The passage I put here yesterday was a bit heavy, especially for a Monday morning. Nonetheless (what a fun word to use), it contains an essential teaching.
Today's message from Jesus is this, from Matthew 7 again (sometimes I go for weeks or months without dwelling in the Sermon on the Mount, what a mistake!):
24-25"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
Ok, now for a few random things that I really like:
1. getting a good night's sleep (last night, 11 pm to 6:30 am, thank you God!)
2. Monday Night Football with Eli, he was actually watching last night. He might just be a budding Titans fan, in honor of his father's birth state, and his cousin Eileen with which he shares the same 1st 3 letters of his name and his middle name.)
3. Faith's hair when she wakes up. I think someday her hair might incorporate.
4. Starbuck's new drip coffee "Joya".
5. Anything at Starbucks.
6. Reading the paper early in the morning.
7. Driving over the new bridge on Westfield.
Have a great day everyone!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Helpful Translation of Matthew 7
We had a great elders/ministers meeting last Saturday morning. Almost 3 hours long...wow. Thank you God for caffeine. (We start at 7:30 am on 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month...)
We talked about many things, dreamed about how God will use us in His overall mission of loving and reconciling the world...somewhere during the discussion we brought up Matthew 7:21ff...which at the outset is not all that encouraging...but in this version, it really helped us internalize and personalize what Jesus was saying about true obedience to Him.
From Matthew 7, The Message version:
15-20"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
21-23"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'
Definitely worth pondering....
Go Colts! Go Cowboys! Go Carl Edwards! (what a nasty wreck near the end, huh? Kasey Kahne is one of my favorite drivers, and he took the brunt of it...how cool that they've designed those cars to handle such impact.)
Let's see if the Titans can show up tonight and get a W.
Happy Monday everyone.
We talked about many things, dreamed about how God will use us in His overall mission of loving and reconciling the world...somewhere during the discussion we brought up Matthew 7:21ff...which at the outset is not all that encouraging...but in this version, it really helped us internalize and personalize what Jesus was saying about true obedience to Him.
From Matthew 7, The Message version:
15-20"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
21-23"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'
Definitely worth pondering....
Go Colts! Go Cowboys! Go Carl Edwards! (what a nasty wreck near the end, huh? Kasey Kahne is one of my favorite drivers, and he took the brunt of it...how cool that they've designed those cars to handle such impact.)
Let's see if the Titans can show up tonight and get a W.
Happy Monday everyone.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Other Worship Recordings
Thanks for the comment, Amy. Didn't like Vicky Beeching so much, huh? Not even "The Wonder of the Cross", track 5? Ok, moving on...her english accent and high-pitched keys are not for everyone. I've already decided my arrangement of that will be pitched lower.
Here are some of my favorites.
Chris Tomlin - His See the Morning cd has worship hit after hit after hit...
Hallal's latest CD Immeasurable is really great...Mostly they cover many great instrumental worship songs, but there are a few originals by Ken that are spectacular (effective, moving, well written, good hook, etc.)
Shane & Shane's new cd Pages is solid.
I'm reserving judgment on Dennis Jernigan's new cd I Cry Holy , but I don't think it contains anything like his monster hits "You are my All in All" or "Thank You, Lord" but I haven't finished listening to all of it yet...he has admitted to not being aware of current worship music / styles, and I think that shows in this newest release. It's great heartfelt stuff, it's just a little obvious and plain for me at "first listen".
Another great resource for up & coming worship artists is www.independentbands.com you could just sample some of their new releases.
Lastly, I'd be interested in hearing some of your favorite worship songs. Kelli B, you might even say "give me the old hymns" and that's great too. If you like fresh covers for them, I could hook you up. Amy Grant's are some of my favorite hymn redux.
Bottom line, just keep on singing!
Here are some of my favorites.
Chris Tomlin - His See the Morning cd has worship hit after hit after hit...
Hallal's latest CD Immeasurable is really great...Mostly they cover many great instrumental worship songs, but there are a few originals by Ken that are spectacular (effective, moving, well written, good hook, etc.)
Shane & Shane's new cd Pages is solid.
I'm reserving judgment on Dennis Jernigan's new cd I Cry Holy , but I don't think it contains anything like his monster hits "You are my All in All" or "Thank You, Lord" but I haven't finished listening to all of it yet...he has admitted to not being aware of current worship music / styles, and I think that shows in this newest release. It's great heartfelt stuff, it's just a little obvious and plain for me at "first listen".
Another great resource for up & coming worship artists is www.independentbands.com you could just sample some of their new releases.
Lastly, I'd be interested in hearing some of your favorite worship songs. Kelli B, you might even say "give me the old hymns" and that's great too. If you like fresh covers for them, I could hook you up. Amy Grant's are some of my favorite hymn redux.
