Archives For Nehemiah

Hello. My name is Dennis…and I’m a multi-tasker

May 1, 2009 — 2 Comments

OK, I’ll admit it; I’m a compulsive multi-tasker.  I’m doing it right now as I write this.  I do it all the time – even when I don’t realize it!  It can be an advantage – getting more “stuff” done in less time and I’m obsessive enough that I’m typically pleased with the results (ok, maybe not all the time.)  But one area that I really challenge myself on NOT multi-tasking is during my focused time alone with God.  I’m not saying I’m always successful, but I try.  Jesus did it – He carved time out to focus and pray – so should I:

“When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.”  Matthew 14:13

“…He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.  When evening came, He was there alone…”  Matthew 14:23

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up…”  Mark 1:35

I believe focused time alone with God is crucial for every believer.  Without it, we’re unprepared, running aimlessly and punching at open space as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9…picture a noted computer entrepreneur dancing on TV, its bad (ok, he tried, but it was still bad – not that there is anything wrong with bad dancing). Sadly, without focused time alone with God, we’re missing out on [don’t miss this] communion with the Creator of the whole universe. This is nothing new or profound, but it is basic.

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Two Visuals: One Cool, One Scary

April 27, 2009 — 3 Comments

bblvizJust thought I would share two visuals from last week…

The Cool!

I am always looking for cool backgrounds for church and was looking through my “finds” last week and saw the one to the right.  A while ago, I StumbledUpon this site that had a “visual” of the Bible and its linkages.  Visually, it is pretty cool – seeing the rainbows of colors and their interconnectedness.  But…if it ended there, it would be just another interesting image.  The truth of the “coolness” is that this picture represents God’s Awesome Word!

As faithfacts.org puts it:

“…the Bible contains 66 books, written by approximately 40 different writers, over 1600 years, on 3 different continents, in 3 different languages, on thousands of different subjects, yet with one central theme-God’s redemption of mankind from sin won for the whole world by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

The story behind the image is interesting (and sure, you could do this to many other books, including other works related to world religions); but, it is so much more than just a neat image with and cool back-story about how it was made.  WOW!!!!

BTW, there are some other cool visualizations on this person’s site…check them out!

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What am I doing writing this blog?

April 16, 2009 — 4 Comments

thinkI’ve been reading through the book of Nehemiah for a while – just taking my time, digesting small portions at a time. There is so much meat in this book about leadership, priorities, etc.; but, today as I was reading, I felt this sense of humility, privilege, and reverent fear as a worship leader.

I was in chapter eight where the people, after they have re-built the walls, gather to hear Ezra read the Law. He is assisted by many, but I focused on the Levites (who were appointed, under David, to a ministry of music and praise – specifically as, “ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord.”) I focused on the Levites because they are basically what we call worship leaders today…just like me!

From Nehemiah 8:

2 – So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard

5 – Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people [on a box], and as he opened it all the people stood.

7 & 8 – …the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

Verses seven and eight hit me like a ton of bricks – a lump even formed in my throat. I am firm in the knowledge of my responsibilities as a worship leader (first) before the Lord and (second) to those I lead/serve; but what a profound and challenging reminder! Thank you Lord!

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