Archive for the ‘Theology’ Category
Posted on June 25, 2010 - by Larry - 1 Comment
The Temple
Been reading through the book “A Godward Life” by John Piper as part of my devotion in the mornings. I use it as a supplement to my bible reading. I like to read the Bible through each year though I must admit I do not always make it. There are portions that seem to be harder to get through but that is just being honest and probably another post. I have found daily bible reading plans helpful. Here is one from the Journey Church in St. Louis called Engage Scripture.
Recently I read:
19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
My mind instantly rewound to when I was in college and made some steps in the right direction regarding my spiritual life. I was not always making the right choices in many areas of my life. One of the men who was discipling me at this time really challenged me with this verse. It meant a lot to me then and it means a lot to me now.
As a follower of Christ the Holy Spirit resides in me. My body is a temple. It is not only what I do but also what I think and say that needs to be considered. All of these activities should be honoring to God not appalling.
I talk a lot about how the Holy Spirit guides us in mission (Acts 1:8). But, I need to also remember that the Holy Spirit is involved in all areas of my life.
A couple of questions to consider:
What verses do you keep going back to?
and why are they important to you?
Posted on April 25, 2009 - by Larry - 0 Comments
Led .. Acts 13
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”[a]), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas[b]), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
I continue to be fixated on Acts 13. I am also thinking of other places in the New Testament where it talks about giftedness. Romans 12, 1 Cor.12, Ephesians 4 just to name a few.
What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
We see in scripture it is to build up the body of Christ. It is not to showcase our own talents and abilities.
A body is organic.
It is growing.
It is alive.
It is reproducing.
It is maturing.
All of these descriptions of the body can play a part in the church’s mission(al) activity. In Acts 13 we see some believers with identifiable gifts. There were prophets and teachers. So having gifts and those gifts being affirmed was an important part of the church and still is today.
I believe as the church matures and reproduces it should be able to identify, affirm, equip and send out those in the body for ministry in their community and in to the world.
I like this pattern in Acts 13. I think it shows how spiritual gifts come into play in missions and how the Holy Spirit calls people. It also shows how the church affirms that calling and sends people out. It all works together.
Posted on April 17, 2009 - by Larry - 1 Comment
Led.. The Antioch Church
2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. 4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. Acts 13: 2-4
I have often thought of God’s call on a person’s life. I think I have been guilty of thinking of “calling” or “being sent” as an individual’s response to God’s call on their life. When I read Acts 13 I see the church doing what was normal to them: worshiping the Lord and fasting. The Holy Spirit spoke to them and gave them an assignment.
You (the church) should dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the work in which I have called them do. This “leading” was to the church. It was in community. It seems that the church doing what was normal to them received instructions on how to be responsible to the Great Commission. They were to send out two of their very gifted men.
The church continued to pray and to fast on this matter and then they laid hands on them and sent them out.
I wonder what conversations did they have as a church during that time?
What conversations did they have with Barnabas and Saul while they were going through this process?
Did they have a church planter assessment done? (I had to write that since that was my job some years back.)
We do know is this was the first missionary journey of Paul. They were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They were confirmed by the body of believers known as the church. The two (Holy Spirit and Church ) should not be separated in our missionary ventures.
Posted on April 12, 2009 - by Larry - 0 Comments
Sunday Morning
Sunday is about the empty tomb.
What Jesus did on the cross was accomplished!
He conquered sin and the grave.
He is risen!
The Bible says it best:
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Posted on April 11, 2009 - by Larry - 1 Comment
The Wait
Two nights ago I took my son camping. Actually the truth be told our friends took us camping. I am so clueless about such matters. I did remember to bring food but forgot to bring anything to eat on or with. This is one such example.
Camping out to me is like flying across the Atlantic in coach class. I am not talking about the fireside time or eating. That is the fun part. The not so fun part is trying to sleep on the hard ground and in this case with five 13 year old boys. The ground is hard, you hear a lot of noises in the woods plus you hear boys trying to see who could make the loudest and grossest noises from their bodies.
I always enjoy the morning after a camp out.
This day was no different. It reminded me about a time when I was college student. I was participating in an outdoor wilderness adventure. We were on the Appalachian Trail for 10 days. We had to do a 24 hour solo experience. No food, No one around you and overnight in the mountains. I noticed at the spot they dropped me off at had a sign that read – Warning: bear sanctuary. That was a sign of comfort. NOT!
I figured the best way to get through the overnight part of this was to sleep through the night.
I found the safest and highest place. I settled in. It was dusk so I figured I would go to sleep and wake up at daybreak. No problems. Life is rarely that smooth for me. I was able to go to sleep without problems and I woke up and felt refreshed. Plus, it was bearly (no pun intended, smile) light. The problem was that instead of it getting lighter outside it was getting darker. I had taken a 20 minute nap. I could not go back to sleep. So the rest of the night was quite difficult. I longed for the daylight. I anticipated the morning where I could see what was around me. I kept reading the sign about the bears in my mind and I know I heard footsteps (it was probably a large squirrel)
This to me is Saturday after Good Friday. Waiting for Daylight and what comes in the morning.
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22 – 24
Posted on April 10, 2009 - by Larry - 0 Comments
Amazing Love How Can It Be
Good Friday.
Not a lot of extra words are needed today on my blog.
The bible speaks profoundly to us about today.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
Today we remember what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.
It is indeed a Good Friday.
Thank You Lord for your sacrifice.
Thank you Lord for your amazing love.
Posted on October 20, 2008 - by Larry - 0 Comments
Chains
We approached the front of the cathedral towards the area where they currently have mass. The church is the second largest church in that city behind St. Peter’s. There is a huge open area for people to come into. It was empty for the exception of a few tourists. When I say the word huge I really should write it like this: HUGE. By the way, one of our hosts for the week told us that only about 11 percent of Italians regularly attend Mass and 75 percent of them are over the age of 60. There are less than one percent of the people in the country that would say that they have a personal relationship with Jesus. Italy is definitely a country that we would describe as post Christian. Near the front of the church you will find the crypt where it is said that Paul is buried. This is where you will find his chains and see his tomb. It is covered with glass and you can look down towards it.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Paul, Ephesians 2:8
My heart broke for these people for there is nothing that we can do or even rub that can get us closer to God or give us power or luck. It is only by grace that we have been saved. I remembered and I am totally grateful for the chains that he wore as he boldly proclaimed the gospel in a hostile world but I am so thankful for the grace from our Lord that gives us life and freedom. Thank you Paul for teaching us that as well.
Posted on September 14, 2008 - by Larry - 0 Comments
What really counts?
This is what really counts.
