Greater Things

I was in the lobby of a Doctor's office on Friday and bored stiff, and saw one of those little kids picture bible's on the coffee table. I decided to read it to pass the time. It only covered Genesis, but it was fun because of the way they elaborated everything to make it appealing to kids and with lots of pictures. But sure enough, it got me to thinking about a few things. Let's talk about creation for a minute. God starts creation, and knows exactly what He's doing doesn't He? He makes light and dark, makes the atmosphere, and then rises up dry group out of the sea and grows every living plant on it all in the first three days. We don't have to think hard about all the benefits to human life that come from his plan even from the first three days! The atmosphere makes it so that we can breath, burns up incoming celestial junk, and protects us from the Sun. The Sun wasn't even created yet! God didn't create the sun, stars, and moon until the fourth day. ...

Victor made a post on his blog yesterday afternoon concerning the election. I thought I'd mention it to you guys so you can go read it. I thought it was very well written. Just so you know, his post is mostly concerning Republican's disappointment with the outcome. To be bipartisan, I am claiming no party affiliation by sending out this notice. I just thought that the hope that Victor displays in our Lord was very encouraging. For the man charged with sheparding our church, he does a great job of saying (paraphrase): "Our Lord is here in our lives, our Lord is coming, and why would you not have faith in the plan that he has set for our lives? Our Lord is victorious!". To read it go ahead and visit the church webpage at http://www.calvarybaptistonline.org/ . In the bottom left square you will see a tab called "Pastor's Blog". The link to his blog is http://victorstanley.blogspot.com/ , in case you want to go directly there and make a comment. Love y'a...

Every so often, while you're outside, it might be a good idea to just look up. It is nearly impossible to not be blown away, to not recognize the beauty and the magnificence of the sky. I know when I look at the sky it sets my mind on things above, both physically and spiritually. For me it is very refreshing and I hope it can be the same for you.

Jesus often went off to a mountainside to be by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Elijah waited to hear God and He came not by a loud wind, a raging fire, nor a violent earthquake, but by a whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-13 11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."       Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went...

Tim Keller supervised a doctor of ministry student studying the factors associated w/ children embracing the Christian faith of parents. 6,000 15-16 yr olds surveyed at a huge youth event in Philadelphia. Among other questions, they were asked: Are you on your way to embracing your parent's faith? Do you think 10 years from now you will be a Christian going to church? Christian School v. Home School v. Public School, family devotions, youth group, were not factors in whether kids were more likely to embrace their parent's faith. Kids who said "my parents understand the real world, and they understand my world, and I think if I had a problem they'd understand it" were much more likely to embrace their parent's faith. Thanks to Stan Gibson for sharing this interesting study! The church and the home must be a place where kids (and adults) can ask the hard questions. No question is too hard for God. Jesus is alive and practical "I have come that they may have...

I decided to read "The Shack" by William P. Young, based on an intruiging article in Newsweek ( http://www.newsweek.com/id/156370 ). What a blessing! A Google search quickly reveals a variety of opinions on this book, from rave reviews to cries of heresy. While I do not agree w/ all the theology expressed in this book, much of the dialogue between God and Mack is insightful and moving. Here are a few quotes that really hit home for me ... "You don't need to have it all figured out. Just be with me." p.178 "For you to know or not, has nothing at all to do with whether I am actually here or not. I am always with you" p.195 "It is true that relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you answers to the deep questions of the heart and they wil never love you." p.198 I'd put "The Shack" in the same category as "Joshua" (Joseph Girzone) and "The Martyr's Cry" (Ted Dekker). Each o...

I have been reading some blogs from Bob Kauflin on his website worshipmatters.com.  I have really enjoyed them so I decided to share them and we can maybe discuss some of them. Defining Worship  several parts I think I enjoyed 3 and 4 the best Expressing Love to God  dealing with the issue of "God is my girlfriend songs" How Do We Grow in Physical Expressiveness in Worship  some of these things could(should) be said at church.  I thought part 4 was good