"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
- Thought these were pretty good words from Paul to Timothy
Also I read this the other day and began thinking about how practical it is to my life currently: "Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
As I train for this marathon I believe this verse is pretty freakin applicable to my life currently. I spend all my time and energy making sure that I am going to be prepared for the October 12th marathon, but really don't exert any energy in preparing for eternal life with the Savior. It has hit me fairly hard. So in the next few days I am going to make a 16 week training schedule to train myself in godliness. I would love your input on how to train for godliness so I may live a life worthy of Him.
Much love to you my brothers
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Day of Reflection
Wednesday, a day that I usually find myself spinning in circles, I spent in reflection. Typically I try to find stuff to do to preoccupy my time, but this day I couldn't seem to get going. I walked out the back door of the church and kept walking. Gladeville is mostly farm land so I just began to walk. As I was walking I was drawn to just talk to God. The wind was blowing the tall grass left to right and it felt as God was just telling me to just spend time with Him without rules attached to it. This morning in waffle house it seemed as God was telling me the same thing as we began talking about our time with God. So how do we get away from the duty of spending time with Him through His Word to spending time with Him through His Word because we love to? Are the expectations to high or to low? Do I need a specific time or a routine? I am not sure if I am good with routines, but it maybe a good thing. Then again does that lead to duty? Somehow and in some way I need to break the cycle.
Making God's Word alive in us is something we all desire to do. To learn to love His Word and meditate on it. Maybe a break in the cycle is doing something out of the ordinary. Maybe it is developing a plan that is not governed by what someone else might have told us about studying the bible. I am not saying those are bad, because I do see great value in them and appreciate them, but maybe God is not leading us down that path. Just some food for thought. My prayer is that we will all become passionate about how we spend our time with the Father.
Making God's Word alive in us is something we all desire to do. To learn to love His Word and meditate on it. Maybe a break in the cycle is doing something out of the ordinary. Maybe it is developing a plan that is not governed by what someone else might have told us about studying the bible. I am not saying those are bad, because I do see great value in them and appreciate them, but maybe God is not leading us down that path. Just some food for thought. My prayer is that we will all become passionate about how we spend our time with the Father.
Day of Reflection
Wednesday, a day that I usually find myself spinning in circles, I spent in reflection. Typically I try to find stuff to do to preoccupy my time, but this day I couldn't seem to get going. I walked out the back door of the church and kept walking. Gladeville is mostly farm land so I just began to walk. As I was walking I was drawn to just talk to God. The wind was blowing the tall grass left to right and it felt as God was just telling me to just spend time with Him without rules attached to it. This morning in waffle house it seemed as God was telling me the same thing as we began talking about our time with God. So how do we get away from the duty of spending time with Him through His Word to spending time with Him through His Word because we love to? Are the expectations to high or to low? Do I need a specific time or a routine? I am not sure if I am good with routines, but it maybe a good thing. Then again does that lead to duty? Somehow and in some way I need to break the cycle.
Making God's Word alive in us is something we all desire to do. To learn to love His Word and meditate on it. Maybe a break in the cycle is doing something out of the ordinary. Maybe it is developing a plan that is not governed by what someone else might have told us about studying the bible. I am not saying those are bad, because I do see great value in them and appreciate them, but maybe God is not leading us down that path. Just some food for thought. My prayer is that we will all become passionate about how we spend our time with the Father.
Making God's Word alive in us is something we all desire to do. To learn to love His Word and meditate on it. Maybe a break in the cycle is doing something out of the ordinary. Maybe it is developing a plan that is not governed by what someone else might have told us about studying the bible. I am not saying those are bad, because I do see great value in them and appreciate them, but maybe God is not leading us down that path. Just some food for thought. My prayer is that we will all become passionate about how we spend our time with the Father.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Absence of God
As I was trying to pray this morning I felt this huge wall between the Father and I. At first it might have been me feeling depressed and lonely, but I think it was more about my own selfishness. I believe when I began to concern myself with the issues of others and not my own desires God began to open himself up to me. I want my life to be guided by him, but I realized today that I really need to concern myself with others. I think so much of my time is spent worrying about where I am going, where I am headed or who's looking out for me instead of actually caring about you all, my wife, the person who just lost a loved one in Myanmar or the person who is eating dinner by themselves looking for community. I don't know if this makes sense, but it was just something I was thinking about.
