Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Broken Ornaments
" The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted." -Isaiah 61:1
Sunday, December 18, 2011
What Makes You Fist Pump?
"Oh sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day."-Psalm 96:2
I attended a graduation ceremony yesterday morning, and the best part (next to watching my beautiful aunt walk across the stage to receive her diploma of course) was watching the students' reactions when their names were called. Many quietly proceeded to cross the stage with a slight grin, but a few danced right on up, giving a shout and a holler, as they threw their hands into the air out of excitement. It made me think, does the victory we have in Jesus make us want to fist pump?
sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day."-Psalm 96:2
I attended a graduation ceremony yesterday morning, and the best part (next to watching my beautiful aunt walk across the stage to receive her diploma of course) was watching the students' reactions when their names were called. Many quietly proceeded to cross the stage with a slight grin, but a few danced right on up, giving a shout and a holler, as they threw their hands into the air out of excitement. It made me think, does the victory we have in Jesus make us want to fist pump?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Our Salvation Has A Name
" And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.'" -Luke 1:30-31
The Lord didn't reveal a grand plan to Mary that he wanted her to implement for our salvation. He didn't send her a formula, or a some complex algorithm. He didn't even introduce something that was unfamiliar to the people of the time. He sent a baby. He sent a human, someone that people could relate to. Our salvation, the greatest gift we could possibly imagine, has a name!
The Lord didn't reveal a grand plan to Mary that he wanted her to implement for our salvation. He didn't send her a formula, or a some complex algorithm. He didn't even introduce something that was unfamiliar to the people of the time. He sent a baby. He sent a human, someone that people could relate to. Our salvation, the greatest gift we could possibly imagine, has a name!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
When Christmas Isn't All Nice and Neat
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham." -Hebrews 2:14-16
I got to church a little bit early this morning. While searching the hood for a parking spot that did not require I parallel park, I came across this...
If you're wondering what I took the picture of....stop looking, there really isn't much there. It's just a typical vacant lot littered with trash, a common sight in this part of the city. But, I got to thinking, Jesus was in heaven and then, he came down into this. He came down into the trash and emptiness of this world, both literally and metaphorically. That's radical. God in flesh. Perfection coming into the mess of a sin-stricken world. That's messed up. Can we celebrate that this Christmas!?! Let's not only rejoice, but also recognize how sorrowful this must have been for Christ to come as us. The reality of Christmas isn't all nice and neat and pretty at all. It's kind of twisted (if I'm allowed to say that), it was the start of a long trek to the cross. I think that's humbling for us in a society that treats it as a feel-good trip and economy booster.
I got to church a little bit early this morning. While searching the hood for a parking spot that did not require I parallel park, I came across this...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
What's Your Spiritual Sweat Smell Like?
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." -James 1:2
Sometimes this verse is just rough. When the Holy Spirit convicts you with it, it's like a nagging request resonating in your heart. It's conviction and if, and only if, you can keep reading, it's encouraging. It made me think today, as I jumped off the treadmill drenched in sweat because it was especially toasty in the gym, joy can be a measure of our heart's spiritual sweat.
Everyone has that type of outer, visual evidence of an inner struggle called sweat. Some people produce lots of it, others, not so much. Some people get stinky when they sweat, while some don't. Every time we come up against a spiritual battle, a bout in the desert, a season of suffering, we sweat (figuratively....well maybe physically too). We have the choice to respond with misery or with joy. So maybe we need to sniff things out a bit. What fragrance emits from our hearts during times of suffering? We have the opportunity to sweat the sweet scent of joy because suffering in Christ is for his glory and our better!
Sometimes this verse is just rough. When the Holy Spirit convicts you with it, it's like a nagging request resonating in your heart. It's conviction and if, and only if, you can keep reading, it's encouraging. It made me think today, as I jumped off the treadmill drenched in sweat because it was especially toasty in the gym, joy can be a measure of our heart's spiritual sweat.
Everyone has that type of outer, visual evidence of an inner struggle called sweat. Some people produce lots of it, others, not so much. Some people get stinky when they sweat, while some don't. Every time we come up against a spiritual battle, a bout in the desert, a season of suffering, we sweat (figuratively....well maybe physically too). We have the choice to respond with misery or with joy. So maybe we need to sniff things out a bit. What fragrance emits from our hearts during times of suffering? We have the opportunity to sweat the sweet scent of joy because suffering in Christ is for his glory and our better!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Fixed Focus
"like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same." -Hebrews 1:12
What our lives would look like if we fixed our focus on the supremacy of God in all circumstances. This single truth has the power to change everything. I want to have that fixed focus!
What our lives would look like if we fixed our focus on the supremacy of God in all circumstances. This single truth has the power to change everything. I want to have that fixed focus!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
We've Gotta Figure it Out
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundant." -John 10:10
There are two options available. The thief and the Way. If life isn't abundant, maybe we need to reexamine who we're following. No one is capable of impressing upon us life abundant, we've simply got to get out there and encounter Him!
There are two options available. The thief and the Way. If life isn't abundant, maybe we need to reexamine who we're following. No one is capable of impressing upon us life abundant, we've simply got to get out there and encounter Him!
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