By the way, it's not too late to jump in on the daily Bible reading schedule, the one where you can read through the entire Bible in a year...I've found it to be extremely helpful in "making myself" (we are to 'make disciples', right? That includes me. Sometimes I have to 'make myself' get up & read and I don't always know where to jump in...) get a good daily dosage of God's Word. Go to www.oneyearbibleblog.com The commentary is helpful as well, as long as you stay balanced in what is God's Word vs. what is someone's interpretations/reflections.
Today's psalm was Psalm 25...what an incredible psalm! Go to www.biblegateway.com and type in "psalm 25"...
And the sequence of psalms that it follows makes it even more meaninful:
Psalm 22 - despondence, dependence on God, desperation, forsakenness
Psalm 23 - the beautiful tribute to God's guidance and presence
Psalm 24 - a bold proclamation of what's what in the world, and who's in charge
Then Psalm 25...to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul! And every verse after the first is just one home run thought/prayer after another. Wow!
I'd love to know your favorite psalm...make a comment!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Auto Show 2007
At the risk of appearing materialistic, I post some pics from our recent trip to the 2007 Auto Show in DC. It was an afternoon of envy to be sure. Just so you'll know, we drive an 8 year old mini-van with 113,000 miles, and also a 2 year old Camry with 16,000 miles. So we don't drive any of my dream cars, although I am thankful for both our autos...
Black 2007 Bentley Arnage (my face says it all...I was that close to ultimate posh)
Black 2007 Rolls Royce Phantom, $325,000, custom orders only
White 2005 Rolls Royce Phantom
Red 2007 Maserati
oh yeah, and my darling redhead is enjoying the cargo bay of her & Mommy's choice, a top of the line 2007 Toyota Sienna, Touring edition, $40,000. It had every bell & whistle imaginable.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Auto Show / Blue Like Jazz
Ok, the 2007 Auto Show was terrific. Go to www.murraysanderson.blogspot.com in a few days to see pics of all the great cars...
Darla just sent me this quote about our motives for reaching out, getting the church to grow...from the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller...
(This guy was trying to plant a church)
“We didn’t grow much, to be honest. We stayed at about thirty or so, all Christians who had moved from other churches. One day the preacher showed up, saying he felt we all needed to repent and start living missional lives…he had just been to some pastors’ reception where a guy spoke about how the church has lost touch w/ people who don’t know about Jesus. He said we need to intentionally befriend people who are different from us. I didn’t like the sound of that, to be honest. I didn’t want to befriend somebody just to trick them into going to my church. Rick (the preacher) said he wasn’t talking about that. He said he was talking about loving people just because they exist---homeless people and Gothic people and gays and fruit nuts. And then I liked the sound of it. I liked the idea of loving people just to love them, not to get them to come to church. If the subject of church came up, I would tell them about it, but until then, who cared….lots of people started coming after that.” (they had 500 people in 2 yrs)
Quote is over, Murray again...
Before someone runs to the elders saying that I want us to teach that homosexuality is acceptable (see "gays" above), then please know that all this guy is talking about is that we show Jesus to all people, and let the Lord renew people's minds as they come to know Him. My sense is, Jesus was a friend of sinners...I don't know, call me crazy.
Great quote. Thanks Darla!
Darla just sent me this quote about our motives for reaching out, getting the church to grow...from the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller...
(This guy was trying to plant a church)
“We didn’t grow much, to be honest. We stayed at about thirty or so, all Christians who had moved from other churches. One day the preacher showed up, saying he felt we all needed to repent and start living missional lives…he had just been to some pastors’ reception where a guy spoke about how the church has lost touch w/ people who don’t know about Jesus. He said we need to intentionally befriend people who are different from us. I didn’t like the sound of that, to be honest. I didn’t want to befriend somebody just to trick them into going to my church. Rick (the preacher) said he wasn’t talking about that. He said he was talking about loving people just because they exist---homeless people and Gothic people and gays and fruit nuts. And then I liked the sound of it. I liked the idea of loving people just to love them, not to get them to come to church. If the subject of church came up, I would tell them about it, but until then, who cared….lots of people started coming after that.” (they had 500 people in 2 yrs)
Quote is over, Murray again...
