That's a funny name for a blog...
Or is it?
27 June 2008
16 May 2008
Standard
I will no longer believe that my life has to be carried out in the shadow of the lies of the accuser.
I will take up my armor and sword and rally to the standard of The Kingdom of Heaven.
Rebellion to our Lord is my enemy - in whatever form it takes.
I will take up my armor and sword and rally to the standard of The Kingdom of Heaven.
Rebellion to our Lord is my enemy - in whatever form it takes.
16 April 2008
Breakfast and hearing from God
I had breakfast with Angus and Hamish this morning. It's a weekly event that's about 3 weeks overdue. Usually we go to Js and have man time and breakfast.
Funny how a commitment to spend time with my sons tends to fall by the wayside so easily. I won't go into why, except to say that it really isn't funny. It seems to have less to do with funny and more to do with a certain adversary desiring to kill, steal and destroy my Wednesday morning breakfast with my sons.
I've been part of what seems like a recent conversation about what the practical appearance is of a close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Even now, as I put the phrase "close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ" down in black and white, it seems somehow weird. Not weird because that concept seems alien (except when I really get down to it, it is alien). Weird in the same way it would be weird, as a Christian, to have a conversation about whether or not Jesus loves me.
Back to breakfast. I asked the question, "Does God talk to you?" Without missing a beat, the answer was, "You know, you and mom have kinda drilled this into us... Of course God wants a relationship with us..."
I realized that "close personal relationship with Jesus Christ," is not something that I've specifically imparted to my sons, beyond the need for it... Now it's probably true that I can't actually impart that relationship. I can only visibly strive and yearn for it. And even then, the yearning and striving doesn't seem to be enough.
If I say, "I'm a really good friend of so-and-so", and Angus and Hamish ask, "Cool. What do you guys talk about...?" My present options seem to be either reply with dumb silence, or to try to pass off one of my one-sided conversations as something else.
Fast forward to Wednesday night jr. high youth group. Lately I've gotten away from a specific curriculum, and I've been looking for topics in my own experience with God: semi-daily scripture readings, thoughts about God, something I read or heard on the radio, etc.
Tonight I had the inspiration or thought to ask whether or not any of the Jr. High yout's have had God talk to them. Most immediately asked what it meant to have God talk to them, to which my response was simply to repeat the question. Probably half said they weren't sure. Almost half replied that God does speak to everyone but that most people aren't listening (themselves included). Only 1 youth in a group of about 8 said that she heard from God, and naturally, soon after giving this response, had to leave when her mom came to pick he up.
Oddly enough, I'm not discouraged by the numbers. And the responses didn't stop me from assigning homework. "Over the course of the next week and beyond, be mindful, and in fact ready to ask questions of God. Be persistent in asking those questions and doubly persistent in listening for the answers."
It sounds like good advice, and now that it's coming from my own mouth, I really must participate in the assigned homework.
I think the results should be worthy of a follow up blog post, which is about as close to saying "I'll post again soon" as I will get.
Funny how a commitment to spend time with my sons tends to fall by the wayside so easily. I won't go into why, except to say that it really isn't funny. It seems to have less to do with funny and more to do with a certain adversary desiring to kill, steal and destroy my Wednesday morning breakfast with my sons.
I've been part of what seems like a recent conversation about what the practical appearance is of a close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Even now, as I put the phrase "close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ" down in black and white, it seems somehow weird. Not weird because that concept seems alien (except when I really get down to it, it is alien). Weird in the same way it would be weird, as a Christian, to have a conversation about whether or not Jesus loves me.
Back to breakfast. I asked the question, "Does God talk to you?" Without missing a beat, the answer was, "You know, you and mom have kinda drilled this into us... Of course God wants a relationship with us..."
I realized that "close personal relationship with Jesus Christ," is not something that I've specifically imparted to my sons, beyond the need for it... Now it's probably true that I can't actually impart that relationship. I can only visibly strive and yearn for it. And even then, the yearning and striving doesn't seem to be enough.
If I say, "I'm a really good friend of so-and-so", and Angus and Hamish ask, "Cool. What do you guys talk about...?" My present options seem to be either reply with dumb silence, or to try to pass off one of my one-sided conversations as something else.
