It was a Labor of Love

Fabulous song that captures the true meaning of Christmas.

The Fourth Wiseman never got to see Jesus

I saw this humorous farside post on another blog.

Unknown to most theologians, there was a fourth wiseman. He was sent away for bringing a fruitcake.



Speaking of the fourth wiseman, one of my favorite Christmas movies is "The Fourth Wiseman" starring Martin Sheen. Sheen plays Artaban, a young Magus (Wise Man) who desires to follow the star to the birthplace of the coming King, against the counsel of his friends and family. Carrying three precious jewels to give to the baby Messiah, Artaban and his reluctant servant Orontes set off to join the caravan of the three other wise men. They miss the caravan, but Artaban continues the search for his King, always one step behind. Artaban spends much of his remaining wealth and all of his energy helping the poor and unfortunate people he meets, until at the end of his life he finally finds Jesus--at His trial! Has Artaban wasted his life in a foolish quest? Will he ever get the chance to present his gifts to the King?

If you can find it, The fourth wiseman is a great way to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

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Welcome to the christianaudio store - christianaudio.com

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A Picture of Hope

What should the church look like? Something close to this. An incredible film that might require a little bit of Kleenex.



For a larger format click here.

Examen.Me - a place to get closer to God.

Since you're reading this blog you are likely "tech savvy" and use the computer for numerous tasks. For the past few months I've been trying an online devotional tool that I can highly recommend: Examen.me. Examen.me allows the user to choose from a number of devotional choices, includes online journaling, is easy to use, and FREE!

I highly recommend you give it a try.

Give-Share-Go!

We can't look away. Do something for the sake of the Gospel. Something Hard.

The Importance of Original Languages

As we work to understand God's Word, the original languages (Greek & Hebrew) help us to brush away the modern interpreters bias (and unfortunately add our own). Translations are important but an understanding of the Biblical languages is invaluable.

To help us in our study cal.vini.st is giving away a gift in celebration of their first anniversary. They are giving subscribers to their blog a chance to win BibleWorks 8. This is a major gift - Thanks Cal.vini.st! You can check out the contest at http://cal.vini.st/2009/06/cal-vini-st-first-anniversary-giveaway/

A Mom's Overture

You need to check out this Hilarious Video! I think there were days growing up that I heard all these things -and probably more. I love you Mom!
Mother's Day Video

Premio Dardos

Wow! I recently received word that my blog had been given the Premio Dardos Award. I found this an honor - especially since my blog readership could easily fit into the back seat of my car. Nevertheless, it really is an honor that Susan Easley (one of the funnies people I know) presented it to me. You can check out her blog at: http://talesfromthewaitingroom.typepad.com Thanks, Susan.

Isn't it amazing what a little encouragement can do for a person. I recently heard a speaker share that they always try to say something encouraging within the first 30 seconds of any converstation. What a concept. Just today I was in a conversation with a friend that frankly took a bad turn and was rather depressing. It was basically a gripe session. I decided to see if I could change the tenor of the dialogue and starting interjecting positive statements. Guess what? It worked!

So, let's commit to encouraging those around us.

So what is the Premio Dardos Award?

"The Dardos Award is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing affection and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.”

The Risen Lord

I do it from time to time. You know, ask the question, "who would you most like to meet?", or "who would you invite to dinner?". And inevitably someone always reply's, "Jesus", throwing him in with such historical heavyweights as Winston Churchill, Napoleon, and Socrates. Why is it we so desire to meet the Christ of the Gospels?

Now, let me acknowledge up front that if time travel were possible my first destination (maybe after attending game 7 of the Royals '85 World series) would be ancient Galilee. However, our desire to visit the historical Jesus seems to be often linked to the idea that somehow being with Jesus would make the Christian life easier. And it begs the question: What about the greatness of the RISEN Lord we serve today?

The Jesus of the Gospels is portrayed as a gentle, loving Savior, who blessed the children and healed the sick. And that picture of Christ (though a little simplistic) is important. But look at the dramatic vision of Christ at the end of the New Testament. John falls to the floor as if dead when he encounters a Christ who is,

dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. ¹⁴His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (Revelation 1:14-16)

This glorious Christ stands in power over all creation, ruling the earth and heavens by the power of His Word. We grossly underestimate the power of the Risen Lord we serve today! This Easter season acquaint yourself with the Christ of Revelation. And, draw on His power to live the life we're called to. You won't even need a time machine.

Making God Smile!

Looking for God in the Brothel

G.K. Chesterton once said, "Every man who knocks on the door of a brothel is looking for God". I was struck this week by those words. As I was preparing for this weeks message on sexuality, I began to ponder - Is this true? Ultimately, I think it is.

