"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, English Standard Version).
I listened to a powerful presentation by Rachel Barkey today at http://deathisnotdying.com/death-is-not-dying-event-audio. (The video is also available on a link at the site.) Mrs. Barkey is a 37-year old woman who is dying of liver and bone cancer. She gave the speech recently at a women's conference at her local church in British Columbia, Canada. In her message, she talked about what she has learned about God, herself, the gospel of Christ, and the purpose of her life as she has dealt with cancer over the last 5 years. Her message is worth hearing. Please take the time to listen.
Showing posts with label Purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Purpose. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, March 17, 2008
Christ, Our Life
"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:4, NIV).
I cannot think of a passage in the Bible that defines the Christian life with so few words. Christ is our life. He defines it. He gives it purpose and meaning. He gives it passion. He gives it hope. What a powerful verse!
I cannot think of a passage in the Bible that defines the Christian life with so few words. Christ is our life. He defines it. He gives it purpose and meaning. He gives it passion. He gives it hope. What a powerful verse!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The Purpose Driven Life Part 2
Here are some more good quotes from The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren:
"We obey God, not out of duty or fear or compulsion, but because we love him and trust that he knows what is best for us" (p. 95).
"We are often challenged to do 'great things' for God. Actually, God is more pleased when we do small things for him out of loving obedience. They may be unnoticed by others, but God notices them and considers them acts of worship.
Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime, but small opportunities surround us every day. Even through such simple acts as telling the truth, being kind, and encouraging others, we bring a smile to God's face" (p.96).
"A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation. The local church is the classroom for learning how to get along in God's family. It is a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love" (p.133).
"It may seem easier to be holy when no one else is around to frustrate your preferences, but that is a false, untested holiness. Isolation breeds deceitfulness; it is easy to fool ourselves into thinking we are mature if there is no one to challenge us. Real maturity shows up in relationships" (p.134).
"If you're not involved in any service or ministry, what excuse have you been using? Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you, too, if you stop making excuses" (p.233).
"We obey God, not out of duty or fear or compulsion, but because we love him and trust that he knows what is best for us" (p. 95).
"We are often challenged to do 'great things' for God. Actually, God is more pleased when we do small things for him out of loving obedience. They may be unnoticed by others, but God notices them and considers them acts of worship.
Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime, but small opportunities surround us every day. Even through such simple acts as telling the truth, being kind, and encouraging others, we bring a smile to God's face" (p.96).
"A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation. The local church is the classroom for learning how to get along in God's family. It is a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love" (p.133).
"It may seem easier to be holy when no one else is around to frustrate your preferences, but that is a false, untested holiness. Isolation breeds deceitfulness; it is easy to fool ourselves into thinking we are mature if there is no one to challenge us. Real maturity shows up in relationships" (p.134).
"If you're not involved in any service or ministry, what excuse have you been using? Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you, too, if you stop making excuses" (p.233).
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The Purpose Driven Life
Janet gave me a copy of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life as a gift some time ago, but I have been slow about starting to read it. That has been a mistake. Mr. Warren writes clearly, concisely, and wisely. These are a few of my favorite quotes so far (but I'm only on day 11 of 40):
Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity. Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy on earth. They want to be remembered when they're gone. Yet, what ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says. (p.33)
Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test. You are always being tested. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment, and even the weather! He even watches the simplest actions such as when you open a door for others, when you pick up a piece of trash, or when you're polite toward a clerk or waitress. (p. 43)
What is the glory of God? It is who God is. It is the essence of his nature, the weight of his importance, the radiance of his splendor, the demonstration of his power, and the atmosphere of his presence. God's glory is the expression of his goodness and all his other intrinsic, eternal qualities. (p. 53)
Surrendering to God is not passive resignation, fatalism, or an excuse for laziness. It is not accepting the status quo. It may mean the exact opposite: sacrificing your life or suffering in order to change what needs to be changed. God often calls surrendered people to do battle on his behalf. Surrendering is not for cowards or doormats. (p. 80)
Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity. Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy on earth. They want to be remembered when they're gone. Yet, what ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says. (p.33)
Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test. You are always being tested. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment, and even the weather! He even watches the simplest actions such as when you open a door for others, when you pick up a piece of trash, or when you're polite toward a clerk or waitress. (p. 43)
What is the glory of God? It is who God is. It is the essence of his nature, the weight of his importance, the radiance of his splendor, the demonstration of his power, and the atmosphere of his presence. God's glory is the expression of his goodness and all his other intrinsic, eternal qualities. (p. 53)
Surrendering to God is not passive resignation, fatalism, or an excuse for laziness. It is not accepting the status quo. It may mean the exact opposite: sacrificing your life or suffering in order to change what needs to be changed. God often calls surrendered people to do battle on his behalf. Surrendering is not for cowards or doormats. (p. 80)
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