Fast forward to Wednesday night jr. high youth group. Lately I've gotten away from a specific curriculum, and I've been looking for topics in my own experience with God: semi-daily scripture readings, thoughts about God, something I read or heard on the radio, etc.
Tonight I had the inspiration or thought to ask whether or not any of the Jr. High yout's have had God talk to them. Most immediately asked what it meant to have God talk to them, to which my response was simply to repeat the question. Probably half said they weren't sure. Almost half replied that God does speak to everyone but that most people aren't listening (themselves included). Only 1 youth in a group of about 8 said that she heard from God, and naturally, soon after giving this response, had to leave when her mom came to pick he up.
Oddly enough, I'm not discouraged by the numbers. And the responses didn't stop me from assigning homework. "Over the course of the next week and beyond, be mindful, and in fact ready to ask questions of God. Be persistent in asking those questions and doubly persistent in listening for the answers."
It sounds like good advice, and now that it's coming from my own mouth, I really must participate in the assigned homework.
I think the results should be worthy of a follow up blog post, which is about as close to saying "I'll post again soon" as I will get.
05 April 2008
29 January 2008
I read my chapter out of Proverbs today...
... albeit a little later than I should have.
I've made it a point to at least get in a chapter from Sol's primer every day. The neat thing about that is that when I miss a day, I can just look at the calendar and pick up reading the chapter that matches the date.
Now here' s something that is worth noting. When I go back and read a missed chapter, almost without fail the hand comes up unbidden and smacks me on the forehead as I realize I shouldn't have missed that day's proverb.
So the following choice morsels are taken from todays chapter. Number 29.
This one keeps popping up on my radar. Though, to be honest, it's only the second time in the last, oh... little over a month I guess... that it's popped up on my radar. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I really don't think so.
I've made it a point to at least get in a chapter from Sol's primer every day. The neat thing about that is that when I miss a day, I can just look at the calendar and pick up reading the chapter that matches the date.
Now here' s something that is worth noting. When I go back and read a missed chapter, almost without fail the hand comes up unbidden and smacks me on the forehead as I realize I shouldn't have missed that day's proverb.
So the following choice morsels are taken from todays chapter. Number 29.
This one keeps popping up on my radar. Though, to be honest, it's only the second time in the last, oh... little over a month I guess... that it's popped up on my radar. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I really don't think so.
A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. - Proverbs 29:1 [NASB]This next one really just jumped off the page at me. Especially the part about there being no rest.
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest. - Proverbs 29:9 [NASB]I imagine that those who know me don't think of me as being one who is prone to losing my temper, but just the same, it does happen. I'm pretty sure that internalizing anger, as is my tendency, is no better than raging. I also now know that there's a difference between internalizing it , and keeping a reign on it.
A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. - Proverbs 29:11 [NASB]These tell me that it's good to discipline my sons. It also reminds me that when I start to whine and complain about wanting my own way, that I'm being child-like. I have to believe that since God wrote these, that He lives by them as well. And that as His son... well... you get the picture.
The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. - Proverbs 29:15 [NASB]
Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul. - Proverbs 29:17 [NASB]
22 January 2008
Your lurking days are over.
So I've had this blog for quite some time now. It's led an unfulfilled life. Mostly, it's been passing the days with it's cold, wet nose up against the small, dark attic window - wanting so much to run and play with the other blogs.
Anyhow, it's not that I fear letting my blog run and play and frolic with others of it's kind. No really. I mean, I guess it's a little intimidating. The other blogs can do such neat tricks, and have had so many grand adventures. However, that's all in the past. I've let it out of the attic, and with it's first taste of the outside, I'm guessing (hoping really) that I won't be able to keep it cooped up anymore.
Oh, and if you happen to find that my blog has made a little mess in your yard... it probably wasn't mine.
Anyhow, it's not that I fear letting my blog run and play and frolic with others of it's kind. No really. I mean, I guess it's a little intimidating. The other blogs can do such neat tricks, and have had so many grand adventures. However, that's all in the past. I've let it out of the attic, and with it's first taste of the outside, I'm guessing (hoping really) that I won't be able to keep it cooped up anymore.
Oh, and if you happen to find that my blog has made a little mess in your yard... it probably wasn't mine.
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