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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-51734216741065178632013-08-22T11:17:00.000-04:002013-08-22T11:17:00.454-04:00Serving a Generation You’ll Never See<p><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://www.freebibleimages.org/storydata/photos/FB_John_Baptist/overview_images/002-john-baptist.jpg?1335949034" width="269" height="202"> I don’t think I could cut it as an Old Testament prophet. I’ve eaten too much McDonald’s. </p> <p>Read this from 1 Peter 1:10-12:</p> <blockquote> <p>“…the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ was indicated when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have not been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look”. </p></blockquote> <p>These prophets saw the gospel. They knew that a Rescuer was coming that would suffer and then be brought to glory. They didn’t see it fully but they saw it. And they wanted to know when. 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? Nope. A future generation that they will never see. </p> <p>That’s why I say I couldn’t hack it. I’d have questioned my calling. My abilities as a prophet. My message. Everything. </p> <p><strong>A Prophets Death Story…</strong></p> <p>When I picture prophets I picture guys with long beards, dressed up dead camel, and eating weird food. And in my minds eye I see them preaching—hard. Sweat rolling off their brows as they call people to repent. Tears streaming down their face urging fellow Israelites to return to Yahweh and find refuge in Him alone. </p> <p>And I picture people ignoring him. But only for a season. Eventually, towards the end of his life, he gets to tell an amazing story to his grandkids. He tells them about the time he told everybody what was going to happen but nobody listened to him. Then it <em>happened</em>. And everybody realized he was correct and now they’ve got a book with all of his writings in them. He’s a difference maker and he dies knowing it. </p> <p>In reality he probably just died without an “I told you so”. Because the story was still not finished when he breathed his last. People were still rejecting his message and running from Yahweh. The Deliverer had not yet come. And the world went on mostly as it did before—but now with a dead prophet. </p> <p>But he did die in hope. And that’s probably the story that he told his grandkids. Not of a completed mission but of a Rescuer that was still to come. One that would set all things right. As his eyes closed for the last time they died in hope that he’d be delivered into the hands of this Rescuer that he’d been waiting for. And someday…someday…people would <em>get it</em>…they’d see this suffering Servant and be included in His glory. </p> <p><strong>Comes to Life</strong></p> <p>He never saw that day when some 2500 years later a young man in rural Missouri bowed a knee to this suffering Servant. He never saw his life changed and transformed—him captivated by words long written down by this dead prophet. Words that somehow—miraculously—spoke the Living Word. And words that this young man would one day preach. Yes, he too would preach in the hope that someday, someone, somewhere, would <em>get it, </em>and they too would bow a knee to the Rescuer. </p> <p>Maybe as a preacher of the risen Christ I’m not so different from the camel-clothed prophet that proclaimed the coming Rescuer. So may I preach and teach and lead in the same hope and humility that maybe the good news I preach will serve a generation that I’ll never see. </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-65451732176776010172013-08-21T14:38:00.001-04:002013-08-21T14:38:48.992-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Twenty-One<p><strong>Day Twenty-One: That she would be self-controlled </strong></p> <blockquote> <p>Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. –Psalm 43:5 </p></blockquote> <p>In this Psalm, David is talking to his soul. He is not letting his weary soul dictate his worship. He is exercising self-control. Brothers, our wives need this self-control. They must talk to their emotions instead of letting their emotions talk to them. They need to have the Spirit-driven self-control to say no to the crafty serpent. Let us pray today that our wives would exercise self-control. <br><br><em>Lord, I thank you for a new heart. The only way that any of us can exercise self-control is because of your work. We know that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Father, I pray today that my wife would have self-control. Make her a woman that talks to her soul, with biblical truth, rather than the other way around. Give her the grace to hear your voice and to heed it. Help her to tell her emotions “no” when they run out of their proper banks. May she be so deeply anchored in You and Your Word that she exercises self-control. In Jesus name, Amen.</em></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-34741424281928678292013-08-21T11:07:00.000-04:002013-08-21T11:07:00.392-04:00My Love/Loathe Relationship with Facebook<p><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Not_facebook_not_like_thumbs_down.png/897px-Not_facebook_not_like_thumbs_down.png" width="272" height="233"> I’ve written in the past about <a href="http://www.mikeleake.net/2012/06/3-reasons-i-seldom-use-facebook.html" target="_blank">my dislike of Facebook</a>. I still don’t like Facebook…no I loathe Facebook. And yet this post will appear on Facebook. It will be read by people on Facebook. And I’ll still be a sucker in Mr. Zuckerberg’s world. </p> <p>Here is why I haven’t left. There are a few advantages for me as a pastor/writer that cannot be found elsewhere:</p> <ol> <li><strong>It’s great for blogging.</strong> I get several hits per day from people reading and sharing my articles on Facebook. I’m grateful for that. </li> <li><strong>It helps pastors see people as they really are.</strong> People have a tendency to be a little more unfiltered on Facebook. Not that a pastor wants to be a creeper but your news feed can tell you some of the things that your members are struggling with. </li> <li><strong>It’s a great resource for making announcements.</strong> People pay more attention to Facebook than they do that 5 minutes at the end of service when we share announcements. </li> <li><strong>It can lead to decent discussion.</strong> People sometimes feel more free to ask questions and engage. Though Facebook can be a terrible place to discuss theology—for some it’s helpful to be able to think and type out your thoughts. </li> <li><strong>It’s great for things like the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1402383599981408/" target="_blank">31 Day Prayer Challenge</a></strong>. Pastors and writers can create groups of people all around the world for things like this. It really is a great tool for networking that can be used for Kingdom growth. </li> <li><strong>A great way to publicly encourage.</strong> Tons of people read through Facebook updates. How awesome would it be if we used this tool to encourage people and share their accomplishments. </li></ol> <p>Here is why I would really like to leave and continue to detest Facebook:</p> <ol> <li><strong>It’s a passive/aggressive Dreamworld.</strong> With one somewhat vague status update I can have a world of people come to my defense, ask me questions, give me attention, and better than anything else stick it to the person that has made me mad. </li> <li><strong>Facebook venting.</strong> Same thing as above only more obvious. (See <a href="http://www.mikeleake.net/2013/05/is-it-okay-to-vent.html" target="_blank">here</a>). </li> <li><strong>A poor excuse for pastoring.</strong> Knowing what is going on in people’s lives through Facebook, leaving comments, writing messages etc., is not pastoring. This can make it feel like you’re doing your job—but it doesn’t replace the face to face. Or putting your hand on their shoulder as you pray for them. </li> <li><strong>Circumvents real relationship.</strong> Facebook is a mock community. You can’t hug on Facebook. You can’t cry on another persons shoulder. God created us for community—and not so much the online variety.</li> <li><strong>Three earlier reasons are still around.</strong> I posted awhile back <a href="http://www.mikeleake.net/2012/06/3-reasons-i-seldom-use-facebook.html" target="_blank">3 reasons why I’m seldom on Facebook</a>. These are still true. Too many bikini’s, too many silly pictures telling me that I don’t love Jesus if I don’t forward it, and far too much time wasted. </li></ol> <p>How about you? Why do you love/loathe Facebook? </p> <p>Should we continue to use it for its benefits? How can we minimize the damage? Does your church do anything to disciple people in how to display Christ on social media? </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-22114068830818960882013-08-20T15:32:00.001-04:002013-08-20T15:32:20.021-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge--Day Twenty<p><strong>Day Twenty: That she would know her calling is high</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. –Proverbs 31:10</p></blockquote> <p>As a stay at home mom, my wife can struggle with feelings of insignificance. Changing diapers, settling arguments, teaching colors and numbers, and playing with children does not seem like that significant of a role. The same probably goes for your wife no matter where the Lord has placed her. Brothers, our wives will struggle with knowing that their calling as a woman (and all the roles that encompasses) is a high calling. Ultimately we know that her significance is found in Jesus Christ alone. Yet we also want our wives to know that their calling is high.<br><br><em>Father, I thank you for my wife. I thank you for all of the significant things that she does that might appear to be insignificant. She is far more precious than jewels. Help her to ultimately find her worth and significance in you. But also help her to know that her calling as a woman is a high calling. May she be found faithful in the roles that you entrust to her. Strengthen her and encourage her to be the woman that you have crafted her to be. Amen.</em></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-26474182972186234192013-08-20T11:17:00.000-04:002013-08-20T11:17:00.810-04:00Can A Priest Absolve Sins?<p>A couple weeks ago this happened near my hometown:</p><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pkfvsFaF0qM" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p>Eventually they found the mystery priest (aptly named <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096582/" target="_blank">Father Dowling</a>):</p><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PnCOVA3S7vU" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p>There is one statement from Dowling’s interview that I want to address today; namely, his claim to have been given the power to absolve this young lady of her sins. </p> <p><strong>Where does such power come from?</strong></p> <p>How in the world is a priest given the power to absolve sin? I thought only Jesus could forgive sins. Do you get bitten by a radioactive spider? Do you put on a black shirt and a collar, and declare yourself a sin-forgiver? Does this belief actually come from the Bible?</p> <p>If you ask a Roman Catholic priest he will say that the power to absolve sin was given to the apostles (and their successors) in John 20:23. Here we read Jesus saying, </p> <blockquote> <p>If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”</p></blockquote> <p>The Catholic <a href="http://bustedhalo.com/questionbox/what-is-the-prayer-of-absolution" target="_blank">prayer of absolution</a> is based on this passage. A Catholic priest does not believe that he, in and of himself, has the power to forgive sins. It is a power that has been granted to him as a priest. He is a representative of the forgiven Christ. Christ alone forgives sin. But as he now reigns from heaven he does so through His Spirit working through His servants (priests). </p> <p>Therefore, when a priest declares you forgiven you are indeed forgiven. You can have certainty because Christ has given His power (through the sacrament of penance) to His representatives. </p> <p><strong>A Protestant Response</strong></p> <p>I am not convinced by the Catholic interpretation of John 20:23. In order to accept this interpretation one would also have to accept the doctrine of <a href="http://www.gracesermons.com/robbeeee/tim3.html" target="_blank">apostolic succession</a>. Because I believe in the <a href="http://www.gracevalley.org/sermon_trans/1996/Priesthood.html#.UhJkbNLVD3s" target="_blank">priesthood of all believers</a> I would have to say that the power to absolve sin (or to withhold forgiveness) was in the power of every believer, and that is not something that I find in the Scriptures. </p> <p>Secondly, there is an assumption behind such a prayer. That assumption is that our sins are not all forgiven upon the moment of justification. Catholic doctrine denies that at the moment of conversion we are forgiven all sins: past, present, and future. This seems to me to deny our union with Christ. When Christ “canceled the record of debt” that stood against believers our sins were future. And yet they are forgiven. This because of our union with Christ—all that He has accomplished is given to us. Therefore, you and I do not need a priest to do for us what Christ has already done. </p> <p>Which leads me to ask where is faith? Where is the gospel? Nowhere in Acts do I see the apostles doing anything similar to the Catholic practice of absolution of sins. They are not praying over people and saying, “your sins are forgiven”. They are doing the same thing that Jesus did—proclaiming the coming kingdom and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Upon reception of the gospel through faith then you might read something about declaring people forgiven. </p> <p>Therefore, the rest of the Scriptures cause me to be unable to accept the Catholic interpretation of John 20:23. </p> <p><strong>So what <em>is </em>John 20:23 saying? </strong></p> <p>As I go about answering that question I want to be careful not to read the practice of absolution (either pro or con) into the text. This text really speaks to our union with Christ. It is here that we (the Bride of Christ) are empowered. It’s not mechanical, it’s not removed from the person of Christ or the work of the Spirit. </p> <p>It’s not as if we go about proclaiming forgiveness apart from faith in the risen Christ. No, this <em>is</em> proclaiming the risen Christ. And when someone comes to know Christ the church through baptism and membership declares (not mechanically) that “their sins are forgiven”.