Thanks for being a part of my life. I know I don't I pray for you all nearly enough and for that I apologize, but I truly appreciate who you are and what you teach me about myself and a life with Christ.
See you in the morning
Thanks for being a part of my life. I know I don't I pray for you all nearly enough and for that I apologize, but I truly appreciate who you are and what you teach me about myself and a life with Christ.
See you in the morning
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Return from Exile
Yes, I am just now posting about Ezra. Sorry guys for not showing up to our Waffle House time this morning. I thought I might post to make up for it =).
The first thing that I observed in Ezra was the fact that God had used a pagan King. Cyrus was used by God to return the Jews to their homeland, which fulfill a prophesy written over a century earlier. "The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah." (1:2) Why Cyrus? Why did God choose to use a pagan King to accomplish His plans? Do you think that God used Cyrus to show He is able to use anyone to carry out his plans?
I also noticed the number of years the Jews were in captivity. Jeremiah prophesied that the Jews would remain in captivity for 70 years. Why so long in captivity? Did it take this long to humble the hearts of a Jewish nation?, probably so. "Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priest and Levites --everyone whose heart God has moved -- prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem." It seems that God was waiting for prepared hearts. This brings up question for myself, is God waiting to do something in my life and my heart is not prepared?
The main theme that I am getting from these first three chapters is the rebuilding of hearts in order to rebuild the temple. Years and years were spend in rebellion against God through the worship of pagan idols. The Israelites unfaithfulness landed them in the situation they were in. God, just in all His ways, punished them for their actions, but never forsakes them. God continued to offer grace and mercy despite their disobedience. Therefore I believe a large portion of the Israelites time was spent giving burnt offerings to God thanking God for His faithfulness. Here there were generations of people that had rebelled against the will of God, so it seemed like a messy situation that needed some cleaning.
The first thing that I observed in Ezra was the fact that God had used a pagan King. Cyrus was used by God to return the Jews to their homeland, which fulfill a prophesy written over a century earlier. "The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah." (1:2) Why Cyrus? Why did God choose to use a pagan King to accomplish His plans? Do you think that God used Cyrus to show He is able to use anyone to carry out his plans?
I also noticed the number of years the Jews were in captivity. Jeremiah prophesied that the Jews would remain in captivity for 70 years. Why so long in captivity? Did it take this long to humble the hearts of a Jewish nation?, probably so. "Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priest and Levites --everyone whose heart God has moved -- prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem." It seems that God was waiting for prepared hearts. This brings up question for myself, is God waiting to do something in my life and my heart is not prepared?
The main theme that I am getting from these first three chapters is the rebuilding of hearts in order to rebuild the temple. Years and years were spend in rebellion against God through the worship of pagan idols. The Israelites unfaithfulness landed them in the situation they were in. God, just in all His ways, punished them for their actions, but never forsakes them. God continued to offer grace and mercy despite their disobedience. Therefore I believe a large portion of the Israelites time was spent giving burnt offerings to God thanking God for His faithfulness. Here there were generations of people that had rebelled against the will of God, so it seemed like a messy situation that needed some cleaning.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Ezra and other stuff
Sorry this is the first time I've posted. I'm going to use it to keep me accountable from now on. Thanks for doing this JB.
I’ve read through Ezra 1-3, but for the first time, I listened to the spoken Bible on mp3. Here is the link in case you want to try: http://www.audiotreasure.com/indexKJV.htm. I could only find KJV for free, but other versions may be available. Here are some random thoughts and how the passages helped me out.
Chapter 1:
The most important thing for me was from verse 1. My version reads: “in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia”. In this text, King Cyrus did not make his decree because of his own goodness. His spirit was stirred by God. This action took place to fulfill the prophecies of Jeremiah. I’m always asking God to stir my heart, but I forget to invoke His promises when I do it. My prayers are always focused, but mostly on my selfish needs and desires. Tonight my prayer is going to be focused on 2Tim 1:7. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” I think by meditating on verses like this, we can have a better prayer life. I think Chase said the other day, we should expect things from God. I should pray for God to stir my heart to be free from fear, and ask him to reveal his love to me. His word PROMISES us those things if we ask him for it.
