Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
April 18, 2012
September 23, 2010
May 04, 2010
My 5 Musts
As we all know I am a die hard reader. I think if you added up all the hours I spend with my head stuck in a book of some sort it would be pretty embarrassing. I don't even get in the car without a book, on the off chance I will end up waiting for someone or something and thinking to myself...."Man wish I had a book!" So since I love to read and have read a lot of books, here are five books I think you MUST read before you die!
Five books I think you should read all the way through before you die are................
We all probably know what my first recommendation will be. Yeah, I am also a die hard Bible Fan! So many people complain about inconsistencies in the bible or the total inaccuracies without ever having read it. They say it is totally unbelievable and totally irrelevant to their lives, when they have never cracked it open, much less read the entire thing! So I say, if you think you cannot complain about the president if you didn't vote, then you cannot complain about the Bible if you have never even read it! And I bet you heard that argument from someone else who never has read it either!
The second book I think every one should read is by Francine Rivers. All of her work is fabulous, but these five novellas especially are amazing. They are about women and so women will definitely identify well with these novellas, but they are also very applicable to men and I think everyone should read them once. It makes the bible come to life almost a nearly as a bible class can. You can almost smell the world of the Old Testament in these short books. All are wonderful and all are unique in that they reveal the human condition is the same over thousands of generations! You must read these!
My third book is a memoir of the wife of Richard Baxter, Margaret. I ordered this book online from a paperback sharing organization, based solely on the fact that it was Baxter and also Packer wrote the introduction. I never imagined to find such a jewel in this little and very poignant book. I have never seen the puritans as more human (I mean the English puritans since the American puritans make it hard to see than in any way but human!) here we find the struggle with the flesh and the Love of a man for his wife who even in her struggles still sought after Christ! And Hoe Baxter Loved her! Loved her so much this was his act of grief. To record their love story, but more than that their path through life alongside one another. Man this is loving one
another as Christ calls us to. LOVED this book!
My fourth recommendation is a book that I read in college and while I enjoyed it, I don't think I really understood it then. Now about 8 years later I have begun to revisit it and have found such a gem of christian life and truth that I don't know why I wasn't more astounded that this man was able to pen this book. I cannot figure whether he was able to understand these truths because of the era or simply because God gifted him at the right place at the right time. It is just amazing his understanding of the cost the gospel carries and the huge responsibility we have, if we are truly disciples, to follow Him totally! If you are a christian or even if you think you are a christian, you must read this!
My last recommendation is a classic of Christianity. The confessions of St. Augustine and while I don't agree with all the things that he says, obviously. Overall this man is still being printed for a reason! I mean seriously, he understood his own heart so transparently it's amazing! He wasn't afraid to reveal himself as a base and unrighteous person. He also wasn't afraid to trust the Lord in all things and at all times. Here is a book that must be read by anyone. Augustine wasn't playing at church. He wasn't pretending to follow after Christ for some unknown reason. He understood he had been ransomed from a very sinful life and therefore he dedicated his life to the service of Christ. Read it, Seriously!
There are several other books I want to recommend for everyone to read. I haven't read all that much, there is still so much left for me to read. I hope though that you join me in reading these gifted authors as they impart their wisdom to us. Obviously the bible is inspired of God, but the others have used their creative minds to His glory and I know if you read these books you cannot help but understand the glories of Calvary better and our God in a deeper manner than ever before!
Five books I think you should read all the way through before you die are................
We all probably know what my first recommendation will be. Yeah, I am also a die hard Bible Fan! So many people complain about inconsistencies in the bible or the total inaccuracies without ever having read it. They say it is totally unbelievable and totally irrelevant to their lives, when they have never cracked it open, much less read the entire thing! So I say, if you think you cannot complain about the president if you didn't vote, then you cannot complain about the Bible if you have never even read it! And I bet you heard that argument from someone else who never has read it either!
The second book I think every one should read is by Francine Rivers. All of her work is fabulous, but these five novellas especially are amazing. They are about women and so women will definitely identify well with these novellas, but they are also very applicable to men and I think everyone should read them once. It makes the bible come to life almost a nearly as a bible class can. You can almost smell the world of the Old Testament in these short books. All are wonderful and all are unique in that they reveal the human condition is the same over thousands of generations! You must read these!
