Month: November 2015

Arrived

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writingsofsheila

A new gift of today has arrived precious family!!! Our sweet Jesus has blessed us once again with life together as His beloved kids of faith!!! Upon faith in Christ Jesus as our personal Savior, Jesus enters into our hearts and dwells with us forever to be our Counselor, leading us and guiding us supernaturally in faith!!! Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ arrival into this world as our God with us that was the beginning of His life journey to become our Savior and end up in our hearts, ever present with us!!! Oh what a glorious day to celebrate – the birthday of our King!!!

As I write this today, it was about the same time of day as 30 years ago when I began the labor that brought my daughter into this world!!! I am with her today and able to celebrate her arrival into life with…

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It’s Advent Season. Rejoice!

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ChosenRebel's Blog

Monday Reflection

AdventEverything the World Needs Right Now

I love this post from my internet friend, insanitybytes22. I love her wit and I love her perspective on life. This particular post struck a chord in my soul. I too have a visceral distaste of whiners. But she is not just venting here. She is pointing us to the way of gratitude, to the way of worship.

I confess this issue I have with whiners because I don’t want this post to sound too harsh, but I grew up within militant atheism and was not allowed to read a bible. I could not go to church or worship. I literally had to pray in secret. Ever taken communion alone? That’s a real oxymoron.

People don’t always understand how privileged they are, how much freedom they have until they lose it. Every single time I walk into a church or even a…

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Where Does Extraordinary Leadership Emerge From?

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“Extraordinary leadership emerges from a commitment deep within us. It’s not a fad to follow or a new method to model. Leading with everything that we are means we are putting everything we have on the line for the cause we are compelled by. Heart, soul, mind, and strength leaders know their leadership takes work, engagement, commitment, perseverance, and determination.”

Jenni Catron, The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership (Nashville, TN: Nelson Books, 2015), 185.

Please Note: This book will be available on December 1, 2015.

The Danger of “Assuming” Evangelism

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Already Not Yet

bg-preaching-rc

Trevin Wax:

“Don’t assume the gospel!” has become a rallying cry for gospel-centered pastors and leaders. D. A. Carson has warned against this slow but sad progression:

  1. From a generation that believes the gospel and all its implications…
  2. To a generation that assumes the gospel but identifies more with its implications…
  3. To a generation that loses the gospel altogether.

“Make the gospel explicit!” we say, in an effort to ensure that the good news of Jesus – the only news that has the power to transform lives – stays front and center in our message, our methods, and our ministries.

But what happens when it’s not the evangel that gets assumed, but evangelism? 

Is it possible that a generation deeply committed to making the gospel present and explicit in the church’s preaching and teaching, might assume that Christians know how to share the gospel? Or that Christians understand just how vital evangelism is?

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A pastor blogger on worship

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A disciple's study

A pastor blogger on worship

What-would-change-about-our-sundays-if . . .

 Pastor Peter Boger

 

 Mark Dever presents thirteen propositions about worship. Though some require explanation, most of them are pretty clear. What would change about our Sundays if we realized that:

1. God cares about how he is worshipped?
2. Worship if fundamentally about God?
3. Worship involves our whole lives?
4. Worship is fundamentally hearing and responding to God’s Word?
5. Worship involves our wills and emotions?
6. Public worship should be distinguished from private worship?
7. Public worship is the business of the church assembled?
8. Public worship should edify the congregation?
9. Public worship is not based on a certain musical style?
10. Passivity is always inappropriate in worship?
11. Corporate worship is worth preparing for?
12. True Christian worship services will attract non-believers.
13. If you are a true Christian, corporate worship is your future?

I especially…

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TRAGIC

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A Blog.

AWKWARD. That is what I am, or that is how my morning has been. I am here to brighten your mornings with my embarrassing and lengthy airport struggles.

As an eighteen year old, my most hidden secret, is that I walk around unidentifiable. I do not carry a license with me, or a set of shiny keys on a fun key chain. I don’t know exactly how I’ve gotten to this point, but this is who I am.

I knew coming into the airport process, that I would have a bit of trouble passing through the security line. Although, I haven’t flown by myself on such a hectic day as the day before Thanksgiving- so I’ll give you a step by step of my situation.

I’m waiting in line, (the thirty to fourty people in a packed room anxiously awaiting getting through and flying line), and I am growing more…

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Afternoon Prayer

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Three Iron Nails

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

Romans 8:32

Father God, today, I am walking in the overflow. I shall not be moved by the things of this world that would stand to come against me, but lift up my head and know that You are God. With that thought, I vow to have a great day! Amen

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Laying a Biblical Foundation

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Looking for the Blessed Hope

David's Harp (112915) Chord’s Bridge or King David’s Harp

We awoke to a bright, glorious Sunday morning in Jerusalem!  (The weather is fantastic!)  Above, I’ve given you a glimpse of Chord’s Bridge from our hotel balcony.  This work of art is designed to look like King David’s Harp, but functionally serves as a bridge for the light rail and a walkway connecting to the Central Bus Station.  It is a landmark in the center of Jerusalem, near the government and museums district.

BLM (112915)We spent the day at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem (one of the sponsors of our seminar), which currently houses the “Rivers of Babylon” exhibit.  It is a fascinating exhibit, not only providing detail about the Babylonian captivity which occurred around 600 BC, but also including artifacts that help us understand the Jewish roots of our Scriptures.

Lion-Ox at BLM (112915)For example, Isaiah 11:6 references the peaceful cohabitation of wolves, lambs, leopards, goats, calves and lions.  We…

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