Later on in Proverbs 3 the word says we are not to lean on our own understanding. It seems to me that we have to change some of the filters that we normally view life through....
Here is what we usually say to ourselves:
1. Is this fair ?
2. Does this make sense to me ?
3. Is this what I always thought would happen ?
4. What will I get out of this ?
I think Proverbs 3 is basically saying that we need to ask these questions instead :
1. Is God glorified in what I am doing ?
2. Are God's purposes accomplished in the earth ?
What if we could change filters and ask some different questions ?
Can we really trust in the Lord and "our own understanding" at the same time ?
Sunday, August 5, 2007
re disovery
At the encouragement of a friend, I re-read Proverbs 3. I felt like I was reading it for the first time in my life. So rich... There are essentially 2 things you want to keep close to you: kindness and truth. It says to bind them around your neck. I started to think about what kindness would look like:
1. listen to someone who is talking ... when everyone else has checked out of the conversation
2. calling your wife to check in and communicate with her
3. initiate restoration after conflict ...
Are you kind ? Are you committed to the truth even if it effects you financially ?
1. listen to someone who is talking ... when everyone else has checked out of the conversation
2. calling your wife to check in and communicate with her
3. initiate restoration after conflict ...
Are you kind ? Are you committed to the truth even if it effects you financially ?
Monday, July 23, 2007
Why you should read church history
I have been reading some church history lately and read about Athanasius. He served as a bishop in Alexandria in the early years of the church. One of his contributions to the church was that he stood opposed to Arianism ( the belief that Jesus was not really God). So, the Nicene Creed was composed to assert emphatically that Jesus was "of the same substance" of the Father. What struck me about his life was this... here's a direct quote from the book...
" His strong quality was in his close ties to the people among whom he lived, and in living out his faith without the subtleties of the Arians or the pomp of so many other bishops of important churches. His monastic discipline, his roots among the people, his fiery spirit, and his profound and unshakable convictions made him invincible."
Earlier on the book said that Athanasius was not admired for his subtlety of logical argument, nor elegance of style...nor even in his political perspicacity. ( In all these areas, he could be bested by his opponents)
Basically... He walked with God and loved people.
This encouraged me today.
" His strong quality was in his close ties to the people among whom he lived, and in living out his faith without the subtleties of the Arians or the pomp of so many other bishops of important churches. His monastic discipline, his roots among the people, his fiery spirit, and his profound and unshakable convictions made him invincible."
Earlier on the book said that Athanasius was not admired for his subtlety of logical argument, nor elegance of style...nor even in his political perspicacity. ( In all these areas, he could be bested by his opponents)
Basically... He walked with God and loved people.
This encouraged me today.
Monday, July 16, 2007
schedule
I have been thinking about our schedules lately. I realize that alot of people say they are "busy." Obviously, we have some level of responsibility and having a full schedule is not necessarily sin. However, do we control our schedule or does the schedule control us ?
I read this in " The Life you always wanted" by John Ortberg :
" The father of one of my friends has been involved in evangelical ministry for nearly fifty years. His dad recently told him ' Well, son, we'll have to get together soon, as soon as I can get my schedule under control.' His son's comment to me: " For all 39 years of my life my dad has talked about what we are going to do as soon as he gets his schedule under control. He actually seems to believe that someday his schedule will somehow come under control. What is worse, he refuses to talk about or even acknowledge to himself the real reason his schedule is out of control." ( page 114 )
After I read this, I just thought: " am I doing this to my kids ?" Pretty soon, I won't be able to throw them around anymore and I don't want to look back and regret the fact that we did not spend more time wrestling on the bed together.
I read this in " The Life you always wanted" by John Ortberg :
" The father of one of my friends has been involved in evangelical ministry for nearly fifty years. His dad recently told him ' Well, son, we'll have to get together soon, as soon as I can get my schedule under control.' His son's comment to me: " For all 39 years of my life my dad has talked about what we are going to do as soon as he gets his schedule under control. He actually seems to believe that someday his schedule will somehow come under control. What is worse, he refuses to talk about or even acknowledge to himself the real reason his schedule is out of control." ( page 114 )
After I read this, I just thought: " am I doing this to my kids ?" Pretty soon, I won't be able to throw them around anymore and I don't want to look back and regret the fact that we did not spend more time wrestling on the bed together.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
ear piercings ?
The Bible talks about getting your ear pierced. Exodus 21 :6 says that a slave who wanted to dedicate his life to his master would : "go to the doorpost...and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl...and he shall serve him permanently."
