Homiléō

Discipline & Spontaneity in Reading The Bible

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

"Discipline and spontaneity. We need both in reading the Bible: discipline to move steadily through books of the Bible, and spontaneity to go to a part of the Bible that we sense will meet a particular need. Both can be powerful with encouragement for faith. Sometimes in the midst of discipline, unexpected power will spring forth, and the line between spontaneity and discipline disappears."

John Piper [A Godward Life pg56]

Our Planet . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Nasa have released the highest resolution picture of planet Earth that has, thus far been taken. It is awesome!

View via Nasa's Flickr stream

Apologies To The Bookshop

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:57:00 +0000

I recently wrote this post. But yesterday i was quite impressed that the bookshop i talked of rang me to say they had tracked down a copy; in fact the last copy they had throughout their stores and had it sent to my local store. Very impressive since it turns out the book is sold out everywhere making it hard to get.

When they initially let me down i figured i would go to an online retailer but it quite literally costs a fortune if you go looking to get a secondhand copy. Seemingly a popular book.

Is my faith restored in the bookshop -yeh - they came through when the internet didn't - even though at the time i thought they hadn't. (Bit of a mouthful of a sentence there)!

We all die

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:58:00 +0000

"We will all die. My wife will die. I will die, you . . . everyone you have ever met. Others will walk over our graves and never know we laughed or loved or hated each other. Do you think they will care if we did? No they will have their own blind, short lives to live."

Written by Conn Iggulden [Conqueror pg23]

Sobering words found in a novel, but words that leave truths and questions ringing in our ears. I'm glad Jesus can make the blind see so that my short life can at least be lived out in the trust and knowledge that He lived, died & arose so that i can live with Him for ever; even when i die.

2012 Vs 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

2011 is over and dusted and we are well under way in 2012. Many probably made resolutions and many have probably broken them. But i was contemplating what i would like my Christian life to look like when 2012 reaches an end:

I'd like to know the Bible more.
That is, as a means of knowing and loving Jesus more, i'd like to know the Bible more and better.

I'd like to make more time for God.
Any relationship requires quality time in order for it to grow deeper. The same is true of the relationship with Jesus, therefore more time with Him in His Word & in prayer is only a good thing.

To take my time in worship/prayer/Bible study etc.
So much of life is rushed, and often this rushing overflows into our worship & devotional lives bringing us to snack rather than feast.

Learn something new.
Most of us have a lot - and i mean a lot still to learn about God, His purposes, The Bible & life. I'd like to learn something new about God and about His purposes, The Bible & life in 2012.

Talk more to others about Jesus.
The good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ is worth sharing, and people need to hear it. Christ calls each of His followers to tell others (evangelize) and so i'd like to be more actively involved in this during 2012.

Enjoy Christ.
All of the above can be moralistic works if they are not done because of a deep, Spirit provoked love for Christ. Rather than going through motions of religion or trying to earn some favour with God and appease my conscience i'd like everything to be done because of a delight in my Saviour.

What would you like to see in 2012?

Kodak Vs Fujifilm - A Church Thought (Religion Vs Jesus)

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:33:00 +0000

There's a very interesting article in The Economist regarding the fall of Kodak vs the rise of Fujifilm. One of the most striking parts of this is as follows:

"Another reason why Kodak was slow to change was that its executives “suffered from a mentality of perfect products, rather than the high-tech mindset of make it, launch it, fix it,”"

I can't help but think of religion vs Jesus here. Religion says perfect it before hand, but Jesus takes something imperfect, yes made by Him - but fallen; and He fixes it. This fixing takes place after He launches the person back into the world, and in fact continues until that person sees Jesus and is perfected (Phil 1:6).

The Bible Is A Big Book

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

"The Bible is a big book with a lot in it. As such, the Christian has a lot of tools in his sanctification tool belt."

Kevin Deyoung

Trust In The Bookshop? I'm Going Back To Online Retailers

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:30:00 +0000

I recently asked in a local bookshop about a book i was looking to get. The guy at the counter typed in his computer and said "yep, we can have that here by next Thursday or Friday". I decided to give them the business and order it, paid up front (because they wouldn't order it in unless i did), and was told they would ring when it arrived.

All this against the backdrop of my wise wife telling me i should order online cause it'll arrive sooner!

I should have listened.

