The Peace of God

“Let the peace of God guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

The peace of God; it’s an awesome thing to think about.

And it’s not with God, it’s not from God, this is the peace of God.

It’s the calm assurance that what God is doing is best. It doesn’t matter what comes in the mail today, it doesn’t matter what comes from the doctor, it doesn’t matter who rings my phone, it doesn’t matter what comes my way today, I have something guarding my heart.

Like sentinels on the wall around the city, the peace of God guards your heart, you see it there?

“And the peace of God which surpasses understanding,” you just can’t even imagine this peace. It didn’t matter what news came, it didn’t matter what happened. There’s a peace that comes from God that is such an awesome protection.

You can get off the emotional rollercoaster and let this peace guard your heart and nothing can penetrate that except that you open the door yourself and that’s the peace of God.

Please pray this prayer, wherever you are this Christmas:

“I pray Lord, for Your peace to guard my heart. I see how quickly the details of life can penetrate my experience and cause me to live apart from what I know to be true. I reach out to You by faith that You would grant to me Your peace which passes all understanding. Amen.”

May His peace be with you this Christmas.

James MacDonald

Merry Chrstmas...Because of Jesus!

Joy to the world ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ the Lord is come ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Let earth receive her King ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Let every heart prepare Him room ♥ ♥ ♥ And Heaven and Nature sing ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ And Heaven and Nature sing ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪...And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing!♪♫•*¨*•..........¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

Perspective on Dirt

Last nite the joy level in my home rose significantly when our kids from Little Rock came home for an extended visit before moving to Australia. What joy to have them here with us for this short window of time!

It's funny to me that in anticipating their visit my perspective on dirt changed considerably. I actually viewed it differently, even intentionally looking for it.

I looked for it. I saw it. Suddenly it was "not ok", and I dealt with it.

This morning I opened my washing machine and right away noticed a blob of detergent spilled on the top, and a ring of dirt that had built up around the inside of the door. Where had that come from?

It had obviously built up over time and I had not even noticed. Today, in the light of my guests who will be using my washer during their stay, I noticed...and it was NOT ok.

As I grabbed a cloth to clean my washer it struck me that I had used my washer several times yesterday and never noticed it was dirty. Why?

I realized that my perspective on dirt changed when I saw it thru the eyes of others.

Sin can be a lot like dirt. I can miss or even ignore it in my life till something provides perspective.

The dirt in my washer has caused me to ponder my perspective on my sin today. How skewed is it? How tolerant am I with my sin? Am I even watching for it, let alone dealing with it consistently?

I have much to learn as a housekeeper and child of the King. I am asking God to help me to be much more alert. To see my sin thru His eyes...and that it NOT be ok with me at all.

The Love of Pleasure

By J. R. Miller, via Grace Gems:

Is the love of pleasure growing upon you, gaining the power and the ascendency over you? Is it dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures?

Is it making Bible-study, prayer, communion with Christ, meditation upon holy themes–less sweet enjoyments than before? Is it making your hunger for righteousness, for God–less intense?

Is it interfering with the comfort and blessing you used to find in worship services, or in Christian work?

If so, there is only one thing to do–hasten to return to God, cut off the pleasure which is imperiling the soul, and find in Christ the joy which the world cannot give, and which ever enhances the life.

We must test all our pleasures and amusements by this rule–Are they helping us to grow into Christ-likeness and spiritual beauty?

How to Help Your Pastor

by John Catanzaro

Understand: The first way to help your pastor is to develop understanding and sensitivity to the stress and demands of a pastor's work.

Pray: Secondly, pray for your pastor. A very active prayer ministry to support the pastors in their evangelical work is fundamental to the health of pastors and the church at large.

Grow: Thirdly, mature in the faith. Grow and work to preserve the work of God in your sphere. Do not contribute to confusion, gossip and bitter attitudes. Get involved in action, service, and financial contribution, which are all vital to the health of the Christian mission of proclaiming Christ in your community and the world.

