Be back soon....maybe.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sacrifice - QOD
"Are you willing to sacrifice 'play-time' for the Kingdom?"
---
It is with sadness that I see this as a question most of us would be ashamed to answer.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Direction and Image
I have been thinking and praying about the direction of this blog. At least for now, I will continue. Although, I'm sure the issues will come up again.
In government, we often find politicians saying one thing and doing another. It is all about representing yourself in the best possible light, as well as getting what you want. There are many nifty tricks and methods of persuasion, one can employ. But, in the end...it's about getting what you (and your party) want(s).
In the workplace, it is the same. As workers, one must protect him or herself. Our words are nothing. One can say one thing and do another... so long as you leave a paper (or e-mail) trail behind to justify your behaviour. I can promise you the moon, but it don't mean jack unless it's on paper.
As Christians, we are children of God (Gal 3:26). We are no longer subject to the principles of the world (Eph 2:2-3), but rather our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20). Yes, we obey the rules of the land (Rom 14), but we have a greater law given by God. (Matt 10:28; 2 Cor 5:10) And God must be first and foremost in our life! (Matt 22:36-37) Not a straw God, built up by man (Rom 1:22-23), but the one true living God whom we worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23).
As Christians, our word is bond. (Col 3:9) Our praise comes from God, so who cares about pride and reputation? (Gal 1:10) Again, we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (2 Cor 5:10) How can we look our Saviour in the eyes and say.... "Look at the e-mail trail, I did good, yes?"
God knows the motives of our hearts! (Prov 16:2; 1 Cor 4:5) You are a fool to think that you can hoodwink God!! What is a little embarrassment now compared to eternal fire? If you sin, confess it and confront it with Christ! (1 John 1:9)
We worry so much about looking bad. We juggle the lies and deceit used to prop up the image we have built of ourselves.
Why?
Who cares?
This has no place in our lives as Christians. And, it has no place in the body of believers and the church. Stop playing the mind games of appearing as the "good" Christian. If you have to spend every waking minute trying to portray yourself as a Christan. Maybe you aren't one.
My Prayer
I pray I put to death this idea of image and reputation. Instead of trying to look good and reputable, Lord, may you change me so that I am good and reputable. Not by the world's standard, but by your perfect standard. God, stamp out the evil desires in my heart so that only your perfect pleasing will remain. Amen.
In government, we often find politicians saying one thing and doing another. It is all about representing yourself in the best possible light, as well as getting what you want. There are many nifty tricks and methods of persuasion, one can employ. But, in the end...it's about getting what you (and your party) want(s).
In the workplace, it is the same. As workers, one must protect him or herself. Our words are nothing. One can say one thing and do another... so long as you leave a paper (or e-mail) trail behind to justify your behaviour. I can promise you the moon, but it don't mean jack unless it's on paper.
As Christians, we are children of God (Gal 3:26). We are no longer subject to the principles of the world (Eph 2:2-3), but rather our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20). Yes, we obey the rules of the land (Rom 14), but we have a greater law given by God. (Matt 10:28; 2 Cor 5:10) And God must be first and foremost in our life! (Matt 22:36-37) Not a straw God, built up by man (Rom 1:22-23), but the one true living God whom we worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23).
As Christians, our word is bond. (Col 3:9) Our praise comes from God, so who cares about pride and reputation? (Gal 1:10) Again, we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (2 Cor 5:10) How can we look our Saviour in the eyes and say.... "Look at the e-mail trail, I did good, yes?"
God knows the motives of our hearts! (Prov 16:2; 1 Cor 4:5) You are a fool to think that you can hoodwink God!! What is a little embarrassment now compared to eternal fire? If you sin, confess it and confront it with Christ! (1 John 1:9)
We worry so much about looking bad. We juggle the lies and deceit used to prop up the image we have built of ourselves.
Why?
Who cares?
This has no place in our lives as Christians. And, it has no place in the body of believers and the church. Stop playing the mind games of appearing as the "good" Christian. If you have to spend every waking minute trying to portray yourself as a Christan. Maybe you aren't one.
My Prayer
I pray I put to death this idea of image and reputation. Instead of trying to look good and reputable, Lord, may you change me so that I am good and reputable. Not by the world's standard, but by your perfect standard. God, stamp out the evil desires in my heart so that only your perfect pleasing will remain. Amen.
Monday, September 28, 2009
QOD
Pharaoh: We both worship the same God, so what’s the big deal?
Moses: Oh, good point. Never mind about that Exodus thingy.
----
I laughed.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
on Politics
I recently asked my friends' little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up. She said she wanted to be President some day.
Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, "If you were President what would be the first thing you would do? " She replied, "I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people." Her parents beamed.
'Wow...what a worthy goal." I told her. "But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that.. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and rake my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house. "
She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?"
I said, "Welcome to the Libertarian Party."
Her parents still aren't speaking to me.
Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, "If you were President what would be the first thing you would do? " She replied, "I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people." Her parents beamed.
'Wow...what a worthy goal." I told her. "But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that.. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and rake my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house. "
She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?"
I said, "Welcome to the Libertarian Party."
Her parents still aren't speaking to me.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
QOD
"Think twice before you speak, and then you may be able to say something more insulting than if you spoke right out at once." -- Evan Esar
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wayne
Today, I paused from my daily walk to work to talk to a brother in Christ.
I sat with him for half an hour while people walked by.
He seeks to dwell in His presence the entire day, immersing himself in His word.
He is richer than many who walked by.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Blind
How do you witness to people who are intent on....
- appealing to their experience (that works in their favour)
- appealing to authority (that works in their favour)
- drowning you out with cusses and swears
- arguing for something by the extreme (one should not take showers, because my friend's daughter's co-worker slipped on a bar of soap and died.)
- playing victim
- attacking your worldview and refusing discussion on statements made
- providing broad assertions (against your worldview) which when challenged on leads to the above?