There's a phrase used in greek : "doulos"...and it means bondservant. Paul applies that term to himself in Romans 1. It gives the idea of total allegiance not just isolated acts of service ( worship). I like that idea, but I am reluctant to go to the doorpost sometimes. Do I really want to give my total allegiance ? Have I really thought through how that will effect my money, time, "free time" ? What if I don't go to the doorpost ? Am I leaving myself a way out of total allegiance ?
There's a phrase used in greek : "doulos"...and it means bondservant. Paul applies that term to himself in Romans 1. It gives the idea of total allegiance not just isolated acts of service ( worship). I like that idea, but I am reluctant to go to the doorpost sometimes. Do I really want to give my total allegiance ? Have I really thought through how that will effect my money, time, "free time" ? What if I don't go to the doorpost ? Am I leaving myself a way out of total allegiance ?
Saturday, June 30, 2007
A third option ?
Romans 8
Usually this passage is quoted for verse 28... "and we know that God causes all things to work together..." I understand and like this verse too. However, the early part of the chapter deals with two ideas: the flesh and the Spirit. Verse 5: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Verse 7 : For the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
So... it seems like there are 2 ways of living: according the flesh or according to the Spirit.
God's way and man's way. As I read this the other day, it struck me: " there's not a third option." This was an interesting discovery and came home to me like it had not in years. Why do we live as if there is a third option ? We don't want to say we live according to the flesh, but to live according to the Spirit has huge implications for our time, money, resources, leisure activities,etc. It seems to me that most of live ( practically) in some sort of bizarre third option. We say we live according to the Spirit, but enjoy living according to the flesh. Even though a third option is not presented, we sort of live in it hoping that no one really asks the question or investigates further. What does it mean to have a mind set on the Spirit ?
Are you trying to force a third option ?
Usually this passage is quoted for verse 28... "and we know that God causes all things to work together..." I understand and like this verse too. However, the early part of the chapter deals with two ideas: the flesh and the Spirit. Verse 5: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Verse 7 : For the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
So... it seems like there are 2 ways of living: according the flesh or according to the Spirit.
God's way and man's way. As I read this the other day, it struck me: " there's not a third option." This was an interesting discovery and came home to me like it had not in years. Why do we live as if there is a third option ? We don't want to say we live according to the flesh, but to live according to the Spirit has huge implications for our time, money, resources, leisure activities,etc. It seems to me that most of live ( practically) in some sort of bizarre third option. We say we live according to the Spirit, but enjoy living according to the flesh. Even though a third option is not presented, we sort of live in it hoping that no one really asks the question or investigates further. What does it mean to have a mind set on the Spirit ?
Are you trying to force a third option ?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sabbath wars continued
Lately I have been thinking through Mark 2:27 The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. After reading and hearing people discuss this issue... these thoughts have emerged.
It seems like when it comes to the Sabbath we have 4 options:
1. Seventh day sabbath keeping : This is what the Seventh Day adventists have chosen. They keep the literal sabbath on Saturday in accord with Exodus 20:8.
2. Lord's day sabbath keeping: This is a transfer of the theology of sabbath keeping to a new day ... Sunday. These people keep the sabbath but on a different day.
3. Lord's day observance: Based on Acts 20:7 , I Cor. 16, and Revelation 1 it seems like the NT believers begin to observe Sunday as a day to focus on Christ. After the book of Acts there is not much textual basis to keep a Saturday sabbath.
4. Lord's day non observance: This obliterates the uniqueness of Sunday and makes it day to do your own pleasure and basically neglect to worship God.
It seems like # 3 is the most Biblical option we have. Obviously there is much debate over this issue and the journey is not over. The question still remains: Is God sovereign over your time ? Is He sovereign over your work ? Is He sovereign over your schedule ? Will you take one day in seven to rest in Christ alone ?
It seems like when it comes to the Sabbath we have 4 options:
1. Seventh day sabbath keeping : This is what the Seventh Day adventists have chosen. They keep the literal sabbath on Saturday in accord with Exodus 20:8.
2. Lord's day sabbath keeping: This is a transfer of the theology of sabbath keeping to a new day ... Sunday. These people keep the sabbath but on a different day.
3. Lord's day observance: Based on Acts 20:7 , I Cor. 16, and Revelation 1 it seems like the NT believers begin to observe Sunday as a day to focus on Christ. After the book of Acts there is not much textual basis to keep a Saturday sabbath.
4. Lord's day non observance: This obliterates the uniqueness of Sunday and makes it day to do your own pleasure and basically neglect to worship God.
It seems like # 3 is the most Biblical option we have. Obviously there is much debate over this issue and the journey is not over. The question still remains: Is God sovereign over your time ? Is He sovereign over your work ? Is He sovereign over your schedule ? Will you take one day in seven to rest in Christ alone ?
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