Lead: Finally, faith in action is serving others above what you want in support of the ministry of the church. Don't just get involved in ministry; actively work with the leadership to provide healthy momentum in ministry and to become a personal preacher of the ways of Christ!

Spurgeon

"Down on my knees have I often fallen, with the hot sweat rising from my brow under some fresh slander poured upon me; in an agony of grief my heart has been well-nigh broken;

...This thing I hope I can say from my heart: If to be made as the mire of the streets again, if to be the laughing stock of fools and the song of the drunkard once more will make me more serviceable to my Master, and more useful to his cause, I will prefer it to all this multitude, or to all the applause that man could give."

The Dream

By Scott Thomas

I dream of a body that loves the Lord, loves His word, loves the church, and loves the calling from God to be instruments of righteousness in their community.

I dream of a people who practiced spiritual holiness, rather than judging others for their lack of adherence to man-made rules.

I dream of marriages that visibly demonstrated the relationship of Christ and the church.

I dream of homes that were led by the Holy Spirit, by godly heads of households and by the Scriptures.

I dream of a church that had influence in its community: spiritually, morally, evangelistically, and socially.

I dream of a church that served willingly and enthusiastically according to their spiritual gifts, passions, and God-given abilities.

I dream of a church body that had a burning passion to share the gospel in their city, their state, their nation, and their world and to be a vital link for the establishment of churches all across the world.

I dream of a body that had an insatiable thirst to encounter God in a real, personal, and intimate way.

Praying For Isaac

I met Issac for the first time in June, but have know of him for years. Actually he lives right down the road from me and I know his mom Laura.

Issac offered to help me carry some bulky items out to my car when he saw me struggling with them. I discovered who he was as we walked out to my car together.

I had heard that Isaac had a very specific and unusual career/ministry goal which he confirmed as we walked and talked.

God has purposed in Isaac's heart that he is to serve our country as a Navy SEAL - quite a calling on a young man's life to be sure.

What fascinated me is how very real and clear this call from God is on his life. Isaac KNOWS this is what he is to pursue. He is focused like a laser on his duty and has prepared himself in every way possible to face this challenge.

I did pondered what it would be like as a Mom to have a child with that particular calling, knowing what they would face and endure. Navy SEALs complete some of the most dangerous U.S. military missions imaginable. Their training is beyond intense, and demands the brightest and the best.

After meeting Isaac I have no doubt he is SEAL material.

Before I got in my car I asked Isaac if I could pray for him, and I placed my hand on his shoulder and committed him to our heavenly Father's care. It was such an honor to meet him and to pray over him just days before he left.

Isaac's family has been sending me short updates on Isaac so I can be praying very specifically for him. Last week I received this update which brought tears to my eyes. Isaac's Chaplain had written this note to his family:

"Know that your son is attending to his relationship with our Heavenly Father with all sincerity.

He is a good witness for the Lord among his fellow mates...I am convinced that the work that the Lord has begun in him will bear much fruit as time goes by."

And I know it is true because I have met Isaac and heard his testimony. His goal is to bring honor and glory to Christ. Please pray for Isaac!

Piper on Humility

1. Humility is glad that God gets all the credit for choosing us so that we boast only in him and not man.
2. Humility happily admits that everything we have is a free gift from God, so that we can’t boast in it.
3. Humility is glad to affirm that God sovereignly governs our heartbeats and safe arrivals, or non-arrivals.
4. The root of Christian humility is the gospel that Christ died for our sins. That’s how sinful I was. That’s how dependent I am.
5. Humility gives itself away in serving everyone, rather than seeking to be served.
6. And humility is glad to affirm that this service is true greatness.

The Mission Field We Like To Ignore

Top 10 Least Religious States (Human Events)

1. Vermont 42%
2. New Hampshire 46%
3. Maine 48%
4. Massachusetts 48%
5. Alaska 51%
6. Washington 52%
7. Oregon 53%
8. Rhode Island 53%
9. Nevada 54%
10. Connecticut 55%

God's Word My Authority

To be a biblical Christian, I must not simply affirm the inspiration of God's Word (that is necessary, but not sufficient).

