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The Promise of Paradox

"Few of us are so spiritually advanced that we can accept the crosses we are given in simple obedience, as a spiritual discipline. We usually all resist the cross at first. We become so worn down, so flattened out, so drained of energy and emptied of fight that the only thing left is to accept.

The cross is, above all, a place of powerlessness. Here is the final proof that our feeble powers can no more alter life's trajectory than a magnet can pull down the moon. Here is the death of the ego, of the self that insists on being in charge, the self that continually tries to impose its own idea or order and righteousness on the world.

But once again, the cross is a place of contradiction. For the powerlessness of the cross, if fully embraced, takes us to a place of power. This is THE GREAT MYSTERY at the heart of Christian faith. . .THE MYSTERY OF THE POWER OF POWERLESSNESS. Or is it such a mystery after all? As long as I am preoccupied with the marshalling of my own feeble powers, there will be no way for God's power to flow through me. As long as I am getting in my own way, I cannot live
in the power of God's way.

Here is how Paul speaks of this moment of acceptance in Jesus' crucufixion and our own: 'In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: his state was divine, and yet he did not cling to His equality with God but emptied Himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as we are; and being as all men are He was humbler yet, even to ACCEPTING death, death on a cross.' Phili 2:5-7."


- The Promise of Paradox by Parker J Palmer

When was Jesus Crucified?

The Bible does not specifically state which day of the week Jesus was crucified. The two most widely held views are Friday and Wednesday. Some, however, using a synthesis of both the Friday and Wednesday arguments, accept Thursday as the day. Jesus said in Matthew 12:40, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Those who argue for a Friday crucifixion say that there is still a valid way in which He could have been considered in the grave for three days. In the Jewish mind of the First Century, a part of day was considered as a full day. Since Jesus was in the grave for part of Friday, all of Saturday, and part of Sunday—He could be considered to have been in the grave for three days. One of the principal arguments for Friday is found in Mark 15:42 that notes that Jesus was crucified "the day before the Sabbath." If that was the weekly Sabbath, i.e. Saturday, then that fact leads to a Friday crucifixion. Another argument for Friday says that verses such as Matthew 16:21 and Luke 9:22 teach that Jesus would rise on the third day; therefore, He wouldn't need to be in the grave a full three days and nights. But while some translations use "on the third day" for these verses, not all do and not everyone agrees that that is the best way to translate these verses. Furthermore, Mark 8:31 says that Jesus will be raised "after" three days.

read full article

Taken from GotQuestions.org

The Mystery of Suffering

Great is the mystery of suffering; yet this much we know: suffering is in the very warp and woof of the slow progress of mankind from ''the vanity of time to the riches of eternity,'' so deeply interwoven into the stuff of things that the very Captain of our salvation, in order to be ''made like unto His brethren'' had to be ''made perfect through suffering.'' Borne rebelliously it ''works death''; borne courageously it purifies; borne vicariously it helps to redeem.

All men taste of it, the innocent with the guilty; but not till the Creator was crucified was there placed within reach of a groaning and groping humanity, not indeed the full explanation of suffering, but at least the key to its transmutation: we have to learn that faith transforms the messenger of Satan into the means of grace: that believers are to glory in tribulations, count trials all joy, because all things work together for good to them that love God: and that God's soldiers are to see in their crosses the mystery of the birth-process, whereby death works in us, but life in others, for only the corn of wheat which falls into the ground and dies bears ''much fruit.''

-''Alfred Buxton of the Congo and Abyssinia'' by Norman Grubb

Which Jesus Do You Follow?

There seems to be more than one "Jesus" to choose from these days. Which one is the true Jesus and who am I following?

· There's a 'seeker friendly' Jesus, he's the one who will not offend anyone in anyway. He loves everyone no mater what they do.

· There's a 'sow and reap' Jesus, he made a covenant with man so that man could sow his seed and reap wealth and happiness on earth and then go to heaven when he dies.

· There's a 'blend in with the world' Jesus, he wants us to look like, act like, and be like the world in order to reach the lost.

· There's a 'neverending grace' Jesus, his 'grace' covers us no matter what we do or how we live.

· There's a 'just believe' Jesus. As long as you truly believe in your heart, you're saved.

· There's a 'name it claim it' Jesus. You name it; anything and it's yours! If you don't get it, it's because you lack faith. It's your fault.

· There's a 'carnal' Jesus. He doesn't expect you to overcome sin, he understands you're just carnal.

