Curious to see if this makes sense to you.
I fall into the trap of thinking sometimes that things have to be all or nothing. Lately, it makes more sense that God designed the world to have a category called : " Things that live in tension with one another."
Under that category there would be 2 more things:
1. All or nothing
2. moderation
For example: in regard to your salvation, you can say this is an " all or nothing " category. You cannot mix any works with your faith to go to be saved. However, when it comes to eating and drinking... use moderation. You can probably go 80/20. 80 percent of the time.. eat healthy and 20 percent.. you can eat junk.
This was a breakthrough to be "ok" with these categories and get the right things in the right place. You can work ( and that's ok ) and you can rest ( and that's ok too). But you don't want to work all the time or rest all the time. You need moderation. So, the next time you hear someone say: "all things in moderation..." you can punt that idea out of existence. God has established " all or nothing" categories as well as " some things in moderation." When you put things in the wrong category... " is big problem ... no ? "
So, go ahead and have some peanut m & m's .... but only get a small portion. Work hard this week... but don't work too hard. Rest, but don't overindulge.
PRAY ... and pray without ceasing. God is good and this thought freed me from much burden bearing.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
the past
good book recommendation: Jonathan Edwards Biograpy Iain Murray
I just re read chapter 1 and was very encouraged by it.
How much tv do you watch compared to how much Christian biography you read ? What do you take into your soul that nourishes it ?
I just re read chapter 1 and was very encouraged by it.
How much tv do you watch compared to how much Christian biography you read ? What do you take into your soul that nourishes it ?
believe
There's a phrase in Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
This is an incredible promise. If I really believe this verse and follow through then nothing would be impossible. How does a person get to this point where they can believe like Jesus is talking about ?
If I was pressed to the wall and asked : " what do you want most right now ?"
1. I long for a marriage that honors God and displays Christ to my kids
2. I long for the assurance that my children are truly saved.
3. I long for meaningful relationships that inspire me to grow spiritually.
4. I long for freedom from the "fear of man"
5. I long for the ability to think for myself ( instead of relying on the opinion of others)
* I mean # 5 in the sense of thinking Biblically ... allowing the Spirit of God to teach me and bring to a place where Prov 28 :1 is true of my life " The righteous are as bold as a lion..."
This is an incredible promise. If I really believe this verse and follow through then nothing would be impossible. How does a person get to this point where they can believe like Jesus is talking about ?
If I was pressed to the wall and asked : " what do you want most right now ?"
1. I long for a marriage that honors God and displays Christ to my kids
2. I long for the assurance that my children are truly saved.
3. I long for meaningful relationships that inspire me to grow spiritually.
4. I long for freedom from the "fear of man"
5. I long for the ability to think for myself ( instead of relying on the opinion of others)
* I mean # 5 in the sense of thinking Biblically ... allowing the Spirit of God to teach me and bring to a place where Prov 28 :1 is true of my life " The righteous are as bold as a lion..."
Divorce and remarriage
The real title of this blog:
how to be unpopular --- teach on divorce and remarriage
I think it is important to read every word when you are reading through the Bible. I was reading in Matthew 19 and came upon some phrases that I found interesting.
Interesting phrase # 1: “…for any reason at all ?”
19:3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “ Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all ? “
It seems like if there was time for Jesus to set the record straight, He could have done it right here. He could have said: “ There is no reason for a man to divorce his wife.”
However… after saying: “ What God has joined together, let no man separate,” He says this in verse 9: ( which is interesting phrase # 2 )
Interesting phrase # 2 : “ …whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
In both verses ( 3 and 9) the word “wife” is present.”
Why didn’t Jesus say: “ there is absolutely no reason for divorce ? “ Why even mention the phrase “immorality” ?
Some would say he was referring to the engagement period.
( see http://www.desiringgod.org/ position paper on divorce and remarriage) Look, I’ve been reading John Piper for about 12 years now, and I am humbled by his life and ministry. He has been one of the biggest factors in my growth as a believer and I am continually challenged by his writings. I think everyone should read his works. I’m no match for his Biblical knowledge and if he were here in my kitchen, I would have a hard time demonstrating how he is wrong. That being said.... Matthew 19 leaves me wondering why Jesus included an exception clause for divorce. I’ve read Piper’s arguments and even listened to the audio version. In my study of “immorality” it seems to have application to singles and married people. I don’t see it as exclusive to singles. ( However, I have been wrong before.)
how to be unpopular --- teach on divorce and remarriage
I think it is important to read every word when you are reading through the Bible. I was reading in Matthew 19 and came upon some phrases that I found interesting.
Interesting phrase # 1: “…for any reason at all ?”
19:3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “ Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all ? “
It seems like if there was time for Jesus to set the record straight, He could have done it right here. He could have said: “ There is no reason for a man to divorce his wife.”
However… after saying: “ What God has joined together, let no man separate,” He says this in verse 9: ( which is interesting phrase # 2 )
Interesting phrase # 2 : “ …whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
In both verses ( 3 and 9) the word “wife” is present.”
Why didn’t Jesus say: “ there is absolutely no reason for divorce ? “ Why even mention the phrase “immorality” ?
Some would say he was referring to the engagement period.
( see http://www.desiringgod.org/ position paper on divorce and remarriage) Look, I’ve been reading John Piper for about 12 years now, and I am humbled by his life and ministry. He has been one of the biggest factors in my growth as a believer and I am continually challenged by his writings. I think everyone should read his works. I’m no match for his Biblical knowledge and if he were here in my kitchen, I would have a hard time demonstrating how he is wrong. That being said.... Matthew 19 leaves me wondering why Jesus included an exception clause for divorce. I’ve read Piper’s arguments and even listened to the audio version. In my study of “immorality” it seems to have application to singles and married people. I don’t see it as exclusive to singles. ( However, I have been wrong before.)
Thursday, January 10, 2008
answers
It's so refreshing to have your prayers answered. I was walking into a situation I did not feel comfortable with recently and so I just went out into the desert ( the real desert) and started praying.
I prayed that God would block my path if I was taking the wrong one. Three days later the answer came and it was exactly what I prayed for. I'm not making this up. I believe God does hear our prayers and longs to be gracious to us. How long has it been since you have taken a walk where you can talk outloud and be real with God ? Set a time and do it.
I prayed that God would block my path if I was taking the wrong one. Three days later the answer came and it was exactly what I prayed for. I'm not making this up. I believe God does hear our prayers and longs to be gracious to us. How long has it been since you have taken a walk where you can talk outloud and be real with God ? Set a time and do it.
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