</p> <p>You can see the difference in the way that a Protestant and a Catholic discuss the Scriptures. You ask, “How do you know that the gospel of Mark is Scripture?”</p> <p>Catholic: The Gospel of Mark is Scripture because the Church has declared it so. <br>Protestant: The Gospel of Mark is Scripture, therefore the Church declared it so. </p> <p>There is a world of difference between the two. </p> <p>Now to our question at hand. How do you I know that my sins are forgiven? </p> <p>Catholic: My sin is forgiven because the Church has declared it so. <br>Protestant: My sin is forgiven, therefore the Church has declared it so. </p> <p>I believe this is backed up by the past tense of “they are forgiven” and “it is withheld”. Those are past action with continuing results. Jesus is not telling us here to go about forgiving sins or to withhold forgiveness. Jesus is commissioning us to go and proclaim the gospel and to do so with the confidence that He is with us, working through us, and still shepherding His church from heaven. </p> <p>For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…run to him. </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-44208536737688630692013-08-19T16:29:00.001-04:002013-08-19T16:32:12.958-04:00Review of The Pastor’s Justification by @JaredCWilson<p><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSOZx7D8tDiC0nRkujMh028bIZm2gyze7BGUaP-JtTT4pv1mkVkkA"> “That was terrible. I totally blew that sermon. Nobody was paying attention. Heck, I almost fell asleep..and I was the one preaching.” </p> <p>There I was wailing and moaning and discouraged by a sermon that didn’t go the way that I thought it should have. </p> <p>Then my sweet wife lovingly rebuked me. I don’t think she meant to really <em>rebuke</em> me, but she did. She quietly said, “Mike, I wish you wouldn’t speak that way after a sermon. Because when you do it makes me not believe what you just preached. Nor do I think you really believe what you just said.” </p> <p>Ouch. </p> <p>She was right. I had probably been preaching on the sufficiency of Jesus, the benefits of the gospel, the power of the risen Christ, etc. etc. and I left the pulpit not believing a one of them—at least not applying them. </p> <p>It’s not always that way. Sometimes I exit the pulpit floating on cloud nine. I know that I knocked it out of the park. Everything that I wanted to say, I said eloquently. No slip ups. I preached passionately. I did it the way that you are supposed to. (Minus the pride of course). Totally faithful to the text. Centered on Christ (except for that pride thing again). </p> <p>For some reason fewer people seem to have been impacted—but it’s probably because they are just soaking up my awesome sermon. </p> <p>Both of those episodes betray a heart of unbelief. A foolish heart of unbelief. And I could replace preaching with counseling, planning, living, leading, loving, and a host of other things and it would be the same. We pastors (we disciples) vacillate between moments of pride convinced of our awesomeness and moments of despair convinced of our complete unworthiness. </p> <p><strong>Enter the Pastor’s Justification</strong></p> <p>This is why a book like <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433536641/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1433536641&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">The Pastor’s Justification</a></em> is so helpful. Jared Wilson is a good writer. One of the things that sets this book apart from the others is that Jared can just flat out write. But more than anything Wilson keeps the gospel front and center. That is important—no, that is vital. </p> <p>It is vital because the same gospel that strengthens and encourages the discouraged pastor is the same gospel that rebukes and humbles the puffed up pastor. Both need the gospel. In both of these foolish responses we need the sufficient Christ to remind us of who we actually are—not awesome and not scum. We are His. The gospel brings the lofty low and exalts the humble—bringing both to the place of Christ. </p> <p>Wilson writes as a pastor. This means that he is not afraid to speak in a prophetic voice, as when he speaks to younger pastors:</p> <blockquote> <p>Young men, be teachable. You do not know everything. And your theology and your position are never licenses for authoritarianism. If you don’t want others to look down on your youth, don’t look down on their age. </p></blockquote> <p>Yet, Wilson also speaks with pastoral tenderness and encouragement. After listing a myriad of questions that bring to light our sinfulness, he writes this:</p> <blockquote> <p>You and I both know that you have transgressed over and over and over again. And you’re going to stand before a holy God to be judged by these things, according to a stricter standard than all other because you are a pastor, and he will ask you to give an account. And looking back over the failures of your life and ministry, you will grasp at straws. What do you think he will say to you? </p> <p>“Justified.”</p></blockquote> <p>In this book Jared does what a good pastor does, he points to Jesus at every corner. He uses the glaring holiness of Jesus to expose our pride, sinfulness, and foolish ways that we pastor. And He uses the wide mercy of Christ to comfort weary pastors. </p> <p>The Pastor’s Justification is a book that every pastor would do well to purchase. It has some of the same benefits as Paul Tripp’s, <em><a href="http://www.mikeleake.net/2012/11/review-of-dangerous-calling-by-paul.html" target="_blank">Dangerous Calling</a>,</em> and reads like Eswine’s <em><a href="http://www.mikeleake.net/2013/01/review-of-sensing-jesus-by-zack-eswine.html" target="_blank">Sensing Jesus</a></em>. Those were two books that really benefited me in 2012. This book stands toe to toe with those immensely helpful books. But Jared’s writing has a tendency to stick in my brain and rattle around in my soul better than many other books on pastoral ministry. </p> <p>You can buy it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433536641/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1433536641&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">here</a>. And you probably should.