Tag: Hebrews

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Faith?

Wow, so the school Christmas programs are over – that means that big day is pretty soon.  There were several comments on my selected present from yesterday, but I could still use some suggestions for Amy.  Add some comments!  Josh’s countdown continues today with , get ready, The Jonas Brothers!  YES!  Not quite NKOTB, but close – Here it is Girl of My Dreams.

I have still been thinking about those shepherds and magi, and the faith it took for them to go to Bethlehem to find this new born king.  So that on top of the fact that I am slowly going through Crazy Love by Francis Chan. ( I say slowly because the book is so challenging I have to stop and think and process after a few pages, but its a great read.  I recommend it for Christmas).

Anyway, I have been thinking about faith.  The shepherd’s faith and my own faith.  Mr Chan asks this question in the his book “What are you doing right now that requires faith?”  Its a really really tough question.  How much faith does it take for me to go to work?  To type this blog?  To do each of my conference calls?  Recently, I ate lunch with a family who a few years ago, packed up, took their 4 children out of an exception private school, and went to China to live and teach for a year.  I sit in awe when I think about the faith it takes to do that!  I am not saying lets all head to China ( or maybe I am), but I am suggesting as you visit the new born king over the next few days, examine yourself.

Examine yourself, your faith, ask yourself – what are you doing right now that requires faith?  I don’t think this is a flippant question.  Its a hard question.  but its one that we all should examine.  So when you are sitting around at night, think about these shepherds,  think about these Magi.  Think about your faith, and then go visit the new born king, and see what that does to your answer to this question!

Hebrews 11:6

New International Version (NIV)

6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

And then check the whole of Isaiah 58.

oh by the way, I still am finding myself singing

Glória in excélsis Deo

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Mercy Exists

Over the last few days I have been writing alot (and thinking alot) about humility and reducing your own self thought – and giving it over to God.  This is a harder thing to put into practice then it seems on paper, but we all know that when you do it always works out.   The rest we get, the inner peace, it is absolutely amazing.  However, you can’t stop, its an everyday thing.  Hebrews 4 talks about this a little bit.  It holds up that ultimate rest and peace that we will attain when we hold fast and be diligent and submit ourselves everyday.

So today hold fast to your confession, and live boldly knowing the victory is yours.  Be transformed by humility, and mercy and grace!

Hebrews 4:14-16 (New International Version)

14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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Cyber Monday!

Wind and Rain in the Fall
Rain!!!

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down….

But not on Cyber Monday.  What a great day, a day when its apparently OK to shop at work!  “Hey, I am just helping out the economy!”  So good luck today finding that deal with free shipping online!!

Also today is Lori’s Birthday, so, buy something for her!

Did you notice Timbow’s sun glare stickers ( I wonder what those are really called) on Saturday night. What a great verse he had on there.  One I think that we should all think about often.  Actually its another one of my favorites and I think its a great motivator.

(What is odd is the commentator on TV only read verse 1 when he talked about it, verse 2 makes it worth it!)

Let us scorn the shame and serve whole heartily!  I think we all can learn something besides football from Tim!

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV