Nothing beats getting to go to a concert for a band that you love a the last minute...
Skillet was just stunning live at 3*. Thousand Foot Krutch was ok in c0ncert, but Skillet was really grate. It was fun to go hang out with my buddy Will. I think this is the first concert I have been to since 5Fe went under.
I also have to give mad props to my wife for taking the hit for me on a night when I usually hang out with the girls. With less than 24 hours notice she stepped in and let me go see her favorite band without a second thought.
I love being out at 3* in Minneapolis.
I would attach a picture but... for some reason the Cell Phone pics didn't show up so well from in the middle of the mash pit.
Rock on.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Challenges & Opertunities for Humanity
If you haven't yet herd of it, check out this site featuring the greatest challenges facing the world today (which engineering has an opportunity to carry forward).
You can access them here
Here is a quick preview
You can access them here
Here is a quick preview
- CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITYMake solar energy affordableProvide energy from fusionDevelop carbon sequestrationManage the nitrogen cycleProvide access to clean waterReverse engineer the brainPrevent nuclear terrorSecure cyberspaceEnhance virtual realityImprove urban infrastructureAdvance health informaticsEngineer better medicinesAdvance personalised learningExplore natural frontiers
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Twinkies
Well we went to a Twins game this past weekend. It was fun. We did not get a chance to stay the whole game, which is a shame because they ended up winning off of 4 singles. Hay, you can't complain when your team wins though!
We did make it to Casey H's graduation he is a man after my own heart (of course he will deny it but it is true). He had star wars playing right next to his Sr. photo slideshow! This with cheese, crackers, M&M's... what more could you ask for.
Plus we visited with our friends for a birthday party, and Hannah got to play in the sprinkler at their house. Yeah it is that warm around here already! Time to put the AC in!
All this on top of a wonderful message on family to encourage the soul and lighten the spirit!
What a wonderful Start to a new week.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Baseball & marriage?
OK, so following the worst game of my softball carer [*cough* - hobby], last week, I had only an below average two games at the double header this week. So...I called up my buddy Caleb and we went a swinging.
We went to the batting cages and I got 6 tokens ($10 worth) Each token gets you 18 pitches. Caleb pointed out to me "Think about how many games does it take you to see 18 pitches?" And in this context I can just worry about hitting them, not running, or getting someone out.
Kind of reminds me of why it is valuable to do the marriage conferences, or mentoring groups that Cara and I have enjoyed so much. They can provide a safe, focused, controlled environment where we can "see" a number of situations in a few hours that it would normally take several months to "see". In addition we can face them fresh, and with a good attitude where we would normally face them under less than ideal circumstances, and in high stress.
safe: (no one gets out)
focused: (only goal is to make contact)
controlled: (choose your timing to set your best attitude)
fresh: (avoid stress of the moment)
It gives you a chance to get back in your groove. My buddy Caleb said that baseball is a "game of streaks." You have a series of good games where you are on fire, and then you hit a slump. Sometimes you just have to shake it up and put in a little extra time in the cages to try to get back to the fundamentals, shake off the dust. The results may not be instant, but you just have to outlast the difficult moments, relax a little, and as my wife said "try to still have fun, that is why you wanted to play isn't it? Because it was fun." Soon enough you will be hitting strong again if you don't give up. Maybe marriage is the same way.
Just thinking.
Bill
OK, so following the worst game of my softball carer [*cough* - hobby], last week, I had only an below average two games at the double header this week. So...I called up my buddy Caleb and we went a swinging.
We went to the batting cages and I got 6 tokens ($10 worth) Each token gets you 18 pitches. Caleb pointed out to me "Think about how many games does it take you to see 18 pitches?" And in this context I can just worry about hitting them, not running, or getting someone out.