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-1706391237520181872013-08-19T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-19T14:00:00.039-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Nineteen<p><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2619/3724987112_ef3218470e_o.jpg" width="204" height="204">Day Nineteen: That her husband would romance her</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. –Song of Solomon 4:9<br>Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, -Proverbs 5:18</p></blockquote> <p>Brothers, we are to take delight in our wives. This is not to be a secret delight. Our wives should know without a doubt that they have captivated our hearts. As the Lord spoke tenderly to His bride in the wilderness (in spite of her actions) let us always speak tenderly to our wives. Let us romance them no matter our life circumstance. If your heart isn’t there pray that the Lord would renew in you a delight in the wife of your youth. If your heart is there give it full expression; romance her.<br><br><em>Lord, thank you for my wife. She truly has captivated my heart. Keep my heart from growing cold, stale, and merely satisfied. Stir in my heart deep affections for my wife. Help me to study her—to know her—and to know how I can communicate to her that she has captivated my heart. In every area where my heart is wayward towards her would you strengthen it? Cause my love for her to be as deep and settled as the elderly couple that knows one another so well. But also make it such a love that would shame the shallow expressions of teenagers. Help me to sweep her off her feet. Amen.</em></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-20403357764242433052013-08-18T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-18T14:00:03.289-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Eighteen<p><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ6HfLZkRpOcyAiIqPFkhiVURBT5yydV2cawVbyHsNkYcn1T6cDwg" width="172" height="172">Day Eighteen: That she would be hospitable</strong> <blockquote> <p>Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. -1 Peter 4:9</p></blockquote> <p>Our wives hospitality is a great reflection of her grasp of the gospel. Hospitality is a reminder of our alien status. A wife that does not practice hospitality is likely a wife that is comfortably living the American dream. She has started thinking that she is at home and therefore has lost her sojourner impulse. Let us pray today that our wife would have a missional heartbeat. And part of this missional heartbeat would be a drive to open up her home so that the gospel might flourish. <p><em>Lord, thank you for my wife’s hospitable heart. Increase it. Help her to consistently have a sojourner impulse and not lay her roots too deeply in this world. Give my wife a missional heartbeat that constantly thinks of ways to fulfill the Great Commission. May her heart be ultimately others-focused for the sake of your glory. Thank you for making your home among us. Might we live the life of Immanuel. Amen.</em> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-6081747156586854762013-08-17T11:11:00.001-04:002013-08-17T11:11:40.272-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Seventeen<p><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRh5lU0JMEkoOvZ0PU0aXbGoWgmMGdpX5lxpQ__cWJejU6ojVkR" width="199" height="199">Day Seventeen: That her faith would increase</strong> <blockquote> <p>The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" -Luke 17:5<br>Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” –Mark 9:24</p></blockquote> <p>I am continually encouraged by the Puritan adage that “a weak faith can lay hold of a strong Christ”. It is interesting that in Luke 17:5 when the apostles ask for an increase in faith that Jesus points them back to faith’s object. The vivacity of faith is not nearly as important as the One that we place our trust upon. Even still the Scriptures would have us grow in our faith as unbelief dwindles before the Lord. Let us pray today that our wives would increase in their faith. That she would trust the Lord and believe that everything God does is ultimately for her good. <p><em>Lord, I thank you for being faithful. You are mighty and worthy of every ounce of our trust. I’m very grateful that a weak faith can lay hold of a strong Christ, because Lord there are times when my faith is weak. I know this same thing is true of my wife. Father, would you graciously increase her faith in you today. Blow her away with your goodness and love towards her. Help her to see you and her heart to leap in faith and joy. Lord, my wife believes, help her unbelief. </em> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-20593527252788812812013-08-16T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-16T14:00:04.387-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Sixteen<p><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSDi6-aClQuIGUGyOBiUrDADCi8kn6L-ZhIyTsN8rH_TTGLDE4nDg" width="234" height="175">Day Sixteen: That she would be tender-hearted</strong> <blockquote> <p>Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. -1 Peter 3:8</p></blockquote> <p>I remember early in my walk with Christ listening to a live Keith Green album. Before one of his songs Green prayed that his heart would have “baby skin all over it”. That is what I want to pray for our wives today. I want to pray that they (and we) would be tender hearted as the Scriptures command us to be. Let us not harden up our hearts to protect ourselves from the bitter world. Our wives are probably more naturally tender than us. Let’s fan that gift into a flame, men. Brothers, we need tender-hearted wives. <p><em>Father, I pray that you cause my wife’s heart to have “baby skin all over it”. Cause her to be tender hearted. Though the world may mock a sensitive heart, help her to know that it is very pleasing to you. May her heart be tender towards her church, her friends, her spouse, her children, herself, and more than anything may her heart be tender towards you. May the tender-heart of Jesus shine through the tender heart of my wife. Amen.</em> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-58278059922071077572013-08-15T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-15T14:00:01.209-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Fifteen<p><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTbZVt2c2_vXLNj6WxftT1W0q057mduH_SGnYNJOVlRKxoczdVxPg" width="211" height="158">Day Fifteen: That she would be wise <blockquote> <p>How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. –Proverbs 16:16</p></blockquote> <p>Our wives will make many decisions today. She needs wisdom to guide her. She will hear many messages today, many trying to subvert who she really is in Christ. She needs wisdom to guard her. Real wisdom comes from God and is found in the person of Jesus Christ. It is more valuable than any of the material possessions that our wives may be tempted to set their hearts towards today. Let us pray that as wisdom calls out that our wives would hear His voice. May she listen to the gracious words of Wisdom and not the serpentine words of a forked-tongued fool. <p><em>Lord, I pray today that my wife might be a woman that is characterized by wisdom. May she pursue it as she would pursue rubies, diamonds, gold, and silver. I know that you have already given her a great deal of wisdom. And I know that in Jesus Christ she has the storehouse of all wisdom and knowledge. May she draw from Him today. In moments of confusion help her to pause. Help her to look for you and to not lean on her own wisdom. I pray that she leans all of her weight on you and your wisdom. Amen.