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Archives For November 30, 1999

My “GO TO” Psalm

July 14, 2010 — 1 Comment

Last Sunday, during our adult Sunday School class, Brad was teaching on Jonah and asked us what our “GO TO” Psalm was – you know, the Psalm that you read, claim, or think about when things aren’t going well.  You see, when he was in the big fish, Jonah went to the Psalms as he prayed.

I didn’t share my “GO TO” then, but the one that I would have shared is:

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  Psalm 91:4

I know there are tons of Psalms that speak of God’s help, faithfulness, and love in times of trouble; but this one has always seemed to remind me that HE is great, mighty, strong, and powerful and I am small, truly powerless, and dependent on Him for everything (protection, etc).

It’s one thing to say He protects – how much more to say He protects and is faithful !  We have so many examples of things or people that  protect, but NONE are completely faithful like God (if we are truly honest).

What’s your “GO TO” Psalm?

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Review: Forgotten God DVD Study Resource

July 10, 2010 — 1 Comment

This post is sorely overdue…  I posted about the book over 3.5 months ago, said that I would post about the DVD – even received a review copy from David Cook Publishers – and have yet to do it!  So, here goes…

Overall, the Forgotten God DVD Study Resource is a great and one that really encourages and challenges more consideration of the book.  I appreciate Chan’s honest and forthright way of explaining things and being transparent in his own journey in Christ.

As a resource, and when compared with the Crazy Love Study DVD, there are two things to consider:

  1. Each segment/chapter amplifies – it does not, in and of itself teach the related chapter in the book.  When we used the DVD in our Sunday School class, we made sure we came up with a few post-video discussion questions.  There were one or two on the Crazy Love DVD…none on the Forgotten God one.  Some study DVDs allow for a facilitator rather than a teacher/leader – in my opinion, Forgotten God needs to have the latter.
  2. Study Guide.   The Study/Group Discussion Guide was offered separately and not on the DVD (again, comparing Crazy Love to Forgotten God).  This is only a comment – it’s up to the writer and publisher on how to distribute this type of valuable resource.  That said, I wished it had been on the DVD.  I have not ordered the separate Workbook – I think I will so I have it when I re-read the book and re-watch the DVD.  Looking at the page count (128) and the “look inside” feature on Amazon, I can see why it wasn’t included on the DVD…  [Also, if this guide is used, maybe my comment above about teacher/leader vs. facilitator is moot.]

Those two comments aside, again – I recommend this DVD!

In writing this post, I re-watched the DVD and took these notes…

Continue Reading…

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Like Incense/Sometimes By Step

July 9, 2010 — Leave a comment

This track off the new Hillsong Live A Beautiful Exchange release is getting the most play right now…

May my prayer like incense rise before You
The lifting of my hands a sacrifice
Oh Lord Jesus turn Your eyes upon me
For I know there is mercy in Your sight
Your statues are my heritage forever
My heart is set on keeping Your decrees
Please still my anxious urge toward rebellion
Let love keep my will upon its knees

Oh God You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God You are my God
And I will ever praise You

To all creation I can see a limit
But Your commands are boundless and have none
So Your word is my joy and meditation
From the rising to the setting of the sun
All Your ways are loving and are faithful
Your road is narrow but Your burden light
Because You gladly lean to lead the humble
I shall gladly kneel to leave my pride

I will seek You in the morning
I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You’ll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Brooke Ligertwood | David Strasser | Rich Mullins
© 2009 Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia | BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music) | (Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)

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Verses for the Day

July 7, 2010 — Leave a comment

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  -Jeremiah 29:11

We are … perplexed, but not in despair;  …  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  -2 Corinthians 4:8, 18

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Familiarity & Help

July 1, 2010 — Leave a comment

I read this yesterday and it’s been ruminating ever since:

Because he [Jesus] himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:18

The thing that hit me was how I (and maybe you) often under appreciate the fact that Jesus was tempted while on earth.

