tentliving
Jesus lived in a tent among the people (John 1:14). I want to be like Jesus. I use this blog to share my journey.Judges
I read a bunch in the book of Judges this morning. Those people just didn’t get it. They’d forget God and do what was right in their own eyes. God would judge them by allowing them to suffer the consequences of their rebellion. Then they’d cry out for help and relief. God would send a leader to deliver them and then things would cool for awhile…until the people forgot God again!
I’m so glad that as Jesus followers, we’ve got it all figured out and we don’t live in that kind of cyclical rebellion. Wheewh!
Later…
Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video
My friend Robb Ryerse who used to live in Cleveland but is now planting a church in Arkansas just posted this on my Facebook page.
Love this verse…
Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”
Jesus is My Friend
My friend, Josh Foote is the worship pastor at my previous church, North Olmsted Evangelical Friends Church. Here is the song that he is proposing to become the new theme song to their church. I like it!
It just doesn’t get any better than this…
I started Joshua this morning in my reading and I’m not sure that at this exact moment in my life there is another passage of Scripture that is more meaningful to me.
“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The Point of Deuteronomy
I finished Deuteronomy this morning in my Bible reading. I think you can sum up the book in this statment: God says to his people, “Obey me and I will bless you. Disobey me and I will curse you.”
I know that we are under the New Testament and not under the Old Testament law but I can’t help wonder, “Just how much does or should the statement above affect our lives in 2009?” I know that we are not under a Theocracy. I know that Christ has fulfilled and completed the law. I know that the civil and ceremonial laws are not for us today but what does this tell us about the moral law of God. Doesn’t he continue to operate in many of the same ways?
Can’t we say, “Obey God and you will enjoy life his way. Disobey God and you will not enjoy life.” Isn’t this an issue of peace? Can we have peace while living in disobedience? I don’t think so. True joy and peace in life will only come when we obey God and live lives of holiness.
Sure, God is a God of grace but he is just as much a God of holiness. Let’s not forget that!
Later…
Monday Morning Weigh-In
I’m really trying to get serious about my health. I just can’t keep going down the road I’ve been on with my weight and especially my cholesterol. If I don’t make proper diet and exercise a priority, I’m pretty sure there are going to be some bad consequences. I’ve come under conviction that this is a spiritual issue for me. I’m not being a good steward of what God has given me.
So, for accountability sake, I’m making it public. You might be thinking “TMI” but I’m going to post my weight every Monday morning. If you see it going down, then give me an “attaboy.” If you see it plateau or go up, then give me a good verbal kick in the backside. I said verbal remember. 
I’m going to pretend that I’m on sort of a Facebook and Twitter “Biggest Loser.” I’ll take any motivation I can get.
So, here goes. This week the scales screamed 238.5.
I’m a big-boned guy who is just under 5′ 11″. My goal is to be at 200 pounds by the end of the summer when the baby is due. That’s just under 2 pounds a week. Hopefully, it’s not too quick that I gain it all back and not too slow that I get discouraged.
By the way, my basic plan is to workout an hour a day during the week and occassionally on the weekend. And also, to simply eat less, especially watching my fat intake to help lower my cholesterol.
Okay, this was a bit of a personal post but again, I figured that if I expose my unealthy and even sinful eating and exercise habits, I’ll be more apt to keep working at making good choices and changes.
Thanks for reading!
Later…
The Odd Couple: Adventure and Routine
Love it!!
The Odd Couple: Adventure and Routine: “Just got back from our little adventure to Orcas Island. So cool to take Parker on this trip. We actually took him out of school to do it because I feel like it’s part of his education. He definitely didn’t argue!
Can I share a thought?
It’s adventure that helps us appreciate routine and it’s routine that helps us appreciate adventure.
I believe that we are born with an adventure gene. We need to test our limits. We need to explore new places and take on new challenges. And I know this varies from person to person, but we all need some form of adventure. For what it’s worth, the ultimate adventure is living a Spirit-led life or chasing the Wild Goose.
Having said that, I’m ready to get back into my routine after an adventure. I’ll hit the gym Monday morning. I’ll get into my weekly routine of focus days and meeting days. Basically, I love my routine because I love what I do.
Without adventure, our routine becomes routine. Without routine, our adventure becomes routine. But when you have the right combination of both, then both things accentuate each other and make the other one far more meaningful.
I’m grateful for routine. I’m grateful for adventure.
“
(Via Clippings.)