· There's a 'heart dwelling' Jesus. All you have to do is ask him into your heart and voilà, he's there. You're going to heaven!

-by Brendon Powell.

Truth:

There's the Jesus who said "Repent and believe the gospel, the kingdom of God is at hand." -Mark 1:15

He said, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him." -Lk 9:23-25

He said without Him you are already condemned. -John 3:18

He said He came to save the world -John 3:16

He said if we love anyone more than Him we are not worthy of Him. -Matt 10:37-39

He said if you love this life you'll lose it. -John 12:25-26

He said you cannot serve God and money. -Matt 6:24

He said fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell. -Mt 10:28

He said be extreme in your war against sin. -Matt 18:8-9

He said love God with all your heart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself. -Matt 22:37-39

He said the gate is narrow and the way is difficult and few find it. -Matt 7:13-14

He said those who believe in Him but work iniquity will be cast out. -Matt 7:21-23

He said you'll be hated for His name's sake, but if you endure to the end, you'll be saved. -Matt 10:22

He said I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me. -John 14:6

Which Jesus do you follow?

Taken From SafeGuardYourSoul.com

What’s this “Blue Jean Gospel” all about?

It’s about the story of the Gospel being more than formal wear you put on [one time] for a special event. (The Gospel is not a tuxedo or wedding dress.)

It’s not something we put on [occasionally] when we want to look nice or dress up. (The Gospel is not a suit and tie or a dress with high heels.)

It’s also not something you put on when you need to look professional and presentable. (The Gospel is not a pair of smart casual khakis.)

It is a rough and rugged life that we embrace everyday.
It’s a life that will be scrapped and scratched, banged and bruised.
But will remain strong and will grow better with the wear and tear.

God wants to get you out of the suit and tie, out of the dress and heels and into the “Blue Jean Gospel”, that you will wear and live in everyday.

"In Greek religions - dying and rising again is a single experience undergone in the act of initiation, but for Paul it is an experience which, from the moment of his baptism, IS CONSTANTLY REPEATING ITSELF ON THE BELIEVER. With Paul, his whole being, FROM HIS BAPTISM ONWARDS, IS A CONSTANTLY RENEWED EXPERIENCING OF THE DYING AND RISING AGAIN WHICH BEGAN IN THAT ACT. As he says in 2 Cor 4:11: "For we the living are constantly given up to death for Jesus' sake that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.” It is the realism of the Paul’s gospel which finds expression in this concept of THE CONTINUOUS DYING AND RISING AGAIN WITH CHRIST."

-Albert Schweitzer, 1953

31[I assure you] by the pride which I have in you in [your fellowship and union with] Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily [I face death every day and die to self].

-1Corinthians 15:31amp

American Socialism?

Norman Matton Thomas (November 20, 1884 - December 19, 1968) was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1911. As a candidate for President of the U. S., Norman Thomas said, in a 1944 epoch speech: "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of "liberalism", they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." He went on to say: "I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democratic Party has adopted our platform."

Watchman Nee Nuggets

The book, The Normal Christian Life is in my opinion one of the best books on true spirituality and growth available. Few books have had more impact on my life than this one. Here are a few nuggets from Watchmen Nee's great book. Download the entire book here.

"How can we ever expect the Lord to live out His life in us if we do not
offer our lives to Him?"

"If we give ourselves unreservedly to God, many adjustments may have to be
made.  God will not let anything of our old selves remain.  His finger will
touch, point by point, those things that are not of Him until everything from
our nature has been removed."

"We must go to the Cross, because what is in us by nature is a self-life.
Adam chose a self-life rather than a divine life; therefore, God had to gather
up all that was 'in Adam' and do away with it."

Knowing this, that our old (Adamic) man was crucified with Him (Christ), that
the body of sin might be done away, so that we should no longer be in bondage to
sin; for he that hath died is freed from sin.  Rom 6:6-7.

Push-Button Christianity - A.W. Tozer

"A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar. The tragic results of this spirit are all about us. Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul."

-A.W. Tozer

Has Starbucks Lost it's Story?

Ironically I sit in a Starbucks reading a blog about how Starbucks is no longer THE “third place” for people. Here is a great article from Church Marketing Sucks about how Starbucks has “lost it’s way”.



Another Lesson from Starbucks?

