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