Our friends over at Electricurrent recently start a blog which, despite it's anti-Mac flavor recently, I gladly draw your attention to. They write well and I just like them all (especially you Andrew ;) )
Check it out
Friday, November 28, 2008
Doh...
I wrote and posted (or so I thought) a whole blog post yesterday about our philosophies and actions lining up with regards to our money. Maybe its best I didn't post it. In any case the simple question is do you think you are spending you money as wisely as Jesus would want? This is yet another question coming to me via Francis Chan that is just wrecking me in the best way possible.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Running with the Lost
Well I've officially been around Mike Wilkins too much. Ok maybe not too much... just enough to start adopting some of his actions as my own. Some of you may or may not know that I've been running off and on for 3 years now. In June I started running regularly and now I run about 36km a week.
When I started looking at ways in which my philosophies don't line up with my actions I realized that my commitment to personal evangelism had all but dried up since moving to London. There are some reasons for that but none that are good enough to stand in the way of me taking action now.
So what did I do? I decided to go over to the local running shop here in St. Thomas and strike up a relationship. I purchased my new jacket for winter running from them and then asked about running clubs they have. On Saturday morning I went running with them for the first time. I couldn't stay for too long afterward but I was glad to go and meet a few people.
I honestly believe every Christian should be intentionally spending time with those who don't know Christ. We all have time. We all are commanded to. There is no excuse... I think I've tried them all.
Today's questions: What are you doing to spend time with those who need to hear about Jesus? In what ways might you be making excuses that need to be overcome?
When I started looking at ways in which my philosophies don't line up with my actions I realized that my commitment to personal evangelism had all but dried up since moving to London. There are some reasons for that but none that are good enough to stand in the way of me taking action now.
So what did I do? I decided to go over to the local running shop here in St. Thomas and strike up a relationship. I purchased my new jacket for winter running from them and then asked about running clubs they have. On Saturday morning I went running with them for the first time. I couldn't stay for too long afterward but I was glad to go and meet a few people.
I honestly believe every Christian should be intentionally spending time with those who don't know Christ. We all have time. We all are commanded to. There is no excuse... I think I've tried them all.
Today's questions: What are you doing to spend time with those who need to hear about Jesus? In what ways might you be making excuses that need to be overcome?
Monday, November 24, 2008
The difference between philosophy and action
Recently I was challenged by a statement much like this: "I don't care about your philosophy, I care about what you ARE doing".
Actions speak louder than words. Our core values are reflected in how we spend our time, not how well we can articulate our stand on some issue or another. We can easily go through life nodding our head in agreement with good ideas and stirring messages but the bottom line is that if we don't act on our agreement then we might as well not agree at all.
James 2:14 reminds us that "Faith without works is dead". DEAD. In our pursuit of holiness we need to remember that its not just enough to work on what we think is right and wrong. We need to reflect what we believe in how we steward our resources. Our time. Our money. Our houses. Everything we have should be a reflection of what we believe. If its not then maybe we need to act on making it so.
One of the greatest complaints about the church these days is that we're hypocritical. The up and coming generation looks at the greater majority of us and see that our life is out of sync with what we say we believe. We don't look enough like Jesus as he is described in the bible. People are infectiously attracted to Jesus. They aren't infectiously attracted to us. Why? I think the answer is often obvious... the question is, what are you and I willing to do about it.
Here's the question I'd like us to discuss today... In what ways are you personally convicted about moving beyond philosophy and toward action?
Actions speak louder than words. Our core values are reflected in how we spend our time, not how well we can articulate our stand on some issue or another. We can easily go through life nodding our head in agreement with good ideas and stirring messages but the bottom line is that if we don't act on our agreement then we might as well not agree at all.
James 2:14 reminds us that "Faith without works is dead". DEAD. In our pursuit of holiness we need to remember that its not just enough to work on what we think is right and wrong. We need to reflect what we believe in how we steward our resources. Our time. Our money. Our houses. Everything we have should be a reflection of what we believe. If its not then maybe we need to act on making it so.
One of the greatest complaints about the church these days is that we're hypocritical. The up and coming generation looks at the greater majority of us and see that our life is out of sync with what we say we believe. We don't look enough like Jesus as he is described in the bible. People are infectiously attracted to Jesus. They aren't infectiously attracted to us. Why? I think the answer is often obvious... the question is, what are you and I willing to do about it.
Here's the question I'd like us to discuss today... In what ways are you personally convicted about moving beyond philosophy and toward action?
