27 March 2011
Faith needs a face
Apr/01/11
I know, I know. Faith is believing when we can’t SEE what God is doing. Hebrews 11 gives us 15 real life examples of people who exercised faith, believed and acted when they couldn’t see what was ahead. That’s how we should live!
But Scripture is full of paradoxes. God could have just told us how to live, written a book of instructions for us to read. But He knows us. And He gave us more. He put a face on faith and sent Jesus. We could watch, listen, know, see what real living is like for people who love God. There have been times in my life when faith needed a face. Injustice rolled down and won the day. Jesus being killed unjustly put a face on faith. We need that.
Podcast
But Scripture is full of paradoxes. God could have just told us how to live, written a book of instructions for us to read. But He knows us. And He gave us more. He put a face on faith and sent Jesus. We could watch, listen, know, see what real living is like for people who love God. There have been times in my life when faith needed a face. Injustice rolled down and won the day. Jesus being killed unjustly put a face on faith. We need that.
Podcast
Wiki leaks
Mar/29/11
Wiki leaks are now a part of our regular news. Comments of government leaders, state department officials, and military strategists are public information. Much to the shock and dismay of many quoted, not all behavior was golden.
Christians need to have a heads up here. All of our thoughts and behavior will be publicly revealed one day. I Corinthians 3. Ministry leaders motivations, secret severance agreements, maneuvers for position or power, believers are human and subject to sin. That day of revelation need not be tough. There are four solutions: ask God to reveal to us personally harm we have done: personally and corporately. He will. Next, humbly admit those sins. Human nature is to defend and deny, not agree with God. Genuine requests for forgiveness must follow with restitution where possible.
Podcast
Christians need to have a heads up here. All of our thoughts and behavior will be publicly revealed one day. I Corinthians 3. Ministry leaders motivations, secret severance agreements, maneuvers for position or power, believers are human and subject to sin. That day of revelation need not be tough. There are four solutions: ask God to reveal to us personally harm we have done: personally and corporately. He will. Next, humbly admit those sins. Human nature is to defend and deny, not agree with God. Genuine requests for forgiveness must follow with restitution where possible.
Podcast
Chinese children
Mar/28/11
Twenty percent of China’s children live in foster care. They share dorm rooms with other children, six or eight to a room and attend school. Parents of 58 million children made this decision believing it is the best choice available. Rather than being neglectful parents, they have moved to cities to find work for better wages.
They lack freedom of choice to take weekends off to visit their children. Many live in dorm like conditions as well, and could not afford to pay for education for their child in their new city.
What would Jesus say? We know his first priority is for children to come to Him. While parent child connections are important, and educational opportunity is valuable, spiritual connection to their heavenly father is all that will count in the long run.
Podcast
They lack freedom of choice to take weekends off to visit their children. Many live in dorm like conditions as well, and could not afford to pay for education for their child in their new city.
What would Jesus say? We know his first priority is for children to come to Him. While parent child connections are important, and educational opportunity is valuable, spiritual connection to their heavenly father is all that will count in the long run.
Podcast