Bottom line, just keep on singing!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
various
Still loving Vicky Beeching's CD Painting the Invisible. Just go to itunes now and get it. Don't even think twice about it. You'll thank me later. www.vickybeeching.com
Stood in line 30 minutes today, yes 30, for Dunkin Donuts coffee & donuts, the new store in Carmel. I had promised to bring it to the staff, or else I would have blown it off. The parking lot, which was staffed with one Dunkin Donuts attendant, and 2 Dunkin Donuts staffers who were giving out free samples, was a circus. There was a funny sort of community feeling though, as we all stood in line for what was obviously just a luxury and not a need. It was sort of that feeling you get at an amusement park when everyone's standing in line for the best coaster...everyone's chatty, in a good mood, etc.
Eli is now 3 months old and laughs freely & easily. However, I, at 6:30 am this morning, was not the one laughing at his idea of a fountain-imitation. I'm just thankful it wasn't 4:30 am. He's doing great at sleeping from midnight to 6:30 am.
This cooler weather has got me so pumped up! I love it! I was actually cold this morning driving to work! Thank you God for 4 seasons! (Texans don't realize there are actually 4...down there, you just have summer and winter.)
Have a great weekend everyone!
Save the date...Harvest Sunday, October 14th
Stood in line 30 minutes today, yes 30, for Dunkin Donuts coffee & donuts, the new store in Carmel. I had promised to bring it to the staff, or else I would have blown it off. The parking lot, which was staffed with one Dunkin Donuts attendant, and 2 Dunkin Donuts staffers who were giving out free samples, was a circus. There was a funny sort of community feeling though, as we all stood in line for what was obviously just a luxury and not a need. It was sort of that feeling you get at an amusement park when everyone's standing in line for the best coaster...everyone's chatty, in a good mood, etc.
Eli is now 3 months old and laughs freely & easily. However, I, at 6:30 am this morning, was not the one laughing at his idea of a fountain-imitation. I'm just thankful it wasn't 4:30 am. He's doing great at sleeping from midnight to 6:30 am.
This cooler weather has got me so pumped up! I love it! I was actually cold this morning driving to work! Thank you God for 4 seasons! (Texans don't realize there are actually 4...down there, you just have summer and winter.)
Have a great weekend everyone!
Save the date...Harvest Sunday, October 14th
Monday, September 10, 2007
New insights
Thanks for a great Bible study yesterday morning, Russ! Jaime & I attended the Matthew class yesterday morning, and it was really good, helpful, insightful, encouraging, crowded, and all the things you want a class to be.
Here are just 2 quick insights I gained...
The wise men coming to visit baby Jesus when he was born...I've always thought, how cool, rich foreigners coming to see Jesus, with the little drummer boy in the background ;) It just seemed like a neat story, quaint and a nice rounding out of the nativity scene.
BUT
if you stop & reflect on that...it would be like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Donald Trump traveling to the tip of south America to BOW DOWN And worship a little baby boy born in a hut in a remote village. They would each present him with a million dollar gift and then travel back, completely ignoring the false pretenses of a request from President Bush to tell him where to find the baby.
When you stop & think about it, that is awesome. Everything about Jesus is awesome, to say the least, but even the cute little birth story is filled with mystery and wealth and poverty and prestige and humility and world leaders, etc.
I also just realized this morning after further reflection that those gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, were very helpful to Mary & Joseph to PROVIDE for that little baby on all of their travels and relocations. (They moved 3 times it seems before settling down.)
God is awesome, and His Word has so many levels. As Russ said, the longer you live, the more you learn...and at different stages of your life, you see/learn/observe different things in Scripture.
Have a great week in the Word, blogfriends.
Here are just 2 quick insights I gained...
The wise men coming to visit baby Jesus when he was born...I've always thought, how cool, rich foreigners coming to see Jesus, with the little drummer boy in the background ;) It just seemed like a neat story, quaint and a nice rounding out of the nativity scene.
BUT
if you stop & reflect on that...it would be like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Donald Trump traveling to the tip of south America to BOW DOWN And worship a little baby boy born in a hut in a remote village. They would each present him with a million dollar gift and then travel back, completely ignoring the false pretenses of a request from President Bush to tell him where to find the baby.
When you stop & think about it, that is awesome. Everything about Jesus is awesome, to say the least, but even the cute little birth story is filled with mystery and wealth and poverty and prestige and humility and world leaders, etc.
I also just realized this morning after further reflection that those gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, were very helpful to Mary & Joseph to PROVIDE for that little baby on all of their travels and relocations. (They moved 3 times it seems before settling down.)
God is awesome, and His Word has so many levels. As Russ said, the longer you live, the more you learn...and at different stages of your life, you see/learn/observe different things in Scripture.