VineLife Part Two

I don't believe John 15 is a chapter about prayer. This "abiding" life imagery that Christ paints for us through the vine/branch illustration speaks to more than prayer. While spending time in Gods presence, worshiping Him and adoring Him is vital to the vine life, it is only one part of a greater truth. In this analogy, prayer is the lesser truth.

Abiding speaks of the full work of grace performed by God through Christ. It is the place of rest and the yoke that Jesus called us to in Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

A yoke is an object that binds two animals together. It creates a vital union between the two. We shouldn’t be concerned where or not Christ can pull His own weight. He is able to pull both His weight and ours. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Jesus said “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 15:4 To abide in Him means to find rest in Him. When a branch in being grafted into a vine it must remain totally still. The graft will not take if there is constant movement within the branch. For this reason a branch must be bound to the vine. The secret to a fruitful life is rest! Rest leads to sleep. Jesus often referred to the dead as only being asleep.

“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” John 11:11

Allow your self to “sleep” and find rest in Christ. When the old nature begins to rise up within you, instead of yielding to that thought, attitude or behavior- sleep. The old man is dead; He has been put to death at the cross. When we continue to “die daily” this is true abiding. Abiding is refusing to come out of the death of Christ. It is denying sin and self-everyday. When you learn to abide, you will bear much fruit.

VineLife Part One

I want to be always living the VineLife. This is the life that is continually connected to the vine. Stop for a moment and consider this, What is fruit? When the Holy Spirit spoke of holiness it was through the imagery of fruit. This gives us incredible insight into the anatomy of holiness. Holiness in our lives is the outcome of the hidden life of the tree. It is not the life of the branch that causes fruit to produce; it is the life of the sap. The deposit of the sap into the branch, through the vine produces fruit-holiness. This is the VineLife:

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:4-5

Who do you think you are?

What comes natural to you? Just study children and you will be surprised at who we are by nature. Two babies are playing together. One of them sees the toy in the others hand and snatches it away. This makes him angry so he snatches it back. Not willing to give up so easily, the baby wrestles is away again causing loud crying and tears to ensue. The mother comes rushing in and asks, “Did you take that toy away from him?” The mischievous child puts his sweetest face on and shakes his head, no. So before a child can walk and talk he can already ENVY, LUST, STEAL and LIE. Why? It’s the same reason that a chicken is not a chicken because it lays an egg; it lays an egg because it’s a chicken. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.

This is why God commands that we put the natural man in its proper place. What is the proper place for the natural man? .It is the cross. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24

God does not leave this work entirely up to us. He will initiate this work inside of us and all we have to do is surrender to it. The Christian life is not as forced life of willpower and self-effort. It is a yielded life of grace and peace. "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” Galatians 5:16-18

The Role of a Pastors Wife,

Pastor’s wives don’t always get acknowledged for the sacrifices they make. They are often under intense pressure to have the most well behaved kids, happiest marriage, perfect image, best attitude (during all situations). They have to be hospitable, willing to host and entertain people, friendly, encouraging, outgoing and cheerful, even when they are tired, sick, overwhelmed, depressed and struggling financially.

Since she is always reminded that behind every great man there is a great woman, she carries with her a constant call to greatness that she takes very serious. The pastor’s wife needs to be always accessible for prayer, counseling, fellowship or just hanging out. She needs to be aware of the needs of the church, families, women and children.

She is often in charge of the children’s ministry departments, volunteer coordination and church event planning. It is also common for the duties of a pastor’s wife to be accounting, bookkeeping and payroll. While this is a great responsibility many insist that she be able to preach as well.

She must never neglect her children and needs to be able to balance everything under the proper order of the family first priority. Keeping time for such responsibilities as home schooling her children and being a good housekeeper and homemaker. And don’t forget her most important ministry is to her husband whom she must serve, honor and help according to the pattern of God for marriage. And we cannot fail to mention that she must always answer her cell phone and respond promptly to all text messages and emails.

I wrote this about the wonderful and amazing women that I have the pleasure of calling my wife. Thank you Julie, I don’t know how you pull it all off but somehow you do. Forgive me for not acknowledging your tremendous sacrifice; forgive me for not helping you more. You are an amazing women. Today I honor you for the sacrifices you make. May God give you increase beyond measure, strengthen your hands and heart, and cause His grace to abound toward you in every area. Happy Valentines Day 2009

-Steve Trevino

When is a church too relevant?

