Mind of Truth

New Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:06:00 +0000

Its interesting to see how many people long for a new beginning, especially this time of year. Whether its new resolutions, renewed promises to ones self, or a hope that in the next year things will be better - we can't help but look for new beginnings. Its like we all keep looking for a better fit for our life. We all want to be happier, wealthier, richer in friends and family, have more opportunities, be loved, give freely, and on and on. No matter how hard we try though, we still feel like something is missing. I believe we will always feel that way until the Kingdom of God is fully realized. Then things will be new every morning and through Christ we will live without limits for ever and ever. We will always feel fulfilled and completely satisfied, yet long to experience more of all that we receive from the Lord.

Without Jesus Christ there is no new beginning, only emptiness. If you don't know Christ, then make that committment as you begin this new year. Don't miss all He has in store for you. Let go of your fear and pride and accept fully that which you know in your heart is right. He offers us all a true new beginning.

Finish Strong

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:50:00 +0000

I was reminded the other day how important it is to finish strong. It's so tempting to slow down or give up when we get weary, but that's the time to push forward even more. Christ will be strong in our weakness. This life is nothing more than an opportunity to grow in Christ, learn, and mature. Its not a time to accumulate things or live life our own way. Don't waste your time on temporal things that will fade away. Love people, love your family, serve others, be a generous giver, speak the Word, pursue Christ with your whole being - those are things worth your time. Don't let up, be willing to loose your life to find it. My eyes are fixed on eternity. I believe God's Word is true and I will rule and reign with Him in a new heaven and a new earth. Now is the time to learn and grow and prepare. Now is the time to finish strong.

Finding Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Some thoughts on a paper I was reading on the Resurection...

John records four distinct episodes in which Jesus reveals Himself to others. The second episode in Jh 20:11-18 is very interesting. John tells us that Mary went to the tomb early on the first day of the week and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty and then ran to tell the disciples (20:1-2). Peter and the beloved disciple run to the tomb to find it empty and the grave clothes folded neatly inside (20:3-9). Then John says that they ran back to where they were staying (20:10). Mary however waited outside the tomb weeping in deep greif (20:11). This is when she sees the angels and hears Jesus call her name (20:12-17).

Here's my thought. Why didn’t Peter and John see the angels or why didn’t Jesus speak to them as He did with Mary. The text does not say, but I think it may have been that Mary’s heart was focused on Jesus in an intimate personal way. She was not thinking about what to do next or how to continue Jesus ministry. She was heart broken because Jesus was everything to her. John indicates that her grief was great. There was no future without Him. The other disciples were certainly grieving as well, but possibly their minds were on what to do next or what would happen to them now that Jesus was gone, and maybe fearing the response of the Romans or Jewish leaders.

What a priviledge it was for Mary to be the first to hear the good news. I think Mary saw Jesus because she waited and her whole being was focused on Jesus Himself. How often do we miss Jesus because we rush from one thing to another, building churches and ministries and doing the work? How often do we think what we're doing for the Lord is so important and we miss hearing Jesus speak to us in that familiar voice.When our life is centered on Jesus and we wait on Him, we will find Him and hear His voice.

Family

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:27:00 +0000

I am most thankful and greatful to my God for the family He has blessed me with. Especially my wonderful, amazing wife whom I have been married to for 14 years as of yesterday. We have been through some challenging days, but nothing has ever come between us. Everyday together with her is better than the last. My advice for those who want a great marriage - Jesus Christ. He is the reason for everything. He is the answer and the strength and the substance of all things and He is at the center of our marriage. Jesus was right when he said a man must loose his life to find it. Marriage is not about giving up everything for my wife and family, but its about me giving up everything for Jesus. Then He comes in and He is a husband through me, He is a Father and a teacher. He is the one who share the message of the Kingdom with my kids and raises them up as He desires. He is the one who cares for my wife and loves her beyond what I could ever imagine. In the fourteen years we have been married I have found that every single time our relationship has struggled in any way, it was because I needed to adjust my life with Christ. So many times we restrict the Holy Spirit's access to our life, we fail to be fully obedient, or we pull away from oneness and intimacy with God. Thats when our relationships begin to suffer.