</em> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-24974459918227987222013-08-14T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-14T14:00:04.214-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Fourteen<p><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6189/6155433548_b8a8044d23_o.jpg" width="210" height="210">Day Fourteen: That she would not be embarrassed of her femininity</strong> <blockquote> <p>So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. –Genesis 1:27</p></blockquote> <p>Elisabeth Eliot wrote this 15 years ago, it is even more true today: <blockquote> <p>I find myself in the sometimes quite uncomfortable position of having to belabor the obvious, and hold up examples of femininity to women who almost feel apologetic for being feminine or being womanly. I would remind you that femininity is not a curse. It is not even a triviality. It is a gift, a divine gift, to be accepted with both hands, and to thank God for. Because remember, it was His idea… .</p></blockquote> <p>The world would have our wives believe their femininity is something to apologize for. It is not. Let us praise God for giving us the gift of femininity in our homes. Also let us pray that they might not be embarrassed by her femininity but “accept it with both hands” and glorify God through the gift of being female. <p><em>Lord, thank you for my wife’s femininity. Thank you for her tenderness and sensitivity. I’m glad that she is a woman—and I’m thankful for all that this means. I pray Lord that she delights in this sacred calling of bearing your image as a female. Help her to rejoice in this gift and not be embarrassed by her femininity. I must confess as a man I’m not even sure how to pray for her in this area. I simply pray that you help her be the woman that you call her to be. She is more precious than rubies—thank you for her feminine appeal. May she reflect your glory.</em> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-35015127488511900632013-08-14T09:19:00.001-04:002013-08-14T09:19:37.359-04:00Today in Blogworld 08.14.13<p><font size="3"><a href="http://thomrainer.com/2013/08/10/ten-things-pastors-like-most-about-their-jobs/">10 Things Pastors Like Most About Their Jobs</a></font></p> <p>We need more articles like this. </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://www.challies.com/articles/redoubling-failing-efforts?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+challies%2FXhEt+%28Challies+Dot+Com%29">Redoubling Failing Efforts</a></font></p> <p>I wish this was only a story about Benjamin Franklin.</p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://frankviola.org/2013/08/12/free/">Does Giving Away Free Resources Devalue Them?</a></font></p> <p>I think of Desiring God and want to say, “no”. But I think of other free stuff and think that maybe it does. What do you think? In other news you can buy <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1936760738/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1936760738&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20">Torn to Heal</a></em> today for only $59.99</p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2013/08/the-amalekite-genocide/">The Amalekite Genocide</a></font></p> <p>This lengthy but a pretty solid response to the difficulty of the Amalekite Genocide. </p> <p>This makes me want to laugh:</p><iframe height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rPY4yOmNw7w?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-64844640193778397932013-08-13T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-13T14:00:01.666-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Thirteen<p><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQS55Kz5tmumqHyAjsqPyIe4EXk4UhGc5RM_y-1brXiscmZycPH" width="250" height="183">Day Thirteen: That she would sever the root of bitterness</strong> <blockquote> <p>“Let all bitterness… be put away from you…” –Ephesians 4:31</p></blockquote> <p>There are a myriad of consequences that can lead to our wives becoming bitter. But at its root bitterness is a mark of rebellion instead of redemption. Therefore, all bitterness must be put away. “A spirit of antagonism and hostility” comes from a hardness of heart that finds its source in unbelief. A bitter heart is one that no longer delights in God’s salvation or trusts in His goodness. Our wives (and we) are not immune to a bitterness of heart. Let’s pray today that our wives would sever the root of bitterness. <p><em>Lord, thank you for redeeming my wife. Thank you that you “work all things together for her good”, which is ultimately conformity to Christ. Lord, at times redemption is painful. Life is tough. You seem distant. And yet you are working. Rescue my wife from bitterness that springs from unbelief. You have made her a Naomi (pleasant, agreeable, sweet) through the work of Jesus. Rescue her form the temptation to live as a Mara (bitter). Cause her to rejoice today in the joy of her salvation. Amen.</em> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-87658198931303250882013-08-13T11:11:00.000-04:002013-08-13T11:11:00.623-04:00The Gift of Honest Psalms for Our Broken Lives<p align="center"><em>I’ve decided to ask a few people to write occasional articles for me to use at Borrowed Light. Today’s guest post comes from Brian Phillips. </em><i>Brian lives in Granada, Spain with his wife and three kids. You can find him at <a href="http://www.briankassie.com">www.briankassie.com</a> or www.twitter.com/BrianPhillips31</i> <p><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3604/3570520648_64cc2e3134_b.jpg" width="259" height="173"> Zack Eswine’s, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581349696/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1581349696&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">Sensing Jesus</a>,</i> has been a blessing to me in a strange way. Although geared twoards pastors (which I am not), Eswine’s story and pastoral kindness are exactly the words I’ve needed to hear lately. <p>My family and I live overseas and we’re here to share the love of Jesus with people. Recently, we visited America to celebrate the wedding of my wife’s sister. While there many difficult things happened—the worst being the death of our unborn baby in miscarriage. We came back to Spain, where we live, feeling torn and empty. We’ve been imperfectly, but earnestly, turning to God our Father for help, healing, and comfort. Personally, in addition to grief, I’ve been fighting some troubling anxiety and racing thoughts in the last several weeks. <p>So, I recently cracked open <i>Sensing Jesus</i>, a Christmas present, which I expected to coach me into more apt ministry leadership and spiritual depth. Maybe it will do that; I still have the second half of the book to finish. But so far it’s simply healing my soul. <p>The greatest comfort for me has been in Eswine’s chapter entitled, Fix-It-All. Here he confronts our tendency to try to fix anything. In this chapter there is a section on psalm making. Here he uses David’s example to show how we can use the Psalms to turn to God in prayer, rather than our fleshly efforts “when the going gets tough and unfixable” (p. 111). <p>Here are the Psalms Eswine shares, followed by a little bit of personal commentary from me. <blockquote> <p><i>Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;</i> <p><i>Protect me from those who rise up against me. . . .