Saturday, February 16, 2013

Gossip


Gossip is our dark moral fervor eagerly seeking gratification.
Gossip makes us feel important and needed as we declare our judgments.
It makes us feel included to know the inside scoop.
It makes us feel powerful to cut someone else down to size, especially someone we are jealous of.
It makes us feel righteous, even responsible, to pronounce someone else guilty.
Gossip can feel good in multiple ways. But it is of the flesh, not of the Spirit.
Gossip is a sin rarely disciplined but often more socially destructive than the sensational sins.
Gossip leaves a wide trail of devastation wherever and however it goes – word of mouth, email, blogging, YouTube.
It erodes trust and destroys morale.
It creates a social environment of suspicion where everyone must wonder what is being said behind their backs and whether appearances of friendship are sincere.
It ruins hard-won reputations with cowardly but effective weapons of misrepresentation.
It manipulates people into taking sides when no such action is necessary or beneficial.
It unleashes the dark powers of psychological transference, doing violence to the gossiper, to the one receiving the gossip and to the person being spoken against.
It makes the Body of Christ look like the Body of Antichrist – destroyers rather than healers.
It exhausts the energies we would otherwise devote to positive witness.
It robs our Lord of the Church he deserves.
It exposes the hostility in our hearts and discredits the gospel in the eyes of the world. Then we wonder why we don’t see more conversions, why “the ground is so hard.”
this was on a blog by PCA minister Ray Ortlund

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Parenting!

I was reading Matthew 28 in preparation for our FIRST EVER Wonderfully Wacky Wednesdays tomorrow evening (supper at 5, WWW at 6). We will be focusing on Missions; the first six weeks will be on what God is doing in Colombia, more specifically in Bogota with the Bonhams and the Kines.

Anyway... I digress. As I was reading the Great Commission, where Jesus is instructing His disciples to go and make disciples, (verses 18-20) I lingered on verse 20:
     "...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
The footnote said, "Disciples are not just taught what to believe, but how to obey. Jesus taught practical holiness." 

Isn't that what parenting is? We don't just teach our children the truths of Scripture, we disciple them in how to put those Truths into action - which takes loving discipline, guidance, and modeling. We are in the business of making disciples!! Isn't that exciting?! Scary, you say? Nah. Because the rest of verse 20 says, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Through colic, terrific 2s, fearsome 5s, tingling teenagers, and marvelous milestones. 

We are not alone in our joys and conundrums of parenting. He, the God who has been making disciples for vast generations, continues to work. He uses us! And He's with us every breath and step of the way. And His grace abounds!!


Monday, December 3, 2012

In The First Light

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "In the First Light" written by Bob Kauflin and performed by Glad. The words are simple yet beautifully profound. I have to share them:

In the first light of a new day no one knew He had arrived 
Things continued as they had been while a new born softly cried.
But the heavens wrapped in wonder knew the meaning of His birth
In the weakness of a baby they knew God had come to earth.

As His mother held him closely, it was hard to understand
That her baby, not yet speaking, was the Word of God to man.
He would tell them of His kingdom, but their hearts would not believe
They would hate Him, and in anger they would nail Him to a tree.

But the sadness would be broken as the Song of Life arose
And the First Born of creation would ascend and take His throne.
He had left it to redeem us, but before His life began
He knew He'd come back, not as a baby, but as the Lord of every man.

Hear the angels as they're singing on the morning of His birth
But how much greater will our song be when He comes again to Earth.
When He comes to rule the Earth!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Stress and Sweet Reminders

It is already November 30. And it's almost over! I can already hear the engines revving up as Christmas day quickly approaches! I am already feeling the stress of finding the perfect, and not so perfect, gifts for everyone on my list. My house remains only partially decorated - a fall wreath still hangs on my door! And the clock still ticks...

Yet amidst all the stress and distraction, there is a constant, sweet reminder from within to adore the Christ child. Christmas points us to the Savior, the Holy One of Israel. It is a time when the gospel is proclaimed in stores and secular radio stations through Christmas carols. Television channels broadcast the Christmas story in various ways. Christmas trees point heavenward and remind us of the everlasting love of our Father. The Truth of Christmas cannot be hidden or snuffed out. Emmanuel came to a world that did not want Him. Things haven't changed much. Yet, the One who came more than two-thousand years ago continues to abide with us.

As you make your purchases, wrap your gifts, finish your decorating, and enjoy the festivities of the season, enjoy the worshipful messages you hear and see around you. Remember that the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace is your Wonderful Counselor through all the stress! His is a sweet reminder.


Monday, September 17, 2012

We're Home!

We're home. At least in our "temporary" home, which is a representation of what's to come when we get to our eternal permanent home. Anyway, for now, we're home. In our new Madison Heights Church home. God blessed our efforts to honor Him. I am looking forward, with great anticipation, to what God has in store for us in this new home. Because really, it's His home. It is where He meets with us when we gather to worship Him. It is the place from which He sends us to be part of the work He has begun around us. It is the place where He changes lives. Forever. It is home.

Yesterday we gathered to worship together, commission our first missionary families, and enjoy the fellowship of friends and family. It truly felt like we were home, where we belong. For now. Someone told me that everyone looked more beautiful, than they had before. That makes me smile.
The children in the nursery seemed much happier. There were less tears and more laughter. That makes me really smile!! It was a day to be remembered with great joy. Next Sunday Children's Church will resume. There will be more smiles, more laughter, more learning, more singing, more worship. I can't wait.

I am so very thankful for the opportunity to be part of God's work in and through Madison Heights. It is truly a "happenin' place"! May God continue to grow His church, deepen our love and commitment to Him,  increase our desire for and awareness of obedience to Him. May His kingdom increase and His will be done. May He be honored in all that we attempt carry out in His name.

Thank you, Father, that you chose such unworthy vessels to be part of a building where You, the Sovereign Creator, will continually meet with us.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Stop and smell... His Glory!

We've all heard "stop and smell the roses!" I'm sure we all attempt to slow down so we can enjoy more than the smell of roses. I know I do. And I am largely unsuccessful at slowing down.

I just read something that caught my attention:
     "God is glorified not only by His glory's being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that He might communicate, and the creature receive, His glory; and that it might [be] received both by the mind and heart." Jonathan Edwards

So... when we stop and smell the rose, or take in the beautiful sunset, or enjoy the laughter of children, God is glorified. And our souls are refreshed. On this labor day weekend, breathe a little deeper, gaze a little longer, enjoy your children's fascinating discoveries from creation. Guide your children to enjoy what God as made to be enjoyed. Guide them to glorify Him by finding pleasure in those things we consider ordinary and take for granted. Your children will be delighted, and your hearts will be uplifted.

Oh, Father, please help us to slow down and enjoy the beauty of Your creation, that You may be glorified and we may be enriched.