Chapter 2:
I listened to this thing like 10 times while I mowed the yard on Saturday. I am still not getting much from it. Does it mean that 42,360 people left there homes to rebuild the temple? If so, that’s amazing. If not, I’ve got nothing.
Chapter 3:
I still have a hard time finding application in the Old Testament. I hope to get better. It’s just neat how Chirst has become the ultimate sacrifice. With all the rules and customs, I would be an awful Jew.
Other Stuff:
I led/facilitated our youth for the first time on Wednesday night. We had about 10-15 teens show up, and it was a real blessing for me. It was a challenge, but a lot of the kids said some profound stuff. At the end of the day, I think the Lord was pleased with the time we spent together. I hope I can do it again sometime.
I’m midway through chapter one of the Beth Moore book, and I hate it. I’m going to read it and hope the Lord will reveal something to me. I haven’t begun The Shack, but I am going to start reading it at work every day during my lunch break. I’ve gotten to the point where I have no idea how to bring up Jesus with my coworkers, so hopefully this book will start some good conversations. If not, I’ll just start throwing Bibles at everyone next Friday.
Love you guys.
Eric
I’ve read through Ezra 1-3, but for the first time, I listened to the spoken Bible on mp3. Here is the link in case you want to try: http://www.audiotreasure.com/indexKJV.htm. I could only find KJV for free, but other versions may be available. Here are some random thoughts and how the passages helped me out.
Chapter 1:
The most important thing for me was from verse 1. My version reads: “in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia”. In this text, King Cyrus did not make his decree because of his own goodness. His spirit was stirred by God. This action took place to fulfill the prophecies of Jeremiah. I’m always asking God to stir my heart, but I forget to invoke His promises when I do it. My prayers are always focused, but mostly on my selfish needs and desires. Tonight my prayer is going to be focused on 2Tim 1:7. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” I think by meditating on verses like this, we can have a better prayer life. I think Chase said the other day, we should expect things from God. I should pray for God to stir my heart to be free from fear, and ask him to reveal his love to me. His word PROMISES us those things if we ask him for it.
Chapter 2:
I listened to this thing like 10 times while I mowed the yard on Saturday. I am still not getting much from it. Does it mean that 42,360 people left there homes to rebuild the temple? If so, that’s amazing. If not, I’ve got nothing.
Chapter 3:
I still have a hard time finding application in the Old Testament. I hope to get better. It’s just neat how Chirst has become the ultimate sacrifice. With all the rules and customs, I would be an awful Jew.
Other Stuff:
I led/facilitated our youth for the first time on Wednesday night. We had about 10-15 teens show up, and it was a real blessing for me. It was a challenge, but a lot of the kids said some profound stuff. At the end of the day, I think the Lord was pleased with the time we spent together. I hope I can do it again sometime.
I’m midway through chapter one of the Beth Moore book, and I hate it. I’m going to read it and hope the Lord will reveal something to me. I haven’t begun The Shack, but I am going to start reading it at work every day during my lunch break. I’ve gotten to the point where I have no idea how to bring up Jesus with my coworkers, so hopefully this book will start some good conversations. If not, I’ll just start throwing Bibles at everyone next Friday.
Love you guys.
Eric
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Thoughts on Ezra
My initial thoughts:
I would love to have more background information concerning the history of the text and the history of the tribes of Israel.
Chapter 1: Two things that seemed to stand out throughout the chapter
- God stirring his spirit within the hearts of leaders
- The leaders taking that stirring and immediately becoming obedient
For my own heart I know I don't respond immediately when God stirs something within me. I either shrink back in fear because I do not know what it will mean or I thoughtfully disobey and sit back and let the stirring pass me by. In Chapter 1 Cyrus wastes no time between God's stirring and proclaiming the temple needs to be built. Then the leaders of Judah respond to God's stirring and Cyrus's leadership.
Chapter 2:
- Everybody coming together to build the temple of the Lord. Even people who we cannot find in the geneology of Jewish leaders and families decide to come together and work on the house of the Lord.
