More thoughts from the wrecking ball that is A.W. Tozer
"One of the greatest tragedies that we find even in this most enlightened of ages is the utter failure of millions of men and women ever to discover why they were born."
That one just reminds me of my calling and pursuit of making him known. This is so true. We are more 'enlightened' than ever. Our generation is more prosperous than any yet. We have more stuff than any other generation. We are busier than any other as well. Yet, I would contend that we are also more miserable than any generation yet. Why? Could it be because we have banked all of our hope and joy in stuff and not in Christ?
More...
"The heresy of Samaritanism - the practice of picking out what we like to worship and rejecting what we do not like - is widespread."
I think this applies on more levels than we understand. Both old and young generations are guilty of worship forms and styles and not Jesus. As worship leaders we have to constantly ensure that God is the object of worship...not our styles, instruments, lights, and voices.
"A child of God, made perfect in love, has no fear because perfect love casts out fear. Yet he or she is the person of all persons who most fears God."
"True worship is to be so personally and hopelessly in love with God that the idea of a transfer of affection never even remotely exists."
I pray to continue in the pursuit of the heart of God and to be changed by Him, for His glory.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
After a long break
After a long break, it's a new post...
The past two months have been whirlwind to say the least. God is good...and I love Him.
So here are some tidbits wrapping around in my heart today from A.W. Tozer's Whatever Happened to Worship? Good stuff. I'm a book under-liner. It's funny when you look back over a page and realize about 2/3 of it is underlined or starred.
"Something wonderful and miraculous and life-changing takes place within the human soul when Jesus Christ is invited to take His rightful place. That is exactly what God anticipated when He wrought the plan of salvation. He intended to make worshipers out of rebels. He intended to restore men and women to the place of worship which our first parents knew when they were created."
"How thankful we should be to discover that it is God's desire to lead every willing heart into depth and heights of divine knowledge and communion."
"We should revel in the joy of believing that God is the sum of all patience and the true essence of kindly good will. We please Him most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms with all our imperfections and believing that He understands everything - and loves us still."
That last quote just causes such deep affection to spring up in my heart. You too? I hope. How amazing to think of the height, depth, and breadth of His grace.
Peace.
The past two months have been whirlwind to say the least. God is good...and I love Him.
So here are some tidbits wrapping around in my heart today from A.W. Tozer's Whatever Happened to Worship? Good stuff. I'm a book under-liner. It's funny when you look back over a page and realize about 2/3 of it is underlined or starred.
"Something wonderful and miraculous and life-changing takes place within the human soul when Jesus Christ is invited to take His rightful place. That is exactly what God anticipated when He wrought the plan of salvation. He intended to make worshipers out of rebels. He intended to restore men and women to the place of worship which our first parents knew when they were created."
"How thankful we should be to discover that it is God's desire to lead every willing heart into depth and heights of divine knowledge and communion."
"We should revel in the joy of believing that God is the sum of all patience and the true essence of kindly good will. We please Him most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms with all our imperfections and believing that He understands everything - and loves us still."
That last quote just causes such deep affection to spring up in my heart. You too? I hope. How amazing to think of the height, depth, and breadth of His grace.
Peace.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Hope is alive
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance.....1 Peter 1:3-4a
An article I read this morning got me thinking about this.
So let's just say that you or I went to church on Sunday/Saturday/whenever. There was a great time of expressing worship to God and continuing in worship, the pastor/teacher/speaker/whatever they want to be called gets up to preach/teach/talk/whatever they want to call it. Suppose they say something like this:
"It is with great sadness today that I proclaim to you that Jesus is not alive. He in fact, is dead, and did not rise from the tomb."
"What the....?" you might think. In fact, I dare say you would be outraged at this. I know I would. I would imagine anyone who is truly in love would Jesus wouldn't just take offense at this statement, they'd be up in arms about it...probably walk out...taking the pastor/teacher/speaker out with them as they go.
So if imagining such a scenario where a statement would potentially arouse so much passion in our hearts, the question must be asked...do we live like Jesus is alive?
Take it home...do we love our spouses and kids like Jesus is alive?
Take it to work...to we work like He is alive?
Do we view our circumstances remembering that He is alive?
Do we love like He is alive?
Do we give like He is alive?
Do we speak like He is alive?
Do we hope like He is alive?
Do we trust Him like He isn't dead, but alive?
If we would be outraged that someone would say this in church, would we be just as outraged that the evidence of the resurrection is virtually missing from the way we live?
He is alive, and this should radically alter the way we live.
If we truly believe that He is alive (which is the truth whether you believe it or not!) then is the truth evident in your life?
It's one thing to say that you believe Jesus is alive.
