One Year Anniversary

I just realized that I have been blogging for over a year this month. This blog began on September 4th, 2005, and I am amazed at how fast time seems to go. Thank each of you for taking time to stop by and read through my rambling thoughts. As I begin this next year of blogging, my main goal remains the same: to glorify God by encouraging biblical and missional thinking in all areas of life. So, to that end, I pray that you will continue to read, think, and respond.

Incarnation

While watching a television show this week, I heard the song an old Joan Osborne song called, "What If God Was One of Us?" Although I do not like the song, it did spark a few thoughts that I'd like to share. In case you are not familiar with the song, the chorus of the song contains the following lines:

What if God was one of us?/Just a slob like one of us/Just a stranger on the bus/
Trying to make his way home

Although this song came out in 1995, it continues to find its way into the soundtracks of movies and television shows. In my opinion, this demonstrates two things: First, there are still people who view "God" as distant, uninvolved, and uncaring. Second, there are still so many people who are walking in the darkness of sin, denying their Creator. Yet, these thoughts should not bring us to despair because we know that our God is great. Fortunately for us (and the world), God has not been silent. He has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus! The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world" (Hebrews 1:1,2). Or in the words of John: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Our God is not a distant and uninvolved god; rather, He is the God of grace who chose to come and dwell among us. The world does not have to ask "what if" anymore. "For we do not have a hight priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15,16). As we encounter people each day (co-workers, friends, family, neighbors, strangers), let us boldly proclaim what God has done in His Son. Jesus is Lord and Savior, and He has disarmed Satan. Let us expand His kingdom with the gospel, by the power of the Holy Spirit--all for God's glory.

Redemption and Celebration

Anthony Bradley at Resurgence is currently blogging about a "missional worldview." In the latest entry he encourages Christians to stop being social stick-in-the-muds and to start "getting their party on." He writes,

If Christ's mission was truly accomplished and if the Kingdom of God is alive then Christians ought to be the most celebrative people on the planet throwing the best parties and social events. If the Gospel is true one would think that Christians would be the best at "getting their party on.

Continue reading here.

The Transformation of a Box

On Sunday evening, Amy and I took a couple of hours to build Alora a "house" out of a cardboard box that I brought from work. By the end, we had transformed the ordinary box into a playhouse complete with a mirror, curtains, family pictures, windows, a door, and colorful exterior.

My Excellent Wife and Sourdough Bread

From time to time I like to take a few moments to brag on my wife, and today is the day. The bread that you see to the left is the results of her first attempt to make sourdough bread, and I must say that the bread was excellent.

"She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household..." -Proverbs 31:15

The Mockingbird is singing, "Free, Free, Free."

Well, if you do not own a copy of Derek Webb's newest album, Mockingbird, now is your chance to get it for free. Yes, you read correctly...FREE! Go here to download the album and to find out why Derek is giving his music away.

And in case you didn't know, this is a really good album. So, what are you waiting for?

So, I Didn't Shave My Head...

I must take a moment to eat my words, so here it goes:

"Amy, I was wrong. I never should have doubted that you would be able to give me a good haircut. I teased you about cutting my hair. I thought that I was going to have to wear something shameful upon my head, but you proved me wrong. As I write these words, I am fully aware that you have given me a good haircut. Granted, I was a little scared that we would have to shave my head. (Because we have had to go to such measures in the past.) But, alas, the tides have changed. Amy, you are offically my new hair dresser."

Playing Catch-Up

So, we're still reviewing On Being Presbyterian. Just in case you missed the latest reviews, I've linked to them below:

Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Chapter 5
Chapter 4

The Lord's Provision from the Hands of His People

I just wanted to take a few moments to give God praise for His daily provision and care for my family. So, let me begin by setting the senerio: First, our family moved to Anderson (which brought about a lot of extra expenses to pay such as amoving truck, apartment deposits, utility deposits, and various other fees. Second, Amy and I still had to pay some bills to the owner of the house where we used to live. Finally, at Rockwell Automation (where I work), my pay was reduced by $1/hr. (Granted, this reduction didn't occur because of any slackness on my part, but the reasoning for the deduction would take to long to explain right now.) So that means, that I lose about $80 from my paychecks each month.

Now, because of all of these happenings, we knew that we were going to be in a very tight financial strain. By tight, I mean that after getting paid on August 31st, we would not have any money left by September 1st.

During this time, a number of scripture passages kept coming to mind: James 1:2-4 challanged us to joyfully endure the testing our our faith, knowing that God is using the trial to cause us to be "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Philippians 4:11-13 confirmed that we must learn to be content in every circumstance, whether plenty or hunger, abundance or need, and to realize that we can "do all things through him who strengthens [us]." Psalm 104:27,28 reminded us that God is the great provider and creator who gives all of his creatures "...food in due season. when you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things."

And our encouragement came not only from the Word but also from His people. Over the last week, we have been blessed by so many people as we have seen them give sacrifically to us in our time of need. The Lord gave to us each day our daily bread. God is the great provider, and we have seen His provisions come from the hands of His people.

I can think of no better way to praise the Lord than to echo the word of Psalm 105:1-6:

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him;tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name;let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength;seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done,his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant,children of Jacob, his chosen ones!