Mike,
I have been following politics more than normally recently and totally agree with you on praying for our leaders and praying that God would raise up politicians that would be led by the spirit and not by human wisdom or pressures from circumstances (economic, foregin, etc.). I like your thoughts on praying for the up and coming politicians. We should get the whoppa political adviser: Joel Hensley on this immediately. His e-mail is joelhensley1@gmail.com. Vanessa and I really have been trying to interceed more for our country to abolish abortion. I've been thinking more of how powerful our intercession can be, and how it's our responsibiliy as men in this country to seek God for change regarding this injustice. Its crazy people are being slaughtered in our own country. It is not so much the law that needs to change but more so the thoughts of people towards the value of human life. I heard a sermon on this and it was dead on about how laws more so define the viewpoints and core values of those in the country. When the Lord uses us to change that core value and reveal truth abortion will fall. Lets pray that it goes out of style and that those who have practiced it will feel the forgiveness of Christ and walk in healing. We have such power and influence in Christ Whoppas, lets not let the world make us think any differently!
Love you guys a ton,
Pony
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
onus
Brothers I'm loving the plethora of good shared lessons. Hey, I was watching some youtube interviews of political leaders this morning... I've been thinking and praying for the Lord to reveal people who are for him in the political system so we can begin to support them early in prayer and encouragement, specifically for the next presidential election, but all over the government as well. I think it's our duty and good work to recognize these leaders, and I think as a group of men we have been blessed with discernment. Has anyone had any thoughts on this? Anyone in particular you've kept your eyes on?
To name one, I was impressed by the governor of Louisiana named Bobby Jindal in a radio interview. I'm sure Joel would have some thoughts on this subject too, does anyone have his email address?
To name one, I was impressed by the governor of Louisiana named Bobby Jindal in a radio interview. I'm sure Joel would have some thoughts on this subject too, does anyone have his email address?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Stalwarts of the Faith: Athanasius of Alexandria.
Athanasius was a bishop in the 4th century with a fierce convicction backed by action to defeat the attacks against Christ's divinity that were prevalent in his time (from The Story of Christianity; Justo Gonzalez; 175, 177-178):
"In A.D. 353, Constantius, who now ruled the whole [Roman] Empire, felt sufficiently secure to unleash his pro-Arian policy. Through threats and the use of force, an increasing number of bishops accepted Arianism. For Athanasius, for the monks, and for many of the faithful, the Arian controversy was not a matter of theological subtleties with little or no relevance. In it, the very core of the Christian message was at stake...If the chroniclers of the time are to be believed, Constantius feared the power Athanasius had in Alexandria, and for that reason sought to remove him from that city without actually banishing him.. Athanasius received a letter in which the emperor granted him an audience that had never been requested. The bishop answered politely that there must have been an error, for he had not asked for suhc an honor, and did not wish to waste the emperor's valuable time. Constantius then ordered the concentration of troops in Alexandria. When the legions were in place and any revoltcould be crushed, the governor ordered Athanasius, in the name of the emperor, to leave the city... Shortly thereafter, when Athanasius was celbrating communion in one of the churches, the govenor ordered the building to be surrounded and suddenly burst into the room leading a group of armed soldiers. There was chaos, and Athanasius ordered the congregation to sing Psalm 136, with the refrain: "For His mercy endureth forever." The soldiers pushed their way through the crowd, while some sang and others sought to escape. The clergy who were present formed a tight circle around Athanasius, who refused to flee until his flock was safe."
"In A.D. 353, Constantius, who now ruled the whole [Roman] Empire, felt sufficiently secure to unleash his pro-Arian policy. Through threats and the use of force, an increasing number of bishops accepted Arianism. For Athanasius, for the monks, and for many of the faithful, the Arian controversy was not a matter of theological subtleties with little or no relevance. In it, the very core of the Christian message was at stake...If the chroniclers of the time are to be believed, Constantius feared the power Athanasius had in Alexandria, and for that reason sought to remove him from that city without actually banishing him.. Athanasius received a letter in which the emperor granted him an audience that had never been requested. The bishop answered politely that there must have been an error, for he had not asked for suhc an honor, and did not wish to waste the emperor's valuable time. Constantius then ordered the concentration of troops in Alexandria. When the legions were in place and any revoltcould be crushed, the governor ordered Athanasius, in the name of the emperor, to leave the city... Shortly thereafter, when Athanasius was celbrating communion in one of the churches, the govenor ordered the building to be surrounded and suddenly burst into the room leading a group of armed soldiers. There was chaos, and Athanasius ordered the congregation to sing Psalm 136, with the refrain: "For His mercy endureth forever." The soldiers pushed their way through the crowd, while some sang and others sought to escape. The clergy who were present formed a tight circle around Athanasius, who refused to flee until his flock was safe."
