Here are a few posts and articles worth reading:
Trey Morgan provides great advice for husbands at http://www.treymorgan.net/2008/07/real-men-dote.html.
Mike relates a heart-breaking story of a family neglected in their time of need by their local church at http://theupperroom.typepad.com/the_upper_room/2008/07/alone-in-church.html.
Phil Sanders offers some insightful analysis of data from the Pew Forum's latest religious survey of Americans at http://philanswers.blogspot.com/2008/07/conviction-crisis.html.
Allen Hickerson mentions the small rural church that he serves. Its Vacation Bible School was a success. I appreciate the effort of a small congregation in a small town exerting the energy to help the children in their area to know Christ. His post is at http://allens-brain.blogspot.com/2008/07/cornland-ccs-vbs-1st-night-success.html.
Rubel Shelly reminds us that God gets mad and that it's okay for us to get mad too at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200807/20080711_godgetsmad.html.
Sarah Logsdon writes about the women of the Contact Church who are mentoring the girls and young women in our congregation. Please don't miss this one at http://urbanlogfamily.blogspot.com/2008/07/scared-enough-to-change.html.
Thanks for reading!
Showing posts with label Heartlight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heartlight. Show all posts
Friday, July 11, 2008
Saturday, April 05, 2008
A Few Good Articles to Read
I read a few good articles today.
At http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200804/20080404_changeme.html, an author encourages Christians to continue speaking what needs to be said and doing what needs to be done, despite apparent lack of progress. Sometimes I need such articles to bolster my spirit.
At http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2008/2703_Behold_It_Was_Very_Good_But_Now/,
Noel Piper writes about the trip she and her daughter Talitha made to Africa. She reminds us of the importance of caring for the creation that God had blessed us with, and how we can honor God and receive benefits from caring for it.
At http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1157_overcome_contradictory_compassion/, John Piper encourages Christians to follow Christ rather than popular political ideology. Both political liberals and political conservatives have blind spots, but Jesus Christ helps us to care about people that political ideologies tend to ignore.
At http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200804/20080404_changeme.html, an author encourages Christians to continue speaking what needs to be said and doing what needs to be done, despite apparent lack of progress. Sometimes I need such articles to bolster my spirit.
At http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2008/2703_Behold_It_Was_Very_Good_But_Now/,
Noel Piper writes about the trip she and her daughter Talitha made to Africa. She reminds us of the importance of caring for the creation that God had blessed us with, and how we can honor God and receive benefits from caring for it.
At http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1157_overcome_contradictory_compassion/, John Piper encourages Christians to follow Christ rather than popular political ideology. Both political liberals and political conservatives have blind spots, but Jesus Christ helps us to care about people that political ideologies tend to ignore.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Devotional Links
Two good devotionals caught my attention today.
At http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200803/20080330_keeponspeaking.html, you will find encouragement to speak up when you know you should.
At http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2008/03/30/devotion.aspx, you will be reminded of the need for humility in serving the Lord.
At http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200803/20080330_keeponspeaking.html, you will find encouragement to speak up when you know you should.
At http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2008/03/30/devotion.aspx, you will be reminded of the need for humility in serving the Lord.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
New Year's Resolutions 2008
With God's help, I intend to follow through with these resolutions for 2008:
1. I plan to read through the Bible. I will be using the daily reading plan from RBC Ministries (which can be found at the bottom of the Our Daily Bread devotional article each day at http://www.rbc.org) and the New International Version as my text.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV).
2. I plan to spend several minutes each day praying for my family, friends, co-workers, the church, various ministries, and leaders of the government. Praying for others helps prevent me from being self-absorbed, helps me to care more about others, helps the people I'm praying for as God answers my prayers for them, and brings glory to God who is able to do what I can merely ask to be done.
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone---for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4, NIV).
3. Janet and I plan to sponsor a child living in poverty somewhere in the world through the Christian Relief Fund (http://www.christianrelieffund.org/). While far from rich by American standards, we recognize that we are rich by global standards. We feel compelled to help a child in need.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NIV).