</i> <p><i>Each evening they come back,</i> <p><i>Howling like dogs</i> <p><i>And prowling about the city. . . .</i> <p><i>But I will sing of your strength;</i> <p><i>I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.</i> <p><i>For you have been to me a fortress,</i> <p><i>And a refuge in the day of my distress.</i> (Ps. 59:1, 6, 14, 16)</p></blockquote> <p>As anxiety and uncontrolled nightmares taunted me, I felt under attack and powerless. Some nights, I could only fall asleep by whispering, “Jesus, me near me,” over and over and over. And he was. Hope has been new each morning. Even when the things I could count on or control crumbled and proved unfixable, God stayed with me. <blockquote> <p><i>Have mercy on me, O God,</i> <p><i>According to your steadfast love;</i> <p><i>According to your abundant mercy</i> <p><i>Blot out my transgressions.</i> <p><i>Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity</i> <p><i>And cleanse me from my sin!</i> (Ps. 51:1-2)</p></blockquote> <p>I know, as a Christian, that Jesus has taken all my punishment forever. There is none left for me. My wife and I didn’t lose this baby because God wanted to slap our wrists for a sin. But as the weeks went by and the wounds weren’t as raw, I began to ask God to show me where I wasn’t trusting him, where I was trying to be my own savior and god – and he shone the light on my anxiety and worry. Some of this is a natural physiological response to the unbelievable shock and stress from our trip, but some of it (I can now admit) was me, trusting in my own power, bucking against my inability to control and fix my broken life. <blockquote> <p><i>O Lord, all my longing is before you;</i> <p><i>My sighing is not hidden from you.</i> <p><i>My heart throbs; my strength fails me,</i> <p><i>And the light of my eyes—it has also gone from me. . . . </i> <p><i>But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,</i> <p><i>Like a mute man who does not open his mouth. . . .</i> <p><i>But for you, O Lord, do I wait;</i> <p><i>It is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.</i> (Ps. 38:9-10, 13, 15)</p></blockquote> <p>This pain doesn’t have to end in my lifetime. We won’t ‘get over’ all the things that happened during those three weeks in America, as if that were a healthy goal anyway. But, the fear and the loneliness can go; God can take the numbness and the heightened stress with him. <p>We are children whose loving father knows all their fears and wounds, and he stays with us. He doesn’t just fix the mess as quickly or the way we might ask him to. Instead, he stays with us and slowly-- morning by morning-- he shares with us his peace and rest. <p>-- <p>You can read my review of Sensing Jesus <a href="http://www.mikeleake.net/2013/01/review-of-sensing-jesus-by-zack-eswine.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and purchase it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581349696/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1581349696&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">here</a>. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-66064775619016393892013-08-13T09:15:00.001-04:002013-08-13T09:15:16.852-04:00Today in Blogworld 08.13.13<p><font size="3"><a href="http://www.challies.com/articles/the-book-glutton?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+challies%2FXhEt+%28Challies+Dot+Com%29">The Book Glutton</a></font></p> <p>“Quantity does not equal quality.” It was hard for me to throw away my first book. But I haven’t missed them at all. Tim is right, we do ourselves no good by hoarding books. </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2013/08/candid-pastoral-thoughts-on-depression.html">Candid Pastoral Thoughts on Depression and Drugs</a></font></p> <p>My view is very similar. </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://twentytwowords.com/2013/08/07/defacing-baseball-cards-with-a-marker-to-make-them-fun-again-10-pictures/">Defacing baseball cards</a></font></p> <p>This gives me hope. I collected baseball cards in a generation when they mass produced them. Thus they are worth little to nothing. Hopefully this encourages people to deface their cards so mine become rare again. So…this looks fun, give it a try. Everybody. And take your neighbors cards and do the same thing. Just don’t touch mine!</p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://dashhouse.com/dashhouse/2013/8/7/hope-for-difficult-churches">Hope for Difficult Churches</a></font></p> <p>I appreciate the work of Darryl Dash here. </p> <p>These are great tips to help you quit smoking (and hilarious):</p><iframe height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GFDsWOXLipQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-91413217006046248762013-08-12T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-12T14:00:00.141-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Twelve<p><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6894130443_78b3538667_o.jpg" width="231" height="231">Day Twelve: That her husband would pursue her holiness</strong> <blockquote> <p>Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself”–Ephesians 5:25-28</p></blockquote> <p>Husbands, we are to find our joy in the joy of our wives. Men, we are foolish if we think that their greatest joy will be found in us. That would be to profoundly rip them off. No, our goal must be the same goal as Jesus; namely, that their joy is as deep and lasting as Psalm 16:11. Anything else is not a lofty enough goal. The miracle of Ephesians 5:28-32 is that as we nourish and cherish our wives in such a way that they find lasting satisfaction in Jesus we also find our own joy. Men, may our goal for our wives be as big as Jesus. <p><em>Father, stir in me a passion to pursue my wife’s holiness. Create in me a heart that is only satisfied when my wife find’s her deepest satisfaction in you. As a selfish husband I often make decisions concerning our family that benefits me. Change