Kind of reminds me of why it is valuable to do the marriage conferences, or mentoring groups that Cara and I have enjoyed so much. They can provide a safe, focused, controlled environment where we can "see" a number of situations in a few hours that it would normally take several months to "see". In addition we can face them fresh, and with a good attitude where we would normally face them under less than ideal circumstances, and in high stress.
safe: (no one gets out)
focused: (only goal is to make contact)
controlled: (choose your timing to set your best attitude)
fresh: (avoid stress of the moment)
It gives you a chance to get back in your groove. My buddy Caleb said that baseball is a "game of streaks." You have a series of good games where you are on fire, and then you hit a slump. Sometimes you just have to shake it up and put in a little extra time in the cages to try to get back to the fundamentals, shake off the dust. The results may not be instant, but you just have to outlast the difficult moments, relax a little, and as my wife said "try to still have fun, that is why you wanted to play isn't it? Because it was fun." Soon enough you will be hitting strong again if you don't give up. Maybe marriage is the same way.
Just thinking.
Bill
Friday, May 04, 2007
Asian Indian Family Wellness (Crisis Services)
SEWA-AIFW
If anyone ever has the need to refer someone from the Asian or Indian community to a place of safety, there is a nonprofit in the Twin Cities area:
for the benefit of Asian Indian's in need, be it family, immigration, health (or safety)
This is like a culturally sensitive/relevant version of a crisis intervention center/shelter/social services. I have not found many if any other people around trying to do what they are doing for the Asian Indian community. In fact it was a little difficult to find them, so that is why i decided to post the blog. If you know someone who is from this community who is suffering from domestic abuse, or other family/life/work stresses and difficulties that seem unmanageable, please consider letting them know that something like this exists.
Here is there contact information.
SEWA-AIFW website
SEWA-AIFW
If anyone ever has the need to refer someone from the Asian or Indian community to a place of safety, there is a nonprofit in the Twin Cities area:
for the benefit of Asian Indian's in need, be it family, immigration, health (or safety)
This is like a culturally sensitive/relevant version of a crisis intervention center/shelter/social services. I have not found many if any other people around trying to do what they are doing for the Asian Indian community. In fact it was a little difficult to find them, so that is why i decided to post the blog. If you know someone who is from this community who is suffering from domestic abuse, or other family/life/work stresses and difficulties that seem unmanageable, please consider letting them know that something like this exists.
Here is there contact information.
Office phone number is 763-234-3491
24/7 crisis line is 952-912-9100.
"All information is confidential. Help is available, to link one to services with culturally trained advocated, social workers and doctors and lawyers. Help is available in housing, health and financial.If there is any thing we can do please do not hesitate to call. 763-234-3491."
24/7 crisis line is 952-912-9100.
"All information is confidential. Help is available, to link one to services with culturally trained advocated, social workers and doctors and lawyers. Help is available in housing, health and financial.If there is any thing we can do please do not hesitate to call. 763-234-3491."
SEWA-AIFW website
Monday, March 19, 2007
What God's Will isn't
I was reading the Genesis Worship blog for Woodbury Lutheran Church and came across a fascinating question posed anonymously in response to a message they did on God's will a week ago.
A dialogue developed between two individuals with selected excerpts below.
This discussion really made me think. It made me think of how cliche and unloving we as Christians can be towards those hurting. The discussion did not go that way, but the questions seem posed from a heart that has been wounded by that kind of carelessness in the past. This is what I added at the end.
I do agree with the first person who had some misgivings with how we use "God's will" God's will is going to be accomplished in this world. I believe he can accomplish it through tragedy even if he is not the cause of that tragedy. I have the same compliant with the way that Christians toss around the word "hope" We say "I hope it doesn't rain today," but that is the world's kind of hope.
Our hope is with certain confidence.
It is in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ in the last day. It is guaranteed as sure as the sun rising tomorrow morning.
In that hope we can respond to suffering with faith not only to draw ourselves closer to God, but to encourage others who are hurting more than we are. As Paul said, we can comfort them with the comfort that we first received from God. And that is also why we suffer, so that we can serve those who are suffering through the comfort we have received.
I was reading the Genesis Worship blog for Woodbury Lutheran Church and came across a fascinating question posed anonymously in response to a message they did on God's will a week ago.
A dialogue developed between two individuals with selected excerpts below.
