Blog Feed: Rambling about my faith

I started a new book today called "The Warfare of the Spirit" by A.W.Tozer which has a quote in it that I would like to share with you. It says, "Our Lord did not think about money the way His professed followers do today; and more particularly He did not give it the place our religious leaders give it. To them it is necessary; to Him it was not. He had nowhere to lay His head, and we have made poetry out of His poverty while being extremely careful not to share it." (Tozer, p.6). I [..] > read more

Treasures in Heaven

Published on 2012-03-07 09:03:00

Jesus said in Matthew 6:20-21 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where thieves do not break in or steal, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." So when I read this verse, a couple of thoughts go through my mind. The first is the most important "Do I do this?" The verse is interesting in that the person who Jesus is speaking to is not passive. The NASV uses the words "lay up for yourselves". I have a tendency to look at the original greek or hebrew to unde [..] > read more

The Veil

Published on 2012-03-02 18:23:00

The veil that is mentioned in the Old Testament was a veil that God commanded Moses to created between the holy place and the Holy of Holies where a priest entered only one time a year and that with a sacrifice. This is mentioned in the Old Testament and also in Hebrews 9:2-10. The priest would offer up a sacrifice for himself and for the people before entering the Holy of Holies. This place in the center of the temple represented where God dwelt.It is interesting that when Jesus died on the [..] > read more

Abba's Child

Published on 2012-02-23 21:47:00

The latest book I am reading is called "Abba's Child" by Brennan Manning. Some of you who read my posts know I mentioned another book by this author a while back. I had not heard of him until recently running across another one of his book at the library. The title of this book was taken from Romans 8:15, where Paul tells us that we can cry out to God "Abba! Father!" Here's the whole verse "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received [..] > read more

Spiritual Appraised

Published on 2012-01-27 21:01:00

When I was in college, I was reading a book called "Billy Budd". I hated that book. More than just hate it though, I didn't understand it. It was confusing and I might as well of been reading French or some other language foreign to me. I complained to a friend's mother about it and she took pity on me and bought me a copy of the cliff notes for the book. Largely because of those cliff notes, I was able to make enough sense of it to pass. And that is largely how I would approach mo [..] > read more

Inside Out

Published on 2012-01-22 12:23:00

I don't know if you've had the pleasure of reading any of the work of Dr.Larry Crabb. I had to read about his counseling model for a class last fall and now I am reading one of his other books on my own called "Inside Out". It is about how God desires to change us from the inside out. To be honest, Dr.Crabb is a deep thinker and I'm not sure I understand all that he is saying, but one of the things that he talks about is that as people we tend to seek out things that will fill our needs w [..] > read more

Sanctified

Published on 2012-01-15 12:36:00

So, I was reading through 1 Peter 1 and I noticed a word in verse 2. The word is "sanctifying". The word "sanctification" is an interesting word. In Baker's Evangelical Dictionary it says that this word means "the state of proper functioning" in other words to sanctify something is to set it apart for its intended use, the purpose for which it was made by its creator. I thought that was an interesting idea, that God sanctifies us in Christ, so that we can fulfill our intended purpose. [..] > read more

How does God speak today?

Published on 2012-01-09 18:43:00

Recently, I was visiting a forum where a person asked if it was okay to ask for a sign from God or a prophetic word. I can relate to this question because there have been times when I have really desired a word from God. Maybe something written across the sky or something that would help me to know God's will. I say this, knowing that often God's voice is much more subtle than that. It often takes us time and it takes prayer. How does God speak to us today? In Hebrews 1:1-2 it says, " [..] > read more

God's Ways are Higher

Published on 2012-01-07 11:19:00

In Isaiah 55:8-9 it says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts." One of the most important books besides the Bible to me is a book written by J.I. Packer called "Knowing God". It is a profound book about the nature of God. You might think that it is not that important to consider the nature of God, but I believe for [..] > read more