this. Help me to lead and love in such a way that my goal for my wife is her passion for Jesus. Thank you for providing everything we need for life and godliness through the work of Christ. May our marriage glorify You. Amen. </em> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-25041643120700151122013-08-12T11:14:00.000-04:002013-08-12T11:14:00.773-04:0010 Books I Packed For Vacation<p><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6777694048_bcb5fb4462.jpg" width="201" height="234"> This week I will be spending time with my family in Branson, MO*. </p> <p>My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Branson, and have since went on a couple of vacations there. There is beautiful scenery there and quiet and peace resorts. I’m looking forward to getting away and unplugging. It will <em>look</em> like I am online but for the most part I will not be. </p> <p>One part of vacation that I am really looking forward to is sitting out on the porch in the morning and spending some time reading a few books that I’ve been wanting to read for awhile. Here are 10 books that I am packing on vacation. (Not sure how many I will even open—but a guy can dream):</p> <ol> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061988219/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061988219&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">The Pastor</a> by Eugene Peterson</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0851512984/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0851512984&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">A Lifting Up For the Downcast</a> by William Bridge (hope to finish this one)</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310490677/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0310490677&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">INsourcing</a> by Randy Pope</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195076761/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0195076761&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">Culture of Complaint</a> by Robert Hughes (it’s an old one but intriguing)</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1846251974/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1846251974&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">Test, train, affirm & send into ministry</a> by Brian Croft (got it at T4G haven’t opened it)</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1875245413/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1875245413&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">Growth Groups</a> by Colin Marshall </li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802841805/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0802841805&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind</a> by Mark Noll</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0851516076/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0851516076&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">Communion with God</a> by John Owen</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0851516602/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0851516602&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">Revival and Revivalism</a> by Iain Murray</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433536641/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1433536641&linkCode=as2&tag=borrligh-20" target="_blank">The Pastor’s Justification</a> by Jared Wilson (plan to finish this one)</li></ol> <p>---</p> <p>*Yes, <em>that</em> Branson, MO--the place where dreams go to die. I’m kidding, I’m kidding. But seriously, there is so much country music there I may not survive. </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-23877637286313336272013-08-12T09:29:00.001-04:002013-08-12T09:29:02.058-04:00Today in Blogworld 08.12.13<p><font size="3"><a href="http://dashhouse.com/dashhouse/2013/8/2/be-famous-for-not-trying-to-be-famous">Be Famous For Not Trying To Be Famous</a></font></p> <p>A welcome word in our celebrity-obsessed culture. </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/twelve-gospel-passages-to-soak-in?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DGBlog+%28Desiring+God+Blog%29">Twelve Gospel Passages to Soak In</a></font></p> <p>Consider doing this today. </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/08/07/why-i-changed-my-mind-about-infant-baptism/">Why I Changed My Mind About Infant Baptism</a></font></p> <p>At the end of the day I’m still going to disagree with Liam Goligher on baptism. But articles like this are very helpful to read and consider. </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://theresurgence.com/2013/08/07/confessions-of-a-nagging-wife?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheResurgence+%28The+Resurgence%29">Confessions of a Nagging Wife</a></font></p> <p>Interesting and gospel-informed. </p> <p>This is interesting but thoroughly disturbing for people, like me, that have a weak stomach</p><iframe height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hMIHFR_P7QY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-27088436161348198332013-08-11T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-11T14:00:00.041-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Eleven<p><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6894529171_ff3068cdb7_b.jpg" width="232" height="232">Day Eleven: That she would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing she would have life in His name.</strong> <blockquote> <p>“but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” –John 20:31</p></blockquote> <p>Today let us dedicate ourselves to praying for our brothers that are married to an unbelieving spouse. If your wife is a believer, thank God for His rescue of your wife. If she is not a believer, plead for her today before the Lord that He would “cause the light of the knowledge of the glory of Christ to shine in her heart” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Let’s beg of the Lord today to cause every man in this group to be married to a woman that believes in Jesus, is growing in Jesus, and find her life in His name. <p><em>Father, I thank you for salvation. I thank you that you have never given up on me and that you reached me in the darkest of places. There is no sin that is too powerful for your grace to overcome. Lord would you continue your work of rescuing my wife. Lord, save her to the uttermost and help to find her life in your name. Lord, I also pray for the other brothers in this group. Rescue their wives through the powerful work of Jesus. Would you call them out of darkness with your mighty hand? May this be a day of salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.