Rethinking The Church & Its Relationship to the Community

Christmas Devotions

2009-12-19T15:07:11Z

REVEALER OF HEARTS

[5]

SIMEON

Read Luke 2:21-40

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined… to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Luke 2:34–35 NIV

* * *

Holding the newborn baby in his arms, Simeon spoke words from God: Mary's life would be filled with both joy and sorrow. Her baby would be at the center of controversy. Her Son would be the revealer of hearts – even her own. She would have to learn to step back, be silent, and continue to ponder things in her heart. Shepherds could praise Him, Pharisees would curse Him and children would adore Him – but Mary could only quietly pray for Him. He was her son, but he was also her Savior. God's plan would proceed as she stood by and watched.

* * *

Lord, I know You have a plan for each of our children. Mary had some very human sons and daughters in addition to her perfect Son, Jesus. Would they ever accept Him as Messiah? No doubt, Mary prayed that her other children would accept Him as their personal Savior. It wasn't until after the resurrection that they truly believed – but in God's perfect time – Mary's prayers were answered.

* * *

And Joseph and His (Jesus’) mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Luke 2:33 NKJV

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Fan into the Flame!

2009-12-19T14:29:27Z

I have been writing a series of posts about Bible verses I wrote on our cement floor, before our new home's floors were covered with carpet or vinyl.

Here's today's verse, found on the furnace room floor:

Furnace Room Verse

A man died and went to heaven. Jesus offered to show him around. They entered a large warehouse and saw shelves full of gifts with peoples' names on them. The man saw several wrapped gifts for him, too. So he asked our Lord about it.

"I saw some gifts with my name on it. Why didn't you ever give me those gifts on earth?"

Jesus replied, "You never asked for those."

God has many wonderful gifts to give us, not the least of which is the gift of faith. But we need to do something to receive it, to fan it into flame.

It's right there inside us, all along, we just need to fan it into flame.

What are you waiting for?

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#70 - Sex God by Rob Bell

2009-12-18T17:51:04Z

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality

Rob Bell

Recommended by: a bunch of people. Plus I'd read other books by Bell.

Purchased from: A Borders going-out-of-business sale, at 80% off. Woot.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Synopsis: "Is sex a picture of heaven?" Bell wonders. It's all about God and sex and heaven, he says: "...they're connected. And they can't be separated. Where the one is you will always find the other." It's the story of God becoming human, of humans mirroring God and love made manifest in the chaos of our humanity. Sex God is about relationships revealed in a way that elevates the human condition and offers hope to those whose relationships are wounded. In Bell's spare, somewhat oblique style, he addresses lust, respect, denial, risk, acceptance and more. He does a fine job using the Bible and real life to show that our physical relationships are really about spiritual relationships. This book joyfully ties, and then tightens, the knot between God and humankind.

My Review: I feel like I should have read this a long time ago. I've had it for a while and I read it in less than twenty-four hours. It was a wonderful picture of what God has set out marriage and sex to be. Bell really delves into how the spiritual and the physical come together and how our relationships here are a picture of God's relationship with us. It's fascinating, really. Bell's style takes a little getting used to -- it's sparse and really uses the white space on a page. This book, though, was probably the least-difficult to handle visually (compared to his other books). I wish I had it with me so I could quote from it a bit. Anyway, I highly recommend this book, especially to high schoolers and people who work with them. I could have used some of this information back in my youth-leading days.

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CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONS

2009-12-16T15:36:40Z

TIDINGS OF JOY

[4]

THE SHEPHERDS

Read Luke 2:8–20

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10–11 NKJV

* * *

Exhausted but happy, Joseph wraps his newborn babe in swaddling clothes and lays him at Mary's side. They are alone, in the city of their birth, but not their home. Only the sound of animals disturbs their quiet conversation. What will life be like with this child of God? Soon they will be able to consummate their marriage and build a family together.
Meanwhile, out in the nearby fields, a lowly group of shepherds are in for a big surprise. Suddenly an angel appears in the night sky surrounded by the glory of the Lord. He announces, “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "(Luke 2:11 NKJV) Lonely quiet places - this stable - those fields - where all of history would be changed. Even today we date our lives from this event.

* * *

Lord, help me to value the lonely, quiet moments of my life. They are so few and yet so valuable. Speak to my heart this morning with words of peace. Like Mary, I truly desire to understand Your ways and ponder them in my heart.

* * *

"All those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:18-19 NKJV

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Standing on the Promises of God~~Part 3

2009-12-16T15:01:27Z

Well, in the past two days, I've taken you inside the front door of our new home, and into the living room, so today, we enter the dining room.

