement that said, "true 'Jesus Ministry' could only be done in and through His power, not through the strategies and limitation of this natural world and our human understanding."
The sad reality for me is that I know this, have experienced the reality of God's power -- and yet I continue to resort to my own power, yet again. Prayer for me is reasserting power to the place it needs to be --- and when he displays it --- there is NO question who is at work!
So, maybe a good question for churches would be: What can we "do" that reveals that there is NO question that YHWH is moving, not us?
-- Aaron the Almost
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I just wanted to let you know a bit about what God is doing here in Nashville, today. This afternoon I started and completed a small book about Psalm by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It was a great challenge on praying the scriptures. Its a small book that you guys could probably finish in 20 min. it took me an hour, but I want to encourage you to check it out. I gives a great perspective on prayer.
Much Love to you...NS
Aaron did you get the goods?
Much Love to you...NS
Aaron did you get the goods?
Monday, March 19, 2007
Drew Smith and my musings on definitions of "church"
Uh, ok...
First, I make a motion to invite Drew Smith into NAG's R US. Anyone want to advance that motion? He has great "thinking" stuff...
Secondly, I am listening to Classical music streamed online...right now.
Thirdly, a heard a speaker say this the other day... "[they] weren't actively involved in a church". Question: what does that elude too? I need someone to tell me that this doesnt matter...so i can stop thinking about it...or someone to tell me, no, you need to keep wrestling with the usage of how the word "church" is used and consider how we can change our view of what the "church" really is. My preference is to use "church" in the sense of the global community of people that are following Jesus, side by side. Thus the idea of going to church or actively being involved in a church would need to change too -- actively being the church like the church is suppose to be.
I have read bits from the book The Open Church by James H. Rutz - published in 1993. The first chapter is entitled, "The Disastous Success of AD 313: How the Church Managed to Hog-Tie Itself". I would like to read this and chat about it with you all...if you so like. Let me know...
Fourthly, my friend Nathan Shaver said he was sending me a book, that i have yet to see.
Fifthly, Gabe, how is Dadhood?
First, I make a motion to invite Drew Smith into NAG's R US. Anyone want to advance that motion? He has great "thinking" stuff...
Secondly, I am listening to Classical music streamed online...right now.
Thirdly, a heard a speaker say this the other day... "[they] weren't actively involved in a church". Question: what does that elude too? I need someone to tell me that this doesnt matter...so i can stop thinking about it...or someone to tell me, no, you need to keep wrestling with the usage of how the word "church" is used and consider how we can change our view of what the "church" really is. My preference is to use "church" in the sense of the global community of people that are following Jesus, side by side. Thus the idea of going to church or actively being involved in a church would need to change too -- actively being the church like the church is suppose to be.
I have read bits from the book The Open Church by James H. Rutz - published in 1993. The first chapter is entitled, "The Disastous Success of AD 313: How the Church Managed to Hog-Tie Itself". I would like to read this and chat about it with you all...if you so like. Let me know...
Fourthly, my friend Nathan Shaver said he was sending me a book, that i have yet to see.
Fifthly, Gabe, how is Dadhood?
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
I read this today on Dawson Trotman, it was encouraging to me so I thought I would share:
"Trotman's conversion experience centered on memorization and meditation on God's Word. He was a discipler of men because he himself was first discipled by God through the Scriptures. His emphasis on memorizing Scriptures, arranged on topical themes, continues to be part of the core curriculum of The Navigators today.
Memorization was not approached in legalistic fashion by Trotman, who understood that God's Spirit must create the desire and will to mine the treasures of His Word.
Regular Scripture memorization and meditation are fundamental to experiencing an abundant Christian life. The psalmist "treasured" God's Word in his heart (Psalm 119:11) and meditated on the Scriptures "day and night." (Psalm 1:2)
As you write God's Word on the tablet of your heart, you will find your mind renewed and ready to face temptations, challenges, and adversity from God's perspective of truth.