Flash forward to the following Friday and my kind wife enters the bookshop to make an enquiry about the order and is told that they are very sorry, it's not in stock after all, and they will ring later after checking to see if other stores have it or if they can indeed get it. It's the following Thursday now and still no phone call.

I really should know by now to listen to Barbara and go with her advice.

And even if the book does come from them that particular chain has lost my business to online retailers.

There may be many reasons why bookshops are losing business to online retailers but sometimes it's their own fault.

Update: Faith Restored in the bookshop

Revival Movement Pics

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:41:00 +0000

Revival Movement, a set on Flickr.

Today the wilderness - Tomorrow may mean taking the message to the world

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:13:00 +0000

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

(Luke 4:14-15 ESV)

These are how Luke describes the life of Jesus when He came from the desert temptations. He returned in the power of the Spirit!

Up to this point Jesus has kept his head pretty much down. There's a glimmer of His ministry as a boy in the temple but nothing until He reaches 30 and is baptised by john, driven to the wilderness, tempted and then Bang!

Suddenly Jesus is the talk of the town i mean country! And ultimately the world!

I read this passage this morning and found it very encouraging that the Spirit of God can take someone from harsh circumstances and hostility and use them in power for the Glory of God. It's hopeful isn't it?
Right now are we in the wilderness? Are we pounded by temptation and assaults from the evil one?

Tomorrow the Spirit may fill us with power for His glory in this world!

The Son Of Man's Coming

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:09:00 +0000

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
(Mark 13:24-27 ESV)

Not meaning to be doom and gloom, nor overly hyper excited about His coming, but i was reading Mark 13 this morning and this passage has stuck in my head.

He is coming back!

Matt Chandler - David, Goliath & The Gospel

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

I've been meaning to watch this and finally got the chance over the weekend - it's typical Chandler stuff but absolutely great. I love hearing Christ exalted and this is Christ exalting.

How's Our Wordly Appetite

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:16:00 +0000

"If you have no appetite for the Word, it's likely you're filling up on mental junk food."

Rick Warren

Thank You David Crowder

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:36:00 +0000

I have enjoyed the David Crowder band since i first heard them but haven't really been listening much recently. Last week Gary Bolton asked me the name of one of the songs and then again last night shared how he has been being blessed by some of the words in Crowder's songs.

So when i got home i typed 'David Crowder' into Youtube and ended up having one of the best worship experiences of recent days. On my own until the early hours of the morning, singing quietly and praying to my Father. It was great and refreshing, and exactly what i needed!

One of the songs that really blessed me was 'Let me feel You Shine'

Then there was the desire to really burst forth with uncontained praise

I kick started the evening with this one - watch the video to the end as the guy reaches a point where he just can't hold back any more

There were plenty more but it would be overkill to post that many videos at once!

The Moderately Modern N. Ireland Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

N. Ireland Church is rather complex. One rising group however is the modern, reformed, often charismatic with a seatbelt - handbrake - foot brake - parachute - and 'key out of the ignition just in case' type Christian.
We want to be reformed and somewhat tight on doctrine but open in approach, response and very active in engaging culture.

Here are some indications you may fall into this crew:

Our suit barely leaves the wardrobe and hangs patiently waiting on the next wedding or funeral. Clothing is a non-issue as long as we aren't asked to stop wearing our jeans; then it's an issue!

Our old A.V. is gathering dust somewhere (probably in the attic but we're not quite sure) while our ESVSB goes everywhere with you - in a wheelbarrow due to its size!

We look at our book shelves and proportionately there are more 'Piper' books than any other author - including Calvin or MacArthur.

It's been a few years since we held a hymn book; and our children probably don't know what one is.

When we turn our iPod to shuffle there is an 8/10 chance a Piper sermon will come on and we'll have to skip on a few times until you reach some Sovereign Grace music or Christian rap.

We reckon the only thing an organ is good for striking up is a bonfire in the church carpark where we could drink some Starbucks (maybe even a sip of Guinness) and perhaps throw a few suits on the fire to keep the fire going.

We want freedom to raise our hands in worship - even though we never, ever do.

We claim that the motive for our tv & film addiction, choice of music, frequenting of pubs and gigs, sport, gym, memberships etc all boil down to engaging the culture and winning the lost to Christ - though we barely even say hello to people we don't know.

What would you add?