I must consciously critique everything else in light of Scripture (otherwise all else will unconsciously conform my mind to the world, the flesh and the devil).

I must make a conscious effort to evaluate all my beliefs and my lifestyle preferences in the light of God's Word.

I must commit myself to making an examination, no matter how painful, of all my dearly-held beliefs (e.g. a loving God cannot send people to an eternal hell).

And whenever they do not stand up to Scripture, I must abandon those beliefs.

If I do not, then despite whatever I may profess to the contrary, my true authority is not the Bible, but my background, upbringing, peer group, the media, and schools that have influenced me.

In short, I make myself and my culture (the flesh and the world) my authority.

Randy Alcorn

I'm Being Watched

I just found out I'm being watched.

I was alerted to a blogger who is following what I write and post. She then takes it and posts it on her blog along with some of her own commentary about me and what I do. She also posts my name, my picture (not sure where she grabbed that one from), my families pictures, and links to my blog, Twitter and web page.

I must say it was rather odd to see my words reprinted in someone else's blog. She didn't post it because she agrees with me, but because she opposes what I believe and what I do.

Some of her colorful commentary on my posts were mocking of me, and some were actually aggressive towards me. All of it was meant to incite a negative response towards me from her readers.

At first I was a bit unnerved by all this and not quite comfortable. I'm being watched!

But I am ALWAYS being watched, and being aware of that is a good thing. What I do and what I say is being seen by others all the time.

Being more conscience of being watched is good for me because being watched is always an opportunity - even to those who are offended by what I believe.

I've been thinking of this verse today and asking God to help me to walk worth of the Gospel of Christ in everything I do...and post. I want to make the most of every opportunity.

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents."

~ Philippians 1:27 & 28a

Stubborn and Blind = The Deadly Character Combo!

By James MacDonald

I have a lot of people in my life, and have had for a long time. A LOT! And because of that I have had countless opportunities to observe a deadly character combo: two traits that on their own are bad enough, but together are crushing to any real chance at Christ likeness. In fact if both these things are true of you, life transformation will never be more than a mirage. Wanna know what they are?

There are two character traits that make life transformation difficult if not impossible.

1) Blindness: Not physical blindness but spiritual blindness. Another term would be lack of self-awareness. None of us perceive ourselves perfectly but some people have a large gap (think grand canyon) between who they perceive themselves to be and who they actually are. Like the guy I just heard about who is trying out for American Idol even though he didn’t even pass the audition to sing on our worship team. Or the person who is sowing discord in the church right now because he can’t have the personal relationships he wants with the main leaders. (If you can’t join them criticize them? weird huh?). Or the family I know that was barely holding it together here in America yet claimed that God was calling them to a very difficult part of the mission field. They refused the warnings of others and invested themselves in a 10 year ministry of ’survival.’ Such a waste, all because of a blindness to their true condition. Ever wonder about the problem with the preacher who keeps firing away for almost an hour each Sunday, unable to see that every single person jumped off the ‘pay attention’ train at the first stop? Why is our church shrinking? Hello, hello, are you really unable to see that you are talking peoples faces off and boring them into the bottomless pit? Answer: Yes, I am unable to see that. It’s called blindness!

Now blindness by itself is not that deadly because there will always be an army of people lined up to tell you how incredibly clueless you are about the way you come across. If you have even a shred of humility you will benefit from the input of others. You will listen and learn as loved ones guide you by the hand to the life transformation you desperately need but couldn’t see. That has happened for me more times than I can possibly count. But what if you won’t let other people do that for you? This leads to deadly character flaw number two:

2) Stubbornness: Some people are flat out stubborn. No I’m not, you say! YES YOU ARE YOU! Need some evidence? OK! a) you argue with everyone who tries to tell you anything, b) you keep making the same mistakes over and over, and c) you think that your way of seeing things is the best way, the right way, the only way. Yes you do!! . . . You just can’t admit it because you are . . . ____________ (fill in the blank, hint: it’s starts with ’st’).