It is truth that sets you free; and the more Scripture you store in your heart, the more like Christ you will become.
Graham summed up Trotman's life this way: "Dawson loved the Word of God. I think more than anybody else he taught me to love it. He always carried his Bible around and always had it marked. The Word of God was sweetness to him.""
"Trotman's conversion experience centered on memorization and meditation on God's Word. He was a discipler of men because he himself was first discipled by God through the Scriptures. His emphasis on memorizing Scriptures, arranged on topical themes, continues to be part of the core curriculum of The Navigators today.
Memorization was not approached in legalistic fashion by Trotman, who understood that God's Spirit must create the desire and will to mine the treasures of His Word.
Regular Scripture memorization and meditation are fundamental to experiencing an abundant Christian life. The psalmist "treasured" God's Word in his heart (Psalm 119:11) and meditated on the Scriptures "day and night." (Psalm 1:2)
As you write God's Word on the tablet of your heart, you will find your mind renewed and ready to face temptations, challenges, and adversity from God's perspective of truth.
It is truth that sets you free; and the more Scripture you store in your heart, the more like Christ you will become.
Graham summed up Trotman's life this way: "Dawson loved the Word of God. I think more than anybody else he taught me to love it. He always carried his Bible around and always had it marked. The Word of God was sweetness to him.""
Sick of Myspace Crap?
Are you sick of myspace and the stupid mild porn ads? There are a lot cool things with myspace, but I have found a more superb place to have an exciting account. These guys are for real and do excellent stuff, just check out the interface and how easy it is to operate.
virb.com (From the creators of purevolume)
You'll love and we can be frieds.
virb.com (From the creators of purevolume)
You'll love and we can be frieds.
Friday, March 9, 2007
I want to go to a Spirit-filled body...
Here is what is in the opposite corner of my ring. Is there any difference from what I do - a student minister - to what my dad does, a Mechanical specialist at General Motors. We are all called to make "more disciples", right? We are all called to be the kind of people that usher in the kingdom of God, right? I teach these very principles, yet I find myself as one within the institutional church using words like "calling" as if I needed something different or more to move me on to "another mission" than when my dad made a decision to move to Indy from New Port News, VA 28 years ago.
So, when I think about the possibilities of changing occupations - what is the indicator(s) of knowing when something is a good change...and even a good time to change?
Nathan, no laughing...
:)
PS - I like movies too!
So, when I think about the possibilities of changing occupations - what is the indicator(s) of knowing when something is a good change...and even a good time to change?
Nathan, no laughing...
:)
PS - I like movies too!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The New Religion
I appreciate Nathan's Fee quote. I agree - I've heard other people say similar things. I heard Joy Dawson say something like, "I can tell what kind of relationship with God a person has by listening to them pray." I've found this to be true in my life - I mean, when I listen to myself pray. I can learn so much by listening to someone pray. For instance, Lou Engle, if you've never heard him pray you really should get your hands on a recording. I have some and there are some on the web I could point you to. Anyway, it's late and since I haven't taken the time to write as much as our friend Nate I thought I should at least post a quote. I heard this on one of the Ravi Zacharias podcasts, The Lecture was given by someone else (I forget) and it was titled, "Media, friend or foe?" This quote definitely made me pause and look at my own life. How often are movies the first thing I want to talk about? The thing I get excited about? The thing I make time for on a weekly basis? I know it's all a matter of perspective and priorities but I need to be careful to be aware of where my heart is.
“As ironic modern worshippers we congregate at the cinematic temple. We pay our votive offerings at the box office. We buy our ritual corn. We hush in reverent anticipation as the lights go down and the celluloid magic begins. Throughout the filmic narrative we identify with the hero, we vilify the anti-hero, we vicariously exult in the victories of the drama and we are spiritually inspired by the moral of the story. All the while believing that we are modern, techno-secular people devoid of religion, yet the depth and intensity of our participation reveal a religious fervor that is not much different from that of religious zealots.