Monday, November 17, 2008
My wife sure knows how to treat her husband
So I'm sitting in what is perhaps my favorite place in the whole world. Niagara-on-the-Lake is amazing. We've been here no less than 5 times since we moved to London because its just so relaxing. Mel and I always spend great time dreaming here. It gets us away from work for a while which, no matter how much you love work, is a good thing :) So when I found out on Friday that Mel had booked us into our favorite place here, Cecile's House as a surprise, well, I was pretty thrilled :)
I'm realizing more and more the power or a good marriage. One where each person is putting aside their own wants to serve the other. I guess its easy to say that given how much I've been served this week but I hope the Lord will help me to be as much a servant to Mel as she is to me.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
I'm realizing more and more the power or a good marriage. One where each person is putting aside their own wants to serve the other. I guess its easy to say that given how much I've been served this week but I hope the Lord will help me to be as much a servant to Mel as she is to me.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Friday, November 14, 2008
And something to entertain you...
Several people I know could use a good laugh. I sincerely hope this works for you:
Featured Blog Fridays: Stuff Christians Like
The sheer volume of material Jon Acuff posts makes his blog worth mentioning. If that weren't enough then Stuff Christians Like is worth mentioning because the content falls into one of two categories:
a) Hilarious. Most of the posts are just plain funny. Please, leave stuffiness at the door because much of this is poking light hearted fun at silly things churches do... but having grown up in the church I can think back on occasions that illustrate most of Jon's point.
b) Impacting. On occasion Jon just nails you with an insightful post to bring your day into focus.
This balance is why I love reading (or maybe wading) through SCL's blog. I hope you enjoy it!
a) Hilarious. Most of the posts are just plain funny. Please, leave stuffiness at the door because much of this is poking light hearted fun at silly things churches do... but having grown up in the church I can think back on occasions that illustrate most of Jon's point.
b) Impacting. On occasion Jon just nails you with an insightful post to bring your day into focus.
This balance is why I love reading (or maybe wading) through SCL's blog. I hope you enjoy it!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Unceasing Worship pt4 - Authentic Worship
Here's a quote from page 75 of Harold Best's book Unceasing Worship:
"The church desperately needs and artistic reformation that accomplishes two things at once: first, it takes music out of the limelight and puts Christ and his Word back into prominence; and second, it strives creatively for a synthesis of new, old and crosscultural styles."
How does that hit you? When you come to worship, is the music in the limelight or Christ? Is Christ's glory preeminent in your mind or is the creation of music? Does it matter more that Christ was glorified or if we did a good job? I ask myself these questions more desperately than I ask them of you. Authentic worship is first concerned about the glory of God and not the style or excellence of the music. Those questions need to be asked but if they are primary and Christ is not, we're missing the mark.
And what of a synthesis of styles? How much should we focus on this? Should we focus on it more? Can any church really be good at truly blending styles? Understand, we're not just talking hymns mixed with the new stuff but Best is suggesting music from around the world has a place in our services. How would that make us feel?
These kinds of questions are prevelant in the minds of people at our church right now. Perhaps these are some of the most practical questions we need to be asking. I am glad we're wrestling with them and I pray that we won't be crippled by the asking of them but to hear from God where he wants us to land and then move forward in confidence.
So what about it? Where do you think we need to do better? How are we succeeding at this? Weigh in!
"The church desperately needs and artistic reformation that accomplishes two things at once: first, it takes music out of the limelight and puts Christ and his Word back into prominence; and second, it strives creatively for a synthesis of new, old and crosscultural styles."
How does that hit you? When you come to worship, is the music in the limelight or Christ? Is Christ's glory preeminent in your mind or is the creation of music? Does it matter more that Christ was glorified or if we did a good job? I ask myself these questions more desperately than I ask them of you. Authentic worship is first concerned about the glory of God and not the style or excellence of the music. Those questions need to be asked but if they are primary and Christ is not, we're missing the mark.
And what of a synthesis of styles? How much should we focus on this? Should we focus on it more? Can any church really be good at truly blending styles? Understand, we're not just talking hymns mixed with the new stuff but Best is suggesting music from around the world has a place in our services. How would that make us feel?
These kinds of questions are prevelant in the minds of people at our church right now. Perhaps these are some of the most practical questions we need to be asking. I am glad we're wrestling with them and I pray that we won't be crippled by the asking of them but to hear from God where he wants us to land and then move forward in confidence.
