It is good to see a cherished brother or friend not often seen (a paraphrased proverb somewhere in the Bible).
To make this a matter of historical record, my brother Kieth made a quick visit to Iowa, visiting friends and relatives. His wife Vonda was unable to accompany him. Helen and I took him to Sutherland's finest dining establishment (The Old P.O.) for supper. It was a good good time talking memories, philosophy, theology and family systems. We hope something like this happens again.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
THE MIDDLE EAST: THE TRUE FACE OF ISLAM
You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16).
Islam reveals its true face in the Middle East. What has followed in the wake of Islam is war, famine, pestilence and death. Egypt, at least, has had the sense to reject the Muslim Brotherhood.
When a counselor counsels, the actual behavior of the client reveals the nature of the client more than anything the client says. Likewise, the actual result of a belief system reveals its true nature. It clearly is on display in the Middle East.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*It must be added: There are apparently peaceful Muslims, but they will not speak up when atrocities happen. They will not condemn the sensless slaughter of innocents. They remain silent either because of fear or because they approve in their hearts what is going on.
Islam reveals its true face in the Middle East. What has followed in the wake of Islam is war, famine, pestilence and death. Egypt, at least, has had the sense to reject the Muslim Brotherhood.
When a counselor counsels, the actual behavior of the client reveals the nature of the client more than anything the client says. Likewise, the actual result of a belief system reveals its true nature. It clearly is on display in the Middle East.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*It must be added: There are apparently peaceful Muslims, but they will not speak up when atrocities happen. They will not condemn the sensless slaughter of innocents. They remain silent either because of fear or because they approve in their hearts what is going on.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
AN EXAMPLE TO MICAH
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Sunday, the 18th of August, 2013 my newest grandson was dedicated to the Lord. Grandson, Micah, is going to be a fine servant of the Lord as he grows in wisdom and stature and in favor of God and man. I am not going to absolutely guarantee outcomes, but if Micah's parents and grandparents keep their vows, Micah will have a solid foundation on which to build his life. One of the absolute essentials in successful child rearing is congruence--congruence between what a parent says he believes and how he acts. If a parent says he believes one thing and behaves in a different manner, kids will spot those inconsistencies and conclude the parent's values are not that important. Eventually, everyone differentiates from their parents, they take ownership of the values they have. A child will depart from the way he should go if parents do not live in the way they say they believe. Our Father's Blessings, Tom
Thursday, August 15, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHT: HELP ME TO SEE
. . . let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us . . . (Hebrews 12:1).
I have been reading through the book of Hebrews in my daily Bible reading. The translation of the Bible I am using is the New American Standard Version. The author strongly urges us to let go of our sins which trip us up as we live for the Lord. We know what sin is--the Bible defines them. What isn't so easily understood are the "encumberances". Encumberances are not sin, but they are, nonetheless, obstructions and burdens that hinder our service to the Lord and cloud our witness as we live our Christian lives.
Encumberances are not so easily defined. What might be an encumberance to me might not be one to you. It might be a good thing that is taking the place of a better thing. It might be placing undue importance on things that do not matter that much. I am not going to be specific beyond this unless someone would ask me. It could have to do with money and debt. It might have to do with sports or politics. It might have to do with hobbies and entertainment. It might have to do with employment or even have to do with church work.
Since this is a more personal matter to which one might be blind, it is essential to ask God to help you to see and understand the encumberances to our Christian lives.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
I have been reading through the book of Hebrews in my daily Bible reading. The translation of the Bible I am using is the New American Standard Version. The author strongly urges us to let go of our sins which trip us up as we live for the Lord. We know what sin is--the Bible defines them. What isn't so easily understood are the "encumberances". Encumberances are not sin, but they are, nonetheless, obstructions and burdens that hinder our service to the Lord and cloud our witness as we live our Christian lives.
Encumberances are not so easily defined. What might be an encumberance to me might not be one to you. It might be a good thing that is taking the place of a better thing. It might be placing undue importance on things that do not matter that much. I am not going to be specific beyond this unless someone would ask me. It could have to do with money and debt. It might have to do with sports or politics. It might have to do with hobbies and entertainment. It might have to do with employment or even have to do with church work.
Since this is a more personal matter to which one might be blind, it is essential to ask God to help you to see and understand the encumberances to our Christian lives.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Saturday, August 10, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16).
One of the foundation stones of the reformation is, "the priesthood of all believers." It is based in I Peter 2: 9 which says, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. This was written to Christians in general, not to a specific class of clergy. The reason this is important to bring up is that it isn't just clergy who can offer up effective prayers. In the New Testament God makes no distinction between clergy and laity. Every Christian has the responsibility to pray for each other and to share the gospel with others. Granted, there are differences of spiritual gifts, but God hears the prayers of each committed Christan whether he or she is "clergy" or "laity."
I tell you all this because it is important for you to understand that your prayers prayed in faith are just as effective as any pastor, priest or pope!
Love & Prayers;
Tom
One of the foundation stones of the reformation is, "the priesthood of all believers." It is based in I Peter 2: 9 which says, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. This was written to Christians in general, not to a specific class of clergy. The reason this is important to bring up is that it isn't just clergy who can offer up effective prayers. In the New Testament God makes no distinction between clergy and laity. Every Christian has the responsibility to pray for each other and to share the gospel with others. Granted, there are differences of spiritual gifts, but God hears the prayers of each committed Christan whether he or she is "clergy" or "laity."
I tell you all this because it is important for you to understand that your prayers prayed in faith are just as effective as any pastor, priest or pope!
Love & Prayers;
Tom
Saturday, August 03, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: PRAY WITH AUDACITY
And he cried, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:38-39).
Because we are humans, we will make mistakes when we pray; we might ask for things that are not theologically correct. That's okay. I believe God welcomes passionate mistakeness more than luke-warm correctness.
In 1540, Martin Luther's great friend and assistant, Frederick Myconius, became sick and was expected to die within a short time. On his bed, he wrote a loving farewell note to Luther with a trembling hand. Luther received the letter and instantly sent back a reply, "I command thee in the name of God to live. I still have need of thee in the work of reforming the church. The Lord will never let me hear that thou art dead, but will permit thee to survive me. For this I am praying, this is my will and my will be done, because I seek only to glorify the name of God." One week later, Myconius recovered and died two months after the death of Luther (I found this story in a sermon by Peter Marshall--it is supposed to be historically accurate).
What audacity! Audacity is boldness and brashness. It is willing to ask for outcomes that cannot succeed unless God is in them. Have you prayed with audacity lately? Be done with praying wimpy prayers!
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Because we are humans, we will make mistakes when we pray; we might ask for things that are not theologically correct. That's okay. I believe God welcomes passionate mistakeness more than luke-warm correctness.
In 1540, Martin Luther's great friend and assistant, Frederick Myconius, became sick and was expected to die within a short time. On his bed, he wrote a loving farewell note to Luther with a trembling hand. Luther received the letter and instantly sent back a reply, "I command thee in the name of God to live. I still have need of thee in the work of reforming the church. The Lord will never let me hear that thou art dead, but will permit thee to survive me. For this I am praying, this is my will and my will be done, because I seek only to glorify the name of God." One week later, Myconius recovered and died two months after the death of Luther (I found this story in a sermon by Peter Marshall--it is supposed to be historically accurate).
What audacity! Audacity is boldness and brashness. It is willing to ask for outcomes that cannot succeed unless God is in them. Have you prayed with audacity lately? Be done with praying wimpy prayers!
Love & Prayers,
Tom
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