OK, so nothing so bad about being stubborn or blind, but together they form the deadly character combo. People who are blind and stubborn are impossible to lead, difficult to follow and painful to be in relationship with. Are you blind and stubborn?

Pr 26:12 “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

Blindness and stubbornness; I have seen it in elders who gave up everything rather than let someone shine a light down the dark hole of their own arrogant unawareness. I have seen it in husbands who refuse to even consider that they ARE part of the problem. I have seen it in young people whose immaturity and naivety is massively multiplied because they can’t see the problem and won’t let anyone connect the dots on their behalf. And worst of all, YES I have seen the combo in the mirror and it has terrified me. Are these deadly twins lurking in the corridor of your character? If in doubt, ask the people who know you best: “Hey, am I stubborn, and are there things you think I need to change that I might be unable to see?” Ask a few people who know you well . . .
Then count to a million outloud before responding to their answer.

Vision - Lead by Example

What I am pondering today...


There is a lot of talk about “vision” and how it relates to the church, specifically for Pastors/leaders and their role in leading God’s people. I think one of the biggest mistakes leaders make is to assume that a statement or a program or a long range plan equals vision. It absolutely does not. Vision is something you live.

In my mind it is similar to love. Just because you write out a plan to love your spouse doesn’t meant that you actually love them. On the contrary, if you truly love your spouse, having a plan for putting that love into action is a natural outflow in your life. Vision is much the same.

True vision comes from deep down. True vision finds a way to come out. True vision is something that is so much a part of who you are that you find yourself talking about it in all kinds of settings to anyone that will listen. If someone has to remind you to talk about the “vision” then it is no vision at all - at least not for you. It might be a good idea. It might be a good plan. It might even be a great strategy for the Kingdom, but if you do not live it and breathe it, then it is not a vision.

This morning as I was reading through my Bible I came across a great example of vision:

1 Chronicles 29:3 and following - David says to a huge gathering of leaders
“And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of God, I am giving all of my own private treasures to aid in the construction...Now then, who will follow my example? Who will give himself and all that he has to the Lord?”

The crazy thing about this vision is that David already knew that he would not be the one to build the Temple. That privilege would go to his son, Solomon. But the vision David had for building a Temple took over his heart and life so much that he collected materials and even donated his own private treasures to be sure everything was ready for Solomon to finish the vision. He was so sold out to it that he even invited others to follow his example and give everything he had to contribute to the vision.

It grieves my heart how many leaders in churches create programs for their people that they have no evidence of living out in their own lives. As a staff member, I have been guilty of it, and I’ve seen it happen over and over again. Please, do yourself and your people a favor: go spend time figuring out what consumes you. What is it that you would be willing to give up your own personal treasures to see happen? What is it that you believe so strongly in that you would invite everyone around you to do the same?

Make that your vision. Make that your life. Make that the thing you stand before your congregations and say, “This is what we are going to be about as God’s people.” It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking or cutting edge, but it does need to be something that comes from deep within you.

Don’t just try a new marketing strategy or add another event to the already crowded schedule. Figure out what God has laid on your heart and then live it with all you’ve got.

One of the most interesting things about living in Tucson is the interaction I’ve been able to have with lots of different types of church plants. The variety is amazing, but the ones that are seeing God move all have one thing in common - leaders with vision. Leadership strategies are completely different, preaching styles vary greatly, makeups of congregations change dramatically from place to place, but these leaders have done what David did. They have given everything to be part of seeing God accomplish His will in people’s lives.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not really what the package looks like, it’s the heart that wrapped the package that matters.
The great thing about this process is that these leaders will see and are seeing the same kinds of results that David did when he put out the call. In 1 Chronicles 29:9, the passage goes on to say:

“Everyone was excited and happy for this opportunity of service, and King David was moved with deep joy.”

