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YouVersion.com Disturbed Me

June 18, 2008 in Bible, Links with 1 Comment

I love finishing tasks. I’m an organizing nerd, and the satisfaction I get from checking something off my list is like a little piece of heaven to me. I haven’t blogged about my in-depth New Testament reading plan in a few months, but I’m still on schedule. It’s hard to update after each book of the bible, but everyone can rest easy knowing that since I posted about my journey through the book of Acts in early March; I have completed Hebrews, Galatians, James, Matthew, Romans, and Ephesians. Recently I’ve been struggling to make sure that I’m not reading just so I can check that little delicious box on my Bible Reading Plan. To those unaware of the checklist sickness, you will think that I’m speaking a different language. (Yes, I’m talking to my wife…) I get such a holy satisfaction from checking that little completed box, that I’ve begun to get worried that my motivation for reading the Bible is out of whack.

So last week, I stepped away from my little brown Message Bible and dove head first into YouVersion.com. Reading the Bible online, isn’t really something I enjoy. As much as a read things online, when I’m reading something that requires undivided attention I’ve always preferred feeling it in my hands. (And I don’t have one of those cute little Macbooks that I can take to bed with me, my laptop is a energy-beast that rivals the temperature of the sun when sitting on my lap.) However, YouVersion.com has totally agreed with me this time around. I’m not sure if it’s the ease of reading it, or the community of web links, videos, thoughts, and articles that accompany whatever chapter or verse I’m highlighting. It even has a built-in journal area next to the bible text, that is convenient even if I don’t use it. It’s even available in a mobile version! However, I’d love to see a firefox extension in the future…

So thanks to YouVersion.com for disturbing me out of my routine this week. In fact I just now went back and checked off the 5 days of boxes I forgot to get to this week. Whew!

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Now playing: Tenth Avenue North – Love Is Here
via FoxyTunes

Big Words, Little Brain

April 2, 2008 in Bible with 0 Comments

James 3:3-6 (The Message)

3-5 A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!

5-6 It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

As I was reading through James 3 this morning I was reminded of the famous quote, “Better to stay silent and be thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt.” (I’ve seen this quote credited to everyone from Will Rogers to Abraham Lincoln.)

If James 3 tells me the negative and hurtful ways that my words can damage and injure those around me. It got me to thinking about my positive, life-giving words. Can a carefully thought out word extinguish a forest fire in someones life? Can my words make the world a better place, and turn chaos into harmony? Could my words build up the reputations of others? Could my words help send people to heaven?

Powerful thoughts…

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Now playing: Hillsong United – Tell The World (Jakarta, Indonesia)
via FoxyTunes

28 Days of Acts

March 3, 2008 in Bible with 0 Comments

I’m still in the midst of my slow, purposefully reflective journey through the New Testament this year. I just finished the book of Acts. Here are my thoughts:

  • Acts 1:21-26 -I’d love to see a church hire happen like this. It would be interesting to watch it unfold.
  • Acts 2:29-36 -In the Message interpretation this passage starts off with, “Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you.” Acts 2:36 is about as bold a proclamation that a preacher can make to his audience.
  • Acts 2:37 -The first altar call wasn’t even a call for salvation, the people were begging for an answer!
  • Acts 2:39 -The Children’s pastor in me loves this passage.
  • Acts 4:4 -The worlds first mega-church! 5,000 added in only a few days!
  • Acts 4:1-22 -The persecution begins, but the gospel of Jesus Christ starts to spread.
  • Acts 6:1 -The beginning of ‘hard feelings.’
  • Acts 6:6 -I’d like the description of Stephen to be said of me someday.
  • Acts 7 -Stephen was quite the preacher. He didn’t exactly get the results I’d like to have (death by stoning), however he could make a point.
  • Acts 8:1 -The first mention of Saul/Paul is a dubious one.
  • Acts 9:5 -I’ve always been curious how Paul knew this light and voice was his Master.
  • Acts 9:21 -First appearance of suspicious Christians.
  • Acts 10-13 -The news is picking up steam, it’s gaining momentum.
  • Acts 14:14-15 -Humility in action!
  • Acts 15:37-41 -Disagreeing without being disagreeable?
  • Acts 16:9-10 -This is one great way to get travel directions.
  • Acts 17-18, 20-21 -Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus; Macedonia and Greece, and on to Jerusalem, after getting through Tyre and Caesarea.
  • Acts 21:27-36 -Jerusalem turns out to NOT be such a great destination. Earlier in the story Paul is repeatedly encouraged to stay away from Jerusalem. He continues to travel in the direction of Jerusalem. He is warned over and over again; but says emphatically in 20:24 that he must finish the job God started in him.
  • Acts 22:1-21 -Paul tells his story. Would it have happened if he was not imprisoned?
  • Acts 24 -Paul tells his side of the story. Would it have happened if he was not imprisoned?
  • Acts 26 -Paul tells his story, again. This time to a King. Would it have happened if he was not imprisoned?
  • Acts 28:30-31 -The last written actions of Paul in the book of Acts. “His door was always open.”

Shut it Kid, or I’ll let a Bear Eat You!

February 27, 2008 in Bible, Links with 1 Comment

Respect your Elders

Respect your elders or be eaten by bears. You don’t mess with a prophet of God! Share the story of Elisha in 2 Kings 2:23-24.

Be honest, how many times have you said this blog title to your kids? Be Honest!

I teach children. I like bears. I have always wanted to find a creative way to teach this story. I think it would make a great children’s sermon on your last Sunday to be somewhere. At the very least this teddy bear would make a great office decoration.

(Thanks to BON for the link!)

Thoughts From Mark

January 17, 2008 in Bible, Personal with 0 Comments

I finished reading through the book of Mark this morning. I’m doing a special 2008 New Testament read through using the Message Bible. I’ve used the Message Bible for years, but never on a complete read through like this.
I’ve always thought of Mark as the ‘Cliff Notes’ version of the Gospels. It’s shorter than the other Gospels, and the writer gets right into the story of Jesus from the beginning. No long introductions to anything, just bang-bang-bang through the whole story of Christ.

Here are some of my thoughts:

  • 1:23-24 -Jesus’ arrival wasn’t a secret to the bad guys
  • 2:28 -I love the Message Bible interpretation of this verse
  • 5:34 -The great ‘risk of faith’
  • 6:35-44 & 8:1-10 -Four thousand, five thousand, what’s the big deal? Jesus took care of the big crowds with style
  • 6:53-56 -The ‘Fame’ of Jesus is spread. This is the public ministry of Jesus getting off the ground
  • 9:35 -What place in line are you?
  • 10:27 -Giving God a chance
  • 10:45 -Jesus paid the price, released the prisoners, met the ransom…
  • 12:28-34 -Because Jesus said so, that why!
  • 13 -This entire chapter is a sharp rebuke.
  • The writer of Mark absolutely speeds through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Chapters 15 & 16 are great reminders of the price that has been paid.
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