[Update]
Aaron Browne would add the following great observations:

1. The trend of Going for Coffee/food after the Sunday Evening service to keep fellowship and talk about the sermon.

2. Working on a sunday morning/afternoon but going to church in the evening

Why Not To Make A Reading Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:48:00 +0000

Aaron Armstrong posted today on why he is not making a reading plan for this year. He says:

"For me, the problem was that I wasn’t spending enough time soaking in the Word. With a strict schedule of 4+ chapters a day, I found there was very little time to stop and savor."

The Powerful Word Of God

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

In a recent interview on 9 Marks; Mark Dever, Jonathan Leeman & Shai Linne discuss The Power of God's Word.

Download audio

Forget Resolutions - Just Live

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:15:00 +0000

When we drive our cars we seem to merely exist in that moment for the destinations sake, but fail to really live during the journey. We neglect the things around us, the time we have together in the car etc and just put the peddle down with a mind full of where we are going.
Lets not live that way, but lets make the most of every moment whether we've achieved our goals or not. The journey is all part of it and certainly for us Christians it is a great time to get closer with the God who we will spend eternity with, and a time in which we can live to make Him known to those around us.

We spend so much time pondering our future and thinking about goals etc that quite often we neglect to live in the present. Don't get me wrong those few pounds could do with being shed and the gym is a good idea. That habit should be beaten and targets must be set.

But lets not lose sight of where we are right now!

Happy New Year: Let's Spend 2012 Drinking

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:39:00 +0000

Happy New Year
And in the words of Gary Bolton who text me earlier:

"Let's drink a lot in 2012"

What drink?

Picture taken at Wexford beach during family fireworks hour

Cautions Against 'Mirror Reading' The Bible

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Andy Naselli points to a couple of good thoughts on “mirror reading” (the idea that we can/should seek to discern the implicit situation to which the biblical authors are responding).

HT:Justin Taylor

Why Don't We Understand All Of The Bible?

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Drink Carefully, Drink A Lot

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:23:00 +0000

Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the LORD,
for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns
that can hold no water.
(Jeremiah 2:12-13 ESV)

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”
And let the one who hears say, “Come.”
And let the one who is thirsty come;
let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
(Revelation 22:17 ESV)

“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,
but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him
will never be thirsty again.
The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water
welling up to eternal life.”
(John 4:13-14 ESV)

"the river of God is full of water"
(Ps 65:9)

Read The Whole Biblical Book

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

"The Biblical books are intended to be read as wholes. Students of the Bible have too often dissected, atomized, and analyzed biblical narratives until what is left is a dismembered corpse, not a living organism. When we read these books as coherent wholes, we will capture much of their vitality and their meaning. We will be able to see the contours of the forest, as well as the details of the trees."

David M. Howard Jr. [An Introduction To The Old Testament Historical Books, pg17]

New Photo Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Today i started a new blog in regards to my photography. Primarily it's gonna be a place where i can gather tips, advice and store them for myself, but feel free to check it out - http://boalishphotos.blogspot.com/

Christians At The Cutting Edge - What Happened

noreply@blogger.com (Gary Boal) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:37:00 +0000

There was once a time when Christianity led the way in many areas - It is quite arguable that no other group grasped and used the written page and the printing press as much as Christianity. Architecture of Christian buildings was outstanding, not only in the complex finish but the very thought given to window placement so as to bring light to the sanctuary. Art and music are other areas in which Christianity led the way . . .

. . . and then we hit today, when we Christians are known as living in previous ages, stuck in traditions and fearing the new and advancements of technologies. Seriously, we should have invented the ipad and the e-reader.

I once heard a young guy in his church being asked why he wouldn't play 'christian' music or songs and answering that he was a 'serious' musician and could never be taken seriously if he did. What! We should be advancing in our musical style, musical instruments and musicians - church uses musicians like no other organization, hence we should have the cream of the crop instead of settling for the ok and the medeocre!

Art is another thing which we have in recent years neglected. Have we forgotten the capacity art has to portray something and get right into someones mind & memory?

A body of believers (the local Church) is a perfect place for people to use not only spiritual gifts but God given talents and skills learned. Don't get me wrong i know of great and fantastic artists, musicians, tech guys, etc etc who love Jesus and use their talents and field of expertise to Glorify God . . . But what if we all done that within our church. Practice our instruments as though we will be playing before the King of the universe, pour effort into artistry in order to enhance the Gospel's impact.

What if we persued excellence and sought to constantly do things better and better . . .