More Fear

Fear today is more prevalent than I can ever remember. People are afraid that the market will crash, and there will be another Great Depression. People are scared of nuclear proliferation, bird flu and that the Mayan calendar ends in 2012(if you are not aware of this, just google 2012).

As I've said before, fear and worry should not be part of a Christian's vocabulary when it comes to this world. This is easier said than done. The drop in the market has affected people's retirement accounts, and may affect how and if businesses get loans. Unemployment is surging, and we all have concerns about family and health, concerns that can give birth to worry or fear. David talked about God delivering him from his fears, and Paul spoke with of his conflicts outside and fears within.But there is difference in dealing with a problem and the fear and worry that problem might cause. I recently read a great quote, that "worry is us saying God isn't big enough" for my problem.

There are times when it's OK to fear. "Fear the Lord" is mentioned in some form 38 times in the Bible. Philippians 2:12 says work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This is a holy fear of God and who he is, of his sovereignty.

Cling to the knowledge that God is in control, no matter what happens.

Know that God is big enough for any problem, any fear. Remember, this world and this life are only part of the story.

Arms and Knees

The author John Bevere shares that for the last 25-30 years we have been so wrapped up in who we are in Christ that we have neglected what we are to do in Christ. Are we as Christians too focused inward instead of also focusing outward? There should be a balance.

Do you know any Christians that are always at conferences and seminars wanting to learn, but would never be interested in witnessing to the poor and homeless, or going on a missions trip? It reminds me of an old Degarmo & Key song lyric from the 80s, "children around the world will starve while we sit in a seminar".

Conversely, do you know followers of Christ that are always going on trips, are all busy serving, that never have time for a daily quiet time, a real relationship with the Father. It almost as if they are unsure of the intimacy with the Lord.

Jesus gave the two greatest Commandments in Mark 12. The first in to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. It's up and down, a vertical relationship between us and the Lord. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. This is a horizontal relationship between us and our neighbors. Jesus lumps these two together.

Paul gives another insight when he talks about God's discipline in Hebrews 12. In verse 12 he says, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. With our arms we do God's work for others, for our neighbors. With our knees we enter an intimate relationship with our King.

Vertical, horizontal. In balance.

Saturday Song- Isaiah 6- Todd Agnew

I saw the Lord, seated on a throne, high and exalted
And the train of His robe filled the temple
Above Him were angels, with six mighty wings
And with two they’d cover their faces
With two they’d cover their feet
With two, they’d fly
With two, they’d fly… and sing

(Chorus:)
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
The whole earth is full of His glory
He’s glorious

I said, “Woe to me, I am ruined
I am unclean, and so are all my kind
But my eyes have seen the King
The Lord Almighty

(Chorus:)
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
The whole earth is full of His glory
He’s glorious

An angel flew to me and he had fire in His hand
He put it to my lips and God took away my sin
He took away my sin

(Chorus:)
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty
And the whole earth is full of His glory
He’s glorious
You’re glorious

Another Francis Chan

Just to follow up yesterday's book review of Crazy Love by Francis Chan, here is a great little video Francis made-











happy birthday babe

Book Review- Crazy Love by Francis Chan

This is a repost but I've talked to several people, including a pastor, that say it changed their life. He is using it in a teaching series at his church. I thought it was worth the repost.


Book Review- Crazy Love by Francis Chan


It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the Universe- Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor- loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. So the back cover describes what the book Crazy Love is about.

Crazy Love is the first entry into publishing by Francis Chan. Francis is the pastor at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and a well-known speaker at the Passion Conferences with Louie Giglio. He is also founder of Eternity Bible College, and sits on the boards of Children's Hunger Fund and World Impact.

Crazy Love describes what our relationship with the Father should be like, and how we are missing it. Some chapter titles include You Might Not Finish This Chapter, Profiles of the Lukewarm, Serving Leftovers to a Holy God, and When You're in Love. The chapter Profiles of the Obsessed offers samples and stories of those madly in love with God.