-Jeffery Hill (a non-Christian), Life, the Movie
“As ironic modern worshippers we congregate at the cinematic temple. We pay our votive offerings at the box office. We buy our ritual corn. We hush in reverent anticipation as the lights go down and the celluloid magic begins. Throughout the filmic narrative we identify with the hero, we vilify the anti-hero, we vicariously exult in the victories of the drama and we are spiritually inspired by the moral of the story. All the while believing that we are modern, techno-secular people devoid of religion, yet the depth and intensity of our participation reveal a religious fervor that is not much different from that of religious zealots.
-Jeffery Hill (a non-Christian), Life, the Movie
Monday, March 5, 2007
What do you believe?
“You let me listen to you pray and let me listen you sing, and I’ll write your theology! That’s the place where I discover who you really are, not the language used in sermons. But when you pray and when you sing, cause those are the two key places you are going to reveal your deepest heart with regard to what you truly believe.”
Gordon Fee (On the Holy Spirit)
I heard this today. I thought it was very good.
Gordon Fee (On the Holy Spirit)
I heard this today. I thought it was very good.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Can't see the forest for the trees...
Ok, so here is the big concern of my life here in Nashvegas. We (Rachelle and I) have lived here for 7 months now. Church is something that I feel extremely strong about and have a deep desire to live with in her, and grow with her (The church). However, we have not made our decision about which Church we will settle in to grow and serve. We have visited the Mega-Church (Seeker Sensitive), The Emerging Model (Postmodern Artsy Crowd), The Liturgical (Presbyterian, PCA not the Liberals, Its a Reformed RC Sproul would be proud of).
Growing up Pentecostal (which really screwed up some of my thoughts of God and the Spirit, I am working through it though. Thanks to Gordon Fee), then phasing into the Independent Christian Church (Where I became all head, a little heart) I have seemed to have gotten lost in the doctrine/theology/systematic world. My heart is that I really am known as a Disciple of Christ (Not the Weird Christian Church Break off). I know that the Kingdom of God is a reality that is meant to impact the world now and we are called into relationship with God in a intimate way. By the way, the pastor at the church we went to this morning used the word "companionship" not "relationship". interesting verbage!
As a husband, father, disciple, I want to grow in Community but not water down the power of the Word. I want to reach out in love and be a part of the work of God on a International level. Could all of this be done at any one of these churches? I do believe so...yet for some reason I am coming back to the Presbyterian church. Why is this? I don't fully understand yet, except they are extremely missional in teaching and really are doing things on a social level, here and around the world. However, they do have a strong emphasis on Covenental Theology. Do you know what this is?
Any way I say all of this mostly to be heard, do you have anything for me? Man this is kind of like Counseling! i love it.
Growing up Pentecostal (which really screwed up some of my thoughts of God and the Spirit, I am working through it though. Thanks to Gordon Fee), then phasing into the Independent Christian Church (Where I became all head, a little heart) I have seemed to have gotten lost in the doctrine/theology/systematic world. My heart is that I really am known as a Disciple of Christ (Not the Weird Christian Church Break off). I know that the Kingdom of God is a reality that is meant to impact the world now and we are called into relationship with God in a intimate way. By the way, the pastor at the church we went to this morning used the word "companionship" not "relationship". interesting verbage!
As a husband, father, disciple, I want to grow in Community but not water down the power of the Word. I want to reach out in love and be a part of the work of God on a International level. Could all of this be done at any one of these churches? I do believe so...yet for some reason I am coming back to the Presbyterian church. Why is this? I don't fully understand yet, except they are extremely missional in teaching and really are doing things on a social level, here and around the world. However, they do have a strong emphasis on Covenental Theology. Do you know what this is?
Any way I say all of this mostly to be heard, do you have anything for me? Man this is kind of like Counseling! i love it.
I am what I am...
lets talk Popeye and the Myth of Redemptive Violence - Walter Wink
Just joking...unless you really want to
Just joking...unless you really want to
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Thursday, March 1, 2007
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