Before someone runs to the elders saying that I want us to teach that homosexuality is acceptable (see "gays" above), then please know that all this guy is talking about is that we show Jesus to all people, and let the Lord renew people's minds as they come to know Him. My sense is, Jesus was a friend of sinners...I don't know, call me crazy.
Great quote. Thanks Darla!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
"Do not mock the poor..." Tweeter's latest Ad campaign
First let me say, I'm a fan of the Colts, and most everything I know about Peyton Manning reveals that he is the highest caliber person. I was very impressed by the many mentions of God (gratitude to Him, giving glory to Him for the victory) in Sunday's post-game show by the Colt's owner and coach. (What an incredible game!) I'm really looking forward to watching the Colts beat the Bears on Feb 4th...
However...
I was offended by Tweeter's ad during the game in which Peyton Manning is the star spokesman (go to www.tweeter.com to watch the TV ad). I've purchased home video/audio goods from Tweeter before (in my wealthier single days!) and I've always gotten great service and quality products from them.
But I believe their campaign "Help us wipe out low def in our lifetime" is a mockery of the frequent poverty campaign slogan "Help us wipe out poverty in our lifetime." (that slogan has probably been used for AIDS, HIV, cancer, other seriously insurmountable issues) I, for one, would enjoy having HD over LD, and I have no problem with people getting it, or with ads to promote it. But when they put low def on a par with poverty, as a serious problem that needs to be eliminated, then I don't appreciate it, and I think it qualifies as mocking the poor.
Proverbs 17:5 says, "He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker..."
I know, it's a tongue-in-cheek ad, but I still don't appreciate it. Did anyone else have that reaction? I told our church staff yesterday about my reaction, and NONE of them had a problem with it. So unless I'm a spiritual giant among them, maybe I'm being too sensitive...
The ads during these championship games/Superbowl are the best of the year, so I have high expectations of them. Maybe Tweeter can come up with a more positive way of promoting HD instead of comparing LD to poverty or other real crises.
Just for some positive PR on Peyton, here's a quick blurb I found on the foundation he established to help others:
The PeyBack Foundation would like to thank all the applicants that applied for grants this year. PeyBack received proposals from a wide variety of community agencies that believe strongly in helping underprivileged children. As the foundation continues to grow, we will be able to support more organizations each year. Since its inception in 1999, the PeyBack Foundation has donated more than $1,300,000 to a wide-variety of worthwhile causes. The PeyBack Foundation would like to thank everyone who has helped us fund these important programs.
However...
I was offended by Tweeter's ad during the game in which Peyton Manning is the star spokesman (go to www.tweeter.com to watch the TV ad). I've purchased home video/audio goods from Tweeter before (in my wealthier single days!) and I've always gotten great service and quality products from them.
But I believe their campaign "Help us wipe out low def in our lifetime" is a mockery of the frequent poverty campaign slogan "Help us wipe out poverty in our lifetime." (that slogan has probably been used for AIDS, HIV, cancer, other seriously insurmountable issues) I, for one, would enjoy having HD over LD, and I have no problem with people getting it, or with ads to promote it. But when they put low def on a par with poverty, as a serious problem that needs to be eliminated, then I don't appreciate it, and I think it qualifies as mocking the poor.
Proverbs 17:5 says, "He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker..."
I know, it's a tongue-in-cheek ad, but I still don't appreciate it. Did anyone else have that reaction? I told our church staff yesterday about my reaction, and NONE of them had a problem with it. So unless I'm a spiritual giant among them, maybe I'm being too sensitive...
The ads during these championship games/Superbowl are the best of the year, so I have high expectations of them. Maybe Tweeter can come up with a more positive way of promoting HD instead of comparing LD to poverty or other real crises.
Just for some positive PR on Peyton, here's a quick blurb I found on the foundation he established to help others:
The PeyBack Foundation would like to thank all the applicants that applied for grants this year. PeyBack received proposals from a wide variety of community agencies that believe strongly in helping underprivileged children. As the foundation continues to grow, we will be able to support more organizations each year. Since its inception in 1999, the PeyBack Foundation has donated more than $1,300,000 to a wide-variety of worthwhile causes. The PeyBack Foundation would like to thank everyone who has helped us fund these important programs.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
To our Sun PM Small Group at the Building: I was wrong!