My third book is a memoir of the wife of Richard Baxter, Margaret. I ordered this book online from a paperback sharing organization, based solely on the fact that it was Baxter and also Packer wrote the introduction. I never imagined to find such a jewel in this little and very poignant book. I have never seen the puritans as more human (I mean the English puritans since the American puritans make it hard to see than in any way but human!) here we find the struggle with the flesh and the Love of a man for his wife who even in her struggles still sought after Christ! And Hoe Baxter Loved her! Loved her so much this was his act of grief. To record their love story, but more than that their path through life alongside one another. Man this is loving one
another as Christ calls us to. LOVED this book!
My fourth recommendation is a book that I read in college and while I enjoyed it, I don't think I really understood it then. Now about 8 years later I have begun to revisit it and have found such a gem of christian life and truth that I don't know why I wasn't more astounded that this man was able to pen this book. I cannot figure whether he was able to understand these truths because of the era or simply because God gifted him at the right place at the right time. It is just amazing his understanding of the cost the gospel carries and the huge responsibility we have, if we are truly disciples, to follow Him totally! If you are a christian or even if you think you are a christian, you must read this!
My last recommendation is a classic of Christianity. The confessions of St. Augustine and while I don't agree with all the things that he says, obviously. Overall this man is still being printed for a reason! I mean seriously, he understood his own heart so transparently it's amazing! He wasn't afraid to reveal himself as a base and unrighteous person. He also wasn't afraid to trust the Lord in all things and at all times. Here is a book that must be read by anyone. Augustine wasn't playing at church. He wasn't pretending to follow after Christ for some unknown reason. He understood he had been ransomed from a very sinful life and therefore he dedicated his life to the service of Christ. Read it, Seriously!
There are several other books I want to recommend for everyone to read. I haven't read all that much, there is still so much left for me to read. I hope though that you join me in reading these gifted authors as they impart their wisdom to us. Obviously the bible is inspired of God, but the others have used their creative minds to His glory and I know if you read these books you cannot help but understand the glories of Calvary better and our God in a deeper manner than ever before!
April 22, 2010
Cheap Grace Or Costly Grace?
Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything, they say, and so everything can remain as it was before. 'All for sin could not atone.' The world goes on in the same old way, and we are still sinners 'even in the best life' as Luther said. Well, then, let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world's standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin. That was the heresy of the enthusiasts, the Anabaptists and their kind. Let the Christian beware of rebelling against the tree and boundless grace of God and desecrating it. Let him not attempt to erect a new religion of the letter by endeavoring to live a life of obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ! The world has been justified by grace. The Christian knows that, and takes it seriously. He knows he must not strive against indispensable grace. Therefore—let him live like the rest of the world! Of course he would like to go and do something extraordinary, and it does demand a good deal of self-restraint to refrain from the attempt and content himself with living as the world lives. Yet it is imperative for the Christian to achieve renunciation, to practice self-effacement, to distinguish his life from the life of the world. He must let grace be grace indeed, otherwise he will destroy the world's faith in the free gift of grace. Let the Christian rest content with his worldliness and with this renunciation of any higher standard than the world. He is doing it for the sake of the world rather than for the sake of grace. Let him be comforted and rest assured in his possession of this grace—for grace alone does everything. Instead of following Christ, let the Christian enjoy the consolations of his grace! That is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner who departs from sin and from whom sin departs. Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves.
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us.
Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.Costly grace is the sanctuary of God; it has to be protected from the world, and not thrown to the dogs. It is therefore the living word, the Word of God, which he speaks as it pleases him. Costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus, it comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and the contrite heart. Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: 'My yoke is easy and my burden is light' ...
