Things I learned on Sunday…..

January 16, 2012 in Bible, church, God, Jesus, Things I learned on Sunday with 0 Comments

“If you view church as some sort of ecclesiological buffet, then you severely limit the likelihood of your growing into maturity. Growth into godliness can hurt. For instance, as I interact with others in my own local body, my own slothfulness in zeal is exposed, as is my lack of patience, my prayerlessness, and my hesitancy to associate with the lowly (Rom. 12:11-16). Yet this interaction also gives me the opportunity to be lovingly confronted by brothers and sisters who are in the trenches with me, as well as a safe place to confess and repent

What’s the bottom line? Local church membership is a question of biblical obedience, not personal preference.” [source]

Not related to sermons from yesterday but, on my mind today………

A firm fidelity to the Gospel….

January 13, 2012 in Bible, church, God, Jesus with 10 Comments

My initial draft of this post was about the famous preacher/pastor/author who set the world of twitter alight [again] last night and caused “Christians” to shamefully go after him like a pack of dogs chasing a bag of bones……..such irony in all of that……..

“Jesus’ witnesses are called to a holy and courageous boldness, a firm fidelity to the Gospel that is willing to endure ostracism and even persecution. But we are not to display the kind of “strength” that is hard and harsh, the kind of uprightness that is angry and condescending, the kind of courage that is merely ruthless, the kind of witness that rants and manipulates.”

The quote is from “For the Love of God Vol 1″ by D.A. Carson {my Jan 12th reading – inspired by Matthew 11}

‘Jesus’ witnesses’ includes you and me………..not just the famous pastor…………..

I wish some of us would realise this and keep quiet! I’m going to try……

Note to Self: Watch this Video

January 11, 2012 in Bible, God, Jesus with 4 Comments

In light of my previous post about Bible reading……..this was a timely discovery on The Resurgence

Christianity.com: Note to Self: An Interview with author, Joe Thorn from ChristianityDotCom on Vimeo.

Reading the Bible……

January 11, 2012 in Bible, church, God, Jesus with 2 Comments

Just before we entered 2012, I asked how you read your Bible?  I was trying to get a good variety of answers/ideas so, that was helpful……

But, what am I doing? I have often been hopelessly disorganised in the past and, have also made many excuses for why I didn’t have an actual plan or system………..so, this year I am doing things differently………………..and, that means I will probably blog about how I get on and what I learn/discover/think/ponder………..

D.A. Carson’s books follow the M’Cheyne reading plan - I am using Vol 1 and Cherith is using Vol 2

Now, this method will not be everyones choice………..

And, neither of us want this to be a formality…………..just carried out for the sake of it………..but, too often you and I shift between formality and lethargy about Bible study and, in the past year I think we have been challenged and stunned by how many ‘Christians’ just don’t ever read God’s word! Ever!

And, we can make all the excuses we want………..I have done that……………..but, If we do not read the Bible often it is because we choose not to! That’s the bottom line!

May we choose to hear God every day this year……..

Let’s talk about Jesus…….

January 10, 2012 in Bible, God, Jesus with 3 Comments

“I love your enthusiasm for the things you get excited about. You’re so free and expressive about good movies and nice clothes and cool apps. It seems odd to me that you don’t seem to be as expressive about the way you feel about Jesus and what he’s done for us. Have you thought about why that might be?” [source]

Cherith sent me a link to this post [linked above] earlier today……..

I wonder could I just add to the list of things we are often more free and expressive about………….music, money, food………………….what about Church? Ministry? Certain doctrines we agree/disagree with?

I add these because many of us can talk at length about a whole spectrum of topics that sound very spiritual and make us look very intelligent…………but, mention Jesus? What he’s done for us?

That’s a game changer………..I’ve been in the company of ‘Christians‘ who effectively turn the mute button on when Jesus is discussed………..it’s a weird thing……….but, what am I saying about Him?

Am I speaking in quasi-religious code or am I free and expressive about Him?

I’m challenged!

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