Posts

Grace doesn't sweat

Image
  Don’t sweat it!     Let’s talk sweat!   Ezekiel 44:17-18 (NIV) 17  “‘ When they enter the gates of the inner court, they are to wear linen clothes; they must not wear any woolen garment while ministering at the gates of the inner court or inside the temple. 18 They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire.”   Hmm.  This is interesting.   In the book of Ezekiel, the previous commands regarding priestly attire are re-emphasized.   (You can read about the original command in Ex 28,29). But noteworthy for us right now is—don’t sweat it!    In thinking about sweat, I am reminded of Adam and Eve’s goof and the result: Genesis 3:17-19 (NIV)  17 To Adam he said,  “ Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you,  ‘ You must not eat from it, ’ “ Cursed is the gr...
Post a Comment
Read more

You’ll Thank Yourself Later: 2 Habits Older People Beg You to Start

Image
        May we agree on the following? 1.          Successful old people with proven track records are worth listening to. 2.         If they could offer two clear directions about life, they might really be worth listening to!   Enter our two famous old people with proven track records.  They are asked similar questions.   They are asked the proverbial, "What two things would you do differently?   Old famous person number one:  Billy Graham, “If you were to do things over again, would you do it differently? Yes, I would study more, I would pray more, travel less, and take fewer speaking engagements. I took too many of them in too many places around the world. If I had to do it over again, I would spend more time in meditation and prayer and just tell the Lord how much I love Him and adore Him.”    ( https://www.baptistpress.com/...
Post a Comment
Read more

“Eternity Terrifies Me… But Here’s Why I’m Still Walking Towards it."

Image
              Boldly go where no man has gone before.   I am not a Trekkie guy; however, I did watch some of the early Star Trek stuff a long time ago.  I’m not sure what age I processed this, but if one were to get on board the Enterprise and head in one direction, you could do that for eternity.  That is boldly going where no man has gone before!          I had a client recently tell me that eternity petrified him.  Since that conversation, I decided in some ways, I agree.  Here are two things that help me.          First, even though I am a tiny dot in the universe.  Even though I am one incidental person in the myriad millions that will eventually be with Jesus in eternity.  (Revelation 7:9 (NIV)  After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from ev...
Post a Comment
Read more

One church—many congregations?

Image
        When I pastored, I tried, unsuccessfully, to change people’s thinking.  When I prayed for the “churches” in our city, I would try to remember—there is ONE church in our city that meets in various congregations!   Upon what did I base this?   1.          Jesus’ prayer:   John 17: 22 -23 (NIV)  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me . 2.         The essence of the entire scripture.  There were not various groups, fighting, ignoring each other, but there was the people of God.  1 Peter 2:10  (NIV)   Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Divine Nothingness

Image
Why do you keep doing, working, building, fixing? I know, you are a doer! You have that reputation. Call him (her), and he (she) will ‘get it done!’ Your busyness is your self-declared mantle. It is a mantle, ultimately a mantle of pride. It is not a mantle I have placed on you. I don’t need a doer so much as a dweller. Remember my word: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Ps 92:1 NIV) What if your doing grew out of your dwelling? What if you dwelt long enough and deeply enough that your doing flowed out of your dwelling? To dwell, to sit, to remain, to abide—this is what I call you to. What do I need you to do there? I call this Divine Nothingness. That is difficult for you, because you’ve lost your ability to do seemingly nothing in your life. I call this Divine Nothingness because there is a  Divine Language Divine Activity Divine Formation Divine Direction  That exists in Divine Nothingness. ...
Post a Comment
Read more