Please allow me to publicly apologize to the FXCC small group that meets at the building each Sunday night. By 8:45 am this morning, they had made the decision to cancel due to inclement weather. At that point, it was merely cold. I scoffed at them with crinkled nose...
However, beginning at 12 pm, just as www.weather.com predicted, a light snow begin to fall. As Jaime & I sat with friends around the lunch table at Olive Garden, marveling in the surely-it's-not-bad-yet winter wonderland that surrounded us, we had no idea that treacherous conditions were beginning to develop. When we finally sobered up & ventured out (just kidding on the sobered up part, I mean, we were sober, but we were never not sober...I'm just seeing if anyone's really reading this...), the roads were extremely hazardous. We passed 3 cars on the side of the FX County Pkwy. I was very happy to get Faithy & Jaime home safely, and I'm setting aside 78 cents a week now to save up for an All-Wheel Drive minivan.
So, to the Sun PM Small Group at the Building, I humbly apologize for calling you wimps, and for openly mocking you during the announcements this morning. Your wisdom/weather prediction ability far exceeds mine, and I hope you are all resting at home in front of a fire (safely confined in your fireplace) with hot cocoa and the Colts game on...We just saw the Mavs win, which I'm always glad to see Dallas sporting teams do well.
I will greatly miss our own small group tonight, but we are looking forward to having family night together for sure. Hot cocoa with the Colts is definitely on the agenda (Jaime was born and raised in Indy...)
Enjoy the snow!
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." from Isaiah 1
However, beginning at 12 pm, just as www.weather.com predicted, a light snow begin to fall. As Jaime & I sat with friends around the lunch table at Olive Garden, marveling in the surely-it's-not-bad-yet winter wonderland that surrounded us, we had no idea that treacherous conditions were beginning to develop. When we finally sobered up & ventured out (just kidding on the sobered up part, I mean, we were sober, but we were never not sober...I'm just seeing if anyone's really reading this...), the roads were extremely hazardous. We passed 3 cars on the side of the FX County Pkwy. I was very happy to get Faithy & Jaime home safely, and I'm setting aside 78 cents a week now to save up for an All-Wheel Drive minivan.
So, to the Sun PM Small Group at the Building, I humbly apologize for calling you wimps, and for openly mocking you during the announcements this morning. Your wisdom/weather prediction ability far exceeds mine, and I hope you are all resting at home in front of a fire (safely confined in your fireplace) with hot cocoa and the Colts game on...We just saw the Mavs win, which I'm always glad to see Dallas sporting teams do well.
I will greatly miss our own small group tonight, but we are looking forward to having family night together for sure. Hot cocoa with the Colts is definitely on the agenda (Jaime was born and raised in Indy...)
Enjoy the snow!
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." from Isaiah 1
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Boundary lines in pleasant places
From Psalm 16...
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Every now & then I am overwhelmed at the blessings I enjoy. These verses are ones I can concretely echo with the psalmist.
I mean, if you had a little girl with this hair, wouldn't you be grateful? She made this face when I told her that yes, she did have to memorize the entire book of Psalms by her 2nd birthday...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Discipleship
(for tomorrow...story of Jake, his baptism & pics of him with Scott B., husband of the sweet Christian who inspired Jake to commit his life to Christ.)
We're (church leaders) going to be talking more & more about discipleship this year...Matt 28:19-20 says to make disciples, so what does a disciple look like? We're relatively good with how a disciple is "born" (baptism into Christ), but how does a disciple grow, and what fruit should be on the tree as it matures? Are we (me / you) growing in discipleship?
From Matthew 8...
18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."
20Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Jesus' reply to the teacher puzzles me. Here's a responses I might have guessed:
"Thank you. It's a worldwide revolution I'm after, so I can use all the help I can get. That's great, it means a lot to me that you're joining the team."
But Jesus is wiser than me. (to state the obvious)
There's something to the fact that #1, Jesus knew this guy's heart. As a teacher of the law, perhaps Jesus knew this man's propensity to get "it" all right, but to miss the heart of the teaching. Perhaps Jesus knew his tendency to obey in superficial matters, but to draw the line there. I think the guy has honest intent, but Jesus was trying to tell him, you think you know what it means to follow me. To join my crusade. (It had to have appeared prestigious to join with Jesus to many law teachers, since Jesus always drew a crowd, and since his hearers always felt he taught with authority.)