There is nothing more moving than when God shows up in fulfillment of the vision He has given to a leader that has given all for Him. Verses 10-22 of that chapter recount the worship service that broke out following that moment.

I am praying for the city of Tucson with that kind of desire and want to do anything I can to see God move in a mighty way. How about you?

~ Paul Ingram, Worship and Arts Pastor at Revolution Church in Tucson, Arizona.

The Acts 11:26 Question

Isn't it interesting that in Acts 11, at the end of verse 26, it says, "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

What I find interesting is the simple thought that the Christians didn't name themselves. But rather, they were called (or named) Christians" by those watching their lives.

I wonder if it would be the same today?

Could someone look at your life or look at my life and name me a Christian? A humbling question for sure.

~ Chris Tomlin, from the forward of the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Jon & Kate Plus Grace

A thot to ponder as we read and watch the marriage struggle of Jon & Kate Gosselin:

When we say, "They got what they deserved" we forget that we didn't.

Did Jon and Kate introduce new risks and rewards into the structure of their family when they invited television cameras and millions of viewers into their home? Without a doubt.

Does fame and celebrity come with consequences that are often toxic? Without a doubt.

Did Jon and Kate get what they deserve? I don't know. I've seen other Christians express this opinion but I don't know Jon and Kate.

I know me. And I didn't get what I deserved. I got grace.

I got forgiveness. I got Christ. I got rescued from the ruins of a life that seemed beyond redemption. I got a second chance and a 10th chance and a 300th chance.

I didn't get what I deserved.

And when we say that someone, "Got what they deserved," whether we're talking about a reality TV couple, our relatives or our neighbors, we lose sight of grace, which is the undercurrent of our entire faith and a gift we do not deserve.

[Prodigal Jon]

Notice Where the Guard is Posted

“‘Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips’
Psalm 141:3

“. . . Notice where the guard is posted. Not at the ear—to protect us from being hurt by words we might hear, or at the heart—to shield us from the wounds that are sometimes caused by what others do.

Rather, the Psalmist asked God to post a sentinel at his own mouth knowing that the greatest danger he faced was not what others might do to him, but rather, what he might say that would harm others...”

From Nancy Leigh DeMoss The Power of Words,

A Transforming Difference

I watched this and now I am pondering this:

Our difference from the world,
not our similarity to it sets us apart.

But even though Christ followers
are called to be different,
we’re also called to
transform the world.

Here lies the tension.

We can’t be so far removed from the world
that we lose contact,
and we can’t be so much like the world
that we’re no different from it.

~ Kary Oberbrunner

I Want the Whole Gospel

By James MacDonald

I Want the Whole Gospel

Every single ounce of truth; give it to me straight just like it is in the Bible.

I want the whole gospel:

Don’t dilute the living water—it might not quench my thirsty soul.

I want the whole gospel:

Turn on the light of Jesus Christ and don’t shield my view—I need every beam of His radiant glory to dispel the darkness in me.

I want the whole gospel:

Don’t block the door, or I might not get through.

I want the whole gospel:

I need an accurate map to the narrow road, because only a few are finding it.

I want the whole gospel:

Because I am wholly lost, God’s verdict is wholly just, and my damnation is wholly certain.

My heart is wholly depraved and my sin is wholly mine.

My efforts are wholly futile and my escapes are wholly hopeless.

I need a whole Savior, whose whole suffering, wholly satisfies a holy God.

Please, please don’t cut the corners. It’s appointed unto man once to die and I have to be sure I get it right.

I have to have the whole gospel—give it to me straight. Nothing else will do!

Yes…God help us, let’s give the whole gospel.

Just For Fun

OK, there is nothing particularly edifying about this post, it just cracked me up.

22 Essential Words for Writing Cheesy Christian Pop Songs:
by Joshua Harris

1. Mountain
2. Love
3. River
4. Ocean
5. Amazed
6. Imagine
7. Valley
8. Believe
9. Waves
10. Running
11. Deep
12. Shout
13. Stillness
14. Moment
15. Arms
16. Tears
17. Walk
18. Hills
19. Reaching
20. Waters
21. Joy
22. Peace

The Difference is Jesus!