...This grace was certainly not self-bestowed. It was the grace of Christ himself, now prevailing upon the disciple to leave all and follow him, now working in him that confession which to the world must sound like the ultimate blasphemy, now inviting Peter to the supreme fellowship of martyrdom for the Lord he had denied, and thereby forgiving him all his sins. In the life of Peter grace and discipleship are inseparable. He had received the grace which costs.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer Cost of Discipleship
I praise God for this man! Oh, how his conviction and astuteness has been a balm to my heart! What an encouragement he is in following wholeheartedly the Gospel of Grace, not of cheap grace, but grace which cost my Savior's life. I pray that the Lord would raise up more men and women like Bonhoeffer, for this generation. People willing to say "no matter what it costs me, no matter how people reject and malign me, no matter how unpopular I am, I must stand on the Cross! I must remember the truth! I must herald the Gospel in all it's costliness! For it cost my Savior HIS LIFE and now it will cost MY LIFE!" I pray I too will be such a one as he was, following Christ's word in total unadulterated obediance! Oh, to follow Christ, to believe His words, therein is life! And cheap grace....no that's not for me!!
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us.
Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.Costly grace is the sanctuary of God; it has to be protected from the world, and not thrown to the dogs. It is therefore the living word, the Word of God, which he speaks as it pleases him. Costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus, it comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and the contrite heart. Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: 'My yoke is easy and my burden is light' ...
...This grace was certainly not self-bestowed. It was the grace of Christ himself, now prevailing upon the disciple to leave all and follow him, now working in him that confession which to the world must sound like the ultimate blasphemy, now inviting Peter to the supreme fellowship of martyrdom for the Lord he had denied, and thereby forgiving him all his sins. In the life of Peter grace and discipleship are inseparable. He had received the grace which costs.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer Cost of Discipleship
I praise God for this man! Oh, how his conviction and astuteness has been a balm to my heart! What an encouragement he is in following wholeheartedly the Gospel of Grace, not of cheap grace, but grace which cost my Savior's life. I pray that the Lord would raise up more men and women like Bonhoeffer, for this generation. People willing to say "no matter what it costs me, no matter how people reject and malign me, no matter how unpopular I am, I must stand on the Cross! I must remember the truth! I must herald the Gospel in all it's costliness! For it cost my Savior HIS LIFE and now it will cost MY LIFE!" I pray I too will be such a one as he was, following Christ's word in total unadulterated obediance! Oh, to follow Christ, to believe His words, therein is life! And cheap grace....no that's not for me!!
March 30, 2010
In the Name of Peace
The truth is too important to kill it in the streets for the sake of peace. --RC Sproul
How many times have we refused to confess the truth as it is and chosen instead to be in a state of "peace" with others? Have you ever argued not to do what was rooted in the truth in favor of just not offending anyone?
Guess what? That's one of the main characteristics of our postmodern secular culture! Our culture tells us everyday in thousands of ways that no one has the right to infringe on anothers' "opinion". Our culture tells us to believe in anything but allow others also to believe in anything. Is this what you do?
You may say; "No way, Larissa, I NEVER do that!" But don't you? When you choose to bow down to anothers' opinion instead of being obedient to the words of Christ spoken of in scripture, you do do this!!!
You know Christ himself makes no leaway for this "opinion" respecting attitude we are so proud of in our nation. He says those who love Him do as He commands, no questions asked, no arguments, no addendums. He says, we do! But do you?
Nope. You say, "Oh, geese, she might get mad at me!" or "Well, I would answer and tell you the truth, but I might offend you." Wow! Have we really strayed this far from the bible and still we claim to be followers of God?
We have dragged truth into the street to murder her in a flagrant disregard of Christ, but, by golly, we didn't offend anyone! Oh, but did you offend God? Um, maybe that should be your focus if in fact you have been saved by His mercy!
How many times have we refused to confess the truth as it is and chosen instead to be in a state of "peace" with others? Have you ever argued not to do what was rooted in the truth in favor of just not offending anyone?
Guess what? That's one of the main characteristics of our postmodern secular culture! Our culture tells us everyday in thousands of ways that no one has the right to infringe on anothers' "opinion". Our culture tells us to believe in anything but allow others also to believe in anything. Is this what you do?
You may say; "No way, Larissa, I NEVER do that!" But don't you? When you choose to bow down to anothers' opinion instead of being obedient to the words of Christ spoken of in scripture, you do do this!!!