I believe relevant teaching is not only important but that it is commanded by God. I have often said that I believe it is a sin to have boring preaching. It makes God look bad. But when does relevance cross the line? When does a church run the risk of becoming so relevant, that it becomes worldly. Greg Atkinson published a new series of blog posts called Impotent Preaching. He calls out some preachers and features a video of a very legalistic small town preacher named Steve Anderson. Now this guy is clearly arrogant and judgmental. I don't agree with his spirit or attitude. He does raise a valid point though. If a church is playing guitar hero on the big screen and playing BonJovi songs for praise and worship has it crossed the line? The video is hilarious no doubt and this guys needs some serious guidance but if this church is doing the things he is accusing them of, have they crossed the line? What do you think?

Java-lujah!

The Old Landlord

The Renewed Mind By Larry Christenson

Think of yourself as living in an apartment house. You live there under a landlord who has made your life miserable. He charges you exorbitant rent. When you can’t pay, he loans you money at a fearful rate of interest, to get you even further into his debt. He barges into your apartment at all hours of the day and night, wrecks and dirties the place up, then charges you extra for not maintaining the premises. Your life is miserable. Then comes someone who says, “I’ve taken over this apartment house. I’ve purchased it. You can live here as long as you like, free. The rent is paid up. I am going to be living here with you, in the managers apartment.” What a joy! You are saved! You are delivered out of the clutches of the old landlord! But what happens? You hardly have time to rejoice in your newfound freedom, when a knock comes at the door. And there he is – the old landlord! Mean, glowering, and demanding as ever. He has come for the rent, he says. What do you do? Do you pay him? Of course you don’t! Do you go out and pop him on the nose? No – he’s bigger than you are! You confidently tell him, “You’ll have to take it up with the new landlord.” He may bellow, Threaten, wheedle, and cajole. You must quietly tell him, "Take it up with the new Landlord.” If he comes back a dozen times, with all sorts of threats and arguments, waving legal looking documents in your face, you simply tell him yet again, “Take it up with the new Landlord.” In the end he has too. He just hopes that he can bluff and threaten and deceive you into doubting that the new Landlord will really take care of things.
Now this is a situation of a Christian. Once Christ has delivered you from the power of sin and the devil, you can depend on it; that old landlord will soon come back knocking at your door. And what is your defense? How do you keep him from getting the whip hand over you again? You send him to the new Landlord. You send him to Jesus.

Very interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 180O’s:

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." ~ Thomas Jefferson

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." ~ Thomas Jefferson


"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by
inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their
fathers conquered." ~ Thomas Jefferson

Ed Stetzer, - Starting a Church Without Losing Your Soul

Taken from article on Edstetzer.com,

Eugene Peterson makes an interesting observation in his introduction to "Working the Angels." "The pastors of America have metamorphosed into a company of shopkeepers, and the shops they keep are churches. They are preoccupied with shopkeeper's concerns-how to keep the customers happy, how to lure customers away from competitors down the street, how to package the goods so that the customers will lay out more money." 1

Many pastors are feeling the pressure to attract spiritual customers, but at what price? Megachurch pastor Walt Kallestad reveals similar feelings in a recent Christianity Today article, "Showtime No More."

"On the surface, all was well. I was a megachurch pastor with invitations to speak at conferences, write books, and mingle with dignitaries. Our church had state of the art facilities next to a major freeway. But that was on the surface. Deep down inside, I was mortified at what we'd become. We had to change. We just couldn't keep going like this. Not anymore."

The Sea Kelp Christian- Written by friend and Bible Teacher, Judge Travis Bryan III

As My wife and I walked the beach at Carmel-By-The Sea, California this morning, I saw a long stalk of seaweed (kelp) lying on the beach. I noticed the bottom end was very firmly attached to a rock apparently swept ashore with the kelp. I tried to separate the roots from the rock but it was too firmly connected. I pictured this plant alive and growing out in the sea but rooted on the rock deep down. On the surface it was tossed to and fro by the turmoil of the ocean. But down in the gloomy depths the plant is still, fixed, always quiet and at peace. This is a perfect picture of the Christian. On the surface we are tempest tossed in our circumstances and outer man but deep in our new man spirit we have a vital connection with Christ. To be rooted and founded in Him is to be deep down in Him and the humility of His death. For ye are dead and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col 3:3. Kelp rhymes with help. Like Kelp our help and stability in life flows from our union with the Rock. That Rock is Christ. 1 Cor 10.