Please read Rubel Shelly's "New Year's Prayer" at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200801/20080101_newyearsprayer.html for a great article to start your new year. Happy New Year!
1. I plan to read through the Bible. I will be using the daily reading plan from RBC Ministries (which can be found at the bottom of the Our Daily Bread devotional article each day at http://www.rbc.org) and the New International Version as my text.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV).
2. I plan to spend several minutes each day praying for my family, friends, co-workers, the church, various ministries, and leaders of the government. Praying for others helps prevent me from being self-absorbed, helps me to care more about others, helps the people I'm praying for as God answers my prayers for them, and brings glory to God who is able to do what I can merely ask to be done.
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone---for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:1-4, NIV).
3. Janet and I plan to sponsor a child living in poverty somewhere in the world through the Christian Relief Fund (http://www.christianrelieffund.org/). While far from rich by American standards, we recognize that we are rich by global standards. We feel compelled to help a child in need.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19, NIV).
Please read Rubel Shelly's "New Year's Prayer" at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200801/20080101_newyearsprayer.html for a great article to start your new year. Happy New Year!
Monday, October 01, 2007
Jesus is Everything
Phil Ware has a powerful article today at Heartlight. It may be read at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200710/20071001_everything.html.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Trouble Sleeping?
Phil Ware has a very good article with several Scriptural citations about the blessing of sleep on Heartlight's web site. It may be viewed at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200706/20070625_sleep.html. If you have trouble staying asleep as I sometimes do, I think that reading the Scriptures that he cites (and meditating on them) may be helpful.
Monday, June 11, 2007
A Good Father
This is becoming a habit, but another good article appeared on Heartlight's website today. "Thanks Dad!" by Phil Ware may be found at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200706/20070611_thanksdad.html.
Here are two paragraphs:
Two powerful memories...really stand out in my mind above all the rest.
The first memory is of my dad, extremely ill and weak, going out to stop a guy down the street from beating his kid out front of their house. Other men--physically well and strong men--stayed inside their homes not wanting to risk involvement. Not my dad. No one should get away with beating his kid, especially not in public. On dad's watch, no one did. At that point of my dad's illness, the drunken father could have killed him, but that was a risk my father took. The well being of the child was more important to my dad than his own physical safety. So, dad intervened, protecting the kid until the police arrived on the scene with the abusive man spewing threats and profanities.
Second memory occurred when I was in middle school. The dad of a friend got up front at church. He was holding my friend's adopted baby sister. He told everyone that the home for "unwed mothers" that helped them adopt this little girl was very short on money and needed help. Otherwise, they might not make it. My dad wrote a check for more money than we had in the bank. Somehow we made it financially--actually, my folks received an unexpected check in the mail the next day. It was just enough to cover the gift.
At the end of the article, Mr. Ware makes an appeal to raise money for a couple of his favorite charities that benefit children. I would like to do the same. If anyone would like to help pre-born children find Christian families, please consider supporting the adoption agency that helped Janet and me in adopting our son, Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/). Also, please consider supporting the Contact Church of Christ, an urban ministry which reaches many at-risk kids in Tulsa (http://www.contactchurch.net/).
As a disclaimer, I am not on staff with the adoption agency or the church, so none of the money goes to me. However, I have seen both groups at work, and I truly appreciate them.
Here are two paragraphs:
Two powerful memories...really stand out in my mind above all the rest.
The first memory is of my dad, extremely ill and weak, going out to stop a guy down the street from beating his kid out front of their house. Other men--physically well and strong men--stayed inside their homes not wanting to risk involvement. Not my dad. No one should get away with beating his kid, especially not in public. On dad's watch, no one did. At that point of my dad's illness, the drunken father could have killed him, but that was a risk my father took. The well being of the child was more important to my dad than his own physical safety. So, dad intervened, protecting the kid until the police arrived on the scene with the abusive man spewing threats and profanities.