The difference between the hell I deserve and the grace I enjoy is Jesus Christ.
He is God.
He did die for sinners.
He did rise in victory.
He is alive ruling from his throne today.
He is still at work in the world.
He will be with us forever.
And, one day we will rise to be with him, for him, and like him forever as all that will remain is to enjoy his grace together forever.

Mark Driscoll

Not Clever, But Clear

Pastor Mark Driscoll on preaching Easter:

My encouragement to all Christian preachers is to not get too fancy on Easter.

It is the day we want to be incredibly clear about the death of Jesus for our sins and the resurrection of Jesus for our salvation.

We do not need to be clever. We need to be clear.

And we need to add to that clarity a fitting and authentic excitement for the victory of Jesus Christ over Satan, sin, death, hell, and the wrath of God while calling sinners to be saved.

We Need A Savior

Last week Isaiah sent me a wonderful palm branch he made out of construction paper at Cubbies. On it was a very sweet note that made me cry. It just doesn't get any easier living so far away from each other.

I hung it in my kitchen right above Taryn's Picasso cow art project. :-) Every time I see it I smile....and think of Isaiah.

This week we had a flu bug hit us hard. I am now behind on everything, but most of all in preparing my heart for Easter. Today Isaiah's palm leaf made me think of Palm Sunday so I started some reading on it. I thot this was an interesting perspective:

"The truth must essentially be regarded as in conflict with this world; the world has never been so good, and will never become so good that the majority will never desire the truth." Soren Kierkegaard

On Palm Sunday, the Truth rode into Jerusalem on a donkey’s back. Although the crowds cheered the Truth, beneath the surface a conflict raged. The majority did not want the Truth that day, nor have they wanted the Truth on any day since that day. ~ Dr. R Pritchard

A sad thot - but what blessed me was Jesus example. To ponder that Truth went humbly yet confidently into their world - right among them - risking everything, because Truth in love brought their only hope.

Truth is not always winsome. It confronts where it enters, not necessarily by what it does but by the nature of what it is. But Truth must go there.

It takes courage to bring Truth into the center of our world today. It is still not welcomed but often confronted and rejected. But Truth must go there.

Truth is desperately needed because we all desperately need a Savior.

Passion Week

I just found this post by Todd Bolen, one of Taya's college professors when she studied in Israel. I am excited to incorporate this into my week...and to tuck it away for future reference.

A few years ago I went through and tried to pick the “fullest” account of each event and I created a list (doc). You can read through each day’s events either in a regular Bible or in a gospel harmony.

On Preaching by Mark Driscoll

The following excerpt on preaching is from Vintage Church pages 90 and 104:

Jesus' ministry included feeding the hungry, healing the sick, loving the outcast, and befriending the sinner. But we must never forget that Jesus' ministry began with preaching.

Thus, preaching is the first priority of ministry that leads God's mission, which is accompanied by various other ministries that support, supplement, and sustain the preaching of God's Word in truth with passion....

There is an ongoing debate as to the purpose of the sermon and whether it should focus on converting the lost or maturing the saved.

The apparent conflict between preaching for seekers and preaching for believers is resolved simply by noting that both need to repent of sin and trust in Jesus to live a new life empowered by the Spirit.

Therefore, a sermon can and should effectively communicate to both audiences, and it will if the preacher is able to go after the root of sin and explain Christian jargon in order to speak the "tongue" of the hearer. This includes saying the name of Jesus and making him known.

Ouch!

Ok, this is an "ouch" you gotta see.

Surrendered and Sanctified

Yesterday I was catching up on some tweets on Twitter, and I noted one from Amy which said "Reflecting on how God has sanctified me, one year after my surgery" with a link to her blog.

My first thot was, I didn't know she had had surgery, and my second thot was a curiosity at how she perceived Gods work in her life during that experience. So I went to Amy's blog and was so blessed.

