So, yesterday I had the privilege to teach the first chapter (or at least most of the first chapter) of the book of Revelation. It was a real wake up call for me. Revelation 1 and (I am convinced) all of the book of Revelation is about knowing and obeying Jesus. No, that is an understatement, it's all about living a Christ centered, Christ saturated life. In verse 1, we are told that this is a revelation of Jesus Christ, meaning both from and about Christ, concerning the things that must soon take place. Revelation is really only about times and events as they relate to who Jesus is, what He does, and why He does it.
I said that Sunday was a wake up call for me. As I studied for and taught Revelation 1 I was confronted with the way that my life has gone away from being a Christ centered, Christ saturated life. Colossians 1 15-18 gives a wonderful description of the beauty and power of Christ culminating with the phrase, "that in everything He might be preeminent." The disappointing bottom line is that I don't live a life so Christ centered and Christ saturated that says, that in everything Christ might be seen to be preeminent.
Jesus, I want to know you, obey you, love you, you are preeminent.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Apocalypse
I am excited that I get to teach college students this Sunday. The college Sunday School teacher at my Church asked me to team teach the college class with him so this Sunday I get to teach. We are going to teach through the book of Revelation. So I get to kick of the study this week. So here are some thoughts of mine on parts of Revelation chapter 1.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3
There is a blessing for those who hear and keep what is written in this revelation of Jesus Christ. I think the focus needs to be on "keeping" this word. The word "keep" implies obedience. I think all too often the approach to the book of Revelation is not obey, but figure out the hidden meaning or figure out the date of Christ's return. I wonder how our approach to a study of Revelation might change if we simply focused on obeying the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, Revelation 1:5
What does it mean for Jesus to be the ruler of the kings of the earth? It means that Jesus reigns and rules over all. He and He alone decides who becomes king. Christ determines what the kings of the earth do. Jesus orders the world for the good of God's purpose for and through His Church.
So, just a couple of thoughts from Revelation 1
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3
There is a blessing for those who hear and keep what is written in this revelation of Jesus Christ. I think the focus needs to be on "keeping" this word. The word "keep" implies obedience. I think all too often the approach to the book of Revelation is not obey, but figure out the hidden meaning or figure out the date of Christ's return. I wonder how our approach to a study of Revelation might change if we simply focused on obeying the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, Revelation 1:5
What does it mean for Jesus to be the ruler of the kings of the earth? It means that Jesus reigns and rules over all. He and He alone decides who becomes king. Christ determines what the kings of the earth do. Jesus orders the world for the good of God's purpose for and through His Church.
So, just a couple of thoughts from Revelation 1
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Humor
I am struck by how valuable humor is. I found an Abbott and Costello old time radio podcast and have been laughing like crazy since.....and I simply feel better. As many of you know, my oldest son has struggled with adolescence and that struggle has led to some behavior that has been, to say the least, frustrating. One of the ways Judy (my wife) and I have dealt with the frustration is to laugh about it, to use humor to ease the pain of our disappointment, fear and frustration. When it comes to preaching or teaching a little humor goes a long way to keep attention and communicate hard truths.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Is This Still My Blog?
Wow! I haven't blogged in a long time. As you can see I have the ability to state the obvious. S0 here are some random thoughts.
- Arthritic knees really suck.
- It could be worse.
- God is good.
- Sleep doesn't come when you want it most.
- My wife is awesome.
- I really, really, really, like coffee.
- The book of Malachi is very challenging.
- Politics are frustrating.
- I miss being on campus everyday.
- I just don't read enough.
- I am a big fan of Lost.
- Grace really is amazing.
- I use "really" a lot.
Monday, January 14, 2008
New Year Resolutions Update
I think I promised both of you who read my blog that I would update on my progress concerning my New Year Resolutions. So here goes!
Well, the daily to do list has been incredibly helpful to me in getting tasks done everyday in a timely manner. I have been making my to do list every work day when I am not traveling. I probably need to make the to do lists on work days that I am traveling or out of town, I probably still have tasks that I need to do on those days as well. As far as trying to lose some weight, I have lost 5 lbs. so far. I weighed in at 210 lbs. today.
the new bench press weight lifting routine seems to be going well, I am certainly working harder in the gym. I have faithfully lifted weights 3 times a week since the beginning of the new year without missing once. I even found a place to lift on my recent trip to Huntsville, Alabama.
The prayer guides have helped me to be more disciplined in my prayer life and overall I have seen improvement, but I don't always use the prayer guides and on those days I am not so prayerfully minded. Certainly there is room for improvement in this area.
