Generosity
I have been reading through Exodus and I was reading about the Tabernacle that the Lord commanded the Israelites to build. And how they gave so generously that Moses had to tell them to stop giving. It makes me look at my heart and how I handle my money and belongings. I am not that generous (which I think links to how gracious I am for what God has given me). What do you think? How generous is your heart?
No Fear of Conviction
I bought and read the book “Radical” by David Platt. It was awesome. You can read the book review on my other blog on March 12th (that’s when the book review article is scheduled) at www.MenRising.com I’m not going to review the book here, but after reading it I felt like a light had been turned on in my head, and I fell under great conviction. In short, get it, read it, and see if you are not equally challenged by it. Here I am, at least a week removed from reading it, and I am beginning to make decisions now based on the convictions of that book. Then it hit me, why do people seem to fear making a stand and fear the possibility that others might fall under conviction of the Holy Spirit about something they aren’t doing that...
Why I’m Better then You
I catch myself sometimes looking at someone doing something and thinking I am better then them because…. and I know it’s not what Christ called me to. It’s hard for me to love someone when I elevate myself above them, but there is no reason for me to think that. Everything I have is from God and none of it do I deserve. So here is a list of things I could take pride in (in a negative sense) some of them I actually struggle with and thankfully some I don’t. What are some others? Do you have any? I’m in good health I have a nice house I’m somewhat wise with my money I’m white I’m intelligent I’m athletic (somewhat) I’m employed I’m not ugly I have a beautiful wife and 2 amazing...
Returning to Salvery
Do you ever read a story in the Bible and smile smugly to yourself and think “oh, those silly …… why in the world would you do that”. Well I found myself there the other day as I was reading through Exodus. The Israelites have been freed from the Egyptians by God and then led by God and protected by God on their journey and STILL at every sign of hardship they whine and complain. They say things like “why didn’t you leave us in Egypt to die at least there we had …” fill in whatever they were lacking. I read and thought smugly to myself. You know if I was led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night and had been fed with food that fell from heaven, I would not be questioning the Lord. Then the Lord...
Psalm 15
Psalm 15 Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill? A Psalm of David. 1O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 2He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. I love this Psalm. There are certain passages of scripture that when I ponder them, my heart is just…moved. To dwell in the tent of the Lord; what a powerful...
Combatting Praise Repression
Being born and raised in a very traditional Presbyterian church has made the transition to a more contemporary service somewhat uncomfortable. Coming out of the “sit or sing” culture into one where we are allowed to clap adds both a little uncertainty and also requires a good bit more coordination (lets just be honest no one wants to be the one clapping off beat). I bring this up because I recently realized something. As I used to look at Pentecostals and think “you know they are just trying to draw attention to themselves, they aren’t trying to praise God” (Which I’m not sure I actually think. It’s just something that has crossed my mind, and justified my treelike praise posture.) I realized that if I am putting them in...