She is an amazing writer, reader, thinker, and follower of Jesus. I learned much about this last year of her life both - physically and spiritually - thru that one post. I loved her transparency, and could so relate to a year of lessons learned thru various life experiences and trials.

But it is in times of reflecting over sections of life that we view God's hand and work in our lives best. As time passes and I am pulled back a bit from situations I've journeyed through, I have better perspective and a clearer view of God's work in me.

Warren Wiersbe talks about turning trials into triumphs of Gods grace in our lives. He says there are four essentials for victory in trials: a joyful attitude, and understanding mind, a surrendered will, and a heart that wants to believe.

Looks good on paper but how hard it can be in the real moments of my life. Yet I know it is His work, and that God's purpose for me is perfect and can be trusted.

Amy closed her post by offering the opportunity readers to learn more about "this uniquely Christian concept of Godly suffering which leads to sanctification (personal growth, becoming more like Jesus)" by listening to a recent Sunday message from her Pastor on trials which she linked to.

I would like to post that link as well. It is a powerful message called “Submission to UnGodly Authority”.

May God walk closely by your side and mine as we are surrendered and sanctified to Him.

Name the Lie, Insert the Truth

The battleground for spiritual warfare is in one word: truth.

As an angel of light, Satan lies to God's people. The battle is going on right now in the mind of every person reading this.

We get victory by following Jesus' example in battling Satan. In Matthew 4, Satan tempted Christ with lies. Make these stones into bread... (v.3). Cast Yourself down from the temple... (v.6).

In response to each taunt, Jesus named the lie and inserted the truth. Jesus said, you say this, but God says this.

~ James MacDonald

Although Satan is powerful, he's a weakling when faced with Scripture. He's unimpressed with our incantations or the clever things we say, but he'll run from God's Word that lives and abides forever.

It's God's truth that sets you free.

Here's the goal: when Satan lies to you about spiritual issues that undermine your confidence and security in Christ Jesus, name the lie and insert God's truth.

Balance

Balance is essential.

My life has always been a tug of war between one thing and another. Sovereignty and free will, grace and truth, leading and submitting, acting and waiting, doing and being, compassion and conviction, the list could go on but I have never found a lot of blessing in the extremes.

When I have gotten out on one edge or the other I have always struggled. The only place I have experienced true power is in the balance.

While some seem content to focus on one or the other I find myself sometimes torn or even tortured by the need for balance.

Extreme is easy, balance is hard.

Jesus said, “these things you ought to have done without leaving the others undone” (Luke 11:42). I hope my family will know in me a measured man who knew no extremes other than “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:2).

- James MacDonald

“‘I Will Not Be a Velvet-Mouthed Preacher!’

John Piper’s latest biographical sermon is now available (audio, text). His subject was George Whitefield and his title was “‘I Will Not Be a Velvet-Mouthed Preacher!’ The Life and Ministry of George Whitefield: Living and Preaching as Though God Were Real (Because He Is).”

Revelation Song

It has been an incredible weekend, and it's taken me a bit of time to process our worship today. Describing it challenges me.

Our choir joined the worship team, and then shared Revelation Song. I've been anticipating this all week because this song has captured me. I have loved it from the first time I heard it.

This song proclaims powerfully the majesty of who God is, and then joins the heavenly chorus of Revelations - "And they do not rest day or night, saying: ' Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!'…"

As we prepared for our first service Saturday nite we were told of the death of seven year old champion whose name is Tyler. Our church has walked beside Tyler and his family thu the diagnosis of a brain tumor right up to Tyler's journey home to Jesus yesterday.

On this weekend our pastors were walking wounded. I watched them press hard on the One who is still good and still worthy of praise, and from that posture faithfully lead the church in the truth that even "death has no final word" because our God "hold the keys of life" and "is a God who saves".

Then following worship our choir sang Revelation Song - the song that heaven sings - and powerful worship happened at CTK.

On Saturday nite people rose to their feet singing and worshiping with the choir thru the final chorus and into a powerful verse of the traditional hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy".

