Christine's Blog – January 2011 Archive (17)

The psalmist said, “The unfolding of your words gives light.” Psalm 119.30

“In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.” Proverbs 3.6

We read, study, and even memorize these words, but how does…

God spoke to me this week.  Where? How?  W h e n did G o d speak to me?  Through his powerful Word—yet again.  Right where we find ourselves in Romans 5.  See, in his next breath, (after establishing that our eternal hope is through Christ, in that he alone makes us right with God), Paul passionately implores the Roman Christians to stand strong—no matter what they were facing.  Check it out:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we…

It seems like a very long time ago since we stepped away from Paul, leaving him in the letter that he was writing to the church at Rome . . . we segued for good reason, to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the birth of the King, and then to consider the right thoughts we might choose to start the New Year, including the notion that right thinking must include the personal priority of studying and taking a hold of the Word of God.

I would submit to you that we cannot simply…

When something in your world goes haywire, to what do you default?  Sure, your computer has default settings, but do you?  In the last several days, I have been involved in relational settings—

--in which a beloved father passed away

--a much-loved younger brother was killed suddenly in a motorcycle accident,

--when the news about ‘just how much cancer’ was not so good,

--a dad came into town to visit his adult children, but showed up for each of two visits…

Have you ever been on the defense for your faith?  Anyone ever said anything like this to you-- ‘You Christians—you’re so arrogant, believing that Jesus is the only way to God…’?  I know what Jesus said to such a statement—and so we can reply with, ‘Well, actually, I didn’t say it, Jesus did—“I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father except through me.”1   I didn’t say it; Jesus’ words are recorded in Scripture, and I guess that’s good enough for me.’  A…

Why all this talk about Scripture? There’s the historical scope of Scripture, the inspirational and instructional value of God’s Word, and brief insight into the various translations that abound .  .  . now what?  Is that it?  Actually, no.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.   Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”1  God’s Word tells us how we got here, who we are, who we are purposed to be, how to live life, and even how to…

So, we’ve looked at changing our thinking, noting that just to say, ‘Okay, I’m not going to think about THAT anymore’ really doesn’t work too well; instead, we must replace our thoughts with more positive thoughts—like those from the Bible.  We’ve also looked at elevating our thoughts by standing on the promises of God.  But just to consider Scripture inspirational is not enough to know about the written Word of God.

What exactly is contained in the Bible?  Sixty-six books—39 in the…

My canned goods are stored in a pantry; when my boys turn up their noses at the evening’s dinner offering, they know they can look on the lefthand shelf, thigh-high, and opt for some variety of soup.  In “Campbell’s Soup Thinking,” I proposed that you and I can take control of our thinking by removing an errant thought, (just like a can of soup) and putting it on a shelf, and then choosing a…

Campbell’s Soup Truth.

I was sitting across the office from him, and inquired how he was doing . . . truthfully, I could have guessed, because his brows were furrowed.  He hesitated, choosing his words with care—“Freedom.  I need freedom.”  “What do you mean?” I quietly…

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, and in case I don't see you, Good Night . . .

You have been born with a purpose—a unique one.…

Several responded to “New Year’s Training Course” – particularly challenged by the desire to serve God  . . . the question is where to begin …

HOW?   And then, WHERE?   And, WHO should we serve?…

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.    I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Paul, Ephesians 3.13,14…

[I was ready to move on with New Years’ thoughts, but truthfully, I have heard from so many folks about ‘It’s not supposed to go like this’ that it warranted a little more consideration.  See, there is a lot going on out there--there is pain, grief, worry, struggle, fear, and for some, just immense challenge, and the need for growth.  But, my friends, no matter the task at hand, we do…

This is day two of “It’s not supposed to go like this.”  I heard from quite a few of you in response to Day One.  First, folks asked for an update on Dylan’s condition—thank the Lord, he came home from the hospital this afternoon—his eyesight intact!  It is our prayer that the serious infection will be completely eradicated.  Second, ‘did his soccer team win the…

It’s not supposed to go like this  -  Day One.

New flash:  I am not in control, and friend, neither are you. 

Indeed, I was not very old when I began to realize that things do not always go as…