I struggle with the words "Thy will be done"...But oftentimes when something bad happens, an unexpected death and cancer. Even when Hurricane Katrina hit or the Tsunami, people claim that it's "God's Will."...How do you explain to your teenage son that it was God's will that their friend was killed in a car accident? I don't believe it was God's will she died.
So what is Thy will be done?
====
So do you think that spiritual maturity allows a person to surrender more completely to God's will particularly during the trials and tests of life?
Is there anything else besides good and evil? Is something always good or something evil?
====
It's easy when things go right in our lives to say it is God's will. But if something goes wrong, is that God's will?
====
So what is Thy will be done?
====
So do you think that spiritual maturity allows a person to surrender more completely to God's will particularly during the trials and tests of life?
Is there anything else besides good and evil? Is something always good or something evil?
====
It's easy when things go right in our lives to say it is God's will. But if something goes wrong, is that God's will?
====
This discussion really made me think. It made me think of how cliche and unloving we as Christians can be towards those hurting. The discussion did not go that way, but the questions seem posed from a heart that has been wounded by that kind of carelessness in the past. This is what I added at the end.
God has promised that we will suffer if we follow him. This is why it says we must take up our cross and follow him, and that if the world hated him, it will really hate us. Yet not everything that happens in this world has moral weight. Remember that Christ debunked the idea that a tower fell and crushed a group of men because they were any worse sinners than others who remained living. It was just tragic.
The world we live in is broken. And as the person above stated, the enemy of God wants to cause harm to both believers and non believers alike.
Yet in the midst of that we know what the will of God is. He wants that none of us should perish but that we should be redeemed by the blood of Christ. So those things that happen can be used to further God's will (if they lead anyone closer to Him) or they can be used to deceive us and draw us away (as the enemy would have it). To some extent it is our choice to respond to suffering with faith, or discouragement.
It should be the Christian's mission to encourage, and shore up the faith of those hurting so that their response can draw them closer.The world we live in is broken. And as the person above stated, the enemy of God wants to cause harm to both believers and non believers alike.
Yet in the midst of that we know what the will of God is. He wants that none of us should perish but that we should be redeemed by the blood of Christ. So those things that happen can be used to further God's will (if they lead anyone closer to Him) or they can be used to deceive us and draw us away (as the enemy would have it). To some extent it is our choice to respond to suffering with faith, or discouragement.
I do agree with the first person who had some misgivings with how we use "God's will" God's will is going to be accomplished in this world. I believe he can accomplish it through tragedy even if he is not the cause of that tragedy. I have the same compliant with the way that Christians toss around the word "hope" We say "I hope it doesn't rain today," but that is the world's kind of hope.
It is in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ in the last day. It is guaranteed as sure as the sun rising tomorrow morning.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Snow Day
part 3: Sledding at Last
Well, our neighbor either reads my blog or read my mind...most likely my mind is less daunting as a maze of riddles and free thinking than I would suppose because I doubt the former is true. :)
Keith saw me outside and asked me if I wanted his old Sleds! I could not believe it. I said yes of course.
So Hannah and I went sledding two times in the big hill behind our house. It was great.
This was not the first time as our friend Jim @ family invited us out to visit them prior and we had much fun sledding then also. What was different about this was the ability to be spur of the moment. Just go for an hour with 45 min for sledding. OK also unique, was me not getting snow in Hannah's face! Sorry Kiddo
Any way it was a blast. Thanks Keith!
And Lilly got to take her first trip across on a sled *safe on the sidewalk* for those of you concerned. Yes she will still make it to her first birthday. Ah... but that is another post!
TTFN
part 3: Sledding at Last
Well, our neighbor either reads my blog or read my mind...most likely my mind is less daunting as a maze of riddles and free thinking than I would suppose because I doubt the former is true. :)
Keith saw me outside and asked me if I wanted his old Sleds! I could not believe it. I said yes of course.
So Hannah and I went sledding two times in the big hill behind our house. It was great.
This was not the first time as our friend Jim @ family invited us out to visit them prior and we had much fun sledding then also. What was different about this was the ability to be spur of the moment. Just go for an hour with 45 min for sledding. OK also unique, was me not getting snow in Hannah's face! Sorry Kiddo
Any way it was a blast. Thanks Keith!
