Archives For November 30, 1999

Susan B., Sardis, & Me

February 15, 2011 — Leave a comment

“Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform.”

– Susan B. Anthony

In Sunday School this quarter, we’ve been studying the letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation.  This past week, we looked at the letter to Sardis – a church that seemed OK on the outside; but was, for the most part, different on the inside.  A church that was asleep, possibly complacent, just seeking “to fit in and not offend”, or, as a John MacArthur article I read put it, “[Sardis] had disintegrated and was now dead. It was suffering from dry rot while going through the motions of worship and activity.”

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RE-POST: Pruned

February 5, 2011 — Leave a comment

Re-post of a previous entry, as I recently pruned the yard.
This is always a good reminder…


Last Saturday, I completed the annual “pruning of the roses” task at home – not as dangerous as the “running of the bulls”, but I did have some good pokes from the thorns!

Some of the rose bushes and trees we have are pretty old (according to my neighbor, some were even transplanted years ago from his house).  Some of them are younger, having been planted by us.  In order to keep them healthy and flowering each year, they must be pruned – even if they look like they don’t need it…even if they have blooms right now.

Old or new, well-established or just-planted – each gets the same treatment.

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Hemmed & Held

February 2, 2011 — Leave a comment

Awesome and powerful Creator:
Are we forgotten? Ignored?
Though our heart and man would tell us otherwise: NO!
You hem those who love You in behind and before – perfectly and completely.
Your
strong hand of protection is ever on us and guides us true.
Your right hand holds strong when all else crumbles and fails.
You, and you alone, are stronger than all we face.
Search us, know us, test us, lead us, and comfort us…
…for Your glory.
amen

– based on Psalm 139

I hadn’t listened to this song in a bit.  It especially hit me today…

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This passage rung out as I was watching the sun rise this morning.

How glorious, how marvelous is our Awesome God!
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Questions About Hope

January 20, 2011 — Leave a comment

A few days ago, the post prompt on “The Daily Post at WordPress.com” was:

What gives you hope? And what, if anything, makes you question hope? And what makes you question your questions of hope? And…

Wow, a three-parter!

My answer:

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Today’s post prompt on “The Daily Post at WordPress.com” was:

Do you believe everything happens for a reason? Why or why not?

My answer:

This is an interesting question.  One whose answer is generally either formed or influenced by the circumstances in our life or a predisposed and faith-based belief one holds.  For me, Continue Reading…

I really like John Mark McMillan‘s music.  His newest release, The Medicine, is played on my iPhone at least three times a week.  That said, one of his songs contains some of my least favorite lyrics right now (OK, for the past few months):

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about, the way He loves us

How He Loves

You see, I’m holding on to some regrets.  Continue Reading…

As I watched this video, my mind shouted ME-TA-PHOR!!!!
[in my mind, i actually heard it in a high pitched voice]

How sad that we often live the Christian life as if we must be cloistered – sheltered or segregated – as this woman treats her hands.

Jesus didn’t live that way…why should we?  He lived in the thick of life, where we should.

Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.

Romans 12:1 (MSG)


Undone

November 19, 2010 — Leave a comment

I’ve been reading through Nehemiah and these verses hit me recently:

Ezra opened the [the Law of Moses]…and as he opened it, the people all stood up…and lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!”  Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. …all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

Nehemiah 8:5-9

The whole of the people’s response above is sadly different from the whole repose that I often have…

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BOOM!

November 9, 2010 — Leave a comment

He has cheated
Hell and seated
Us above the fall
In desperate places
He paid our wages
One time once and for all

I always get chills when I hear this song…and am filled with immense gratitude.