Chapter 3: I was fairly confused by this chapter and would love to hear different thoughts.
-My initial thought was the decision to worship before anything was built because of their fear and possibly because of their trust in the Lord to provide. I am not real sure if their hearts were in full trust and obedience mode or they just built the altar out of fear. It states that built it out of fear, but I believe their might have been an obedience factor that played in the construction of the altar.
-Once the foundation was built they stopped and praised the Lord. I believe they knew the Lord had given them everything they needed and were grateful for the provision (Last verse of Chapter One) and generosity of the Lord.
The historical context would play a huge role in understanding the weeping and mourning of people who had previously seen the temple. Maybe I will come to understand that later on, but found it fairly odd.
I would love to have more background information concerning the history of the text and the history of the tribes of Israel.
Chapter 1: Two things that seemed to stand out throughout the chapter
- God stirring his spirit within the hearts of leaders
- The leaders taking that stirring and immediately becoming obedient
For my own heart I know I don't respond immediately when God stirs something within me. I either shrink back in fear because I do not know what it will mean or I thoughtfully disobey and sit back and let the stirring pass me by. In Chapter 1 Cyrus wastes no time between God's stirring and proclaiming the temple needs to be built. Then the leaders of Judah respond to God's stirring and Cyrus's leadership.
Chapter 2:
- Everybody coming together to build the temple of the Lord. Even people who we cannot find in the geneology of Jewish leaders and families decide to come together and work on the house of the Lord.
Chapter 3: I was fairly confused by this chapter and would love to hear different thoughts.
-My initial thought was the decision to worship before anything was built because of their fear and possibly because of their trust in the Lord to provide. I am not real sure if their hearts were in full trust and obedience mode or they just built the altar out of fear. It states that built it out of fear, but I believe their might have been an obedience factor that played in the construction of the altar.
-Once the foundation was built they stopped and praised the Lord. I believe they knew the Lord had given them everything they needed and were grateful for the provision (Last verse of Chapter One) and generosity of the Lord.
The historical context would play a huge role in understanding the weeping and mourning of people who had previously seen the temple. Maybe I will come to understand that later on, but found it fairly odd.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Was it really about fasting?
Mark 2: 18-22
Here, in these passages, Mark records another spiritual lesson taught by Jesus. Again I can see that this lesson of His is very different from the worlds view of how life should be lived.
Begins with a question to Jesus from people observing Jesus' ministry (v18), "Why do John's disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?"
John's fasting was about repentance of sins and preparation for Christ coming and the Pharisees fasted to show others how holy they were. Jesus obviously did not disagree with fasting because He fasted Himself (Matthew 4:2), but He had strong feelings on how people chose to fast. Jesus' teaching was not to fast to impress others; fasting to impress others would twist and distort the purpose of fasting. Jesus chose to address not the action of fasting itself, but the heart behind the action.
I can see in my life, and the life of others of how we can distort or twist truths to fit our satisfaction instead of His. This very thing is the downfall of Christianity. I don't want to be so rigid about my own ideas that I neglect the life-changing truths of Christ as the Pharisee's did. When do we get to the point where we are more concerned about humility than selfishness? Jesus laid out a plan that is best for His people, and His life gives me a good idea on how to approach my daily living. We need to be careful not to distort His plan with man-made ideas.
As I continue to walk through the life of Jesus in Mark, I see that Jesus' ministry revolved around issues of the heart. He was more concern about eternity than a quick fix.
Here, in these passages, Mark records another spiritual lesson taught by Jesus. Again I can see that this lesson of His is very different from the worlds view of how life should be lived.
Begins with a question to Jesus from people observing Jesus' ministry (v18), "Why do John's disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?"
John's fasting was about repentance of sins and preparation for Christ coming and the Pharisees fasted to show others how holy they were. Jesus obviously did not disagree with fasting because He fasted Himself (Matthew 4:2), but He had strong feelings on how people chose to fast. Jesus' teaching was not to fast to impress others; fasting to impress others would twist and distort the purpose of fasting. Jesus chose to address not the action of fasting itself, but the heart behind the action.
