Friday, October 30, 2009

3 new songs

There are few things as enjoyable to me as finding an interesting new author. I would probably rank finding a new song up there as well! Here are a couple I have been introduced to in recent days.
For $2.97 they could be yours through iTunes!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Blogging break

For a host of reasons, I have been on a blogging break, but I do anticipate being back soon. Thanks for your patience.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Much worse and much better

In preparation for a Bible study I am leading tonight I came across this...

The true Christian message never simply preaches a list of 'dos and don'ts' because we can never be saved by righteous things that we have done. The Christian message is much worse news and much better news than that. A Christian has come to understand that, in the past...
  • they deserved God's punishment but now they have received God's kindness, love and mercy.
  • they messed up their life with selfish, hateful, rebellious sins, but they have been given a clean new start
  • they were guilty of sin, but now they have been justified
  • they were headed for death and judgment, but now they can look forward to eternal life.
taken from The Holy Spirit: Understanding His Work in Our Lives by Pete and Anne Woodcock

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Sometimes the truth is a little too close for comfort

Rarely, do I link to a YouTube video from the blog, but this might be worth your time. It is a video of Josh Harris called "Hold that thought, God, I need to check my email."


Some reading

I have not been a big Eugene Peterson reader. I have periodically read The Message, and realized that he is a pretty creative writer.

However, in preparing for the series of messages I am preaching on now, I decided to pick up one of his books. It has led me to read 2 others. Every now and then a writer grips me with fresh thoughts about the Bible, Jesus, ministry, and other stuff. It is not so much that they have new ideas, but rather that they have old, familiar ideas that have come to life. Such has been the case with...

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Mark 9 and Exodus

There are some amazing connections between the Transfiguration account in Mark 9, and Moses'/Israel's Sinai experience described in a few places in Exodus. Too many connections for me to think, "Hmm, that's just a coincidence."
  • They both took place on a mountain (Ex 24:12-15)
  • There is a reference to 6 days (Ex 24:16)
  • There is a reference to 3 people who go with them (Ex 24:1-9)
  • Moses' face shines, as does Jesus' clothes (Ex 34:29-35)
  • Response of fear (Ex 34:30)
  • Overshadowing cloud (Ex 24:16)