For me the first chapter started slow, but picked up in the second chapter. There was some nuggets in there like"Worry implies that we don't trust that God is big enough, powerful enough or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives." The separate stories of Stan and Brooke in this chapter brought a tear or two. It builds from there and I thought was an excellent read.

In the chapter When You're in Love, he uses a quote from John Piper which is a very fundamental question-
"The critical question for our generation- and every generation- in this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters- could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?"

Chan is a gifted communicator which translates well on to page. I would definitely recommend this challenging book to all.

Like the book says, because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

Saturday Song- Alleluia, Christ is Coming- Degarmo & Key

Like a thief in the night
Just like lightning in the sky
When Jesus comes to take His Church away
With a wave of His hand
We'll be in the promised land
And the people of the Lord will sing His praise

Alleluia, Christ is coming
With angels at His side
Alleluia, Christ is coming
Coming for His bride

Days are dark, hearts are cold
Yet there's a reason still to hope
When we rest upon the promises He made
From the clouds, from on high
He will part the eastern sky
And myriads of angels will proclaim

Alleluia, Christ is coming
With angels at His side
Alleluia, Christ is coming
Coming for His bride

No more sorrow, no more death
Only blessed happiness
When Jesus comes to take His bride away

The Home Run

what the church should be...................

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=569d94ed84155a658623






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A Little Smile

I caught a clip with the end of "The Passion of the Christ" a few days ago. If you've seen the movie (or read the Bible), you know that Jesus comes out of the tomb. But the moments before I have always thought were so moving. To see the wrapped linens fall as the body is gone. To see the risen Savior there in the tomb. The things he must have seen in the time since his death, the glory of being with the Father and seeing the depths of hell. The knowledge that His work had been successful, and was finished. Knowing He would still had some teaching to do to His beloved followers, and the anticipation of seeing His friends.

I think that despite all the accurate and moving things the movie portrayed, here is a little thing they missed.

His work on earth was done. He had defeated the enemy. The earth was singing His praise as He returned. I think the movie makers missed the small smile that I think was on His face.

Love more

We need to love more. This isn't about loving your friends and family more(but we should) , or loving the weak and "least of these" more(but we should). It's not even about loving our enemies more.

Is there someone at your work that you just can't stand? They think they are always right, and never have anything good to say about anyone or anything. Or maybe they get along with others but they don't like you.

Maybe there is a friend or acquaintance that has everything always go their way, and they flaunt it in front of everyone else. Or someone at church that you feel in self-centered, or who just rubs you the wrong way.

We have forgotten, in society and in the church, what empathy is. We forget to put ourselves in someone else's shoes, to maybe look at them how God must look at them.....and at us.

When God says love your neighbor as yourself, he means the neighbor you fight with about noise and property lines; not just the ones you barbecue with. He says in His Word that anyone can love those who love them. We need to love the ones that might not be so lovable.

Spread some love this week. Spread it to someone who doesn't like you; or someone you don't like. A person at work, or at church, or that mean clerk at the store. And don't forget to love your family and the downcast more too.

Saturday Song- Slow Fade- Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

My Redeemer Lives

a Father's love...............


http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513

Bowed Down

Sometimes we are bowed down. We are bowed down in humbleness before the Lord. On our knees, maybe silent, maybe weeping. Sometimes we bow ourselves before Him, realizing His power and size, knowing His mercy and grace. Sometimes we are bowed down not of our own choosing, but by circumstances, illness, life. Either way, it's good to be bowed down.

Psalms says that the Lord will lift up those that are bowed down. If we are bowed down of our own humbleness and repentance, He will lift us up. If we are bowed down by circumstances, mistakes or illness, He will lift us up.

This reminds me of the scripture in 2 Corinthians when the Lord told Paul,"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

In our self-centered thinking, we believe we need to be strong. We first need to be weak, before we can be strong.

Saturday Song- Heart of Worship- Matt Redman

Heart of Worship

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus

My Salvation

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=fa52c879ffc0ed94431b

Listen

Amazing Words

I'm sorry.........


Forgive me.........



Are there more powerful words in our vocabulary?