So what about it? Where do you think we need to do better? How are we succeeding at this? Weigh in!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wow...I think I'm getting lazy
I realize that I haven't been blogging much lately. Sorry about that. Tomorrow I will write part three of "Unceasing Worship". For now, let me direct you attention to this quote I've been mulling over from Seth Godin's blog under the title "The Sad Lie of Mediocrity":
Doing 4% less does not get you 4% less.
Doing 4% less may very well get you 95% less.
Wow.
So in keeping with the theme of this blog I'd ask all of you Christ followers - are you inclined to fall for the sad lie of mediocrity? Are you like me and sometimes want to think "its for the church... its good enough". I wish my actions always matched up with my convictions but they don't. However, I do believe with all of my heart that God DESERVES and DEMANDS the best we have to offer. I'm going to try to dig 4% deeper... not so God will love me more but because he is worth it.
Doing 4% less does not get you 4% less.
Doing 4% less may very well get you 95% less.
Wow.
So in keeping with the theme of this blog I'd ask all of you Christ followers - are you inclined to fall for the sad lie of mediocrity? Are you like me and sometimes want to think "its for the church... its good enough". I wish my actions always matched up with my convictions but they don't. However, I do believe with all of my heart that God DESERVES and DEMANDS the best we have to offer. I'm going to try to dig 4% deeper... not so God will love me more but because he is worth it.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Featured Blog Fridays: Fuel by Barbara
Did you know that WLA's very own Barbara Postma is also a blogger? I really love reading Barb's blog because it's thoughtful, creative, relevant and BIblical. I'd encourage you to go on over and check out her thoughts as well at Fuel.
I think I'm going to make this a regular thing... to point you to a different blog on Fridays where I hope you can glean some nugget of truth to help you be closer to Christ on a day to day basis.
I think I'm going to make this a regular thing... to point you to a different blog on Fridays where I hope you can glean some nugget of truth to help you be closer to Christ on a day to day basis.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
America Votes and John Piper makes us think
I saw this video yesterday and thought it was worth sharing on election day. It's got some interesting thoughts in it and being that Piper always seems to have a great Godly perspective, I hope it gives us all something to chew on today and to inform our thoughts as we watch the events of today unfold
Monday, November 3, 2008
Advent Conspiracy
I truly believe that the greatest problem facing the North American church is that the people who call themselves a part of it do not look significantly different than those who are on the outside. We have been called to a radically different life than most of society and yet we (yes I am keenly aware this includes me) simply go on living the same life as everyone else with the exception that I got to church regularly. For a really great book on this read Unchristian.
As I think about how my own life needs to change in order to reflect the radical transformation that I know Christ calls me to and enables me for my love for material things is a hugely practical way that I can change. God really started to speak to me about this about a month ago. I'm taking some practical steps to be more in line with where I think he wants me to be. However, when I watched this video I was really convicted. I think Christmas would look much differently for my family if I'd seen this a few months ago (yay for being on top of shopping and budgeting this year...boo for not listening more closely to God).
Gets you right in the gut huh? So what are you going to do about it? It'd be great to hear some ways we can all see Christmas differently or how you've already been taking steps to remove the love of things from your life.
As I think about how my own life needs to change in order to reflect the radical transformation that I know Christ calls me to and enables me for my love for material things is a hugely practical way that I can change. God really started to speak to me about this about a month ago. I'm taking some practical steps to be more in line with where I think he wants me to be. However, when I watched this video I was really convicted. I think Christmas would look much differently for my family if I'd seen this a few months ago (yay for being on top of shopping and budgeting this year...boo for not listening more closely to God).
Gets you right in the gut huh? So what are you going to do about it? It'd be great to hear some ways we can all see Christmas differently or how you've already been taking steps to remove the love of things from your life.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
A prayer we could all pray...and me most of all
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred,
let me sow love;
Where there is injury,
pardon;
Where there is error,
the truth;
Where there is doubt,
the faith;
Where there is despair,
hope;
Where there is darkness,
light;
And where there is sadness,
joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled,
as to console;
To be understood,
as to understand;
To be loved
as to love.
For it
is in giving
that we receive;
It is in pardoning
that we are pardoned;
And it
is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
St. Francis
Where there is hatred,
let me sow love;
Where there is injury,
pardon;
Where there is error,
the truth;
Where there is doubt,
the faith;
Where there is despair,
hope;
Where there is darkness,
light;
And where there is sadness,
joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled,
as to console;
To be understood,
as to understand;
To be loved
as to love.
For it
is in giving
that we receive;
It is in pardoning
that we are pardoned;
And it
is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
St. Francis
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