Here's the verse I wrote on the cement floor of that room before the vinyl flooring went down over it:

Dining Room Verse

We spend so much of our lives eating and drinking and preparing to do so and cleaning up afterward that this verse lifts up that we should be glorifying God at these times, at all times!

Whatever we do, let us glorify God in it.

Jesus often broke bread with his disciples, with sinners and tax collectors, people on the fringes of society and the high and mighty, too.

Set an extra plate at your table for Jesus, who is present at every meal, in his risen power.

Welcome him into your home, your living room, your dining room, and let His peace fill you up.

We walk around our new home and in every room, we are "standing on the promises of God."

Sola gloria dei!

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Standing on the Promises~~Part 2

2009-12-15T10:40:29Z

I began a series yesterday on "Standing on the Promises of God."

We wrote verses on the concrete floor of the rooms of our new house, before they were covered with carpet or vinyl flooring. Now when we walk around the house, we are standing on the promises of God, literally!

That's what we are doing at "Hallowed House," the first house we have ever owned. It's in the borough of Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania.

I call our house "Hallowed House" because we moved there on October 30th, a day before All Hallow's Eve. Hallowe'en is also known as Reformation Day and I know it well as my own birthday, too!

Yesterday I showed you the verse inside the front door of Hallowed House. Here's another verse, found on the concrete floor (later covered with padding and carpet, after all, it's a living room!):

Living Room Verse

Both my wife and I agree that we like this verse because it gives life a focus, praising God. It's also a prayer, recognizing that we are works in progress, not perfect people by any means.

Our aim is to live in such a way that we may praise God.

Let the redeemed of the Lord praise God!

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A Course in Miracles - famous quotes and sayings

2009-12-14T14:31:32Z

A Course in Miracles - famous quotes and sayings

http://www.squidoo.com/acim-quotes

One of the deepest hyped spiritual books of the late 20th century is 'a Course in Miracles' (also known as ACIM). It uses Christian symbols and imagery, but the message is universal and strongly reminiscent of Eastern spirituality (mainly Vedanta). Below you'll find quotes from this famous text organized by topics like God, Love, Reality etc.

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Standing on the Promises--Part 1

2009-12-14T13:21:11Z

Before the floors in our new house were covered with carpet or vinyl flooring, I wrote a Bible verse on each room's floor.

Now, when we walk about our new house, we are literally "Standing on the Promises of God."

Here is the first verse I would like to share with you.

Front Door Verse

This is the verse we chose for just inside the front door of our new house. Jesus spoke these words to his disciples when he appeared to them in the Upper Room, after his Resurrection.

Peace be with you is a common greeting in the Bible. It should be more in use among Christians than "Have a nice day" or "Have a good one."

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

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CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONS

2009-12-13T15:47:29Z

BETHLEHEM

[3]

JOSEPH AND MARY

Read Luke 2:1–7; Micah 5:2

Joseph also went up… to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. Luke 2:4–5 NKJV

* * *

Mary was in the last stages of her pregnancy when something very distressing happened. The Caesar of Rome declared that a census be taken, forcing everyone to go to the city of their birth to register. Hardship or not, they had to comply with this order.

Joseph must have been deeply concerned about his wife during the trip to Bethlehem. He probably did not consider at the time that prophesy was being fulfilled. Over 700 years before, the prophet Micah predicted that the promised Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

* * *

Sometimes life is not convenient or comfortable; sometimes circumstances are overwhelming. Lord, give us peace in those times, knowing that You are a God who cares and watches over us. Help us to remember that all things work together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.

* * *

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2 NKJV)

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CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONS

2009-12-09T23:55:46Z

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

[2]

MARY AND ELIZABETH

Read Luke 1:26-80

"Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:36–37 NIV

* * *

Six months after the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah, leaving him unable to speak because of unbelief, he made another announcement to a young virgin named Mary, telling her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."

* * *

Mary's response after hearing all that Gabriel said was, "I am the Lord's servant, May it be to me as you have said." (1:35, 38) She traveled hurriedly from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea to see Elizabeth, now great with child–and Zechariah who was still mute, because he had not believed.

* * *

Elizabeth said, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (1:45) Perhaps Mary's youth made her less skeptical, but the miracle of a virgin birth was far more unusual than the birth of a child in old age. Lord, help me to believe the promises in Your Word, even when it seems impossible – because with God all things are possible.

* * *

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed… " Luke 1:46–48 NIV

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