I can tell you my family has only one goal in life, we live for only one purpose - to serve the King. Rule number 1 in our home is to honor the King. We stand in His courts blessed to serve, blessed to receive His gracy and mercy, and blessed to be in His marvelous presence.

Thats what I'm thankful for.

The Sower

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:37:00 +0000

The parable of the Sower found in Mt 13, Mk 4, and Lk 8 is a critical parable for believers today. The sower is anyone who shares the word. Its anyone who spreads the good news of the Gospel. Our life is the soil so what kind of soil in in your heart? It the ground hard and resistant to the seed? Do you quickly receive the word, but then lay it down again when things becaome difficult? The seed is meant to grow deep into our lives. That requires a yielded heart. Are there thorns in your life choking out the word? The seed was not sown among weeds, but into soil that contained weed seeds. What things have you allowed to be planted in your life that will soon grow up as weeds and choke out the truth God has placed in your heart. The seed has all the power to procuce a great harvest, but it requires our obedience. Conditioning the soil of your life takes time, discipline, and an open heart to allow the Holy Spirit to examine your life and change whatever He desires. Having our life be good soil ready to rceive the word should be the norm for the believer. What greater priviledge is there than to be a vessel for the eternal word of God and give it a place to grow and thrive in our lives?

Nonetheless

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:01:00 +0000

I love this quote from "The Return of the King". Its the eve of battle for the army of Rohan, and the men are feeling the hopeless of the battle to come. I was sharing something with my son last night and he reminded me of this quote. My son is a warrior and he will be mighty in the kingdom of our God.

Gamling: Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor.
King Theoden: No. We cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless.

This is the life of a disciple. Yes, our God reigns and He will be victorious over all things. Yes, we are more than conquers in Christ Jesus our Lord. Yes no weapon formed against us can prosper. But, most of the time we stand facing the cross and know that we must take it up and suffer and allow our life to slip into the ground and die. We resolve ourselves to the fact that we must loose our life to find it, we must die to live a transformed resurected life. We do feel hopeless when the heavens seemed to be closed, and all we see before us is utter impossibility. There is however always hope in the hopelessness. There is the resurection to come and we know that yes we will die, but we will fight in the battle nonetheless!

God is God

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:43:00 +0000

Images from (http://stuffilearnttoday.blogspot.com/2010/05/worship.html)

I thought today about how God is always God. He is always good, righteous, and always in control in spite of what I do or how I respond to Him. He hears my prayers even if I feel like He doesn't. He has a plan for my life whether I walk in it or not. He is still a wonderful, amazing, loving God even if I never hear His voice again. Even if He never does another thing for me, He is still worthy to be praised and lifted up above all things. He will be faithful to His promises and fulfill every Word He has ever spoken whether I see them accomplished in my lifetime or not.

I think too often we view God from the lense of our own life. We think He must not answer prayer since He did not answer mine. We think God must not care about me since my desparate situation has not changed. Too often we teach people this in the church. We orient them wrong. We say "Why pay your tithe? because God will bless you. Why get saved? so you can go to Heaven." and on and on. The kingdom of God is centered around Jesus not around us. He is worthy of all our money. He is worthy of our time, and our whole life.

When we align our life fully and sacrificially with Jesus Christ, we will know God on His terms and we will feel wonderfully blessed and priviledged that He has grated us a place in His Kingdom.

Worship

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:15:00 +0000

"You are my freedom, Jesus Your the reason I'm kneeling again at your throne. Where whould I be without You here in my life"

"Here in My Life"
Savior King
Hillsong

The Cost of Discipleship

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:34:00 +0000

One of the best and most powerful messages I have ever heard on discipleship.

The Cost of Discipleship

Stephen Olford

Sermon Archives

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:58:00 +0000

Amazing message from Stephen Olford on Prayer.

Sermon Archives

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 03:03:00 +0000

Just added a great sermon on my Sermon Archive page. Christ Our Life by Stephen Olford.

Rick Warren on Doctrine

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:24:00 +0000

Good interview of Rick Warren by John Piper. Some good doctrinal issues.