Then on Sunday morning, in the first of our three services, people actually came out of their seats into the aisles and on their knees before the Lord in worship:

"Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come. With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings. You are my everything, and I will adore You"

Witnessing this from stage I was completely undone. God was so present, so worthy, so worshiped. As a choir we wept, and then we prayed together that people would see Jesus...in this place...on this day...for who He is - Worthy.

Worthy in life and worthy in death.

And I am still singing this song.

Pondering....

This is what I am pondering today:

The kingdom of God is real. At this very moment Jesus sits in the seat of cosmic authority. He is now the supreme ruler of the world. He stands over the governments of this world. He is King.

The Premier of the Soviet Union must answer to Him. The Dalai Lama of Tibet must answer to Him. The Prince of Morocco must answer to Him. The President of the United States must answer to Him.

But there is one big problem. His kingdom is invisible. Not everyone knows about it. All over the world people are living as if Jesus were not King.

Some people believe that there is no God. Others say that there are many gods. Some folks believe that man is supreme. Others believe that man is worthless.

Many people believe there is a God, but they live as if there were no God.

Some ask, "What difference does it make?"

Where Christ is invisible, people perish. Where His reign is unknown or ignored, people are exploited. They are demeaned. They are enslaved. They are butchered. They are aborted. They are raped. They are casualties of war. They are robbed. They are slandered. They are oppressed. They are cheated in marriage. They are cheated in their wages. They are left to go hungry, naked, and unsheltered. They are consigned to loneliness. They are ridiculed. They are frightened..

That, and a whole lot more, is what difference it makes.

~ R.C. Sproul

Keep On!

By James MacDonald

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . Hebrews 12:1

My son Luke and I were on the computer a while back when I asked for his password. He answered, "It's 'Keep on.'" I told him that was a great password and he said, "Oh Dad, that's my password for everything."

Keep on. Keep on. Keep on.

For sure he'll change his password now, but I hope he'll never change his perspective. These two words are critical to success in life and in the Christian life. The biblical word is endurance or perseverance--the ability to keep on doing the things you have committed yourself to doing when you feel like it and when you don't. Nothing is more essential to success in the Christian life than perseverance. Faith gets you started; perseverance keeps you going.

This matter of perseverance is so critical to the Christian life that James 1 tells us that above all other human traits, perseverance is the characteristic that God is trying to build into your life and mine. The ability to keep on going. Keep making and keeping the commitments of life.

It's easy to start the race. All kinds of people get up in the morning and put their jogging suit on and begin to run. But when the miles click past and the muscles start to fatigue and life isn't easy anymore, what do they do?

What do you do?

It's easy to put on a white dress or a tuxedo and get to the front of the church; everybody knows that. But to have a happening marriage--not for five--but for 15 or 40 years, that takes perseverance!

It's easy to conceive a child and, by comparison, it's easy to birth a child, but to keep on training and raising those kids day in and day out, following through on what you have said and taught--that takes commitment!

Might I say in addition to that, it's easy to pray a prayer and walk an aisle; it's easy to confess faith in Christ. But to keep on following Christ--even when the pressure is on--that takes staying power. "My brothers, consider it pure joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the trying of your faith produces perseverance."

Staying power! Did you know that if God could get that one thing into your life, He could give you everything else? James 1 goes on to say, "But let perseverance have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (v.4).

This week we stand on the hinge between two years--2008 and 2009. How will these two years mark your life? Look back on 2008 for a moment. If your year was like mine, you can see some pretty significant peaks and valleys. Praise God for them. Praise God that at this year's end, you can stand before Him in faith and humility and say, "No matter what is behind me, I finish this year strong in Christ." Like Paul in Philippians 3:13-14 "but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" I press on--that's perseverance.

Now look ahead to 2009. You don't know what the year will bring, but you can be sure of this, God is faithful. His mercies will be new every morning of every day of the new year. There's power in the day when you start it with faith in God and a commitment to perseverance.

Keep on--it's a great password for 2009.