Last week I focused on God's Gift of Sex from Genesis 1-2. The emphasis was on God the creator and his blessings on our life. Each of us was built for relationship - relationship with God and with others. Adam was incomplete without Eve, and after the fall both of them (and all mankind thereafter) was incomplete without God. Ever since, without even knowing it, all mankind seeks to restore what was lost there in the garden.

The problem, however, is that man, in the words of Waylon Jennings, is "looking for Love in all the wrong places." Which brings us to the Chesterton quote. The man at the brothel door is seeking to satisfy his souls deepest thirst but winds up with a mouth full of dust. Thirstier than before he runs from empty well to empty well, for nothing in this world will satisfy.

The Apostle Paul makes it clear.

There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, together they have become useless; there is no one who does good,there is not even one.

In his search for restoration, mankind corrupts all that God has given. The sexual union, meant to be a beautiful expression of marital oneness, becomes, something corrupt as we defile the beautiful gift of God. Sexual promiscuity and perversion are man's futile attempt to satisfy a thirst that only God can quench.

And don't we all have our own brothels? They have innocuous names - entertainment, lust, comfort, power, religion....each an attempt to satisfy the ache of our soul. But like an anesthetic they only dull the pain - the true source of our soul's satisfaction is God alone. He is our completer. He comes to "bring life and life more abundantly".

So, let us turn away from the door of the brothel and walk through the open door that is Christ. Through that door we find the only One who brings true redemption and restoration!

Love & Other Things - Youth Series #1

As we begin our series on love, sex, and relationships it was decided that we would inform parents and our church body of our teaching via my blog. When working with students there is always a wide spectrum in regards to their level of maturity. Even when we attempt to age grade students (for example separating Jr. & Sr. High), it’s just the nature of adolescence that even two 16 year olds are not at the same level.

For this reason some parents may decide that their teen is not ready for a discussion of sexual issues. Hopefully this blog will help parents to make that decision.

The other reason I wanted to make parents aware of our teaching is so that they can further discuss this important topic with their teens. Studies have shown that students want to hear from their parents and value their opinion on important issues. Please, talk to your kids about sex.

Week One – God’s Gift of Sex, a study of Genesis 1-2.

This first will be a pretty simple straight forward look at God's Creation of man, the institution of marriage, and the gift of sexual oneness. When you want to find out about any Biblical subject, its best to start with its first instance in scripture. In the case of sex, Genesis 1&2 provide the foundation for the subject of human sexuality.

In speaking to students about the subject I want to point out the clear distinction between the worlds approach to sexual matters and the Bible's view. The world says that sex is no big deal (SEE THIS STORY) BUT God says it extremely important. The world says that sex is purely physical BUT God says it a spiritual act (and can even be worshipful).

OUTLINE

• God created mankind for relationship (Gen. 1:26; 2:19-22)
  

• Marriage is the Highest Human Relationship (2:22-24)
  

• God created sex as a special gift for Marriage (2:23-24)
  

  • Highest expression of married oneness

  • represents the oneness between Christ & the Church (Eph. 5:22-33)

NEXT WEEK - Man's Abuse of God's Gift

Sexting?!

Just today my daughter sent me to a blog by Trey Morgan (treymorgan.net) because I needed to be aware of a growing trend among teens - Sexting.

I've heard rumblings of this happening but was not fully aware of the extent of the problem. I've known about and spoke to students who were sending sexually inappropriate texts to other students. However, students have now turned another corner and are sending sexually explicit photos of themselves on their phones.

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As parents we need to be aware of what is happening in our kids world. The only way to do that is through communication. Talk to your daughter or son. This is not a problem that only "someone else's kids" are involved in - it's happening with church kids...it's happening with your kids.

W.W.J.D. - What Would Jeff Do?

I was looking through one of my old Bibles a few days ago. Inside the back cover I rediscovered something I wrote in 1986 after reading Sheldon's, In His Steps (WWJD for you younger readers). As I read what I had written I found myself challenged by a younger, and sadly more passionate, me. Here's what I wrote just out of high school.

What Would Jesus Do as Jeff Hume?

1. He would always seek the Kingdom of God first and foremost in his life (Matt. 6:33).
2. He would consider all earthly possessions not his but Gods and store his treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19).
3. Since life here is not lasting, he would use anything possible to reach the lost and regard others as more important than himself (Mark 10:45).
4. He would examine all of his plans in light of the gospel and prayer (Acts 20:24).
5. He would commit himself to spending all his time to the greatest benefit to God.

Two observations: (1) Why didn't I make a bracelet with WWJD imprinted on it? I'd be a millionaire today if only I could have capitalized on the WWJD trinkets market, and (2) I need to reconnect with the person I was back then. Time might bring wisdom (and that's a might) but it can also dampen the passion. God, help me reclaim that fire!