It is another to live like you believe He is alive.
God, it is only by your grace that we can live in hope. It is only through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that we have life. Jesus, help us to rejoice with great humility and unceasing gratitude that You are alive. By your grace and in response to grace, help us to live worthy of Your calling. Amen.
An article I read this morning got me thinking about this.
So let's just say that you or I went to church on Sunday/Saturday/whenever. There was a great time of expressing worship to God and continuing in worship, the pastor/teacher/speaker/whatever they want to be called gets up to preach/teach/talk/whatever they want to call it. Suppose they say something like this:
"It is with great sadness today that I proclaim to you that Jesus is not alive. He in fact, is dead, and did not rise from the tomb."
"What the....?" you might think. In fact, I dare say you would be outraged at this. I know I would. I would imagine anyone who is truly in love would Jesus wouldn't just take offense at this statement, they'd be up in arms about it...probably walk out...taking the pastor/teacher/speaker out with them as they go.
So if imagining such a scenario where a statement would potentially arouse so much passion in our hearts, the question must be asked...do we live like Jesus is alive?
Take it home...do we love our spouses and kids like Jesus is alive?
Take it to work...to we work like He is alive?
Do we view our circumstances remembering that He is alive?
Do we love like He is alive?
Do we give like He is alive?
Do we speak like He is alive?
Do we hope like He is alive?
Do we trust Him like He isn't dead, but alive?
If we would be outraged that someone would say this in church, would we be just as outraged that the evidence of the resurrection is virtually missing from the way we live?
He is alive, and this should radically alter the way we live.
If we truly believe that He is alive (which is the truth whether you believe it or not!) then is the truth evident in your life?
It's one thing to say that you believe Jesus is alive.
It is another to live like you believe He is alive.
God, it is only by your grace that we can live in hope. It is only through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that we have life. Jesus, help us to rejoice with great humility and unceasing gratitude that You are alive. By your grace and in response to grace, help us to live worthy of Your calling. Amen.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
We had a great Mother's Day, and I hope you did too. I'm glad a I have a mom...for pretty selfish reasons. I'm also blessed to be married to a woman who is the best mom in the world. She is pretty amazing....no she's actually really amazing. I watch her in action with our boys and marvel at how she allows God to pour Himself out through her into our boys.
One of the wise things our pre-marital counselor said to us that has stuck is this: God has made us husband and wife and in that we are to be missionaries to each other. We are to constantly be seeking how to cause each other to see and treasure Jesus in everything. The same is true as parents. As parents we are essentially missionaries to our kids. We don't want our boys to grow up and just be good, moral people. We want them to be radically, passionately in love with Jesus. We want them to be willing to do anything for Him because they 'get' just how incredible He is and how incredible His love is.
Sometimes we lose sight of this. In the endless cycles of the washing machine, the perpetually dirty kitchen, the mud stains on the carpet, marker on the furniture, grass and weeds that won't stop growing...yeah sometimes we lose sight of our goal as parents and spouses. But I watch my wife, and she pursues it. It isn't easy for me...she knows, I tell her. It isn't easy for her...I know, she tells me. But it is the pursuit of our hearts.
We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that whether we eat or drink we are to do it for the glory of God....all of life is worship, and everything we do is sacred. So whether we scrubbing the skillet for the third time in a day or teaching a two-year-old to use the potty, we do it to the glory of God.
I'm thankful for a wife that gets this and who pushes me toward it. She isn't perfect...and she'll be the first to tell you. (Though she is a whole lot closer to perfect than I'll ever be!)
But man, she is perfect for me!
Happy Mother's Day
One of the wise things our pre-marital counselor said to us that has stuck is this: God has made us husband and wife and in that we are to be missionaries to each other. We are to constantly be seeking how to cause each other to see and treasure Jesus in everything. The same is true as parents. As parents we are essentially missionaries to our kids. We don't want our boys to grow up and just be good, moral people. We want them to be radically, passionately in love with Jesus. We want them to be willing to do anything for Him because they 'get' just how incredible He is and how incredible His love is.
Sometimes we lose sight of this. In the endless cycles of the washing machine, the perpetually dirty kitchen, the mud stains on the carpet, marker on the furniture, grass and weeds that won't stop growing...yeah sometimes we lose sight of our goal as parents and spouses. But I watch my wife, and she pursues it. It isn't easy for me...she knows, I tell her. It isn't easy for her...I know, she tells me. But it is the pursuit of our hearts.
We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that whether we eat or drink we are to do it for the glory of God....all of life is worship, and everything we do is sacred. So whether we scrubbing the skillet for the third time in a day or teaching a two-year-old to use the potty, we do it to the glory of God.