You know Christ himself makes no leaway for this "opinion" respecting attitude we are so proud of in our nation. He says those who love Him do as He commands, no questions asked, no arguments, no addendums. He says, we do! But do you?
Nope. You say, "Oh, geese, she might get mad at me!" or "Well, I would answer and tell you the truth, but I might offend you." Wow! Have we really strayed this far from the bible and still we claim to be followers of God?
We have dragged truth into the street to murder her in a flagrant disregard of Christ, but, by golly, we didn't offend anyone! Oh, but did you offend God? Um, maybe that should be your focus if in fact you have been saved by His mercy!
February 17, 2010
I Am A Bad Person....Are You?
One truth about the gospel I hold especially dear is the doctrine that I am a bad person (aka, Total Depravity). Without my wickedness I would have never had the need of a savior, and I DO have a GREAT need for the Savior! Christ DIED on the cross because I am a bad person, with all the capablities to sin as any other robber, adulter, drunk, murderer, and distainer of God that ever lived! I hope you too understand the implications made by Jesus Himself about the reason He came to die and save you from yourself. If you are a good person then Jesus didn't die for you, because You don't need it. He himself said that He came for the sick, not the well*. I admit I am a filthy sinner who had such a great need of His righteouness that I was lost without a hope, dead at the bottom of the pond as RC Sproul Says! Without conviction of sin we are not under the grace of Christ!
*By this I mean your admission of innocence flys in the face of the gospel, when you say you are good you say in essence that you Don't need the cross. I do not believe that you do not need the Cross, but beware of saying you are good for you will one day stand before the Creator with that argument and He sent Jesus because He disagreed, vehemently I might add!
*By this I mean your admission of innocence flys in the face of the gospel, when you say you are good you say in essence that you Don't need the cross. I do not believe that you do not need the Cross, but beware of saying you are good for you will one day stand before the Creator with that argument and He sent Jesus because He disagreed, vehemently I might add!
September 15, 2009
Transparency: Is it really worth the risk?
"...Your intimate knowledge of about even your friends and family members is usually far less than you realize. Most of us have very few relationships that break the surface" --Robert Jones, Uprooting Anger Page 140.
Now I know this is a provacative statement that is meant for us all to sit up and think about how many people actually know our hearts? How many people know what is tempting you to sin today? How many people know what you are fearing today? How many people know what you are hoping in today? Oh, so many questions could be linked to these few. Does even your spouse know what is really happening, or simmering, or blooming in your heart? I want to challenge all of you to be transparent! Not on the internet alone (especially since that is what we are using as a medium right now), talk to the people around you and say something that is of deep importance to your own heart. No more "how are you's" just simply pricking the surface! Ask and answer questions that will draw you into community with other believers that will make you more real, more relatable. How can you pray for someone else in a manner that will true change you or them, unless you allow your heart to be probed and also engage in probing others hearts. It is of vast importance that we take the great risk of opening our hearts to one another.
Now I know this is a provacative statement that is meant for us all to sit up and think about how many people actually know our hearts? How many people know what is tempting you to sin today? How many people know what you are fearing today? How many people know what you are hoping in today? Oh, so many questions could be linked to these few. Does even your spouse know what is really happening, or simmering, or blooming in your heart? I want to challenge all of you to be transparent! Not on the internet alone (especially since that is what we are using as a medium right now), talk to the people around you and say something that is of deep importance to your own heart. No more "how are you's" just simply pricking the surface! Ask and answer questions that will draw you into community with other believers that will make you more real, more relatable. How can you pray for someone else in a manner that will true change you or them, unless you allow your heart to be probed and also engage in probing others hearts. It is of vast importance that we take the great risk of opening our hearts to one another.
August 12, 2009
August 04, 2009
Get In The Middle Of This "Mess."
