"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
- Romans 15:5-7, emphasis added.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The paradox of evangelism
Part of a cool blog post from Randy Newman (the author, not the composer).
"We accept the fact that “success” is not dependent upon us. We understand that God uses both the human and the divine in the process (remembering, of course, that the divine component is so much more important). We open our mouths, knowing that God can actually use our frail attempts to accomplish the impossible. We speak with our mouths but we ask God to speak in ways far more powerful. We reason but we ask God to reveal. We proclaim but we know we’re on a playing field with many other forces at work.
It’s a paradox but a privilege."
Monday, June 6, 2011
A great hope and prayer
"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 27:13.14
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 27:13.14
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The prison of conditionality
Read this fantastic blog post by Tullian Tchividjian.
The Prison of Conditionality
It really struck a chord with me and my everyday struggle with resting in the truth of the gospel.
As human beings, we tend to build our lives around the idea - "there is no such thing as a free lunch".
We do something, we expect something in return. We do good, we expect a reward. We do bad, we expect to be punished (or be lucky enough to avoid it).
Our human nature is based on acceptance through achievement.
The gospel of the God of the Bible and of the Universe is different.
It is based ENTIRELY on an alien righteousness that is outside of ourselves and our own effort.
Your religious fervour, your church attendance, your giving to charity.
These things do not justify you before God. Christ does.
May God give us the grace to break out of this prison of conditionality, and understand His UNconditional love more and more every minute of every day.
The Prison of Conditionality
It really struck a chord with me and my everyday struggle with resting in the truth of the gospel.
As human beings, we tend to build our lives around the idea - "there is no such thing as a free lunch".
We do something, we expect something in return. We do good, we expect a reward. We do bad, we expect to be punished (or be lucky enough to avoid it).
Our human nature is based on acceptance through achievement.
The gospel of the God of the Bible and of the Universe is different.
It is based ENTIRELY on an alien righteousness that is outside of ourselves and our own effort.
Your religious fervour, your church attendance, your giving to charity.
These things do not justify you before God. Christ does.
May God give us the grace to break out of this prison of conditionality, and understand His UNconditional love more and more every minute of every day.
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