And Lilly got to take her first trip across on a sled *safe on the sidewalk* for those of you concerned. Yes she will still make it to her first birthday. Ah... but that is another post!
TTFN
Monday, February 26, 2007
Snow Day
part 2: Snow Pants
Do you still have Snow Pants?
If not you should go pick some up. It is so much fun to play with your kids in the snow. They are probably on clearance somewhere unless they are already sold out and replaced with swimming suits.
We tried to find a snow sled and they were all sold out. 3 Stores. Then the final one had either a saucer sled to small for the two of us, or one big enough but for $27! So, needless to say we had fun in the snow with just our snow pants and gloves instead.
We made a snow wall, and snow angles (which Hannah calls "Snow Kissing's")
It was grate fun, and we came home to a delicious Egg Bake.
Ah, what a day.
part 2: Snow Pants
Do you still have Snow Pants?
If not you should go pick some up. It is so much fun to play with your kids in the snow. They are probably on clearance somewhere unless they are already sold out and replaced with swimming suits.
We tried to find a snow sled and they were all sold out. 3 Stores. Then the final one had either a saucer sled to small for the two of us, or one big enough but for $27! So, needless to say we had fun in the snow with just our snow pants and gloves instead.
We made a snow wall, and snow angles (which Hannah calls "Snow Kissing's")
It was grate fun, and we came home to a delicious Egg Bake.
Ah, what a day.
Snow DAY
part 1: Shopping
Wow that was a fun Snow Day Sunday. We slept in (well most of us :) We woke up and enjoyed some basic breakfast and then went grocery shopping in the mess. Roads were not that bad. And due to the unusually light traffic in the store? we were able to score a grocery cart driving car. These are the ones that have two steering wheels, and a little go cart in the front for the kids to drive in. Hannah loves them.
part 1: Shopping
Wow that was a fun Snow Day Sunday. We slept in (well most of us :) We woke up and enjoyed some basic breakfast and then went grocery shopping in the mess. Roads were not that bad. And due to the unusually light traffic in the store? we were able to score a grocery cart driving car. These are the ones that have two steering wheels, and a little go cart in the front for the kids to drive in. Hannah loves them.
Monday, January 29, 2007
When the unthinkable happens...
Say it ant so!
My youth is passing before my eyes (OK it is long gone, but no more pretending anymore!) My favorite band's website has been dismantled! http://www.fiveironfrenzy.com/ is no more. :(
I can't believe it. Will the only surviving memory of Five Iron be the ailing memory's of its greatest fans (my friends of course) and a solo entry in Wikepedia ? Alas, we will all one day go the way of the buffalo. If only we can have as much impact on the hopes and dreams on those close to us as they had on my last high school years, we will all be doing well.
Farewell Five Iron, Farewell!
Say it ant so!
My youth is passing before my eyes (OK it is long gone, but no more pretending anymore!) My favorite band's website has been dismantled! http://www.fiveironfrenzy.com/ is no more. :(
I can't believe it. Will the only surviving memory of Five Iron be the ailing memory's of its greatest fans (my friends of course) and a solo entry in Wikepedia ? Alas, we will all one day go the way of the buffalo. If only we can have as much impact on the hopes and dreams on those close to us as they had on my last high school years, we will all be doing well.
Farewell Five Iron, Farewell!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Depot
Just before Christmas Cara and I went down to the Depot in Minneapolis . This was really something we had thought about doing for a year or more. We thought it would be nice to go Ice Skating. Living in Minnesota, you would think that would be easy enough. However, the climate change people may have something yet, because we have not had enough ice to skate on outside consistently for a few years.
Anyway we decided it would be fun to go skate indoors. So we went down to the Depot. We ate at the restaurant, which was kind of an experience because there was a kids birthday party. It was nice to know our own kids were having fun at home though :)
Then we walked through the Hotel down to the Depot Ice Rink. We purchased tickets and rented skates. Just before we went onto the Ice, they brought out the Zamboni to resurface. So we got a good chance to sit and talk. It was so fun, seeing the City Skyline outside the glass wall of the Depot. We sipped down a hot Cocoa, and noticed how many teenage kids were there. I had no idea it would be that popular.