After completing a sermon series on Philippians earlier this summer I decided to spend the rest of June, July, and August preaching on some of God's attributes. This week's sermon is entitled "God is Relational". Despite many biblical texts that beautifully solidify the reality of this precious attribute, I have been somewhat surprised by the relative lack of literature on this character trait. However, there is a book on God's relationality and its implications for our existence as relational beings that is nothing short of phenonmenal. There are no doubt other good books on this topic but this one in particular is a must-read! I wanted to mention it on the blog simply because it is a book you should purchase, read, and then share with your friends. In fact, I was going to write a lengthy review on the book but then decided you would be better served to read it instead of my review. So here is a link to the book (just click on the link, immediately purchase the book, read it, and then drop me a comment when you finish.) Enjoy!!
January 22, 2009
Is Our Nation Christian?
One day I was attending one of these prayer meetings when a young man stated that he felt very definite and earnest prayer was needed for England. at the end I took this young man aside and asked why he had brought the subject before the Christians.
"Don't you think that England needs praying for?" he asked.
"Yes, but not as if it were a heathen land, because after all, it is a Christian country."
"But are they having blessing and revival?"
"I do not know."
"They can't be. If they were we would know it--in the midst of all our famine, war and suffering. England, the land that sent us the Gospel, is worshipping other gods."
"What do you mean?"
"To them sport, film stars, wealth, amusement--all are far more important than God."
"But how do you know all this?"
"From the papers. I will bring you some to prove it."
A little later he handed me a bundle of Chinese papers, and when I read them I understood the burden of his prayers. Every item reported news from England, every picture, was concerned with a film star, or a sportsman, or a horse race--not one mention of God. England, seemingly so prosperous while other countries passed through terrible suffering at the hands of Communist domination, had forgotten what was all-important--the realization that God mattered in the life of a nation no less than in that of an individual.
--Gladys Aylward: the Little Woman by Gladys Aylward with Christine Hunter
Did you know that the United State is the 4th most unreached nation in the world? That more then 3000 churches close their doors every year?
That being said...what do you see most in the news these days? Where is the gospel heralded in our nation? Even many Evangelicals have taken a back seat to their calling to go...in their own nation.
This has really been on my heart of late with everything going on in our nation. I hope that you pray and go....Our nation is perishing for want of a Savior! Go and Tell!! Are we experiencing revival? Why ever not?
"Don't you think that England needs praying for?" he asked.
"Yes, but not as if it were a heathen land, because after all, it is a Christian country."
"But are they having blessing and revival?"
"I do not know."
"They can't be. If they were we would know it--in the midst of all our famine, war and suffering. England, the land that sent us the Gospel, is worshipping other gods."
"What do you mean?"
"To them sport, film stars, wealth, amusement--all are far more important than God."
"But how do you know all this?"
"From the papers. I will bring you some to prove it."
A little later he handed me a bundle of Chinese papers, and when I read them I understood the burden of his prayers. Every item reported news from England, every picture, was concerned with a film star, or a sportsman, or a horse race--not one mention of God. England, seemingly so prosperous while other countries passed through terrible suffering at the hands of Communist domination, had forgotten what was all-important--the realization that God mattered in the life of a nation no less than in that of an individual.
--Gladys Aylward: the Little Woman by Gladys Aylward with Christine Hunter
Did you know that the United State is the 4th most unreached nation in the world? That more then 3000 churches close their doors every year?
That being said...what do you see most in the news these days? Where is the gospel heralded in our nation? Even many Evangelicals have taken a back seat to their calling to go...in their own nation.
This has really been on my heart of late with everything going on in our nation. I hope that you pray and go....Our nation is perishing for want of a Savior! Go and Tell!! Are we experiencing revival? Why ever not?
October 30, 2008
Harvest Party
Kace made our beautiful pumpkin!
At the end they were all wiped!
Our Kace man as Daniel
His Lion.
We played the Lazarus game! Lots of fun!!
A Shepherd (supposed to be moses, but the 10 commandments was too sleepy). He had fun though getting his face painted with a dino!
We didn't win the costume contest, how can you beat the lepers? But we were the lucky recipients of the 1200 count jar of M'n'M's as luck would have it! What are the odds? My kids were very content with the outcome, as they could have cared less about the judging! We had a great time, first time any of them even dressed up since we don't do Halloween.
Have a great day!!
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