-Travis Bryan III

So Long Bush

Contrary to the liberal media’s intense efforts, we didn’t all become Bush haters. Let’s not forget some of the great accomplishments George W. Bush did for our country. To name a few he; Banned Partial Birth Abortion, nominated two conservative Supreme Court Justices, signed no the Child Left Behind Act, took out Saddam Hussein, expanded the role of faith-based organizations and probably greatest of all, prevented a “Sept. 12”. History will judge the 43rd president more fairly. Thank you President Bush.

For a complete view of President Bush’s accomplishments click here.

Reaching the Addicted of our city.

Today there are 49 men passing out 50,000 flyers in Houston, TX. for the Victory Family Recovery Center. Please pray as we bring a new harvest of men and women. There is hope in Jesus!

Summertime lesson / Anytime application

Day on the Beach

What I thought was going to be another day on the beach with my kids turned out to be one of the most profound and practical lessons of my Christian life. Earlier that day I purchased a skim board for my daughters to play with along the shores shallow edge. While I was content to relax in my chair and enjoy a book, my children were determined to draw me into their adventure. They begged and pleaded for me to show them how to gracefully glide on a small board (with a 150lb weight limit) across an inch of water. It was a crowded beach in the peak of summer and I knew how this would play out. I just wasn't in the mood for making a fool out of myself as the clumbsy dad. "No" was my final answer. I wasn't prepared for what happened next. As my children turned away in disappointment, I felt the Spirit of God speak to me as I sat on the beach that afternoon. In that moment I saw more clearly than ever, the principle of the cross. There was an opportunity to resurrect a joy within my daughters but it meant that I would have to be willing to die to myself. I had a chance to usher in resurrection power into my relationship with my children but I would have to die to my pride, comfort, and agenda. God was calling me into the story of the cross through what seemed to be an insignificant event. In that moment I thought of the countless other times I had missed opportunities like this. ‘You don't want to die so that something within your daughters might live,’ is what I felt God speaking to me that day. I was led to repentance and into the story of the cross. We learned how to skim board that day. I fell many times and probably looked very silly but it was glorious. I was full of joy, uplifted with my girls, and a memory was created that will never be erased. Who knew that on a sandy beach during a summer vacation I would have a cross to bear? In speaking of the principle of the cross, the Apostle Paul said "So then death worketh in us, but life in you." 2 Corinthians 4:12 As the LORD blessed me to place Himself and my children before myself (death), His life filled our whole situation and blessed my daughters beyond measure.”

Do you know what grace looks like?

You have probably heard the joke about the man lost at sea. He cries out to the Lord to save him. Not long after the Coast Guard comes by and throws him a lifesaver. “No thanks, I’m waiting on God to rescue me,” the man foolishly replies.

Do we recognize when God is revealing His grace to us? When someone hurts you, do you accept the hurt and hold resentment toward that person, or do you allow that hurt to bring you to the low place of forgiveness? Instead of seeing an injustice or a wrong, let the Spirit open your eyes to the opportunity before you. Through this test God has provided the means for you to humble yourself. It seems that God will almost always use other people to test us.

There are two beams of the cross. The beam that stands upright and is held in place by the earth, and the beam that was placed upon the back of Jesus by the Roman soldiers. The vertical beam represents our relationship with God. There is a level of brokenness that enters into our life through dealings with God Himself. This is the sorrow and repentance that is ushered into us through the deep conviction of personal sins. These are internal dealing with our conscience and convictions. Then there is the horizontal bar. This speaks of our relationships with others. The ones in whom we live and work, shoulder-to-shoulder everyday. There is the portion of the cross that is imposed upon us by other people. These are often the hardest to carry. If you remember, Jesus Himself was unable to carry the cross beam to the top of the hill on His own.

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. -Matthew 27:32

As Christ humbly carried out His sentence of death we see the limitations of the human flesh. God provided someone for Jesus. A man standing on the side of the road to help. Just as Christ was hindered by the limits of the flesh and could not bear the cross on His own, how much more will you and I never be able to bear the cross on our own strength? God has also provided someone to come along side us to bear the weight of the cross for us. We cannot endure it on our own. We cannot forgive others, love our enemies or even keep “The golden rule”, without the power of the Spirit. If you look around and see only hurt and wrong, allow God to open your eyes to the grace He is affording you. No only does God call us to take up our cross and follow Him, but He himself will bear the cross for us when we have reached the end of ourselves