But Jesus was actually giving the guy something to think about...He didn't say, "No, don't follow me because you can't hack it." He just said, look, this is how it is, if you're still in, come on.
Let's allow this Scripture to speak to us and shed light on our view of discipleship, and let's allow Jesus to redefine it for us, and challenge us mightily in the process. Are you ready for the challenge?
We're (church leaders) going to be talking more & more about discipleship this year...Matt 28:19-20 says to make disciples, so what does a disciple look like? We're relatively good with how a disciple is "born" (baptism into Christ), but how does a disciple grow, and what fruit should be on the tree as it matures? Are we (me / you) growing in discipleship?
From Matthew 8...
18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."
20Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Jesus' reply to the teacher puzzles me. Here's a responses I might have guessed:
"Thank you. It's a worldwide revolution I'm after, so I can use all the help I can get. That's great, it means a lot to me that you're joining the team."
But Jesus is wiser than me. (to state the obvious)
There's something to the fact that #1, Jesus knew this guy's heart. As a teacher of the law, perhaps Jesus knew this man's propensity to get "it" all right, but to miss the heart of the teaching. Perhaps Jesus knew his tendency to obey in superficial matters, but to draw the line there. I think the guy has honest intent, but Jesus was trying to tell him, you think you know what it means to follow me. To join my crusade. (It had to have appeared prestigious to join with Jesus to many law teachers, since Jesus always drew a crowd, and since his hearers always felt he taught with authority.)
But Jesus was actually giving the guy something to think about...He didn't say, "No, don't follow me because you can't hack it." He just said, look, this is how it is, if you're still in, come on.
Let's allow this Scripture to speak to us and shed light on our view of discipleship, and let's allow Jesus to redefine it for us, and challenge us mightily in the process. Are you ready for the challenge?
Monday, January 08, 2007
To Keep the Way of the Lord
Like most people, I struggle with finding WHAT to read in my daily Bible reading. And...like most people, I find myself recommitting here at the first of the year to have a meaningful daily time with the Lord, before the day's demands kick in...
I would love it if you would share what's been helpful for you. Here's what's been helpful for me...
I am reading the One Year Bible again (when I first did this back in 1989, I thought it was something I would do one year, and then not repeat it for some silly reason. I haven't used it for daily readings for many years...I've just tried to work through a gospel or Genesis or the Psalms or whatever on a daily basis, always finding it a challenge to keep my momentum up...)
Well, it's available online now, which I at first thought was too cultural/too media-driven. But alas...I gave it a try...
www.oneyearbibleblog.com is a very tech savvy way of doing it, and for whatever reason, reading online has been extremely fresh & new for me this time. Like today's reading, where God instructs Abraham to teach his children to "keep the way of the Lord". It's just a unique way of saying "bring them up right". I think with a lot of things, now that I have little Faithy in my life, I'm seeing scripture through new eyes. Lord willing, by His grace & strength, Jaime & I will teach her to keep the way of the Lord in all things.
As an aside, let me publicly say thank you to Dave & Melinda G for their incredible teaching last night at small group. They were our guest teachers, and both of them said things that were true epiphanies for me and for Jaime. Once again, the value of the body of Christ for spiritual growth & transformation is beautifully obvious.
I would love it if you would share what's been helpful for you. Here's what's been helpful for me...
I am reading the One Year Bible again (when I first did this back in 1989, I thought it was something I would do one year, and then not repeat it for some silly reason. I haven't used it for daily readings for many years...I've just tried to work through a gospel or Genesis or the Psalms or whatever on a daily basis, always finding it a challenge to keep my momentum up...)
Well, it's available online now, which I at first thought was too cultural/too media-driven. But alas...I gave it a try...
www.oneyearbibleblog.com is a very tech savvy way of doing it, and for whatever reason, reading online has been extremely fresh & new for me this time. Like today's reading, where God instructs Abraham to teach his children to "keep the way of the Lord". It's just a unique way of saying "bring them up right". I think with a lot of things, now that I have little Faithy in my life, I'm seeing scripture through new eyes. Lord willing, by His grace & strength, Jaime & I will teach her to keep the way of the Lord in all things.