Sunday, December 19, 2010
James 4:13-16 Piper sermon
They do not have a true view of life here and they are also not EXpressing a true view of life. and that bothers James. 5 things they take for granted. the trip, arriving at the destination, the time frame spent there, the set up of a business, and the success of that business. He then goes on to correct them. It matters to God in all your planning that whether it makes a bottom line difference or not. God wants us to see life he has given to us clearly through Him, when we are making plans and expressing them. We are made for more than those 5 things. God wants our lives to be about truth. Verbally expressed reality. We are made to be sent out to speak truth about the real bottom line. truth like vapor. James could be upset that these people are not considering a Godly world view in this simple plan. That is a big chunk or truth missing. "If the Lord wills..."... is what is missing. There are two basic truths in this passage about God. If He wills we LIVE, and if He wills we will DO. How basic is it to assume we will even be alive? God decides who lives, and we should talk that way in plans. Paul never knew if the next city he went to would be his burial place and he came close to it over and over again. it wasnt until the holy spirit told him he would make it to Rome did he know a destination clearly. James is concerned about this. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh. Next, James says that God not only governs whether you live or not, but also governs everything you do in your life. All achievements. Failures, successes. They were ignoring the fact that they are a vapor. All ability to live, and conduct business or anything is granted by the Lord. This is important to speak at work. People can see where a man puts his trust by hearing talk of his plans. To speak like the men in James making plans is to boast in arrogance. All boasting is evil. believers must believe in the heart and express with lips that God governs our lives. otherwise is arrogance. Piper approaches this delicately. soberly. there are a lot of things that a beleiver should do today that is perceived as arrogance. that is because arrogance is not wel understood. Who would you rather govern your life? the world? hades? disease? knowing that life is a vapor lets God get dirty in your life. when a child is dying of cancer are you going to wonder where God is? no you will say God wants you home for reasons I do not know. If you do not buy into God's soverghnty they do not make a pledge on this day of pledges. If He rules over all your life, then surely you will have grace that He will meet our needs. so you can give your life and money with confidence. (2 corinthians 9:8)
The above is what i noted down while listening to the sermon. i think it was a good exercise.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/if-the-lord-wills
The above is what i noted down while listening to the sermon. i think it was a good exercise.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/if-the-lord-wills
Monday, December 13, 2010
My Dog, Boomer.
On Friday, my family made the decision to put down Boomer, my dog of 17 years. She's been getting worse walking around in circles and getting dementia, to go with her deafness and blindness. It was just time to say good-bye. Below is a picture of Boomer and the family together at Thanksgiving. We are blessed to have had her and her energy contributing to our family for so long.
Boomer, "Queen Boomer", "Boomer-dog": 1993-2010
Boomer, "Queen Boomer", "Boomer-dog": 1993-2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Lead Like Jesus chap 1
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (New International Version, ©2010)
1 Timothy 3
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Matthew 20:25-28
"The Not so with you" verse.
This is not an option. It is a mandate.
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
2 critical questions
1) whose am I?
2) who am I? (try to use Paul's mindset of soberness when addressing this.)
These are necessary to all of the roles we ocucpy in our lives. I have seen all of you excel in these areas.
Prayer and reflect:
"the most persistent barrier to leading like Jesus is a heart motivated by self interest."
1 Timothy 3
Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Matthew 20:25-28
"The Not so with you" verse.
This is not an option. It is a mandate.
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
2 critical questions
1) whose am I?
2) who am I? (try to use Paul's mindset of soberness when addressing this.)
These are necessary to all of the roles we ocucpy in our lives. I have seen all of you excel in these areas.
Prayer and reflect:
"the most persistent barrier to leading like Jesus is a heart motivated by self interest."
Sunday, December 5, 2010
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