The Marriage Mirror (Video Post)
After a few days of video problems, the issues have been worked out and the video is now active.
The Marriage Mirror Questions:
- Does my marriage reflect Jesus? ______________________________________
- Does my relationship with my spouse reflect Jesus? ____________________
- Do others see Jesus working in my marriage? ___________________________
Just some thoughts,
Chris
Sunday Morning Lesson – “What are Sheep?”
Sheep are delicate and many times stubborn creatures. They have a knack for getting into trouble as they wonder off into the distant fields chasing something their eyes noticed or simply feeding. The Bible uses the term for physical and figurative terminology throughout its pages. The lesson below describes some of the instances of the physical and the spiritual terminology. Take a moment and see what the Bible has to say about “What are Sheep?”
This lesson is part of the series on “Church Leadership.” You can search for Church Leadership using the search bar (or by clicking here) and view the lessons and articles on Church Leadership.
Just a thought,
Chris
Sunday’s Lesson – What is a Shepherd?
The series on Church Leadership continues today with a message on “What is a Shepherd?” The Bible speaks of the work of a physical shepherd throughout the Old Testament and makes a transition to a spiritual shepherd in the New Testament. It is a powerful thought to note the aspects of a physical shepherd and then make the comparison to the spiritual shepherds of the New Testament.
Throughout this lesson series, I want to share thoughts on the life and actions of a physical shepherd and show how God wishes for His spiritual shepherds to be active.
Enjoy the slideshow!
Just my thoughts on an early Sunday morning!
Chris
Transparency Week – Thursday
The screen is a bright white and no words want to appear. After considering this week, I regret making this week Transparency Week. I regret being negative about the things the have taken place this week, but it aches my soul to see such earthly silliness. When I first thought of doing another Transparency Week, I decided to pick a week where I saw many different possibilities presenting themselves; however, this week has turned out to be one only mentioned by prophets in the Bible.
I Would Make an Awful Prophet!
I would not make a good prophet of God. I have great respect for Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Elisha and even Jonah. As I mentioned this morning, Habakkuk is becoming one of my favorite. Habakkuk sees the nation of Israel living against God and asks “How Long?” When God gives Habakkuk he answer, Habakkuk questions God again concerning His decision. I have felt like Habakkuk lately.
Have you ever asked God for an answer…only to get it? Well, I did. I asked God to provide an answer to a situation and He provided, just not in the way I would expect. I feel like Habakkuk when he asked God, “Are you sure?” (Habakkuk 1.12-17 – paraphrased of course) Habakkuk was a little confused by God’s answer. Habakkuk never thought God would answer the way He did, but God used something out of Habakkuk’s mind to make His point.
I would make an awful prophet. I feel that God has provided my answer and I still go, “What?”
Learning to Lean
With every request, God will provide an answer. It may not be what I like so my faith my be in my heavenly Father. If God knows the sparrows, surely He knows what I need (Luke 12.6-7). All He asks is that I trust in Him and obey His word and He will take care of me…
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3.5-6)
It Gets Better
While this has been a week a I would like to forget, I do know it gets better. Tomorrow is going to be a day off and Saturday will be a full day. Sunday I will be a guest on Dale Sadler’s radio show in Portland, TN. You can check out Dale’s website at http://www.dalesadler.net and click on Project Family to catch up with the show online.
Just some thoughts,
Chris
Transparency Week – Wednesday
Where to start on a long Wednesday? Wednesday took forever to end. After battling a sinus infection and body aches I was definitely ready for the day to end. After putting new floors in the house two weeks ago, volunteering at school last week and another day of volunteering this week, my head is about to to explode. For some reason i still smell sawdust even though the wood is far removed from my presence. Apparently saw dust has a tendency to linger in one’s sinuses for a while.
I will warn you ahead of time, I did not write last night because I was disappointed and upset. I needed a break from people and some time spent with family. I am blessed beyond measure with the family I have. Carrie is the greatest support one could have! Her diligence and her focus on the greater picture is amazing. I am truly blessed.
I write today still frustrated by silly things! I know the transparency is at times overwhelming and sometimes negative, but the fact is transparency is transparent. (Nice huh?) Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Unity Thoughts
Oh how I wish all Christians could get along, hold hands and skip down the yellow brick road to heaven! I long for a day when there are no earthly disputes over things I feel are silly and a waste of my time. People are people and that is the way it will always be. The immaturity of some influences others to separate themselves from the united group and begin to draw away followers after them. It is a shame we cannot be like the Redwood Trees of California.
Rooted Together
The huge redwood trees in California are considered the largest things on earth and the tallest trees in the world. Some of them are three hundred feet high and over 2,500 years old. One would think that trees so large would have a tremendous root system reaching down hundreds of feet into the earth. The redwoods actually have a very shallow system of roots, but they all intertwine. They are locked to each other. When the storms come or the winds blow, the redwoods stand. They are locked to each other, and they don’t stand alone, for all the trees support and protect each other.
(from Nelson’s Complete Book of Illustrations)
What lesson can the church learn from God’s mighty creation?
- Sticking together bears one another’s burdens.
- Sticking together provides strength to all.
- God’s creation is smarter than what we think.
Short-Sighted Vision = Harmful Futures
Short-sightedness is a detriment to the Christian life. Peter sums it up when he says,
“For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” (2 Peter 1.9; ESV)
Peter knows what it is like to become short-sighted…remember he denied Christ even though he was a glance away from Him (Luke 22.61; ESV). Christians become short-sighted when they are more concerned with the “I” of life instead of the “they.” When the self-interest of a few replace the interest of others, we have failed! Even the apostle Paul wrote of this in Philippians 2.3-4.
Where is your sight?
Pulling the Plug
Today, I am pulling the plug on a powerful opportunity. I have desired this opportunity for a while and it seemed as though everything was falling into place, when something happened causing the status of the goal to change. I know that is a great generality, but believe me, it is better than describing the whole thing.
It saddens me to pull the plug on this, but in the best interest of the whole, I must make my decision. I am saddened but it is something I fell I must do.
Me and Habakkuk
Our Wednesday night Bible study is diving into the book of Habakkuk and looking at his conversation with God. I am finding a pretty good friend in Habakkuk. I have read his work over and over, but I am growing closer to him each day. While I do not know much about the man, I still find his words fascinating and heartfelt. I encourage you to spend time with Habakkuk one day and see the powerful opportunity that awaits.
Habakkuk only takes 20 minutes, but the effects of his conversation with God are everlasting!
Final Thoughts:
Wednesday was rough but Thursday is better! I know God has a plan for everyday of our lives, it is up to us to stick with Him and see the plan work out!
Stick with God…He always wins!
Just my transparent thoughts,
Chris
31 Days With Jesus
Throughout the month of January 2012, I will emphasize a 31 day walk through the Life of Christ. To do this I have made a daily reading chart you may download below.
The purpose of the chart is to provide daily Bible readings for the members and blend those readings with the sermons on Sunday morning, the Bible Class on Sunday afternoon and the Wednesday Night Bible class.
You may download the daily reading chart below.
31 Days with Jesus Daily Reading Chart
Come back for more outlines as the study progresses.
Podcast Feeds
Some of What I am Reading
A Few Ads in Support
