Friday, May 18, 2007
Learned from another Blog
From bobfranquiz.com: Bring a book with you wherever you go. You never know when you're going to get 15 minutes to just sit and read. Most of my reading happens in-between other things that are going on.
A reminder
This is a great reminder to be thankful for what we have, and be aware of our responsibility to share what we have.
Click on this link
http://www.miniature-earth.com/
Click on this link
http://www.miniature-earth.com/
Friday, May 11, 2007
Great Wisdom
We've all had those moments in life when a statement you hear, makes an impact on your life. I was watching a "Passion One Day" video a few years back. Included in that video is a sermon by John Piper. It's kind of shocking actually. It doesn't seem to fit. John is a great speaker and you would think would be "above" speaking to this group of young people at a Christian "Woodstock" like event (I know now that the "Passion" organization is so much more than worship music and camping out). I love this statement. It's a great reminder to live my life for God's glory. You can read the whole message at: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/EssentialPiper/1483_Boasting_Only_in_the_Cross/
I tell you what a tragedy is. I'll read to you from Reader's Digest (Feb. 2000, p. 98) what a tragedy is: "Bob and Penny... took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells." The American Dream: come to the end of your life - your one and only life - and let the last great work before you give an account to your Creator, be "I collected shells. See my shells." THAT is a tragedy. And people today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. And I get forty minutes to plead with you: don't buy it.
Don't waste your life. It is so short and so precious. I grew up in a home where my father spent himself as an evangelist to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. He had one consuming vision: Preach the gospel. There was a plaque in our kitchen for all my growing up years. Now it hangs in our living room. I have looked at it almost daily for about 48 years. It says, "Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."
I tell you what a tragedy is. I'll read to you from Reader's Digest (Feb. 2000, p. 98) what a tragedy is: "Bob and Penny... took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells." The American Dream: come to the end of your life - your one and only life - and let the last great work before you give an account to your Creator, be "I collected shells. See my shells." THAT is a tragedy. And people today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. And I get forty minutes to plead with you: don't buy it.
Don't waste your life. It is so short and so precious. I grew up in a home where my father spent himself as an evangelist to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. He had one consuming vision: Preach the gospel. There was a plaque in our kitchen for all my growing up years. Now it hangs in our living room. I have looked at it almost daily for about 48 years. It says, "Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Heard on the Radio
I was listening to the Bob Dutko show on my lunch hour today. He was interviewing an author of a new book questioning the existence of God. He was of course an atheist and evolutionist, and unfortunately a professor. Toward the end of the interview He made a statement that caught my attention. In speaking about America and Evolution/Atheism, He stated.
Europe is 30 years "ahead" of America, in terms of its acceptance of evolution and it's rejection of God. And that, eventually America would catch up to Europe in its sensibility. (paraphrased)
About 20 years ago now, I remember hearing a missionary to England speak about the decline of Christianity in England and that most of the church buildings had been turned into restaurants or other businesses. I remember thinking how sad that was. And being concerned that America was heading in the same direction.
What should be our response to these disturbing statements?
Europe is 30 years "ahead" of America, in terms of its acceptance of evolution and it's rejection of God. And that, eventually America would catch up to Europe in its sensibility. (paraphrased)
About 20 years ago now, I remember hearing a missionary to England speak about the decline of Christianity in England and that most of the church buildings had been turned into restaurants or other businesses. I remember thinking how sad that was. And being concerned that America was heading in the same direction.
What should be our response to these disturbing statements?
Friday, May 4, 2007
Days have gone by without a new post from me. What's up with that? So here are some random thoughts.
Cassie is home from her first year of college. It seems that I'm reminded almost daily of the swift passage of time, and this milestone is yet another reminder of that fact. By the way we need to find another house to store all of her stuff.
I've been reading a book titled "The Art of Worship". It's probably the best book on Praise and Worship that I've yet read. Very practical advice and some really great wisdom in between. One phrase has stuck with me.
I started to realize that worship music wasn't B grade secular music; it was music that served a particular purpose-the praise of God.
Worship music has a purpose. Can we say that about any other music genre? OK, sure, music, any kind of music, your favorite band for instance, makes you happy, soothes your mind, relaxes or invigorates you. But is that really a purpose? When you look at worship music in that way, that it has a particular purpose, your particular likes and dislikes, take on a less significant role in your own worship. I should be able to worship God with any style of music. It's not about the style, it's about the worship of God.
New Topic:
I received a note this past week from a couple of different sources, regarding the murder of 3 missionaries in a small town in Turkey. The detail regarding their deaths was very disturbing. I was left speechless. In thinking about it since, I find that I'm grateful to live in a country where I can still practice my faith, however, I'm ashamed of my failure to even pray for those whom God has called to serve, sometimes in very difficult situations, sometimes even giving their lives. I've heard Tony Campolo say that we should all be missionaries, unless we're called to stay home. I should be willing to go and take the place, and pick up the mantel of these martyred men.
Cassie is home from her first year of college. It seems that I'm reminded almost daily of the swift passage of time, and this milestone is yet another reminder of that fact. By the way we need to find another house to store all of her stuff.
I've been reading a book titled "The Art of Worship". It's probably the best book on Praise and Worship that I've yet read. Very practical advice and some really great wisdom in between. One phrase has stuck with me.
I started to realize that worship music wasn't B grade secular music; it was music that served a particular purpose-the praise of God.
Worship music has a purpose. Can we say that about any other music genre? OK, sure, music, any kind of music, your favorite band for instance, makes you happy, soothes your mind, relaxes or invigorates you. But is that really a purpose? When you look at worship music in that way, that it has a particular purpose, your particular likes and dislikes, take on a less significant role in your own worship. I should be able to worship God with any style of music. It's not about the style, it's about the worship of God.
New Topic:
I received a note this past week from a couple of different sources, regarding the murder of 3 missionaries in a small town in Turkey. The detail regarding their deaths was very disturbing. I was left speechless. In thinking about it since, I find that I'm grateful to live in a country where I can still practice my faith, however, I'm ashamed of my failure to even pray for those whom God has called to serve, sometimes in very difficult situations, sometimes even giving their lives. I've heard Tony Campolo say that we should all be missionaries, unless we're called to stay home. I should be willing to go and take the place, and pick up the mantel of these martyred men.
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