Then it was time to skate. It felt like I was in High school, or Jr. High again. You know the Glory days. Accept that this time it was with the woman I love and will spend my whole life with. Instead of feelings of insecurity and fear, I felt so much joy and excitement. It was great. Skating can be tiring, but it was fun, zipping around the rink. And I didn't even fall (until some wiper snapper ran into me weaving in and out of people) punk kids :)
I would totally recommend the Depot to anyone looking for a fun night out. However, when we were leaving the line to get in was probably 100 people long, so come early, or plan to wait.
Just before Christmas Cara and I went down to the Depot in Minneapolis . This was really something we had thought about doing for a year or more. We thought it would be nice to go Ice Skating. Living in Minnesota, you would think that would be easy enough. However, the climate change people may have something yet, because we have not had enough ice to skate on outside consistently for a few years.
Anyway we decided it would be fun to go skate indoors. So we went down to the Depot. We ate at the restaurant, which was kind of an experience because there was a kids birthday party. It was nice to know our own kids were having fun at home though :)
Then we walked through the Hotel down to the Depot Ice Rink. We purchased tickets and rented skates. Just before we went onto the Ice, they brought out the Zamboni to resurface. So we got a good chance to sit and talk. It was so fun, seeing the City Skyline outside the glass wall of the Depot. We sipped down a hot Cocoa, and noticed how many teenage kids were there. I had no idea it would be that popular.
Then it was time to skate. It felt like I was in High school, or Jr. High again. You know the Glory days. Accept that this time it was with the woman I love and will spend my whole life with. Instead of feelings of insecurity and fear, I felt so much joy and excitement. It was great. Skating can be tiring, but it was fun, zipping around the rink. And I didn't even fall (until some wiper snapper ran into me weaving in and out of people) punk kids :)
I would totally recommend the Depot to anyone looking for a fun night out. However, when we were leaving the line to get in was probably 100 people long, so come early, or plan to wait.
Double Overtime
Two words for you. Double Overtime.
Last Friday, my wife's parents came down from the UP to enjoy the fruits of an excellent Christmas present. We went to the Wolves, Pistons game at the Target Center. 8 of us, mom, dad, the kids, and 2 in laws (myself included) It was great.
The seats were good (one row back from the balcony in the corner. We didn't even have to worry about looking over any tall peoples heads. To get up for food, we could just stand up over the backs of our chairs and walk out the door. We even made it early enough to walk away with a collectible Randy Foye bobble head. This was a doubly astounding feet, as It is my first bobble head, and as my reputation of being not-early proceeds me :) (literally)
But the Game. Oh the Game! It was fantastic. Pistons, Wolves, Double Ejection (first ever suspension in KG's history). Coming back dramatically to tie in regulation. Overtime quarter, Pistons three with 12 seconds left to tie. Double Overtime (and all without KG!). The Pistons won and man was that ride home a blast on the train. What an event.
Plus, we rode the Light Rail there and back with the UPS guy who delivered the game ball on TV. It was so cool.
Thanks for the Tickets Kyle!
And everybody, thanks for the memory's.
Just, awesome.
Two words for you. Double Overtime.
Last Friday, my wife's parents came down from the UP to enjoy the fruits of an excellent Christmas present. We went to the Wolves, Pistons game at the Target Center. 8 of us, mom, dad, the kids, and 2 in laws (myself included) It was great.
The seats were good (one row back from the balcony in the corner. We didn't even have to worry about looking over any tall peoples heads. To get up for food, we could just stand up over the backs of our chairs and walk out the door. We even made it early enough to walk away with a collectible Randy Foye bobble head. This was a doubly astounding feet, as It is my first bobble head, and as my reputation of being not-early proceeds me :) (literally)
But the Game. Oh the Game! It was fantastic. Pistons, Wolves, Double Ejection (first ever suspension in KG's history). Coming back dramatically to tie in regulation. Overtime quarter, Pistons three with 12 seconds left to tie. Double Overtime (and all without KG!). The Pistons won and man was that ride home a blast on the train. What an event.