More on Erasing Hell

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:48:00 +0000

I can defintely relate to this quote by Francis Chan from his book Erasing Hell. This is such a difficult topic and it's easier to just not think about it and move on. I believe we are entering a season when God's people will feel an urgency to step up and speak the truth in a loving and firm way. Don't speak out of ignorance or your own thoughts. Know the Word. We are all surrounded by opportunities to learn the Word and allow it to transform our lives. There is no excuse for not knowing. Speak out of that transformation. Let the Holy Spirit speak for you. Know Christ deeply and allow Him to take control of your life fully.

"What causes my heart to ache right now as I’m writing this is that my life shows little evidence that I actually believe this. Every time my thoughts wander to the future of unbelievers, I quickly brush them aside so they don’t ruin my day. But there is a reality here that I can’t ignore. Even as the conversations of people around me fill my ears, the truth of Scripture penetrates my heart with sobering statements about their destinies. We can talk about the fate of some hypothetical person, but as I look up and see their smiles, I have to ask myself if I really believe what I have written in this book. Hell is for real. Am I?"

Chan, Francis (2011). Erasing Hell (pp. 107-108). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:08:00 +0000

I doanloaded Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle today. I think its important for us to know what we're talking about with these issues. I'm only through the intro, but Chan definitely attempts to points the reader back to scripture as the final word on the matter.

First quote I highlighted:

"But this book is actually much more than a book on hell. It’s a book about embracing a God who isn’t always easy to understand, and whose ways are far beyond us; a God whose thoughts are much higher than our thoughts; a God who, as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, has every right to do, as the psalmist says, “whatever He pleases” (Ps. 115:3 NASB)."

Chan, Francis (2011). Erasing Hell (Kindle Locations 177-179). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.

Occupying Liminal Space

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:02:00 +0000

Today I was reading a preview of the book Faith of Leap: Embracing a Theology of Risk, Adventure and Courage by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. He was discussing the journey of Frodo and Sam portrayed in Tolkien's the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Without a doubt I find myself living in the liminal space he describes. I have found God will hold you in that liminal space as long as you allow Him through your obedience. He will refine you there and release your heart and mind from all but Himself. When you have nothing but Jesus at the center of your soul, He restores you and opens the way to a new season of living in Christ.

Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. The Faith of Leap: Embracing a Theology of Risk, Adventure, and Courage. (Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 2011) 19.

Harvest India Promo 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:58:00 +0000

Harvest India Promo 2011 from Jay Jenison on Vimeo.

OC on the Call to Discipleship

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:06:00 +0000

I found this excerpt from Oswald Chambers today. Hearing the call will mess up your definition of life. You will get to a place of denying self because you can't resist the one who is calling you. The call leads you right in the middle of vagueness and you must step forward anyway, but like OC says, never be afraid because Jesus is with us.

"The call to discipleship comes as mysteriously as being born from above (rv mg); once a man hears it, it profoundly alters everything. It is like the call of the sea, the call of the mountains, not everyone hears these calls, only those who have the nature of the sea or the mountains—and then only if they pay attention to the call. To hear the call of God or the call to discipleship necessitates education in understanding and discernment. Never be afraid of the thing that is vague, the biggest things in life are vague as far as expression goes, but they are realities."

Chambers, O. (1996, c1946). He shall glorify me : Talks on the Holy Spirit and other themes. Hants UK: Marshall, Morgan & Scott.

Shallow Small Group

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 15:01:00 +0000

I love this video. We used it in our discipleship model presentation last week.

Erasing Hell

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Francis is currently in the process of writing his newest book titled Erasing Hell: What God said about eternity, and the things we've made up.

This new book tackles the reality of hell, and the way we view the areas of God's Word and actions that we might not agree with.

As this book is due out July 5th, 2011, Francis is still in the process of finishing the book. He deeply covets your prayers as he finishes writing, and desires that the words written in this book will be God's words and not his own.

As Francis began writing, he created a video to explain his heart in writing Erasing Hell.
(Above excerpt from FrancisChan.org)

Christianity and the Tooth Fairy

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:23:00 +0000

Take some time to liten to this video from the Veritas Forum. John Lennox makes a case for Christianity. Excellent information.

Christianity and the Tooth Fairy: A UCLA law professor questions an Oxford mathematician on the claims of Jesus from The Veritas Forum on Vimeo.

