The Awe Factor of God...

I saw this you-tube video of Francis Chan (author of Crazy Love) a while ago, and everytime I watch it, I get chills just thinking of how BIG our Creator is... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ya12I036lg

Who God Is...

A recent conversation I had with a friend has spurred me on to really focusing on just Who God Is... versus who i am not and all the things i 'need to work on.'   So, I thought I'd start at the very beginning, the very best place to start... when we read we begin w/ A, B, C.  When we sing we ....  sorry, I should get on with it before I break out into song and dance here....


"In the beginning God..."  Genesis 1:1 


God... Elohim... was there in the beginning.  The name Elohim designates God as God.  'El' means "mighty" or "strong", and the 'him' ending of the name Elohim is a plural ending- more than one.  The triune God.  In the beginning there was nothing else just God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  He is timeless.  He had no beginning like we did, He has always existed. 


"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  Genesis 1:1


So, in the beginning there was God.  Nothing else.  Then.... God created... light out of darkness, form out of the formless, life where there was no life.


"The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." Genesis 1:2


All He had to do was speak...


"Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light."   Genesis 1:3


He is our Creator... the Creator of all things- not just at the beginning, but everything and everyone since then- including you and including me.  I was created in this time, in this place, for His glory... and so were you...


"For you formed my inward parts;  You wove me in my mother's womb.  I will give thanks to you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;  Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;  and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet, there were not one of them."  Psalm 139:13-16

The Hole in our Gospel

What does God expect of us?  Is our faith just about going to church, studying the Bible and avoiding the most serious sins -- or does God expect more?  Have we embraced the whole gospel or a gospel with a hole in it?

This is an excerpt from the back cover of Richard Stearns' book, "The Hole in our Gospel"  in which he explores these questions and challenges his readers to re-examine the depth of their faith, to step out and care for the widow and the orphan, the poor and needy of our world.  He begins the Prologue with an account of him sitting with a young boy of 13 years who was orphaned and caring for his younger brothers in Uganda... a powerful story that brings tears to your eyes.  Stearns then tells of how God called him to be the President of World Vision, his struggles and insecurities of leaving a lush, affluent lifestyle and a world he was familiar with to a life of complete surrender and service to the Lord - a world full of hunger, sickness, utter poverty.  The book ends with a Question and Answer section from Stearns' wife, as well as a Study Guide for personal use or use with a small group.  All in all, this was a deeply moving book and I would recommend it to everyone who longs to wholeheartedly follow Jesus.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their booksneeze.com book review bloggers program.  I was not required to post a favorable review- the opinions/review posted are my own.

Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go

So, I've been reading "Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go" by Lucille O'Neill, who happens to be the mother of famous NBA star Shaquille O'Neill.  The book was an easy read, written sort of like an extended journal entry of the author's difficult life and her journey from what she termed "mental welfare to mental health."  I have to say I was somewhat disappointed in the message Ms. O'Neill is sending to women who are keepers of the home and to those who are in less than satisfying marriages. 
To have the opportunity to have a husband, children and a home to care for is an amazing gift from the Lord, yet, the author consistently complained about how unfulfilling it all was for her - both in being a stay-at-home mother and also in her marriage.  Though I understand she was not at that time in her life seeking the Lord, I never did receive that one awesome 'God' moment, where the lightbulb went on and she sought after him with all her heart and was blessed for it.  Instead, she set out to prove her self-worth in going to college, divorcing her husband, and making it on her own... all of which she has done.

Radical...

At various times during a given year, I get really restless... I mean REALLY restless. From past experience, I have learned that many of my not-so-brilliant decisions have come during this time... those decisions are... well... radical... or reckless, if you prefer... I'm wondering maybe if I blog about it, it will subside sometime soon. If not, who knows... maybe we'll end up selling/giving away all our things and moving to the remote Outback of Australia, or to some remote African village or something. So, if you haven't found us for a few days, you know where to look. :)
I'm wondering what y'all do to tame the restlessness within?

Book Review

So I've been reading this book by Charles Stanley called, "How to Reach Your Full Potential for God- Never Settle for Less Than His Best." I was excited to have the opportunity to pick this book up and review it as I've appreciated the teachings I've heard from Charles Stanley on the radio, but I also met this book with a little hesitation. I wondered if it would turn out to be one of those books with the magic 3 steps to finding out from the Lord what His big plan is for one's life. I was pleasantly surprised. What I loved and appreciated the most is that the author did not leave out what the Christian life is to be centered around: relationship with Jesus Christ. He gives a great balance between a practical pathway to follow, and truly seeking the Lord through this process. All-in-all, if you're struggling in you walk and have gotten off track a bit, I would recommend this book along with its companion guide...

Blessed Redeemer

Up Calvary's mountain one dreadful morn;
Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn;
Facing for sinners death on the cross;
That He might save them from endless loss;

Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer;
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree;
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading;
Blind and unheeding, dying for me;

"Father, forgive them," my Savior prayed;
Even while His lifeblood flowed fast away;
Praying for sinners while in such woe;
No one but Jesus ever loved so;
Dying for me;
Oh how I love Him, Savior and friend;
How can my praises ever find end;
Through years unnumbered on Heaven's shore;
My songs shall praise Him forevermore...

This song 'Blessed Redeemer' by Casting Crowns is one of my favorites... I couldn't have expressed myself any better than this...

Thank you Lord Jesus for your Redeeming Grace....