Plus, we rode the Light Rail there and back with the UPS guy who delivered the game ball on TV. It was so cool.
Thanks for the Tickets Kyle!
And everybody, thanks for the memory's.
Just, awesome.
You wouldn't make it in football
Well, I have to admit it. She's good!
My wife beet me out in the final week of our Fantasy football championship. She was the only girl in the league but has a real love for the game, and a lot of knowledge. I on the other hand am the most inexperienced guy. But it is a keeper league, and I got some real keepers this year. Got to love the family dynasty going into next year. :)
p.s. Go Bears!
Well, I have to admit it. She's good!
My wife beet me out in the final week of our Fantasy football championship. She was the only girl in the league but has a real love for the game, and a lot of knowledge. I on the other hand am the most inexperienced guy. But it is a keeper league, and I got some real keepers this year. Got to love the family dynasty going into next year. :)
p.s. Go Bears!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
balancing act
I am enjoying the discussion with the Sr. Pastor at our church about balancing the key priorities in Christianity today. We are talking about knowing and obeying what God wants, and living that out in a life of compassion.
He had a great quote from Mark Batterson (whom I don't really Know much about)
The true measure of spiritual maturity is not how much we know but how much we obey. And the truth is--all of us are educated way beyond our level of obedience!
Check out the post here.My Final comment was challenging the conclusion that seems to be drawn from this. The conclusion appears to be that where we aren't obedient we should therefore stop trying to know more, and get out there an do it.
The Christian Church is not great about doing what they should do. But I think part of the problem is with new believers, sometimes they know what is good but don't know that God has really spoken with authority about that specific thing. They think they are "in the clear" by avoiding all the big no-no's. In really if we would pick up and read the bible, we would see all the ways we are lacking. I think that a frank correction from God's word will spur more people to action, than not.
Here is a quote from my last comment on that post
As the church (small groups) we should be doing so much more about meeting needs like that.
However I would challenge that at Five Oaks, where we fail to do compassion, it is not because we are distracted trying to "gain more and more information". I just don’t think that is the problem. I think it is because we are:
- Comfortable with all God has provided us
- Busy with our daily (over) commitments
- Happy socializing with friends
- Focused on our career
- Unaware of what the word of God says about our responsibility in compassion
- And hardhearted toward the "least" in our day
I think that taking the time we are already spending in study, and turning it to more convicting passages of God's word will break up the soil of our hard hearts. The Word it isn't just the seed, it is the plow. All of us in American Christianity need a little tilling.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
magic...
So we went to Disney, all 7 of us. The long awaited trip. It was fun, and crazy. I traveled for business and the kids got to stay with Mom at Grandma and Grandpa's house (with auntie Erin). We all made the trip the kingdom.
We had what must have been the best lines of any time of the year. Our longest wait was for the Dumbo ride about 45 min. The rest were about 10-15 min, or about as long as it took to walk down the elaborate scene scape's they make to keep you interested while waiting. The weather was wonderful. Two thumbs up.
Plus Cara and I got to go to Universal with the Kids by our selves. It was nice. Hannah really enjoyed the Curious George watter area. Later that day Cara and I went back and made it to the Islands of Adventure park. It was closing early for the Halloween experiences so we were forced to run through the whole thing. We hit 6 major rides in 1 hour (All the way around the island). It was so much fun, but we were exhausted afterward.
We had what must have been the best lines of any time of the year. Our longest wait was for the Dumbo ride about 45 min. The rest were about 10-15 min, or about as long as it took to walk down the elaborate scene scape's they make to keep you interested while waiting. The weather was wonderful. Two thumbs up.