After I read that verse, I jumped to Matthew 4:1-11 and re-read the passage where Jesus was led in to the desert to be tempted by Satan.

Continue Reading…

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Recollection

June 25, 2010 — 3 Comments

It’s cool how the small things cause you to remember stuff from your past – both good and, well, not-so-good.

In my new role as a foster father (not-soon-enough adoptive father!), the other day, Sam & I were cleaning up the side of the house and we were “team sweeping” the leaves and stuff – me sweeping, him using the dust pan.  He was having a tough time getting all the stuff in the dust pan and I recalled how my dad taught me the “sweep, back up the pan, and repeat” process for getting all the stuff picked up.  So, naturally, I imparted my well-honed “sweeping” knowledge to him…

Pretty cool – and not so painful.  I’m sure, in the course of our lives together, I’ll have ample opportunity to share and teach Sam about the not-so-good or hard lessons I’ve learned…

I was reading in Colossians yesterday and these two verses from chapter two popped out:

9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Continue Reading…

In Adoption, Christianity, Family, Kids, Life , , , , ,
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“Nuggets” From The Week: May 23-29, 2010

June 4, 2010 — Leave a comment

Some “nuggets” from my daily Bible study times:

LK 11:37-52 – We may not literally DO the actions of Pharisees & Experts, but our heart may be similar. Search, know, & try, oh God. [May 23]

“Lord, R U telling ths parable 4 us or 4 all?” Peter, LK 12:41 / Too oftn we hear/read something & seek 2 apply 2 others B4 ourselves [May 24]

The people were delighted w/all the THINGS Jesus DID. LK 13:17 / Jesus’ actions had message/meaning. Our actions MUST point back to THAT. [May 25]

“…any of you who does not give up everything cannot be my disciple.” LK 14:28-33 / Jesus calls us to thoughtful sacrifice & service. [May 26]

The Parable of the Lost Son – LK 15:11-32 / 3 views of grace: 2 undeserving, 1 unconditional. May we be like the (F)ather [May 27]

Things people think R important R worthless as far as God is concerned. LK 16:15 / God’s economy is SO different from ours. [May 28]

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“Nuggets” From The Week: May 16-22, 2010

May 22, 2010 — Leave a comment

Some “nuggets” from my daily Bible study times this week:

“Who needs a doctor: healthy or sick? I’m inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside & out.” -Jesus (-us?) [May 16]

“When Jesus finished saying all this in the hearing of the people,…” Luke 7:1 | Jesus wasn’t covert. May we be like Him in our day-to-day worship. [May 17]

We can mistakenly think the seed on “good soil” has it easy (LK 8). Don’t miss this phrase: “and by persevering”. God’s Word: Hear, retain, and persevere! [May 18]

“I didn’t keep the news of your ways a secret, didn’t keep it to myself. I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough. I didn’t hold back pieces of love and truth for myself alone. I told it all, let the congregation know the whole story.” -David (PS 40:10 MSG) [May 19]

Jesus: “You give…” Disciples: “We only have…” LK 9:13 // How often we think/say/do this. Imagine living as if God were all-knowing/powerful & ever-present! [May 20]

Jesus to the 72: “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” LK 10:3 / Why do WE assume/require comfort & safety to serve Him? [May 21]

Jesus finished praying in a certain place & a disciple said, “Lord, teach us” LK 11:1 / His posture made it clear He’d been w/God-does ours? [May 22]

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Constant Confirmation

May 6, 2010 — Leave a comment

What an amazing day yesterday – I’ll write about it at some point…I’m still processing it all.

One thing is certain:

My amazement never stops at how God constantly confirms
His love, care, direction, …

This song played several times yesterday and, this morning, I read the passage from Romans.

Continue Reading…

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Unlike Me

May 1, 2010 — Leave a comment

This whacked me yesterday:

“What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!” -Romans 3:3-4

Now, replace the “faith” references with love, hope, peace, grace, forgiveness, kindness,…you get the picture.

God is so unlike me. Hallelujah, He’s unlike me!

Maranatha!

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