Here are the current books I have gotten recently and are in my reading que, in no particular order:
Unfashionable: Making A Difference in the World By Being Different
(currently reading) - Tullian Tchividjian
What He Must Be ...if he wants to marry my daughter - Voddie Baucham JR.
The Pursuit of God - A.W. Tozer
Letters & Papers From Prison - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
In My Place Condemned He Stood - J.I. Packer and Mark Dever
The Cost of Discipleship - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
John Calvin: A Heart For Devotion Doctrine & Doxology - edited by Burk Parsons
Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea For Preaching - Contributors
Reading Scripture With The Church Fathers - Christopher A. Hall
Recently Read:
Save Me From Myself - Brian "Head" Welch
Knowing God - R.C. Sproul
Spiritual Leadership - J. Oswald Sanders
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Hope Lives
Tired, Weary, Jaded
Elements of The Fall
Feeling so complicated
The Cold of apathy's strike
In these moments my mind is severed
From your cascading kindness on the Cross
The blood-soaked Joy You purchased
The purposeful passion you awakened in a dead man
Is just as true in these moments of confusion
Where deceit and lies have stormed the fortress of faith
In and out of season
You remain
The immutable, ever-present reigns
Conquering the callouses of depression
His steadfastness swallows the weight of worry
He is the fullness of Love that shatters loneliness
The shadows do not overcome the sun
Nor do flames produce ice
Life does not die
Life produces hope
Hope Lives
Because of this Precious One - Jesus
True Life, life in the Spirit, does not die
But in all things brings hope
Hope Lives
Elements of The Fall
Feeling so complicated
The Cold of apathy's strike
In these moments my mind is severed
From your cascading kindness on the Cross
The blood-soaked Joy You purchased
The purposeful passion you awakened in a dead man
Is just as true in these moments of confusion
Where deceit and lies have stormed the fortress of faith
In and out of season
You remain
The immutable, ever-present reigns
Conquering the callouses of depression
His steadfastness swallows the weight of worry
He is the fullness of Love that shatters loneliness
The shadows do not overcome the sun
Nor do flames produce ice
Life does not die
Life produces hope
Hope Lives
Because of this Precious One - Jesus
True Life, life in the Spirit, does not die
But in all things brings hope
Hope Lives
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thankfulness
Our God brings beauty in all things.
I don't meditate on this truth enough and tend to get caught up in the moment whether it be sinus surgery pain or headaches or (insert whinny discomfort here).
As our pastor says frequently, "In Christ we got it going on!"
Its sad when one person cuts us off or one electronic device doesn't work properly that our demeanor turns sour and we are anything but thankful.
God help me, keep me from this attitude and missing the mark.
God help me to see the beauty in the seasons of change coming.
God help me to see the providence and purpose in these frustrating setbacks in my day.
The future for us is truly bright as children of God and in the here and now we have the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance.
In the here and now we get the opportunity to enjoy the things of this world that God has given us (not sin or sinful activity).
For example: I love summer. Summer is my favorite season. The sun and the heat, the poolside laughter, road trips, water skiing, youth camps, sunshades and throwing a Frisbee.
Oh so much to be thankful for, right here, right now.
My health, my friends, my brain, my gifts and my opportunities to live, breath - love and preach Jesus.
Thank You God
Grow in me this heart of thankfulness.
H
O
P
E
I don't meditate on this truth enough and tend to get caught up in the moment whether it be sinus surgery pain or headaches or (insert whinny discomfort here).
As our pastor says frequently, "In Christ we got it going on!"
Its sad when one person cuts us off or one electronic device doesn't work properly that our demeanor turns sour and we are anything but thankful.
God help me, keep me from this attitude and missing the mark.
God help me to see the beauty in the seasons of change coming.
God help me to see the providence and purpose in these frustrating setbacks in my day.
The future for us is truly bright as children of God and in the here and now we have the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance.
In the here and now we get the opportunity to enjoy the things of this world that God has given us (not sin or sinful activity).
For example: I love summer. Summer is my favorite season. The sun and the heat, the poolside laughter, road trips, water skiing, youth camps, sunshades and throwing a Frisbee.
Oh so much to be thankful for, right here, right now.
My health, my friends, my brain, my gifts and my opportunities to live, breath - love and preach Jesus.
Thank You God
Grow in me this heart of thankfulness.
H
O
P
E
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sinus Surgery
I had surgery yesterday...They straightened my septum that was only moderately deviated and then they shrunk my turbinents in my nose that have kept me from breathing almost at all through my nose.
Recovery is going well... Just a little pain, but a WHOLE LOT of bleeding.
I am taking it easy through the weekend and the first part of next week. I'm seeing the faithfulness of the Lord working through doctors and modern medicine.
The lord is healing my body and if he allows I will be able to breath better and possibly my migraines be reduced after the healing process is complete.
Recovery is going well... Just a little pain, but a WHOLE LOT of bleeding.
I am taking it easy through the weekend and the first part of next week. I'm seeing the faithfulness of the Lord working through doctors and modern medicine.
The lord is healing my body and if he allows I will be able to breath better and possibly my migraines be reduced after the healing process is complete.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Moving at the Speed of Life
I find more beauty each day.
Amidst the relentless depravity and brokenness around me, God gives me the grace to live with an unbroken Spirit.
Keep me from sin Lord, Forgive me when I fail, I know I am the problem. I am broken and depraved. Thank you for your sanctifying work. Thank you for love.
Living with an unbroken Spirit has been my theme here lately.
Its not just some philosophical pondering, its resting yet operating in what and who I know to be faithful and true. I trust you Jesus.
The days come whizzing at me like bullets lately, we are moving at the speed of life.
The depravity and pain, brokenness and shame, will never overtake the God who conquered sin and death.
As these days fly by help me to use each moment and opportunity wisely Lord. Help me to be the passionate man that loves as you love.
May I not get caught up in the whirlwind of life, to miss the beauty the grace extended to me to love those around me and to embrace the joys and gifts of life that make much of the Giver!
Praise you Jesus, Be magnified be glorified!
Amidst the relentless depravity and brokenness around me, God gives me the grace to live with an unbroken Spirit.
Keep me from sin Lord, Forgive me when I fail, I know I am the problem. I am broken and depraved. Thank you for your sanctifying work. Thank you for love.
Living with an unbroken Spirit has been my theme here lately.
Its not just some philosophical pondering, its resting yet operating in what and who I know to be faithful and true. I trust you Jesus.
The days come whizzing at me like bullets lately, we are moving at the speed of life.
The depravity and pain, brokenness and shame, will never overtake the God who conquered sin and death.
As these days fly by help me to use each moment and opportunity wisely Lord. Help me to be the passionate man that loves as you love.
May I not get caught up in the whirlwind of life, to miss the beauty the grace extended to me to love those around me and to embrace the joys and gifts of life that make much of the Giver!
Praise you Jesus, Be magnified be glorified!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Why?
You were given a piece of peace
Then I watched you slay a thousand dreams
In your wake you hold hope ransom
why?
The depravity that sits at your feet
You would rather pet than kick or beat
All I want is to understand
why?
It doesn't work well if it works at all
I sit watching the sand rise and fall
As you confess freedom is a religious pipe dream
why?
The one who gave you the mind to doubt
Is the only one who can lead you out
Yet you sit in the forest of confusion hanging from limbs of delusion
why?
If its for freedom that he set us free
Why are you so bound in your understanding
Why do you find love so confounding
Why is the man on the tree not astounding
Why does hostility trump humility
Why would you rather be caught up in "Me" than lost and found in he..truly free, yes free indeed.
Then I watched you slay a thousand dreams
In your wake you hold hope ransom
why?
The depravity that sits at your feet
You would rather pet than kick or beat
All I want is to understand
why?
It doesn't work well if it works at all
I sit watching the sand rise and fall
As you confess freedom is a religious pipe dream
why?
The one who gave you the mind to doubt
Is the only one who can lead you out
Yet you sit in the forest of confusion hanging from limbs of delusion
why?
If its for freedom that he set us free
Why are you so bound in your understanding
Why do you find love so confounding
Why is the man on the tree not astounding
Why does hostility trump humility
Why would you rather be caught up in "Me" than lost and found in he..truly free, yes free indeed.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Drink and Be Filled
I long for satisfaction
in the wastelands of materialism
the emptiness that comes with feasting on carnal trash
chases me through moments of hopelessness
Reeling for lasting anything
You find me...
In the midst of my nothingness
Offering all, at no cost
Aware that I have nothing
At which to recompense
Nothing but nails
To crucify you
Justifying my condemnation, yet yielding grace
The merciful reward, despite myself
The blood i drew you purchased my hope.
I'm undone in my cruelty
Overtaken by my depravity
But now lost in your kindness
I'm now known and alive
You traversed the gulf between us
So I may drink and be filled
Satisfied beyond understanding
Lost, yet found in you
My sin you atoned
My life you bought
in the wastelands of materialism
the emptiness that comes with feasting on carnal trash
chases me through moments of hopelessness
Reeling for lasting anything
You find me...
In the midst of my nothingness
Offering all, at no cost
Aware that I have nothing
At which to recompense
Nothing but nails
To crucify you
Justifying my condemnation, yet yielding grace
The merciful reward, despite myself
The blood i drew you purchased my hope.
I'm undone in my cruelty
Overtaken by my depravity
But now lost in your kindness
I'm now known and alive
You traversed the gulf between us
So I may drink and be filled
Satisfied beyond understanding
Lost, yet found in you
My sin you atoned
My life you bought
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