Have a great week in the Word, blogfriends.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
A teachable moment
What an awesome 3 day weekend!
On Saturday, we spent time at Mounds State Park at a reunion with Jaime's mother's father's side of the family. Very cool to meet Jaime's grandfather's close relatives...he passed away before Jaime came along.
On Sunday after church, we enjoyed going to lunch (Babeaux in Broad Ripple, great suggestion PJ) with a friend from Fairfax (Megan C.) who is attending Butler University here in Indy, and a new North Central friend.
Then Jaime's dad and his wife came over to hang out and help us with our guest bath remodel. And yes, I helped him put in the new sink...I can do some things around the house, like get him a diet coke and go next door to borrow "channel locks". Whatever those are. We watched a bit of the NASCAR race as well. You know you're a fan when you yell out, "there's a wreck on pit road!" Jaime was like, don't distract my dad, he's getting a lot done!
Labor Day began perfectly with breakfast at Bob Evans, then there was napping and shopping and time with the family at the pool. (Our neighborhood has a mandatory HOA and part of what you get is pool membership...glad I finally made it on the last day of the year for the pool!) Jaime's dad came back over later and put the finishing touches on the new vanity/sinks/faucets in the kids' bathroom. Amazing what an upgrade a vanity/sinks can be! Thanks Mike! Now for the texture on the walls, and new lights...I'm so thankful to have a wife with great taste and an eye for decorating.
At one point Monday afternoon, the whole family was on the couch playing and wrestling and just hanging out. Faithy was doing something which I didn't want her to do: eating Graham crackers in the den without a plate...spreading crumbs evenly throughout the den...I "called her down" and told her what not to do. Her response was to give me a great big hug...BOTH little arms around my neck, and her cheek right next to mine. It was so precious and sweet. I had a hard time maintaining my "calling her down" tone...
THEN IT HIT ME!
That's how God feels about us when we love Him and worship Him and have all of these great feelings about Him, but we don't do what He says...like take care of the poor and oppressed and shut-ins and imprisoned. He loves us dearly, of course, but He wants us to OBEY Him. Loving Him must also contain a consistent obedience aspect. Without obedience, there really is no love. "If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15
I know Faithy loves me, and she is learning to obey, and she does so regularly. But I just couldn't miss the point when God opened my eyes to her hugs of love in contrast with her desire to continue eating plate-less crumb-creating crackers.
Thanks God, I got it.
On Saturday, we spent time at Mounds State Park at a reunion with Jaime's mother's father's side of the family. Very cool to meet Jaime's grandfather's close relatives...he passed away before Jaime came along.
On Sunday after church, we enjoyed going to lunch (Babeaux in Broad Ripple, great suggestion PJ) with a friend from Fairfax (Megan C.) who is attending Butler University here in Indy, and a new North Central friend.
Then Jaime's dad and his wife came over to hang out and help us with our guest bath remodel. And yes, I helped him put in the new sink...I can do some things around the house, like get him a diet coke and go next door to borrow "channel locks". Whatever those are. We watched a bit of the NASCAR race as well. You know you're a fan when you yell out, "there's a wreck on pit road!" Jaime was like, don't distract my dad, he's getting a lot done!
Labor Day began perfectly with breakfast at Bob Evans, then there was napping and shopping and time with the family at the pool. (Our neighborhood has a mandatory HOA and part of what you get is pool membership...glad I finally made it on the last day of the year for the pool!) Jaime's dad came back over later and put the finishing touches on the new vanity/sinks/faucets in the kids' bathroom. Amazing what an upgrade a vanity/sinks can be! Thanks Mike! Now for the texture on the walls, and new lights...I'm so thankful to have a wife with great taste and an eye for decorating.
At one point Monday afternoon, the whole family was on the couch playing and wrestling and just hanging out. Faithy was doing something which I didn't want her to do: eating Graham crackers in the den without a plate...spreading crumbs evenly throughout the den...I "called her down" and told her what not to do. Her response was to give me a great big hug...BOTH little arms around my neck, and her cheek right next to mine. It was so precious and sweet. I had a hard time maintaining my "calling her down" tone...
THEN IT HIT ME!
That's how God feels about us when we love Him and worship Him and have all of these great feelings about Him, but we don't do what He says...like take care of the poor and oppressed and shut-ins and imprisoned. He loves us dearly, of course, but He wants us to OBEY Him. Loving Him must also contain a consistent obedience aspect. Without obedience, there really is no love. "If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15
I know Faithy loves me, and she is learning to obey, and she does so regularly. But I just couldn't miss the point when God opened my eyes to her hugs of love in contrast with her desire to continue eating plate-less crumb-creating crackers.
Thanks God, I got it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)