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  • November 30, 1999

Archives For November 30, 1999

Perfect Assurance…From our Perfecter

May 6, 2009 — 2 Comments

How easily we allow the “STUFF” in life to impact our assurance (and sometimes our confidence) in our Heavenly Father. The fact is that while our situation, circumstance, whatever may change:

HE NEVER CHANGES! HE IS THE SAME
YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER!

While I can’t recall a specific example right now, I’m sure there were times growing up when I was afraid to do something, but my dad said “Dennis, trust me.” When I remained afraid, I’m sure he was frustrated, but he still assured me that it was OK – “Dennis, trust ME.” I’m sure in my heart I knew that he had my safety and security in mind, but still…“Dad, I’m afraid!”

So, after much prodding, I probably begrudgingly did it and I’m sure I got hurt or it didn’t “go right” a time or two – but my dad’s love and care never ceased…even when I may have thought, “Wait a second!”

How much more is our Heavenly Father
trustworthy, caring, and constantly on our side!

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A Follow-up To A “Scary Visual”

May 4, 2009 — 1 Comment

Last Monday, I wrote a post called “Two Visuals: One Cool, One Scary.”  The scary visual was a bible verse where we see a visual of what sin looks like to God:

Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against You and cast Your law behind their back. Nehemiah 9:26 [ESV]

In this verse, we see that when we sin, we effectively take God’s Word in our hands…and toss it…with disregard…over our shoulder…behind our back (just as the Israelites did).  Truly scary.  Having this image of sin won’t keep us from sinning (it’s our nature), but it may help us make a decision when faced with a choice.

If this image were the end of the story, well...

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IT’S OBIVOUS…don’t miss it!

April 23, 2009 — Leave a comment

sunset

We’ve all seen it on the news…a reporter standing in a war zone talking into the camera – gunfire and bombs going off in the distance. He or she knows the gunfire and bombs are there, but keeps talking – giving the news, describing their surroundings. Suddenly, the gunfire or bombs are no longer in the distance…we see them “hit the deck” – now, they are fully aware of their surroundings. We say to ourselves (or the TV) – “hello, don’t you know what is going on all around you?”

Sadly,  it is often like that for us…with GOD? We know He is THE Almighty and Sovereign Creator – but we miss the obvious affirmation of HIS creation!
O, the Psalm 19-of it all! We take for granted the mind-boggling fact that He was and is so creative by not fully “seeing” everything around us – at any given moment, whether you’re standing on the beach or (like me right now) sitting in front of a computer (“I’m a PC!”  But I love my iPod & iPhone – guess I’m conflicted.)

Think about the snowball effect of our Awesome God’s Genesis 1:3 command. The person sitting next to you, the one on your mind right now, the phone you’re holding, the car you’re driving down the freeway in at 65.1 MPH…while Twittering, the iPod you’re listening to, the amazing creation that you are about to shuttle to soccer/baseball/gymnastics practice, the beans that were cooked/ground up/brewed that you are drinking, the very ground/carpet/pavement you’re standing on…all a result of those four, powerful, monosyllabic words: Let there be light!

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Two Thoughts on the Susan Boyle Phenomenon

April 17, 2009 — 6 Comments

sb-postSo by now you’ve probably heard about Susan Boyle and her experience on the UK TV show Britain’s Got Talent – it’s all over YouTube and she’s even on Wikipedia! If you haven’t, you gotta get out more!

The obvious lesson here is how we judge by appearances – all of us. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we do it. We know it’s wrong and unfair, but it’s a natural reaction…

In an interview with the Washington Post, Boyle said it all to well:

“Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. … There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.”

That’s the obvious take away…I have two other observations:

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The Best Non-Fiction Story…Ever!

April 12, 2009 — 2 Comments

He is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!


One of the comments on this YouTube page:

“This song, cranked up as loud as possible, is how my family has woken up at daybreak every Easter Sunday morning for the past 14 years.”

How cool is that!  I think I’ll institute that this year!

HALLELUJAH!!!

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Gracious Savior…Thank You

April 10, 2009 — Leave a comment

LOVE

O Gracious Savior,

On this day when You died so long ago for my past, present, and future sins, my heart is thankful, humbled, and in awe. On my “best” day, I am unworthy of such kindness; yet You, who were sinless and perfect, paid the price I should have paid – out of Your love for filthy and imperfect me.

What can I give You in response to such love?  What is sufficient to show my gratitude?  The greatest I have to offer is me…everything…all of me.  So kind Savior, I lay myself at Your feet – broken and filthy – but perfect in Your kind eyes.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You – for You alone are worthy of my praise and undying affection in response to Your great love.

“Thank You” seems such an inadequate phrase for such unconditional, pure, holy, and (some would say) crazy love…but THANK YOU.

dennis

x

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Remembering the Future

April 9, 2009 — Leave a comment

communionRemembering the Future…that seems like an odd and confusing statement.  But it is exactly what those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior can say about today.

Today is known by several names: Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, or Great and Holy Thursday.  It is the day that four things took place in the final days of Christ’s life on earth: the washing of the Disciples’ feet by Jesus, the creation of Communion at the Last Supper, the agony of Jesus in the garden, and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.

Focusing on the second:

In Matthew 26:26-29, we read:

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Christ initiated an aspect of worship for the Disciples (and for us) to remember His death – then promised that we would someday feast again with Him. 

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul writes:

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Paul reminded the Corinthian church that observing Communion was a remembrance that would someday end when Christ returns.

In Revelation 19:9, John writes:

Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

John writes in Revelation about the wedding feast to come with Christ and His bride (the church).

Communion.  The Lord’s Table.  Whatever you call this Christ-ordained act of worship – it is a time to remember the future to come.

Maranatha!

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TRUE, True Beauty

April 8, 2009 — Leave a comment

treu-beautyConfession time. I admit it – I watched the recent ABC series True Beauty. I guess I could call it “research on the human condition”; but really I just was just intrigued – and at times saddened – by how people act when no one is looking. Honestly, some self-examination is probably needed here also!

If you are not familiar with the show (or won’t admit it), here is the show’s description from the ABC website:

The series will determine the True Beauty of six stunning females and four handsome males who will live together in a spectacular Los Angeles mansion as they undergo a series of challenges to determine who is truly the most beautiful.

The gorgeous contestants assume they’re being judged solely on their outer appearance. They’re only half right; outer beauty is one component the judges are looking for, but contestants are also being evaluated — unbeknownst to them — for their INNER beauty as well when they’re put through scenarios and situations that require them to make moral decisions.

I will spare you the details on the show (actually you can “research” it for yourself on ABC’s website.) Most episodes were pretty sad in showing how people acted (although there was some good behavior exhibited.) I’m not completely judging, since basically we are all the same – albeit in varying degrees – and nobody’s perfect except for GOD. Honestly, I’m probably just as guilty of the vanity, selfishness, etc. that was exhibited by the show’s contestants.

The bottom line is that in addition to being a GUT CHECK for me (my heart and my actions), the show really reminded me of what true beauty is – or actually WHO true beauty is: Jesus Christ. His beautiful love for us was and is shown in SO many ways (the biggest of which was His death on the cross for you and for me).  In truth, I only truly see but a glimpse of it through my sin-clouded vision (O to Grace how great a debtor…am I).

The little that I am blessed enough to see makes me want to cry out in praise:

x

“AWESOME GOD AND GRACIOUS SAVIOR,
YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!”

x
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