As an aside, let me publicly say thank you to Dave & Melinda G for their incredible teaching last night at small group. They were our guest teachers, and both of them said things that were true epiphanies for me and for Jaime. Once again, the value of the body of Christ for spiritual growth & transformation is beautifully obvious.
Friday, January 05, 2007
This Sunday
Here's the worship order for this Sunday...see you then!
Seeking God’s Vision Beyond Our Own
9:00 am and 10:20 am
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah – Hymn 390
Welcome / Scripture Reading
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
Trust and Obey – Hymn 915
The Lord’s Supper – Leroy Chamness at 1st / Jeff Taylor at 2nd
Prayer for the Bread
Prayer for the Cup
Beneath the Cross of Jesus – Hymn 314
Prayer for the Offering
He Is Able – Hymn 213
Blessed Jesus – Hymn 218
We Will Worship You – The Source, p. 47
Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus – Hymn 602
Message from the Word
Shine, Jesus, Shine – Hymn 290
Shepherd’s Prayer
Seeking God’s Vision Beyond Our Own
9:00 am and 10:20 am
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah – Hymn 390
Welcome / Scripture Reading
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
Trust and Obey – Hymn 915
The Lord’s Supper – Leroy Chamness at 1st / Jeff Taylor at 2nd
Prayer for the Bread
Prayer for the Cup
Beneath the Cross of Jesus – Hymn 314
Prayer for the Offering
He Is Able – Hymn 213
Blessed Jesus – Hymn 218
We Will Worship You – The Source, p. 47
Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus – Hymn 602
Message from the Word
Shine, Jesus, Shine – Hymn 290
Shepherd’s Prayer
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
The Prayer of a Living Sacrifice
[I'm experimenting with a new style of blogging today...leading a prayer on a blog. I hope it's encouraging to you.]
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1
Dear Father,
As we begin another year with You, we pause to reflect on Your glory and goodness. Thank you for giving us breath of life for another year; actually, this day...this hour...this moment is all we have, and for it we are grateful.
Please forgive us for debating the logistics of worship (John 4~style) instead of concerning ourselves with your radiant glory, and your abundant goodness to us. Thank you that worship is all about you, and make us aware of the times when we are tempted to make it about us.
God, help us to become true living sacrifices of worship. We long to worship you in spirit and in truth every moment of our lives, in addition to the 70 minutes in which we gather as a body on Sunday mornings. Open our eyes to the daily opportunities for worship...to the little deaths we can continually experience as we place others first...to the hymns of praise we can sing while driving down the parkway...to the smiles & gratitude we can give at the coffee shop...to the mercy we show to those who offend us...may all of our moments rise up as an offering of praise to you. And as we worship you, we will experience the transformation of our character more and more to be like your Son.
Your mercies, new every morning, are our daily provision, and we survive only upon them. The steadfastness of your love is our sustenance.
We praise you, We love you, we thank you.
In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1
Dear Father,
As we begin another year with You, we pause to reflect on Your glory and goodness. Thank you for giving us breath of life for another year; actually, this day...this hour...this moment is all we have, and for it we are grateful.
Please forgive us for debating the logistics of worship (John 4~style) instead of concerning ourselves with your radiant glory, and your abundant goodness to us. Thank you that worship is all about you, and make us aware of the times when we are tempted to make it about us.
God, help us to become true living sacrifices of worship. We long to worship you in spirit and in truth every moment of our lives, in addition to the 70 minutes in which we gather as a body on Sunday mornings. Open our eyes to the daily opportunities for worship...to the little deaths we can continually experience as we place others first...to the hymns of praise we can sing while driving down the parkway...to the smiles & gratitude we can give at the coffee shop...to the mercy we show to those who offend us...may all of our moments rise up as an offering of praise to you. And as we worship you, we will experience the transformation of our character more and more to be like your Son.
Your mercies, new every morning, are our daily provision, and we survive only upon them. The steadfastness of your love is our sustenance.
We praise you, We love you, we thank you.
In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
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