Well, the daily to do list has been incredibly helpful to me in getting tasks done everyday in a timely manner. I have been making my to do list every work day when I am not traveling. I probably need to make the to do lists on work days that I am traveling or out of town, I probably still have tasks that I need to do on those days as well. As far as trying to lose some weight, I have lost 5 lbs. so far. I weighed in at 210 lbs. today.
the new bench press weight lifting routine seems to be going well, I am certainly working harder in the gym. I have faithfully lifted weights 3 times a week since the beginning of the new year without missing once. I even found a place to lift on my recent trip to Huntsville, Alabama.
The prayer guides have helped me to be more disciplined in my prayer life and overall I have seen improvement, but I don't always use the prayer guides and on those days I am not so prayerfully minded. Certainly there is room for improvement in this area.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Wisdom
In my previous post I mentioned that one of my New Year Resolutions is:
To cultivate a more prayerfully minded life by using a daily prayer guide, reading a daily prayer blog and reading a prayer article once a week.
Well along those lines my wife and I have covenanted together to read one chapter of Proverbs a day and pray for wisdom for our children (two teenage boys). So today I read Proverbs 4 here is part of what I read.
These verses clearly extol the value of wisdom in the life of the young (and old for that matter). Wisdom is a protector, a clear path, a lover, a prize, a key to long and fruitful life. I certainly want these things for my sons and it was easy to pray that they would get, guard, and love wisdom. The real convicting part of those verses for me in my own life is the entire tone of the passage of a father constantly teaching and imparting wisdom to his sons. I also prayed that God would make me the kind of father who intentionally teaches and imparts godly wisdom to his children.
To cultivate a more prayerfully minded life by using a daily prayer guide, reading a daily prayer blog and reading a prayer article once a week.
Well along those lines my wife and I have covenanted together to read one chapter of Proverbs a day and pray for wisdom for our children (two teenage boys). So today I read Proverbs 4 here is part of what I read.
Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown." Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
(Pro 4:1-13)
These verses clearly extol the value of wisdom in the life of the young (and old for that matter). Wisdom is a protector, a clear path, a lover, a prize, a key to long and fruitful life. I certainly want these things for my sons and it was easy to pray that they would get, guard, and love wisdom. The real convicting part of those verses for me in my own life is the entire tone of the passage of a father constantly teaching and imparting wisdom to his sons. I also prayed that God would make me the kind of father who intentionally teaches and imparts godly wisdom to his children.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Year Post
Well, a new year is upon us. This is the obligatory New Year Post with my New Year resolutions or goals or whatever you want to call them. I really only have three New Year resolutions so here they are.
To cultivate a more prayerfully minded life by using a daily prayer guide, reading a daily prayer blog and reading a prayer article once a week.
To accomplish non-relational tasks but necessary (I am still not sure these exist) tasks in a more timely manner by making a daily to do task checklist.
To be more disciplined in caring for my body's health and fitness by losing 3o lbs. and increasing my maximum bench press to 300 lbs.
I am actually pretty excited about these three goals. There's plenty of other things I need and perhaps should do in the coming year, and I hope that I am mindful of other growth areas in my life but these are the big three for 2008. I will try to keep you updated on my progress through out the year.
This month I am using the North American Missions Prayer Gram prayer calendar for my daily guide and I am reading the IBSA Prayer Ministries Blog. I plan to read an article from my wife's copy of Prayer Magazine. On January first my max bench press was 240 lbs. and I started my new bench press and weight lifting routine today. Up till now I was sort of making it up myself, but I did some research and now have a new routine. Oh, I weighed in at (gulp) 215 lbs. So do you have any New Year Resolutions?
To cultivate a more prayerfully minded life by using a daily prayer guide, reading a daily prayer blog and reading a prayer article once a week.
To accomplish non-relational tasks but necessary (I am still not sure these exist) tasks in a more timely manner by making a daily to do task checklist.
To be more disciplined in caring for my body's health and fitness by losing 3o lbs. and increasing my maximum bench press to 300 lbs.
I am actually pretty excited about these three goals. There's plenty of other things I need and perhaps should do in the coming year, and I hope that I am mindful of other growth areas in my life but these are the big three for 2008. I will try to keep you updated on my progress through out the year.
This month I am using the North American Missions Prayer Gram prayer calendar for my daily guide and I am reading the IBSA Prayer Ministries Blog. I plan to read an article from my wife's copy of Prayer Magazine. On January first my max bench press was 240 lbs. and I started my new bench press and weight lifting routine today. Up till now I was sort of making it up myself, but I did some research and now have a new routine. Oh, I weighed in at (gulp) 215 lbs. So do you have any New Year Resolutions?
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