Posted on March 30, 2009 at 7:22am.
I have been lingering in Colossians 3 with a friend, and am struck with the phrase “set your heart on things above”. As far as it depends on me today, and in the dependency upon the Holy Spirit today, I am choosing to set my heart on things above. I want to be about Christ’s agenda today, to be fixed on the things that he is fixed on, to be about His business, Even though I may miserably fail before noon, I am fixing my heart heart today, and will re-fix it as this day unfolds. Which means there will be a lot of dying to Mark today. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Posted on March 23, 2009 at 7:07am.
I heard a challenging message last week, and one point in particular really struck home. We do not often live in the thirst, the felt need long enough to allow that need to lead us to the only One who can quench it. No, we run to satisfy that felt need, to quench it, even deaden ourselves with all sorts of cheap imitations. That’s me. My mind immediately went to several areas of my life where that is dead on. Some say “information is power”, and I thought recognition of a pattern would disarm it. Not so for me this past week. The patterns and deadening were heightened. The battle was rough. And honestly, I have not fair-ed well. Discouraged. It’s a Monday morning, and I need a Savior. I need a fresh start. Who will rescue me? Thanks be to Jesus Christ!
Posted on March 16, 2009 at 8:56am.
It’s a line from an old hymn. I love to hear the story of the gospel. It is fascinating to hear how folks come to faith, but is also a reminder of our own story, our own salvation experience. Last night 170 of us gathered at the Harris Y and heard the old story repeated again, and again. What made this service extra special was that our Megan Joy, told her story and was baptized along with 20 others. I am grateful for her, for her love for Jesus, for some pretty significant changes in her life this year. I am also grateful for this church. Going into the ministry I never dreamed we would be in one place for so long, our pastors in our church when I was growing up never seemed to make it past 3-4 years, but being here since our girls were born has afforded them some history. Last night there were several friends who have known Megan her entire life, who have prayed for, and poured into her life. I am grateful for history we have here, for the weight of influence that this community has had in the life of our family.
Posted on March 11, 2009 at 6:54am.
Still plodding through Leviticus. and today was reading about all the requirements for priests, and the extent that they were to remain clean and undefiled.So many personal higene directives as well lifestyle restrictions, but what struck me today was the distance and avoidance they were to keep from the dis-formed, disabled, and broken people. What a contrast to the High Priest Jesus who made a b-line toward the blind, crippled, diseased. and broken. Jesus, our High Priest is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. Grateful today for the embrace of my Savior, grateful for the healing taking place in me, and excited about the day when this work will be complete!
Posted on March 10, 2009 at 9:10am.
I just read Jimmy’s blog, and the brother threw me under the bus. I too thirst for God, but during the 80’s, you remember those days- when JK was sporting his Members Only attire, it seemed like worship leaders would find a song on Maranatha and carve it into a transparency that with endless use became yellowish and fingerprinted - looking like something from a CSI crime lab, and then insist that every service be built around it. I loved the song originally. It was a nice break from “It only takes a Spark”, but after a few hundred thousand times - I have to admit, it was painful. I guess I can only ask you to pray for my lack of spiritual depth. That scripture from the Psalms is still meaningful, and I do thirst, but I thirst just fine without the tune. One man’s opinion.
