Rejoicing in Hope

• Jun. 28, 2009 - Something is missing!

You know that love, joy, peace, patience,....list from Galatians 5:22? Did you notice the bottom line is self-control? If you don't say no to yourself on the amount of time spent with friends, games, computers, shopping,... or whatever your passion and desire leads you to, a lot of other things will be missing in your life.

"Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Who preaches that verse? What are we teaching our children? What are we showing our children?
Based on the declaration of that verse, where are those who are Christ's?

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Aug. 18, 2006 - Does your morality determine your theology?

I was at a conference recently where the statement was made that your morality determines your theology. Just think about that for a minute.

Many people don’t want to believe in God because they would also have to believe in sin. Even Christians sometimes misinterpret the Scripture because of their pride, prejudice, or self-sufficiency.

Ezekiel 12:2 says rebellion can make you blind and deaf to the word of God.

“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.”

Comments (3) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Aug. 18, 2006 - Rules or the Ruler?

My eyes are ever toward the LORD;
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Ps. 25:15

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
         As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
         So our eyes look to the LORD our God,
         Until He has mercy on us. Ps. 123:2

What role do the “rules” play in the Christian life? For many people both Christian and non-Christian, Christianity is defined by the rules. Are we missing the point? The true Christian is one who is driven by a heart to know, follow, please, and glorify the Savior who loved us and washed us from sin.

Not, “We don’t do that!” but, “I’m concerned that won’t honor my Lord.”

Not, “You shouldn’t do that!” but, “That has the potential to distract you from knowing Him.”

The heart of the matter is that when our eyes are on Him then He plucks our feet out of the net.

Don’t choose things that may entangle your feet or cause you to take your eyes off Him.

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Jan. 7, 2006 - Joyful shopping with children

I have been enjoying my younger children in a new way recently. For several years, I have had the luxury of older children to baby-sit for me, so I have not been taking my younger children out shopping on a regular basis. Lately we have had fun going out together with a mission. Our goal is to see how many smiles we can get from others. This gives my little ones a reason to be on their best behavior. It reminds them that they are not with me to tell me what they want. It gives me a way to tell them how proud I am of them, and how much I enjoy taking them with me. Since it is still only a once a week treat, the novelty has not worn off, even after five or six trips.

Comments (4) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link