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Archives For November 30, 1999

Washed

January 26, 2010 — Leave a comment

Yesterday, Karen and I were looking out our hotel window and she pointed out that all the footprints that littered the beach were gone – washed away by the surf.

It reminded me of how our sin is washed away as we live out 1 John 1:9 – initially as we receive salvation and then in relationship with God and with one another:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

It also brought to mind lyrics from Brooke Fraser’s Hosanna:

I see His Love and Mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

x

Father,

Thank you for the tangible reminders of your undeserved mercy, grace, and forgiveness.  Thank you for the promise of a clean slate – for second chances – all at no great price paid by me other than acknowledging my sin to You.  Your Son graciously paid the price for me on the cross – may I appreciate His sacrifice all the more as I confess my sin.  Quicken my mind to keep short accounts with you – confessing that which You already know and are so ready to forgive and forget.

amen.

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An Oldie, But Goodie: He’s Everything to Me

January 23, 2010 — Leave a comment

Karen and I are in Monterey for a few days celebrating our anniversary and, as I was looking out our hotel window at the stars and listening to the ocean, I remembered this song from when I was growing up.  (If I recall, the way we did it had a lot of Ah-ah-ah-ahs in it!)

It’s dripping with Truth!

He’s Everything to Me
Ralph Carmichael

In the stars His handiwork I see,
On the wind He speaks with majesty,
Tho He ruleth over land and sea,
What is that to me?

I will celebrate Nativity,
for it has a place in history
Sure, He came to set His people free
What is that to me?

Till by faith I met Him face to face
and I felt the wonder of his grace
Then I knew that He was more
than just a God who didn’t care
That lived a way out there

And now He
walks beside me day by day,
Ever watching over me lest I stray,
Helping me to find that narrow way
He’s Everything To Me.

© 1964 Bud John Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

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Forgotten God – Chapter 3

January 23, 2010 — 6 Comments

Last Sunday was the third week team-teaching a Sunday School class at church that is going through Francis Chan’s latest book: Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter three: “Theology of the Holy Spirit 101”

One line from the chapter sums up this study for me (really any study about who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are):

“The point is not to completely understand God but to worship him.” (p65)

Continue Reading…

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For Our “Gathered” Worship This Weekend…

January 22, 2010 — Leave a comment

Have Your Way
Andrew Peterson

Father hear me now when i am humbled,
i fear that i will soon forget.
now i have no strength to stand and stumble
i have no wish to leave You yet.

oh holy Father, hear me now
when flesh is strong and spirit weak.
please break my back if i won’t bow,
oh won’t You have your way with me.

Father hear me now when i am humbled,
when i am bent with holy shame.
all the lies that i believed have crumbled,
the blood of Christ my only claim.

i cannot trust my own designs;
my heart is prone to disobey.
so listen Lord while there is time,
chain me fast if i won’t stay,
take my life and have Your way.

please hear me Lord this blessed hour,
when sin has loosed its hold on me.
Thy mercy is a mighty tower,
so why should i not trust in Thee
Father have Your way with me.

x

From AP’s: Appendix C: Live with the Captains Courageous
listen to song at last.fm
Purchase at The Rabbit Room

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Guest Post Over at theologicalsynergy.com

January 19, 2010 — Leave a comment

Today, I have the privilege of sharing some thoughts about the mission of music in our corporate worship services over at the Theological Synergy blog.  Ever wonder about the propose or mission of music in our church services?  Head on over and give it a read…

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Forgotten God – Chapter 2

January 15, 2010 — 1 Comment

Last Sunday was the second week team-teaching a Sunday School class at church that is going through Francis Chan’s latest book: Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter two title: “What are you afraid of?”

The main point that Chan talked about was how we have fears when if comes to our desire to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.  The two “fears” he writes about are:

First: A fear that God won’t “come through”, meaning that we pray for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment and nothing happens.

  • If we pray boldly and nothing happens or changes, does that man God failed?  [NO!] We may not say that outright, but do our inhibited prayers reflect that? [Hmmm…]
  • He pretty much calls us out [OUCH!]:

Continue Reading…

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Fretters, Get Fettered

January 12, 2010 — Leave a comment

A few days ago, Leonard Sweet posted something to Twitter and Facebook that got me thinking.

He posted:

“Starting in ministry, I fretted we had the meaning but missed the experience. Now I fret that we have the experience but miss the meaning.”

Those two sentences certainly could fill at least a couple of posts in and of themselves, and are are actually two fears that not only people in ministry experience, but those who work in non-ministry jobs.

Quite honestly, when I first read his post, my mind read “fettered” instead of “fretted.”  Immediately, my mind went to the song, Come Thou Fount:

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

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Great Words From My Friend Wayne

January 8, 2010 — Leave a comment

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. -Proverbs 27:17

Was convicted and challenged today by Wayne’s blog post.  Thank you brother!

Everyone, Check it out…I DARE YOU.  GO!

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Forgotten God – Chapter One

January 3, 2010 — 4 Comments

Today I started team-teaching a Sunday School class at church that will go through Francis Chan’s latest book: Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit.

In addition to exploring our fundamental knowledge about the Holy Spirit, as a class we will look at what the Bible says about Him, at our understanding of the Holy Spirit, our misconceptions, and even abuses of our understanding.

Today we went through the introduction and first chapter, the later of which asked the interesting question: “I’ve got Jesus.  Why do I need the Holy Spirit.”  Without recounting my whole 3-hour lesson (just kidding!), the bottom line was that we DO need the Holy Spirit.  In fact, Jesus Himself stresses the importance and necessity of the Holy Spirit when He tells His disciples about the other Counselor that would come (John 14:16-17a).

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“I” Will Overcome

December 21, 2009 — 1 Comment

One day last week, I was deciding what music to listen to on the way home from work and realized that it had been a while since I listened to Charlie Hall.  A few touches on the old iPhone and voila, On the Road to Beautiful was playing!

Track one  – I Will Overcome – always gets me; and that day I hit the repeat button a few times…

The lyrics so reflect my heart lately.  No I’m not a basket case – I’m just someone who realizes that there is absolutely no way I can make it on my own.  I love and so appreciate the support and encouragement of my wife, family, and friends; but that really pales in comparison to the comfort and true strength I enjoy, cherish, and rely on from my amazing Savior and friend: Jesus.  (BTW, that last sentence is not a slight on my wife, family, and friends – they know my heart and the truth of that statement.)

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