I'm thankful for a wife that gets this and who pushes me toward it. She isn't perfect...and she'll be the first to tell you. (Though she is a whole lot closer to perfect than I'll ever be!)
But man, she is perfect for me!
Happy Mother's Day
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sow and Reap
2 Cor. 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.
I've been mulling over these verses of late. They are two that we've heard a lot. Starting last week I challenged our youth to memorize two passages per week from the Bible for the next six weeks, totaling 12. This is one of mine. I was already familiar with it...I could half-way quote it, but I wanted it to be written in my heart. Why? Because I need it!
Part of the challenge of this verse has led us to pray about how we can give more...more of everything. How can we give and use all of our resources to glorify God. That is the question we're asking lately. Too often, we use our resources to make our lives comfortable, when the truth is we should be seeking to invest them in the kingdom.
I'm frugal. That might be an understatement. My wife can testify to that. I've recently gotten into 'CVS'ing' (CVS, a local drugstore) runs specials, gives you in store credits etc. If you work the system (i.e. look online at some websites) you can find out exactly what is on sale, where to get coupons etc. Last week I bought $70 worth of stuff, only paid 96cents out of pocket, and had a $17 credit to spend next time. That thrills my soul! All that to say it's one way we've been trying to save money....but not so we can spend it on us. We want to save it so we can spend it on others.
For example, last night Christy and I were talking about some of the missionaries we support. Then we talked about four more friends who are raising support to go serve overseas and if and how we could support them....(man having really 'spiritual' friends can sure be expensive!) Ok, I'm totally kidding:) Our first reaction is to say...'nope, already giving more than my fair share, it's not in our budget, can't do it.' But honestly, we kind of feel like that's putting more faith in a piece of paper than it is putting faith in a God who already owns everything.
Imagine a farmer going out to harvest his crop. He has acres upon acres of farmland. He returns from harvesting his fields and all he has is one ear of corn, a few soybeans, and a 5 peanuts. (ok I'm not a farmer, I'm not sure you can grow all of those thins together, but you get the point.) He begins to wonder why he has no 'fruit' from his land. Then, he recalls the sowing season.
He remembers that instead of buying seeds to seed the ground, he only bought seeds with the leftover money he had after buying all kinds of new and fun things for his house. The new gadgets, the new boat, a newer model car. All of this left just a little bit of money to buy seeds. Now he stands at harvest time with very little yield from the land. Why? He didn't plant.
Imagine if the opposite were true. Imagine if he spared no expense buying seeds to sow. Imagine if that were his first priority. Then he took what was left and lived off of it. Imagine the harvest he would see.
So what if we lived our lives this way. Is it crazy? Absolutely! But doesn't God promise to provide. Yes He does. He may not provide luxury...and He is under no obligation to do so. But, He will provide.
We tend to think we need a whole lot more than we do. Some of you are probably saying the same things we have dealt with. There are tons of 'buts' and 'what about's'. I just want to live my life with the big picture of God's story in mind. I don't won't this myopic bubble where everything revolves around me. That's not the kind of joy-filled life we are called to in Christ.
I don't want my life to not yield fruit simply because I have hoarded my stuff for my own sake. I think any honest Christian would say 'sure, of course I want to bear more fruit.' But what are we really doing about it. I realize that this can be applied to how we invest our time, talents, etc. as well, and we should consider those things. So the question for us is this: How and what are we sowing? Will you join us in praying that God would show us more ways to sow in every area of our lives so that every area of our lives would be sanctified into a full-life of worship.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.
I've been mulling over these verses of late. They are two that we've heard a lot. Starting last week I challenged our youth to memorize two passages per week from the Bible for the next six weeks, totaling 12. This is one of mine. I was already familiar with it...I could half-way quote it, but I wanted it to be written in my heart. Why? Because I need it!
Part of the challenge of this verse has led us to pray about how we can give more...more of everything. How can we give and use all of our resources to glorify God. That is the question we're asking lately. Too often, we use our resources to make our lives comfortable, when the truth is we should be seeking to invest them in the kingdom.
I'm frugal. That might be an understatement. My wife can testify to that. I've recently gotten into 'CVS'ing' (CVS, a local drugstore) runs specials, gives you in store credits etc. If you work the system (i.e. look online at some websites) you can find out exactly what is on sale, where to get coupons etc. Last week I bought $70 worth of stuff, only paid 96cents out of pocket, and had a $17 credit to spend next time. That thrills my soul! All that to say it's one way we've been trying to save money....but not so we can spend it on us. We want to save it so we can spend it on others.
