Tag: 2 Corinthians

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Titanium Renewal

Oh Twitter, despite what Coach Harbaugh says, you are not a waste of time , but a source of constant motivation! Like this great text I saw re-tweeted this morning by an old friend of mine. I had to share this with you guys today. This comes for a twitter account named ‘Shakespeare Remix’.

You blast me bottomward, nevertheless I shan’t cascade, I am a chemical element with the symbol Ti.

Yeah! that’s some good inspiration in the style of the old poet that should get you ready to deflect and manage what’s thrown at you today!  and why would it not work – you’ve already been renewed!

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT

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Do You Have a Mission?

Over the course of a few days back in October of 2011, I heard several people talk about mission.

The first was a sales guy during a software presentation for us, and for some reason, he got off talking about mission.  The thing the makes this otherwise bland and boring presentation memorable was he comment about the word mission.  He said that mission was really a military term.  For some reason this caught me off guard and I actually wrote down a note to check that out.

In a course of a few days that week, I was presented heard with the idea of having a mission in my life a few times. So much so, that I started a draft blog post that has sat in my draft list all of this time, staring at me each morning, asking me ‘do I have a mission?’.

Yesterday, the idea was presented to me again, as I lead the small group I work with in a study that involved a quite challenging question – do you approach life as a sky diver, out for the fun, and excitement or a paratrooper, who has, guess what, a mission to accomplish.  And Actually, I watch and prepared for last night back in December, so this whole idea has stirred around in my head for several weeks – and I think it will for more.  I think as we start the first official work week of 2013, it’s a good question to ask ourselves.  Do we have a mission?  Are we living with intent and purpose, or just floating through, being blow hither and yon, and enjoying the sights along the way?

For those who follow the Christ, a mission already exists and it’s this ->

Follow the example of your leader, the Christ, and live for others – just like he lived and died for you! Love how he loved!

See what I mean:

13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.  2 Corinthians 5:13-21 (NIV)

So, it’s something I hope you will consider today and this week.  Do you have a mission, if not will you accept the mission the Lord has laid out for you?

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Bye Bye 2012!

Wow, I jumped up this morning, spent a moment watching a fiery red and orange sunrise and got right to work on some stuff in the empty house, and forgot all about writing a post!  That’s not a great way to end the year, but I have been really productive in my most favorite time of the day- the early morning.

That sort of reminds me of this quote I stumble upon recently

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to enjoy to love” Marcus Aurelius

Yep, today the sunsets on the year we called 2012, and all of those hopes, dreams, and memories will go down over the horizon.  Tomorrow, is a new day, and a new year starts!  Yeah!

But really, we should remember that each day is a new start and a new chance to live this one life we have.  Tomorrow may be a new year, but today, today is a new day.  Let’s us treasure it, and use it for his glory!

15… so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:15-17 New International Version (NIV)

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Compelled

It’s Monday, the winter weather has set in and today maybe just one of those days that you wonder why you are heading out to do whatever it is you do.

Well, maybe this is some good motivation from 2 Corinthians.

14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Be compelled to action today by the love of Christ!

 

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Constrained

One of the minor reasons I started writing this blog 4 years ago was to force myself to attempt o become a better writer, and to be better able to express my self in writing.  I will let all of you judge the improvement!

I do realize however, that some people are just blessed with the ability to use simple words to capture great thoughts.  I was reminded of that last weekend when I was thinking about the lyrics to the classic hymn ‘Come Thou Fount’.  This one line from that great poem is I think often overlooked when the song is sung, but full of immense emotion and meaning

oh to grace how great a debtor, Daily I’m constrained to be.

I am always taken aback by this line and how wonderful a blessing the grace we have been freely given is and by how much of a debt we owe that sale grace!

6 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.  2 Corinthians 6:1New Living Translation (NLT)

It’s been freely given, and so you are free to give it!

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.1 Peter 4:10 New International Version (NIV)