What is the Church?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:21:00 +0000

"What is the church, but the gathering of the redeemed ones sent to participate in the work of Jesus in this world. . . . What does it mean to be the Ecclasia, the called out ones? It's actually to go forth as salt and light in this world. Not to huddle, not to gather and not to pour most of our energies and most of our time and indeed most of our money on serving ourselves or our loved ones. Participate in what Jesus is doing in this world and you'll be astonished by what you will discover." - Mike Frost

Michael Frost on Being the Missional Church

The Future of the Church

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:01:00 +0000

Here are some great audio messages from Mike Frost. I hope you can take some time to listen with an open mind.

Mike Frost speaking about the future of the Church

Mike Frost is one of the world's leading thinkers about how the Church needs to change. He's the author of 'Exiles: living missionally in a post-Christian culture,' and co-author (with Alan Hirsch) of 'The Shaping of Things to Come: innovation and mission for the 21st-century church.' Here are three talks given by Mike at the 'Future Church' event in Central Hall Southampton on 3-4 Oct 2008

Thoughts on Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:20:00 +0000

Easter is always a good time for reflection and examination. The thought of what Jesus Christ has done for me is overwhelming and brings me ultimately to the foot of the cross. What more can be done in the face of such holiness and great sacrifice? All I can do is lay my life down there as well, surrender myself, my life, all I have, and all I am or ever will be.

There can be no fruitfulness or fulfillment of our purpose until we lay our life down unto death. We spend so much time striving, building ministries, making better plans, and working harder. We don’t see that from Jesus. In his essay In Him and Over Him: The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus John O’Donnell says Jesus had to accept the failure of His human mission. He says “Jesus who came in the power of the Spirit to proclaim the Good News had to accept that because of the hardness of hearts of His people the kingdom could only come through the cross. And so Jesus goes to His death, tested to the utterness of His obedience, dying in the radical solitude of the sense of abandonment by His Father and without the least sign of the new creation on which He has staked His entire life” (O’Donnell, 34). Are we willing to be led by the Spirit into a testing of our obedience? That may mean we let go of the ministry that defines us and from which we draw purpose and meaning for our life. It may mean we cease our efforts and let the Holy Spirit lead us to the cross without the least sign of fruitfulness or success. Are we are willing to give back to the Holy Spirit the dreams He has put in our hearts? O’Donnell goes on to say “In the death of Jesus, the Son surrenders Himself totally to the Spirit, entrusting it to the Spirit to rescue His mission after His death” (O’Donnell, 35). I will speak for myself when I say I need to learn how to trust the Holy Spirit with life, my hopes and dreams, and the mission God has giving me to complete. We need to learn how to be comforted by the Holy Spirit. When we feel separated from all else, the Holy Spirit is there. Just as He did with Jesus, the Father, by the power of His Spirit will resurrect our surrendered life. He will then pour out His Spirit to the world and accomplish all that He desires in and through our lives.

O’Donnell, John. 1989. In Him and Over Him: The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus. Pg. 25-45.

Sermon of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:28:00 +0000

This weeks message is "Turning Cash Into Kingdom Currency" by Glenn Sheppard. Great message, but it takes a willingness to die to self and allow God to have control of every area of our lives. A great line from the message is "We give to get, to give to get, to give..." I have learned there is no greater investment that the Kingdom of God.

Flash Forward

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Dodson) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 02:16:00 +0000

Have you ever had a moment when God gives you a brief glimpse of your future? Its like an image frozen in time full of purpose, full of hope and possibility. Its like a brief flash then its gone, and its a little frightening when you replay it in your mind. For that one brief moment all rational thought is suspended, our natural mind disengages and we are free to believe in the impossible. Too often our own thoughts are restrictive, liner, and full of doubt. We see obstacles and God sees Himself. When God speaks, His voice carries with it the fullness of all His power, desire, and will. Sometimes all that can't be communicated in words, but in images or flashes of decades compressed into seconds. His voice also reaches to every part of our being and we feel whole and complete as we were created to be.

We need to hold on to those moments and learn to live in the possibility of the indescribably wonderful plans that God has prepared for us all.