Monday, April 30, 2007

How Sad

Did you see the front page of the Tribune this morning? The lead article is about a guy who survived a fall in a remote part of the Sequoia National Forest. Here is the opening paragraph, "I'm not religious whatsover," said Rose, whose wife of nearly seven years is expecting their first child. "But that night I prayed to every God I could think of."

Wow. Lord have mercy! It is very sad to me that when faced with death he called out to any and "all" gods on his behalf. It is also interesting to me that he claims not to be religious yet his first instinct was to pray. I wonder who this guys neighbors are and if any of them know the Lord and have invited him to church. I also wonder particularly for those who attend Grace Church in SLO, if he had been in attendance with us last night at the Building on the Legacy Celebration what his reaction would have been. What was yours?

Beth Moore is right in her teaching on the book of Daniel. We are living in a modern day Babylon. How many people will read that article this morning and think nothing of the fact that this guy was praying to many gods. We need to wake up, Christian. There is only one God - have you proclaimed your Lord and Saviour to anyone today?

Friday, April 27, 2007

Disneyland at 5! (or almost)

The family tradition is when you turn 5 you get to go with Mom and Dad to Disneyland. No other siblings, just you, mom and dad. Well it was Elena's turn this past week. It was cold and rainy but that did not slow her down one bit. Three favorite experiences are shown here. Of course, you must have your picture taken with Mickey! A ride on a very special horse (this horses name is Jingle. It is Mary Poppins horse and the lead horse on the Carousel. I didn't know that until last week!) Every girl wants to be a princess. In Elena's case there are no princesses except her beloved Cinderella... Our tradition is now complete until Grandkids bless our lives. That just brings tears to my eyes.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Obedience

What is your definition of obedience?

Here is one I read this morning and shared with my bible study group:

"Obeying Christ is the very basis of life. Simply put, when we obey Christ, we live in him. When we live in Him, we will know the very mind of God. If we become centered on laws, rules and regulations rather than simple obedience of Christ's words, then the particulars of the Christian life turn into a source of stress, worry and argument. Spiritual improvement books or plans, instead of Christ are sought after to clear up the problems. Over time, we tend to lose sight of that which brings us truly in step with Christ."

In our self filled modern Babylon I wonder what a non-believers definition of obedience is and to whom one is obedient?

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Choices...

"Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or a hellish creature." CS Lewis

A friend gave that to me yesterday. Chew on that one for awhile.....I would be interested as always in your responses. Remember, though, I have the blog set so that I read them before they are released to the blog comment section.

Monday, April 23, 2007

What is Worship

OK, so it has been awhile since I posted. Well, actually it has been months since I posted. I've had a busy school year and decided to hold off on the blog, but have been encouraged recently to start it up again.

I heard a great message on Worship this past Saturday Night by a local pastor. He was teaching on Revelation 4. I've thankfully heard many good teachings on worship and this was another perspective. I am going to throw out a few quotes for you to chew on:

"Worship=Faithful response to the grace filled revelation of God." "Don't miss who is on the throne!" "The seeker we serve is God." He used a quote from John MacQuarrie which said, "The act of worship rehearses in the present the end that lies ahead." He then asked the question if that last line motivated or discouraged you?

As with many churches this particular church is also grappling with corporate worship. I think our worship hits the target when we remember who we are worshipping (or who is on the throne) and the importance of the Lord's word. AW Tozer says it this way:

"He expects His believing children to measure the church against the standards and the blessings promised in the Word of God. The, with love and reverence and prayer and in the leading of the Spirit of God we will quietly and patiently endeavor to align the church with the Word of God. When this begins to happen and the Word of God is given its place of priority, the presence of the Holy Spirit will again begin to glow in the church."

Amen.