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Archives For November 30, 1999

“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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For The Love Of Hymn[s]

May 3, 2010 — Leave a comment

I stumbled upon this quote today:

“For some years it has been apparent that the rage for novelties in singing, especially in our Sunday Schools, has been driving out of use the old, precious, standard hymns.  They are not memorized as of old.  They are scarcely sung at all.  They are not even contained in the non-denominational songbooks which in many churches have usurped the place of our hymn books.

We cannot afford to lose these old hymns.  They are full of the Gospel; they breathe the deepest emotions of pious hearts in the noblest strains of poetry; they have been tested and approved by successive generations of those that loved the Lord; they are the surviving fittest ones from thousands of inferior productions; they are hallowed by abundant usefulness and tenderest memories.  But the young people of today are unfamiliar with them, if the present tendency goes unchecked.”

-Basil Manly, Jr., 1892

Interestingly, three albums that are in my music rotation right now are hymn-based:

PAGE CXVI’s, Hymns and Hymns II and
Sandra McCracken’s, In Feast or Fallow.

By the way, you can get PAGECXVI’s Hymns free at this link until midnight, Tuesday (May 4th).

All three are highly recommended mixes of old and new hymns – check ’em out kids!

In Music ,
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To Be Like The Thessalonians…

April 13, 2010 — Leave a comment

I was reading in First Thessalonians this morning and this verse in chapter one caught me:

3We [Paul, Silas and Timothy] continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Um, ok…”caught” is probably not the best word.  “Convicted” is probably more appropriate…

Mainly because at times, if I were honest, Paul may have phrased this a little differently about me (…maybe even you).

Maybe something like:

3We continually [lift you] before our God and Father [because of] your work produced by guilt, your labor prompted by obligation, and your endurance inspired by fear of our [gracious] Lord Jesus Christ [and the totally wrong thought you have that you’ve got to “bank” good things to make Him love you, accept you, and answer your prayers].

x

Oh, to be like the Thessalonians…

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CHRIST IS RISEN! now what?

April 6, 2010 — Leave a comment

For those who would call themselves Christ-Followers, Sunday was HUGE!

It was a day of rejoicing.  A day of proclaiming Jesus’ victory over Satan, sin, and death.  A day of innumerable “He is risen / He is risen indeed!” exchanges with “Marco?  Polo!” precision.

You know, all the things that we appropriately do on Easter to give praise, honor, and glory to our amazing God and risen Savior.

It’s Tuesday.  Now what?

We read that after Jesus’ death, the disciples hid at first, then waited for the Holy Spirit to come as Jesus told them to.  Hopefully you are not in hiding today and we receive the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as Savior…no waiting.

So, now what?

Continue Reading…

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“He’s Control”

February 26, 2010 — 3 Comments

…or rather, “He is in control.”

My wife and I have been on a journey to adopt children for a while and are trusting that God will lead us to the exact ones He has providentially prepared for us (and us for them!). I’ll admit, the waiting, praying, hopeful phone calls and meetings, dashed hopes, etc. is tough. We both have grown personally and as a couple during this process – and for that we’re grateful…but that doesn’t make the journey any easier. We trust in God’s plan and look with expectation to what He has prepared.

At times, it’s hard to remember, as we search, inquire, pray, trust…, that He is actually in control.

…that He has always been in control.

One of my favorite passages that clearly demonstrates this is in John 19. Jesus has been arrested and, in the eyes of His accusers, close to defeat. As he stands before Pilate we read:
Continue Reading…

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Listen Up, D! [v2.25.10]

February 25, 2010 — Leave a comment

From a Lenten devotional I recently subscribed to:

“The life God longs to give me in his presence is free of my dependencies.”

[…save Him]

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Listen Up, D! [v2.16.10]

February 16, 2010 — 1 Comment

[Paul, to the Corinthians]

“… Christ [sent me] to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”

1 Corinthians1:17 (NIV)

[Holy Spirit, to Dennis]

Whatever you do or say in the name of Jesus, make sure it’s not based on YOUR words or experiences alone.  They are powerless without pointing to the sacrifice and grace of Jesus.  That’s where life-changing power lies.

x

…Am I the only one challenged or convicted by this?  How about you?

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Listen Up, D! [v2.11.10]

February 11, 2010 — Leave a comment

I always like it when God whacks me on the head during my devotional:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this [all three, dennis!] is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

thank you GOD, my I have another!

So, what did God “whack” you with recently?

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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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