Jan 18
Isiah, long before Christ appeared, unfolds the Gospel plan
Isiah 1:18
18 “Come, let us discuss this,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they will be as white as snow;
though they are as red as crimson,
they will be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land.
See pg 12 in They Walked with God. Full Assurance by Henry A Ironside.
Jan 05
This is a very good post by Tim Price.
Ten Practical Ways To Take Your Ministry To The Next Level – Click here
Does look toward taking it to the next level, but also about building foundations, intentionality, and sustainability.
Under Document Your Ministry he has a good list:
Vision; Culture; Process; Main Thing; Fully Involved; What To Delegate
Throughout he emphasizes leadership and community.
Dec 21
The Story of the Other Wise Man has brought joy and meaning to myself and my family for many years.
I highly recommend reading this small book.
It is a legend of a fourth wise man (a scholar as the three wise men), who also studied the prophesies and the stars and set out to find and honor the new king.
The book and audio reading of the book (by Henry van Dyke) are available online.
Dec 10
A top-ten sermon by Timothy Keller.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-race-and-power/id352660924?i=1000372508617&mt=2
based on Romans 14:1-3 14- 15:7. (released 7/14/16)
Dec 04
A pastor had a habit, each time he stepped into the pulpit, of saying, “The Lord Be With You.” The congregation would always respond each Sunday, “And also with you.”
One Sunday morning they were having technical difficulties with the microphone and it wasn’t working.
The pastor he stepped into the pulpit and said, “There seems to be something wrong with the microphone.”
The congregation responded, “And also with you.”
Dec 03
My prayer this advent is that I better learn to understand and grasp the following by AW Tozer* on the reason Christ came to earth.
[This is taken from Day 1 of From Heaven: A 28-Day Advent Devotional]
Dwell With
Unite To
Dwell In
[*This was written at a time when the term ‘men’ was used for humankind. I believe Tozer meant this in a gender-neutral manner.]
Dec 03
Notes taken while listening to espisode 3 of Romans video series on RightWay Media (by Mart De Haan [with Jimmy DeYoung]).
Ceaseria Phillipi (named in honor of Caesar Augustus) was the administrative center (for the Romans) of Palestine.
Herod was put in by the romans as the ‘King of the Jews’. He had a palace in Jerusalem. He also built up Ceaseria and had a palace there. (Herod, of course killed all the babies at the time of Jesus’ birth.)
Roman tax in Jesus time was lower than US tax in America (today).
The Romans had lots of gods (to who laid the rail), but they didn’t have an answer for mortality and what happens after death. This was a big flaw, a gaping hole, in fact, in the system of gods the Romans had.
The book of Romans (by Paul) was circulated throughout the Romans Empire and had widespread affect.
Much (most) of the New Testement is counter-cultural.
In chapters 3 and 5 of Romans explains how we ‘get right’ with God. This would have been welcomed by many at the time.
Dec 02
Here’s a great story and song.
Fred Stobaugh charmed the globe as a 96 year-old songwriter, but his legacy might be as a marriage healer.
YouTube documentary, which tells the main story (#1 video), and 5 more videos that tell the followup story of the song (appearing on the View, going to a middle school, and more.).
#4 (below) tells of a middle school teacher who connected her 7th grade students to Fred’s story, an ultimately Fred himself. This lady has made a big difference in her students!
#1
#2
#3
#4 – A middle school teacher, and Fred, have a impact on students.
#5 – A second song: Took Her Home
#6
This is a great Illinois story. I hope it can teach us the importance of relationships, marriage, and family.
Nov 22
A. W. Tozer, a modern day prophet, was a key figure in The Christian and Missionary Alliance. His legacy reaches through time and has impacted countless millions. A prolific author and pastor, Tozer was known for his emphasis on the deeper life movement. His message, informed as it was by A.B. Simpson the founder of The Alliance, brought the missionary call to a massive audience.
Devotionals from C & MA. Includes daily devotions and audio sermons. http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/
8 Words: Your Life–Is His–With Christ–In God (Col 3:1-3)
From Heaven: A 28-Day Advent Devotional book ($.99 Kindle version also) (2016) by Tozer
Well-known book: The Pursuit of God.
From amazon.com
A. W. TOZER (1897–1963) began his lifelong pursuit of God after hearing a street preacher in Akron, Ohio, at the age of seventeen. The self-taught theologian committed his life to the ministry of God’s Word as a pastor, teacher, and writer. For his flowing prose, Spirit-filled words, and deep conviction, many have called him a modern-day prophet. He is the author of the beloved classic The Pursuit of God and dozens of other works.
Websites
Dr. A. B. Simpson who founded C&MA (Christian and Missionary Alliance) and influenced A W Tozer, described the Fourfold Gospel
