Category Archives: Uncategorized

Personal discipleship in Jesus is to pray every day, no matter what, and pray through the day. And to read the Bible everyday, no matter what. At least the McCheyne method (or equivalent). Sermon prep DOES NOT count.
No excuses. Sit with God. Soak in His goodness and beauty. Daily.

Open my Bible before I open my mouth each day.

No. Matter. What.

Here’s the draft:

If I refuse to do this, I better keep my mouth shut and, for sure, I should not be trying to teach others about the God I refuse to engage with daily.

Am I suggesting too much? 

Think so? Maybe a long look at the cross and contemplation of that price will help.

It’s not about earning or measuring up, it’s about being with the God who loved me enough to die to make me fit to hang out with.

Thank. You. Jesus.

… Friendship arises the same way. For us of course the shared activity and therefore the companionship on which Friendship supervenes will not often be a bodily one like hunting or fighting. It may be a common religion, common studies, eight common profession, even a common recreation. All who share it will be our companions; but one or two or three who share something more will be our Friends. 

“Friendship” in The Four Loves, C. S. Lewis

At the end (well, almost the end) of one of literature’s great conversations, we see an apt reminder for us during those moments when we think we know better than God.

“Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.””‭‭Job‬ ‭42:1-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/job.42.1-6.esv

37 Years ago today I was blessed by  God with my Sweet Anna. I give glory to God for these 37 years. There is no doubt that we owe our 37 years to His grace (she is married to me after all – imagine that burden to bear). And His grace continues, for each passing year with Anna is more blessed. 

This was an incredibly blessed moment on my Three Score Day with Wyatt, Alexander and William. Filled with gratitude to God for all that we have.

Then:
“And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭8:10-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1ki.8.10-11.esv

Now:

“What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.6.16.esv

The time for looking at buildings and places as God’s house is over. 

He is with us, the Spirit is in us, through the finished work of Christ. We are the church, His body.

There is no room for fear when we are filled with Christ’s Spirit.

Fear not what the world may bring.

I was deeply moved by this PBS report from the water between Africa and Italy. CLICK HERE