Plus Cara and I got to go to Universal with the Kids by our selves. It was nice. Hannah really enjoyed the Curious George watter area. Later that day Cara and I went back and made it to the Islands of Adventure park. It was closing early for the Halloween experiences so we were forced to run through the whole thing. We hit 6 major rides in 1 hour (All the way around the island). It was so much fun, but we were exhausted afterward.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Love them into the Kingdom
I agree with people who say that we need to love people into the Kingdom of God. And my heart is broken over all the bitterness that Christians have over the "world" and its woes. Remember the parable of the ungrateful servant? (Mt 18:21-35) There are many places in the bible where the same message is communicated. A servant is forgiven a great debt, and then turns around in ungratefulness to hold against others their sin. Recognize that this is the story of the church, of our lives. WE have been forgiven such a great debt. Yet we stand condemning others when we should be loving them as God loved us.
Often what He is trying to accomplish comes thorough tough love. Blessing comes in through the gate of the lords discipline. Heb 12 For the Christian especially many times it comes through trials and suffering James 1. But the pain is not God's goal. It is meant to wear away those hard edges that keep us from useful service. It is meant to prepare the soil of our heart for the love of God. Both to give, and to receive his blessings.
- The bible says that God is a God of Love Joe 2:13
- The Greatest Commandment is: Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength. Mt 22:34-40
- The Second is like it: Love your neighbor as your self
- Christ gave only one new commandment: Love as I have loved you Joh 13:34
- Our primary method for reaching the world with the gospel of god is Love: They will know you by our love
Often what He is trying to accomplish comes thorough tough love. Blessing comes in through the gate of the lords discipline. Heb 12 For the Christian especially many times it comes through trials and suffering James 1. But the pain is not God's goal. It is meant to wear away those hard edges that keep us from useful service. It is meant to prepare the soil of our heart for the love of God. Both to give, and to receive his blessings.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The End is Near
I have to tell you. I just realized that one of my favorite disks was not on my PC. AKA not in my Ipod, and in this crazy world that means it does not exist ot me. Sad I know. But the great thing is I just realized it.
I have now loaded FIF's The End is Near onto my Ipod and I am loving it. On Random, it rolled to FIF, Poor Old Lou, and then Pedro the Lion. I may be at work, but I am flying.
Later.
Bill
I have now loaded FIF's The End is Near onto my Ipod and I am loving it. On Random, it rolled to FIF, Poor Old Lou, and then Pedro the Lion. I may be at work, but I am flying.
Later.
Bill
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Myth of application?
I don't know if you have ever wanted to pour yourself over the word of God but just fealt like there were barriers. Am I alone here? More than once I have had people tell me it is "OK" if you study the Word in small group "if you apply it".
Have we lost the idea of what the Word of God is? Is there any power in it any more? It is sharper than a butter knife; isn't it?
Lets remind ourselves that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Let me suggest that it is the role of the Holy Spirt to apply the Word to our lives. Don't you remember that God will not let it return to him empty without accomplishing the puropose for which he sent it forth?
In the evangelical community are we letting life application displace conviction over sin? Isn't the real application of scripture, a changed life? My wife and I recently had the privlage to attend the downpour confrence in Minnesota. In one session the speaker suggested that if confession means to say the same thing as God, than wisdom means to see things the same way God sees them. God give us wisdom to see our own sins and turn from them, instead of seeing all the sin in the world and condeming them.
Have we lost the idea of what the Word of God is? Is there any power in it any more? It is sharper than a butter knife; isn't it?
Lets remind ourselves that faith comes by hearing the word of God. Let me suggest that it is the role of the Holy Spirt to apply the Word to our lives. Don't you remember that God will not let it return to him empty without accomplishing the puropose for which he sent it forth?
In the evangelical community are we letting life application displace conviction over sin? Isn't the real application of scripture, a changed life? My wife and I recently had the privlage to attend the downpour confrence in Minnesota. In one session the speaker suggested that if confession means to say the same thing as God, than wisdom means to see things the same way God sees them. God give us wisdom to see our own sins and turn from them, instead of seeing all the sin in the world and condeming them.
Intimidation
Nothing is so difficult as starting a thing. Unless of course we consider finishing a thing well. A unique challenge for me since I am easily distracted. We will see how this goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)