I wish I could write with the consistency and clarity that I did in parts of 2008.
I feel good though. I think I'm getting my vocab and flow back.
I cant wait.
Watch out. My fingers feel on the brink of striking some good keys soon.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Another 9 Minutes
Over the next three weeks I have challenged some guys to, with me, memorize Colossians 3:1-17. I am excited. I am pumped actually. There is so much good that comes from scripture memory and the diligence of meditation on Gods word. With that said there have been a couple verses lately that have made me think nothing but truth of that statement.
First, Hebrews 12:11 - No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
and
Second, 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God‑breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
I dont think that it is a coincidence that the author(s) here (I'm not going to dispute who the author of Hebrews is at this time) relates righteousness to discipline and Scripture. With that said when we are allowing God to penetrate our hearts, work in our souls, and be displayed through us; when we strip or rid ourselves of the junk that can hold us from pursuing Him fully, and are in the Word, It directs our lives.
Somethig cool happened this week. As most of you know, this has been the hardest year of my life. With that said it has also been one of the greatest years of my life but I would be lying to say that it hasnt been a rough 12-14 months. A consuming period of time that has had so much spiritual, emotional, physical, and psycological stress. But God is good and never fails. His Word is real and impactful. It will lead us if allowed. Even the simplest things prove that, for example:
On Friday morning I laid in bed and hit the snooze button six times, thats 54 minutes of snooze. After the six, nine minute extensions of sleep, I decided class was not necessary at 930 on a Friday morning... and then it happened, "No discipline is pleasent at the time" was the only thing that I could think. It echoed through my head in stereo. My only response, "Rats!" I went to class.
That sounds like nothing but to me it was huge. A verse that I had memorized two years ago convicted my lazy body enough to get out of bed and brave the cold. Three weeks ago when I was at rock bottom, or six months ago when I was questioning the goodness of anything I would have never let myself become convicted by such a simple phrase. I would have over analyzed, over looked, and over slept the significance, the sheer necessity of what 'discipline' represents.
Gods word is encouraging, no doubt. But when we allow It to take the reigns it is dangerous. Dangerous in the sense that our character responds. Our character creates consistancy. Consistancy makes us holy and holiness sets us apart. Makes us new. New is good because the old is asleep in bed missing out on what the world really has to offer.
First, Hebrews 12:11 - No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
and
Second, 2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God‑breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
I dont think that it is a coincidence that the author(s) here (I'm not going to dispute who the author of Hebrews is at this time) relates righteousness to discipline and Scripture. With that said when we are allowing God to penetrate our hearts, work in our souls, and be displayed through us; when we strip or rid ourselves of the junk that can hold us from pursuing Him fully, and are in the Word, It directs our lives.
Somethig cool happened this week. As most of you know, this has been the hardest year of my life. With that said it has also been one of the greatest years of my life but I would be lying to say that it hasnt been a rough 12-14 months. A consuming period of time that has had so much spiritual, emotional, physical, and psycological stress. But God is good and never fails. His Word is real and impactful. It will lead us if allowed. Even the simplest things prove that, for example:
On Friday morning I laid in bed and hit the snooze button six times, thats 54 minutes of snooze. After the six, nine minute extensions of sleep, I decided class was not necessary at 930 on a Friday morning... and then it happened, "No discipline is pleasent at the time" was the only thing that I could think. It echoed through my head in stereo. My only response, "Rats!" I went to class.
That sounds like nothing but to me it was huge. A verse that I had memorized two years ago convicted my lazy body enough to get out of bed and brave the cold. Three weeks ago when I was at rock bottom, or six months ago when I was questioning the goodness of anything I would have never let myself become convicted by such a simple phrase. I would have over analyzed, over looked, and over slept the significance, the sheer necessity of what 'discipline' represents.
Gods word is encouraging, no doubt. But when we allow It to take the reigns it is dangerous. Dangerous in the sense that our character responds. Our character creates consistancy. Consistancy makes us holy and holiness sets us apart. Makes us new. New is good because the old is asleep in bed missing out on what the world really has to offer.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Voice mail
I just stole this from Ben's blog, but it is great and everyone needs to take a listen to this hilarious voice mail from lifechurch.tv
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)