"under review" part 2
Last week was brutal in the NFL. Three games game down to the wire with questionable reviews and calls. I’d hate to think my eternity would need an instant replay because I lived in a way that blurs the boundaries of sanctification. Thank God, literally, that I don’t need to wait around while he reviews my life to see if I’m “good enough” to enter heaven. I wouldn’t need to wait long to know that there’s no way I’m good enough or deserve heaven. Fortunately I can live assured I’ll be with Christ forever. I can’t wait until I get …
A Simpler Life
As we enter the Christmas season, I thought this teaching from Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” would be helpful and encouraging. – jw “Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4-5 NLT) At Christmas time, we often feel like we have to get it all done, and then we crash and burn when we can’t do it all. If you want to simplify …
open all 3 packages
Generally speaking many parents and their children welcome the the story of the first Christmas. Recently I stood next to a mom and dad near a Nativity scene, and listened as they told their two toddlers how cute Baby Jesus looked in his manger crib. Unfortunately few parents seem as eager to tell their children about Jesus the Savior. While moms and dads expect their kids to be “good little boys and girls” … they neglect to inform them that without Jesus all the wrong things they’ve done will never be forgiven. Finally, I have encountered even fewer parents who …
A Perfectly Reasonable Request
“Then I said: Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, [and] because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5 HCSB) ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ There are days when I think I’m doing pretty good in my pursuit of holiness. Other days, I find myself in the dirt, grit between my teeth, and the mud and crud of life all over my less-than-saintly face. It makes me wonder if Peter engaged in wishful thinking when he restated God’s call from Leviticus, …
The Great Engineer
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV) The God-adventure is a sweeping dance of redemption as he moves through history coordinating circumstances and events in order to bring as many people as possible home to heaven. Oswald Chambers calls God “The Great Engineer,” the one who keeps all things moving toward a purpose, a climax in history (which is his story). God’s tale is a …
