I got nothin' cleaver or funny to say. Nothin' deep, thought provoking, or profound. I got just one thing: pray. Spend some time in prayer, RIGHT NOW! Take the next 3 minutes asking the Lord that He be apparent, that you may become more like Him...
I love this quote, though I forgot the author...about Jesus: "He came to become like us, that we may be like him."
if you got nothin'...pray on that!
in grace, tim
Friday, 28 March 2008
Thursday, 27 March 2008
focus...
I was thinking about the whole "focus" thing in life and came to a conclusion. It is profound, but certainly not original. The only focus we really need is on Christ. We focus our attention here and there...on this project, or that one...this exam, or that one...these kids, jobs, careers, relationships...But how much of that is misguiding and fogging our vision of Christ?
I read that the average "strong" Christian (which makes up less than 10 percent of the professing Christians, and is probably mostly pastors and committed servants) in the U.S. read their Bible less that 10 minutes per day, and/or less that 1 hour per week. How do you rank there? How much time do you spend on other things? What is your ratio for Bible study to everything else? The higher percentage will probably be the dominating factor in your life and in your character...
anyhow, have a great day.
in grace, tim
I read that the average "strong" Christian (which makes up less than 10 percent of the professing Christians, and is probably mostly pastors and committed servants) in the U.S. read their Bible less that 10 minutes per day, and/or less that 1 hour per week. How do you rank there? How much time do you spend on other things? What is your ratio for Bible study to everything else? The higher percentage will probably be the dominating factor in your life and in your character...
anyhow, have a great day.
in grace, tim
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
some words on life or death or both...
last night we discussed the most somber of all topics (death) in contrast of the most jovial (life). Life for us as Christians is One Thing: JESUS! That is it. It is not about us, it is not for us, and the "abundance" of life Jesus promises in the Gospel of John, is not a life full of us. Rather it is an opportunity to deny and reject everything that is us, that we may make room for Him and His Abundance. The "abundance" is joy, which is completely unrelated to circumstance. Paul found joy in death and suffering because all else was stripped away and only Christ, the One True Source of Joy was left! Paul found joy in spite of:
1. trouble as long as the Gospel was advanced
2. criticisms as long as Christ was preached
3. death as long as long as the Lord was glorified.
That is true joy. Completely Selfless Service, that can proclaim: To live is Christ and to die is Gain!
in grace, tim
ask yourself this week...what are you living for? are you emotionally unstable? are you hurting? are you in trouble? are people criticising? are you alone? are you dying? do you wish you were dead? are you stressed? are you burdened? it is not without reason and purpose...don't waste the opportunity! whatever you are dealing with...there is an opportunity in some way shape or form to advance the gospel, preach Christ, and glorify the Lord! that opportunity may be as simple as turning from a sin you have been struggling with, making connection with that friend you lost contact with, loving an enemy, or simply getting over yourself?
have a great day!
1. trouble as long as the Gospel was advanced
2. criticisms as long as Christ was preached
3. death as long as long as the Lord was glorified.
That is true joy. Completely Selfless Service, that can proclaim: To live is Christ and to die is Gain!
in grace, tim
ask yourself this week...what are you living for? are you emotionally unstable? are you hurting? are you in trouble? are people criticising? are you alone? are you dying? do you wish you were dead? are you stressed? are you burdened? it is not without reason and purpose...don't waste the opportunity! whatever you are dealing with...there is an opportunity in some way shape or form to advance the gospel, preach Christ, and glorify the Lord! that opportunity may be as simple as turning from a sin you have been struggling with, making connection with that friend you lost contact with, loving an enemy, or simply getting over yourself?
have a great day!
Monday, 24 March 2008
God of wonders...
Today the kids, Sandy, and I went to the SD Zoo. Man, there are some beautiful animals...and some ugly ones. What wonder and power to be able to create all this...kinda wonder also how Adam named them all? Think about it...try to make up 10 names without repeating yourself...not so easy.
anyhow, have a blessed day! stoked about tomorrow night! hope to see you there.
in grace, tim.
anyhow, have a blessed day! stoked about tomorrow night! hope to see you there.
in grace, tim.
Sunday, 23 March 2008
paradox next tuesday...
This next Tuesday evening might to be a tough one. i mean that with all sincerity. We will be discussing death and life, and the life that only comes through death...the One we just celebrated this past week. it is going to be tough because it may cut deep? it may strike a nerve, or multiple nerves? It is as real as it gets...nothing is more real that death, because we all experience it, we all somewhat fear it, and we all have to see it (and some in the group saw it up close and personal just yesterday).
My heart is for everyone to be there, and invite people...but I also want this disclaimer attached. It will be in love and only love that this message will be spoken, and in it, we will find reason to rejoice, that I trust.
I really hope the Lord speaks to you and clears your schedule so that you can make it. This study is the very one that formed the notion of PARADOX..."to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). It is the great paradox of the entire Gospel message...that life for us came through the death of One Man, and that life for those who trust Him can begin before death appears....
Hope to see you there.
in grace, tim
My heart is for everyone to be there, and invite people...but I also want this disclaimer attached. It will be in love and only love that this message will be spoken, and in it, we will find reason to rejoice, that I trust.
I really hope the Lord speaks to you and clears your schedule so that you can make it. This study is the very one that formed the notion of PARADOX..."to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). It is the great paradox of the entire Gospel message...that life for us came through the death of One Man, and that life for those who trust Him can begin before death appears....
Hope to see you there.
in grace, tim
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