The Ragamuffin Gospel

Published on 2011-12-30 21:06:00

In a book by Brennan Manning called "The Ragamuffin Gospel", Brennan makes this statement "The American church today accepts grace in theory but denies it in practice. We say we believe that the fundamental structure of reality is grace, not works-but ou lives refute our faith. By and large, the gospel of grace is neither proclaimed, understood, nor lived." (Brennan, 1990, p.18). Brennan goes on to say that Jesus spent most of his time on this earth with the ragamuffins. Ragamuffins are the [..] > read more

Favorite Verses

Published on 2011-12-19 21:37:00

It doesn't' seem like it was that long ago, but 10 months ago I shared a few favorite verses of mine. I want to share a few more that have been meaningful to me. I hope if you haven't read them in a while they will bless you."But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33This verse comes in part of what is called the "Sermon on the Mount" and is a part of the section regarding worry and anxiety. Jesus was telling his disciples w [..] > read more

Published on 2011-12-10 19:27:00

What makes a church a good church home? What are your expectations when you walk in the door on Sunday morning? How is a church suppose to help you grow in your walk with God? These are some of the questions I have been asking myself as I think about attending church on Sunday. I have been in a lot of churches these last few years in my attempts to deal with my issues with the church. I've visited several different denominations and even walked out of some church services. Yes, you heard [..] > read more

deception

Published on 2011-12-09 20:16:00

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." psalm 32:7 I was reminded as I read my final book for one of my classes this semester that many people need to be freed today from various things which hold them in bondage. For some people this comes in the form of faulty thinking and for others it comes in toxic relationships or sinful actions. The good news is that God wishes to deliver us from the things which overwhelm [..] > read more

bondage breaker

Published on 2011-11-30 20:30:00

For one of the classes I am taking this fall, I have to read 8 books in 8 weeks. We are now into the sixth week of the class. I have enjoyed most of the books quite a bit as it helps to show different counseling methods and models. This week I initially resisted the ideas presented in the book by Dr.Neil Anderson called "The Bondage Breaker". I don't know that he really presents a counseling model, but he does remind us that there is a spiritual battle going in in the believers life an [..] > read more

Hidden Things

Published on 2011-06-20 21:09:00

I was reading in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 where it says, "but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom that none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had > read more

A Time for Everything

Published on 2011-06-15 10:41:00

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the prophet wrote these words, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven- A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot > read more

The Good Shepherd

Published on 2011-06-01 20:42:00

When I first started work as a chaplain, the ministry that I worked for was a non-denominational ministry started by a guy named David Peterson called "The Shepherd's Staff". I remember it very well because it ha > read more

With Your Cross

Published on 2011-05-27 17:52:00

As I was driving down the interstate today, I saw a commercial bus that has the motto "Travel with the Cross". I thought about what this motto means and what it means as a believer to "travel with the cross" > read more

Rapture today?

Published on 2011-05-21 14:23:00

Jesus said; "For this reason you be ready too for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:44 For about two months now a group led by Harold Camping has been claiming that today is the today of the ra > read more

God is Shy

Published on 2011-05-18 12:57:00

"God gives us just enough to seek him, and never enough to fully find him. To do more would inhibit our freedom, and our freedom is very dear to God." Ron Hansen. At first this comment in Philip Yancey's book "Reaching f > read more

A Note from the Mental Ward

Published on 2011-05-10 20:35:00

I had to go see a client today at Central Regional Hospital in Butner, NC. I asked the man who was escorting me back to see how many patients were in the hospital. He commented that there was about 500 last he heard. He > read more

Be Renewed

Published on 2011-05-05 11:45:00

"Be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." Eph 4:23-24 When I think about this passage, a number of thoughts come to min > read more

Jesus and the Fig Tree

Published on 2011-04-30 07:55:00

Recently, I posted a message on a forum to discuss the passage in Matthew 21 where Jesus curses a fig tree. It always seemed odd to me that he would do that. When the disciples see the tree later they see th > read more

Flowers on the Cross

Published on 2011-04-26 20:42:00

I hope everyone who is reading this had a good Easter. I just wanted to share some thoughts about our Easter service this past Sunday. We went to a church that is non-denominational that we have been to several times in > read more

Crown of Thorns

Published on 2011-04-21 20:52:00

"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soliders wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe." John 19:1-2 Have you ever thought about why the soliders treated Jes > read more

Prayer

Published on 2011-04-11 18:39:00

If you really examined my prayer life lately, you would have to say that it is "spotty" at best. At times, I have had long periods of time where I don't pray that much and other times where that seems that is all I do.& > read more

Tired today. . . .