For example, last night Christy and I were talking about some of the missionaries we support. Then we talked about four more friends who are raising support to go serve overseas and if and how we could support them....(man having really 'spiritual' friends can sure be expensive!) Ok, I'm totally kidding:) Our first reaction is to say...'nope, already giving more than my fair share, it's not in our budget, can't do it.' But honestly, we kind of feel like that's putting more faith in a piece of paper than it is putting faith in a God who already owns everything.
Imagine a farmer going out to harvest his crop. He has acres upon acres of farmland. He returns from harvesting his fields and all he has is one ear of corn, a few soybeans, and a 5 peanuts. (ok I'm not a farmer, I'm not sure you can grow all of those thins together, but you get the point.) He begins to wonder why he has no 'fruit' from his land. Then, he recalls the sowing season.
He remembers that instead of buying seeds to seed the ground, he only bought seeds with the leftover money he had after buying all kinds of new and fun things for his house. The new gadgets, the new boat, a newer model car. All of this left just a little bit of money to buy seeds. Now he stands at harvest time with very little yield from the land. Why? He didn't plant.
Imagine if the opposite were true. Imagine if he spared no expense buying seeds to sow. Imagine if that were his first priority. Then he took what was left and lived off of it. Imagine the harvest he would see.
So what if we lived our lives this way. Is it crazy? Absolutely! But doesn't God promise to provide. Yes He does. He may not provide luxury...and He is under no obligation to do so. But, He will provide.
We tend to think we need a whole lot more than we do. Some of you are probably saying the same things we have dealt with. There are tons of 'buts' and 'what about's'. I just want to live my life with the big picture of God's story in mind. I don't won't this myopic bubble where everything revolves around me. That's not the kind of joy-filled life we are called to in Christ.
I don't want my life to not yield fruit simply because I have hoarded my stuff for my own sake. I think any honest Christian would say 'sure, of course I want to bear more fruit.' But what are we really doing about it. I realize that this can be applied to how we invest our time, talents, etc. as well, and we should consider those things. So the question for us is this: How and what are we sowing? Will you join us in praying that God would show us more ways to sow in every area of our lives so that every area of our lives would be sanctified into a full-life of worship.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Cool Video
I saw this video today. Some of you may have seen it or something like it. It is an awesome reminder of what Christ has done and continues to do in our lives. Seeing the testimonies of many of these people caused tears of joy to well up in my soul. Granted, what these people show on their piece of cardboard is just a small snipet of the redeeming work of Christ, it displays the greatness and glory of our God; that he truly is mighty to save. To Him alone be the glory.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
In New Orleans
This week I am in New Orleans taking a seminary class. It is a new class implemented after Hurricane Katrina and required for all students. In it we are trained in how to respond in disasters and how to organize and mobilize others to respond in disaster. Today we are actually becoming 'certified' chaplains to serve on disaster relief teams.
Yesterday, as part of our class we went out into a local neighborhood and worked on a house. The lady whose house we worked on is a New Orleans native who works as a school counselor. She has been cheated out of money by dishonest contractors and has been out of her house since Katrina.
Our professor actually met her last week while he was out on a prayerwalk with members of his church. It is amazing how God makes these divine appointments. A woman had a need. A man had access to resources that could meet her need. I'm sure she didn't wake up that morning and think, "Today I'm going to randomly meet some white dude on the street who is going to have a team of seminary students come and paint my house." I'm sure my professor didn't think as he went out to prayerwalk, "I'm going to meet a lady named Rudy who needs me to paint her house."
What happened was a God thing. What happened is what can happen to us everyday if have our hearts in tune with what God is doing.
Divine appointments.
God's sovereignty at work.
Let's be reminded that it is a privilege to even be allowed to be a part of what He is doing.
Whatever you did to the least of these, you have done unto me. Matthew 25:45
Yesterday, as part of our class we went out into a local neighborhood and worked on a house. The lady whose house we worked on is a New Orleans native who works as a school counselor. She has been cheated out of money by dishonest contractors and has been out of her house since Katrina.
Our professor actually met her last week while he was out on a prayerwalk with members of his church. It is amazing how God makes these divine appointments. A woman had a need. A man had access to resources that could meet her need. I'm sure she didn't wake up that morning and think, "Today I'm going to randomly meet some white dude on the street who is going to have a team of seminary students come and paint my house." I'm sure my professor didn't think as he went out to prayerwalk, "I'm going to meet a lady named Rudy who needs me to paint her house."
What happened was a God thing. What happened is what can happen to us everyday if have our hearts in tune with what God is doing.
Divine appointments.
God's sovereignty at work.
Let's be reminded that it is a privilege to even be allowed to be a part of what He is doing.
Whatever you did to the least of these, you have done unto me. Matthew 25:45
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