preacherman

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Christians & Poliitics

So, as Christians are we ever more passionate about politics than we are about our faith? Do we talk more about politics than we do about Jesus Christ? Why? What does that say about us as Christians? Do we make other Christians feel guilty if they do not believe the same as we do politically? Should we make them feel guilty when Jesus was neither Democrat or Republican? Jesus wasn't about the earthly Kingdom, so shouldn't we be caught up more with things of the heavenly kingdom?


What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

What Is Worship?

Dr. Lynn Anderson, in his book, In Search of Wonder, says, "Worship is fundamentally praise: it is our response to God for who He is and what he has done."

I believe that we as Christians need to understand that worship is about God. It is our expression of thanksgiving for what God has done in our lives.

I enjoy worshiping God. I believe the more we worship God the more we know Him and the more authentic our relationship becomes. The more we worship God, the more we can truely say, like Isaiah said, "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God" (Isa. 61:10).

The following are some great quotes on worship from In Search of Wonder:


"Vertical words of worship are meaningless if they are not matched by worship as a lifestyle of compassion and holiness." -Dr. Lynn Anderson


"In worship we remember who we are by remembering that God is the ultimate reality."- Mike Cope


" Since the totality of human reality includes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual, so must our worship."- Randy Harris


"Worship that is not relevant is not biblical."- Rubel Shelly


"The ultimate intent of Scripture is not shame us, but to inspire us." - Harold Shank


"In the Lord's Supper, we remember- we reexperience-the death of Jesus. God breaks in and shows us his world. In partaking, we not only signify Christ's body and blood, we participate in them. And we make a covenant that we will embody his sacrifical life." - Jack Reese


"Finding God seeking us. This is worship." -Max Lucado



How would you define worship? Do you think it is easy not to focus on God and focus on self when worshipping (ie: what can I get out of it)? What do you enjoy about your personal worship time with God? Do you agree that the more we worship God the deeper and more authentic our relationship with Him becomes? Does worship change us? How? What do you enjoy about the worship at your congregation? Is their a worship experience that you would like to share.



What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Tagged by Danny Dodd

I have been tagged by a fellow blogger buddy Danny Dodd. You can visit his blog at http://dannydodd.typepad.com/





The question is:


What does it mean to have peace?

I don't know. I am still trying to find that out about life. When I find the answer I will let you know.

I am striving to be the best husband, father, Christian that I can be. I think as I strive to do the will of God and know Him more each day and be the best person I can be; I might find that peace. I do know that I am promised a peace that will never perish, spoil or fade in heaven. I long for that day. I believe the more we give ourselves over to His will and do our purpose in Christ the more peace we find in our lives.



I love the story of Mother Teresa. It is said that a boy wrote a card her a asking how he could make a difference in the world the way she had made. The boy recieved a card from her with the words, "Find your own Calcutta." I think when we find our own Calcutta, our purpose in life and what God wants from us, we find the peace.

My challenge to you in this post is to "Find your own Calcutta."

And see if you find a little peace in your life.

What do you think?

Share your thoughts.

Thank You For Your Prayers

I want to thank everyone for your prayers for me and my family this past week.

I went to the Neurologist last week and had a botox treatment to relax the muscles in my head in an attempt to relieve the migraine. The doctors also are slowly cutting back my medications. I had an EEG, but haven't heard any news as of yet, so I am holding on to the hope that no news is good news.

The neuropathy in my legs and arms still gives me pain, but am continuing to get stronger each day.

As I mentioned in previous posts, the first thing I wrote in occupational therapy was: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"(Philippians 4:13). God continues to give me the strength I need as I simply trust Him in all things. My family and I have felt your prayers and been encouaraged by your comments. You all are a blessing to my life. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we serve Him.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Prayer Request For Preacherman

Please say a special prayer for me. I had kind of a scare lately. Last week I began slurring my words, being disoriented and not being able to remember what I had done. I had a CT of my brain today. I praise God that I didn't have a stroke and it wasn't a tumor. The doctor thinks it might be a complex migraine and/or a seizure.

This weekend was really bad. My Dad came and preached for me and I have been having really bad mood swings.

Please pray for my health, but also for my wife. She drives 77 miles one way (154 miles roundtrip) 4 days a week. She has driven for 3 years trying to finish her Accounting degree. She will finish in December, but it has been a struggle especially ever since I have been sick. There has been times that she just wants to give up.

She has to take care of the house, the kids, the laundry, the cooking, me and teaching the children Bible class on Wednesday nights.

Please pray for our endurance and patience with each other as it has been strained lately.

Thanks.