Second memory occurred when I was in middle school. The dad of a friend got up front at church. He was holding my friend's adopted baby sister. He told everyone that the home for "unwed mothers" that helped them adopt this little girl was very short on money and needed help. Otherwise, they might not make it. My dad wrote a check for more money than we had in the bank. Somehow we made it financially--actually, my folks received an unexpected check in the mail the next day. It was just enough to cover the gift.
At the end of the article, Mr. Ware makes an appeal to raise money for a couple of his favorite charities that benefit children. I would like to do the same. If anyone would like to help pre-born children find Christian families, please consider supporting the adoption agency that helped Janet and me in adopting our son, Christian Services of Oklahoma (http://www.christian-adoption.org/). Also, please consider supporting the Contact Church of Christ, an urban ministry which reaches many at-risk kids in Tulsa (http://www.contactchurch.net/).
As a disclaimer, I am not on staff with the adoption agency or the church, so none of the money goes to me. However, I have seen both groups at work, and I truly appreciate them.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Snobbery
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10, NIV).
On the Heartlight website today, I read a powerful article by Kimberli J. Brackett titled "I Was a Snob and It Breaks My Heart." In the piece, she wrote, "I know I must have broken God's heart every time I told someone I was a Christian when my actions represented everything but Jesus Christ." All I can say is, "Amen, sister, I can certainly identify with those thoughts. I hate it when I misrepresent Jesus, too." The entire article may be read at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200706/20070610_snob.html.
On the Heartlight website today, I read a powerful article by Kimberli J. Brackett titled "I Was a Snob and It Breaks My Heart." In the piece, she wrote, "I know I must have broken God's heart every time I told someone I was a Christian when my actions represented everything but Jesus Christ." All I can say is, "Amen, sister, I can certainly identify with those thoughts. I hate it when I misrepresent Jesus, too." The entire article may be read at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200706/20070610_snob.html.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Real and Personal Love
"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:3, NIV).
In an article on the Heartlight website, Rubel Shelly wrote,
"Jack (a homeless man) was open to questions. So Josh (a follower of Christ who wanted to help Jack) dared to ask him what good-intentioned people with charitable hearts could do that would make a difference for the poor and homeless. 'Make us feel real,' he said. 'We want to feel like we are real people. See us. Talk to us. Be with us. Help us feel. It isn't just about feeding us or giving us clothes. It's about seeing us.'
"Now there's a lesson that do-gooders like me need to learn! We know what Jesus taught about visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. And we know that faith without works is dead. So we send get-well cards or visit hospitals. We donate money and build soup kitchens. We drop off used clothing. All those are good things.
"But what about personal awareness? What about communicating a person's worth? What about making her feel valued rather than pitied? And how do I let someone know he is a human being to me, not a project?"
The entire article may be found at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/20070315_seeingus.html.
Mr. Shelly asked the right questions. Following Jesus means learning how to love people, not just good causes.
In an article on the Heartlight website, Rubel Shelly wrote,
"Jack (a homeless man) was open to questions. So Josh (a follower of Christ who wanted to help Jack) dared to ask him what good-intentioned people with charitable hearts could do that would make a difference for the poor and homeless. 'Make us feel real,' he said. 'We want to feel like we are real people. See us. Talk to us. Be with us. Help us feel. It isn't just about feeding us or giving us clothes. It's about seeing us.'
"Now there's a lesson that do-gooders like me need to learn! We know what Jesus taught about visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked. And we know that faith without works is dead. So we send get-well cards or visit hospitals. We donate money and build soup kitchens. We drop off used clothing. All those are good things.
"But what about personal awareness? What about communicating a person's worth? What about making her feel valued rather than pitied? And how do I let someone know he is a human being to me, not a project?"
The entire article may be found at http://www.heartlight.org/articles/20070315_seeingus.html.
Mr. Shelly asked the right questions. Following Jesus means learning how to love people, not just good causes.
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