</em> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-32528161663034480602013-08-10T14:00:00.000-04:002013-08-10T14:00:00.164-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Ten<p align="left"><strong><img style="display: inline; float: right" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTpkpWXwt0ITAp6Z8zqa5SeL0N1ijmZmC0xpQlYz436S026xujv">Day Ten: That she would not be anxious or fearful</strong></p> <p align="center">Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. –Proverbs 12:25</p> <p align="left">Our wives can be weighed down by anxiety and fear. In a fallen world there are many things to fear and become anxious about. And in the long run many of the things that we fear are a reality. We will die. Those that we love will get sick. If our wives want to be consumed by fear and worry they have plenty of fuel for the flames of anxiety. Yet in the midst of a fallen world God calls us to cast all our anxieties and fear upon Him. Let’s pray that our wives would trust in the Lord and not be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety.<br><br><em>Father, I know that there are many things that can cause my wife to be fearful or anxious. I know that we live in a fallen world. But I also know that we live in a world where evil, death, and all things in opposition to you, have been dealt a decisive death blow by our Lord Jesus. You are making all things new. Help my wife to trust in your redemption and not the temporary truths that fear and anxiety tell her. Rescue her from fear and anxiety. Amen.</em></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-42287454597609764592013-08-09T16:06:00.001-04:002013-08-09T16:06:46.474-04:00Pray For Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge—Day Nine<p><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSk32KF0kxcQix_bEckk3uP95P0S_efkaQ6TfS8zXTOycMorhSyQA"> I apologize that I am posting this so much later than normal. </p> <p><strong>Day Nine: That she would passionately love the Bride of Christ</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” –John 13:34-35</p></blockquote> <p>Let’s face it, the church can be messy. Our wives can get caught in the crossfire of petty church fights. She’s also not immune to being directly involved in them. As such our wife can grow bitter towards the bride of Christ. Over time her passion can dwindle and her love for the Bride of Jesus will grow cold. Brothers, the love our wives have for the bride of Christ is proportional to her love for the Lord. Let us pray that the Lord would cause our wives to “love one another deeply from the heart (1 Peter 1:22)”.</p> <p><em>Father, I thank you that you have purchased a people for yourself. I thank you that you are redeeming people from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue. You are taking away hearts of sin and unbelief and replacing them with hearts of passionate worship. This is your church. And on the way to redemption we are messy. I pray that the messy of church might cause my wife’s heart to stir in deep love instead of bitterness. Sustain her with your love for her, and your love for the church. May she love your Bride the way that you love her, so that all may know your greatness. Amen.</em></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-10638702180866857812013-08-09T11:12:00.000-04:002013-08-09T11:12:00.042-04:00Why Is It Always Revelation(s) That They Want to Study?<p><img style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" align="right" src="http://www.moillusions.com/wp-content/uploads/img53.imageshack.us/img53/9021/jesus5zk.gif" width="249" height="206"> So, this unchurched guy comes in my office and tells me that he has started reading the Bible. I’m excited but I almost know what he’s going to say next. </p> <p>I pause and wait for him to articulate what I know is coming…</p> <p>The silence is broken. And my assumption is correct. He has chosen to begin his study in Revelations. (It is of course mandatory that you call it Revelations instead of Revelation when you pick this as your first book). </p> <p>And I sit and wonder why anyone would begin with arguably the most difficult book in the entire canon of Scripture to begin his study. I assume Hollywood, coupled with our fixation on the world blowing up, is largely to blame. Yet I wonder if there isn’t another, not so obvious reason, why folks choose difficult Old Testament passages or Revelation to begin their study. Perhaps a hidden Jesus is safer and more attractive. </p> <p><strong>Deal With Jesus Directly</strong></p> <p>So, I counseled this confused looking fella as I normally do. I told him to stop his reading in Revelation and take up the Gospel of Mark. That probably sounds like I’m saying that Mark is better than Revelation and that I’m encouraging people to be red-letter Christians only. Not the case. </p> <p>Let’s be honest and confess that this dude is doing everything backwards anyways. It shouldn’t just be him and Jesus alone in a room with an open Bible. He needs the church. He needs to study God’s Word alongside of God’s people. That’s ideal. </p> <p>But he’s likely to insist on continuing as a lone ranger; and this largely because He hasn’t yet been reconciled to God and henceforth other believers. So if he <em>must </em>study the Bible on his own I want him to deal with Jesus directly. Not through shadows. Not through allegory. Just the bare Jesus of the Gospels. </p> <p>Let him deal with Christ and be haunted by the Nazarene. Let him figure out how Mary’s son can calm a raging sea with the word of His mouth. Cause him to be confronted with the screams of the crowd saying, “Crucify him”. And leave him with the centurion’s confession, “Truly this man was the Son of God”. </p> <p>He must be confronted and transformed by this Jesus. Then maybe he’ll get his tail in church and gather with other believers where we can start working through the Old Testament and Revelation. </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563948728142405444.post-68593958406628502602013-08-09T08:15:00.001-04:002013-08-09T08:15:08.183-04:00Today in Blogworld 08.09.13<p><font size="3"><a href="http://cbmw.org/women/ministry-women/the-pastors-wife-is-a-pastors-wife/">The Pastor’s Wife is a Pastor’s Wife</a></font></p> <p>Great reminder.</p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://headhearthand.org/blog/2013/08/06/a-powerful-vacation-sermon/">A Powerful Vacation Sermon</a></font></p> <p>I really appreciated this post by David Murray. </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2013/08/06/your-handwriting-what-it-reveals/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PatheosJesusCreed+%28Blog+-+Jesus+Creed%29">What Your Handwriting Reveals</a></font></p> <p>I’m not sure that I buy this. But it’s interesting nonetheless.</p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://www.joethorn.net/blog/2013/8/5/reading-for-pastors">Reading for Pastor/Elder Development</a></font></p> <p>Helpful compilation of books for pastor/elder development. My list would be similar. </p> <p>This is for you grandma:</p><iframe height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dFQzXqs_rp8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08034192017775511612noreply@blogger.com0