I can see in my life, and the life of others of how we can distort or twist truths to fit our satisfaction instead of His. This very thing is the downfall of Christianity. I don't want to be so rigid about my own ideas that I neglect the life-changing truths of Christ as the Pharisee's did. When do we get to the point where we are more concerned about humility than selfishness? Jesus laid out a plan that is best for His people, and His life gives me a good idea on how to approach my daily living. We need to be careful not to distort His plan with man-made ideas.
As I continue to walk through the life of Jesus in Mark, I see that Jesus' ministry revolved around issues of the heart. He was more concern about eternity than a quick fix.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Verse of the day
I didn't make time this morning, but usually read my favorite Psalm when I don't make time.
Psalm 28
28:1 To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary. [1]
3 Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.
6 Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people; [2]
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28
28:1 To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary. [1]
3 Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.
6 Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people; [2]
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Shining as lights
Although I did not spend time with the Lord today here were my thoughts from Wednesday's time with him-
Do all things without grumbling and complaining so that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a twisted and crooked generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14 (I believe)
I know I have talked about how I can be different and how do people see Jesus in me and I thought these words really gave me perspective as to how Jesus shines through me in a very practical way. I am assuming Paul knew men complained and grumbled about everything, but followers of Christ live a blameless and innocent life. If Christ is going to shine through me then I need to do all things without grumbling and complaining so that I will be a blameless and innocent child of God without blemish. In my world where it is so easy to complain and grumble about people and things not being done a certain way this verse is very challenging as I strive to be more like Christ.
Do all things without grumbling and complaining so that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a twisted and crooked generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14 (I believe)
I know I have talked about how I can be different and how do people see Jesus in me and I thought these words really gave me perspective as to how Jesus shines through me in a very practical way. I am assuming Paul knew men complained and grumbled about everything, but followers of Christ live a blameless and innocent life. If Christ is going to shine through me then I need to do all things without grumbling and complaining so that I will be a blameless and innocent child of God without blemish. In my world where it is so easy to complain and grumble about people and things not being done a certain way this verse is very challenging as I strive to be more like Christ.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Authority in His words
Authority in His words
Mark 1:21-28
At the start of Jesus' ministry, after being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus chose a few disciples and began to teach and perform miracles in the town of Capernaum. Every sabbath he went to the synagoge and taught the people of the town. These people were amazed because no one had spoke with such confidence and authority before. Usually the Jewish teachers of that day often quoted from other well-known rabbis to give their words more authority, but Jesus didn't have that need. In fact on of His first miracles was spoken, just a verbal miracle. On one of the days Jesus was in the synagoge a demon possessed man strolled in. This man knew exactly who Jesus was when he saw him, he was shouting "I know who you are, the Holy One sent from God." Jesus cut him short "Be silent! Come out from that man." Immediately the evil spirit left him. This tells me that the evil spirit had no choice in the matter, Jesus had complete authority over the situation and the demon knew it! At this point in Jesus' ministry he was starting to reveal His credentials to the world.
This verbal miracle gives me confidence in knowing that He has authority over all and we as His children can use this authority to our benefit. I need to be confident in His words and continue to meditate on them.
Mark 1:21-28
At the start of Jesus' ministry, after being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus chose a few disciples and began to teach and perform miracles in the town of Capernaum. Every sabbath he went to the synagoge and taught the people of the town. These people were amazed because no one had spoke with such confidence and authority before. Usually the Jewish teachers of that day often quoted from other well-known rabbis to give their words more authority, but Jesus didn't have that need. In fact on of His first miracles was spoken, just a verbal miracle. On one of the days Jesus was in the synagoge a demon possessed man strolled in. This man knew exactly who Jesus was when he saw him, he was shouting "I know who you are, the Holy One sent from God." Jesus cut him short "Be silent! Come out from that man." Immediately the evil spirit left him. This tells me that the evil spirit had no choice in the matter, Jesus had complete authority over the situation and the demon knew it! At this point in Jesus' ministry he was starting to reveal His credentials to the world.
This verbal miracle gives me confidence in knowing that He has authority over all and we as His children can use this authority to our benefit. I need to be confident in His words and continue to meditate on them.
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