Published on 2011-04-06 19:28:00

I am not sure what is the matter with me lately. I had two issues at work with clients that needed to be resolved as soon as possible. They really have been wearing on my mind. I prayed about it on the way to work today > read more

The Burning Bush

Published on 2011-03-29 13:47:00

In Exodus 3:2-3 it says, "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush, and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said, "I must see tu > read more

End Times?

Published on 2011-03-25 16:29:00

Most of us have been shocked at the destruction of the earthquake and tsunami that swept through Japan recently. The pictures coming in remind me of some of the stories of destruction in the Bible or some of the picture > read more

Moses face Shines

Published on 2011-03-19 16:39:00

When Moses was originally enlisted by God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, he was reluctant saying that he was "slow of speech". God allowed Moses to enlist his relative Aaron to speak f > read more

More Favorite Verses

Published on 2011-03-17 11:01:00

Just wanted to share a few more of my favorite verses and some that are meaningful to me especially."My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I > read more

Favorite Verses

Published on 2011-03-12 09:20:00

I thought I would do something a little different today and share with you some of my favorite verses and tell you a little about why they are important to me."Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear f > read more

Pastor attacked and assistant injuried

Published on 2011-03-04 21:21:00

I usually don't post thoughts like this, but I was thinking that this could just as easily of been me in the church on a Thursday afternoon. On different days it has been when I was a pastor.&nbs > read more

Household Idol

Published on 2011-03-02 14:58:00

"Michal took the household idol and laid ot on the bed, and put a quilt of goats' hair at its head and covered it with clothes." 1 Samuel 19:13 This quote is taken from the period of time when David is beginning to disti > read more

You are Not Able

Published on 2011-02-26 08:13:00

I recently decided to try and write a book. The working title of it is "Before He Was King". It has to do with the period when David was anointed, yet not king. I am just beginning work on this and will keep you posted > read more

David's Wanderings

Published on 2011-02-23 19:17:00

"And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered to him; and he became captain over them. . . ." 1 Samuel 22:2 In the verse above, David is in his time of wandering i > read more

The Professional Worrier

Published on 2011-02-18 22:14:00

I have a confession to make; I think I have mastered the art of worry. I seem to have no problems at all worrying about all sorts of things. It comes as naturally to me as breathing and eating. Yet, for all of my mastery of this skill, it doesn’t s > read more

Reminders

Published on 2011-02-15 21:16:00

"This is My body which is given for you; do this in rememberance of Me." Luke 22:19b Have you ever noticed how many times God uses different events, rituals or traditions to remind us of what he has done or who he is? He > read more

Lessons Learned

Published on 2011-02-10 12:05:00

I have been reflecting lately on what God has been telling me and try to get back into going to church lately. We found a non-denominational church near our home that has a contemporary service. I have taken the kids so far t > read more

Uprising in Egypt

Published on 2011-02-05 22:05:00

Jesus said, "Therefore, be on the alert; for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.. . .For this reason you be ready too for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:42,44 Like a l > read more

Moving to a new site

Published on 2010-12-07 20:49:00

I have joined the christianblog.com site, so that my blog will have more traffic and exposure to other christians. I will try and post a link on my facebook account if anyone is interested in following that. There is a f > read more

2 Peter 2:1-9

Published on 2010-12-04 10:00:00

In 2 Peter 2, Peter gets to the heart of what he wants to talk and warn about: false prophets. Jesus warned that there would be those who would sneak into the church and claim to be true believers and teachers but who w > read more

Published on 2010-12-02 13:16:00

If you've never read one of Warren Wiersbe's commentaries on the Bible, I would highly recommend them to you if you are a serious bible student. Currently, I am reading through the one for 2 Peter called "Be Alert" (picture t > read more

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