Awesome quote

"The repentance that really changes your heart and your relationship with God begins when you recognize that your main sin -- the sin under the rest of your sins -- is your self-salvation project."

Timothy Keller, The Reason for God

God is able

I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the Bible. Their words inspire me. You may remember that they were about to be martyred because of their unwillingness to worship anything other than the True God of Heaven. At the last minute, the reigning monarch gives them an opportunity to change their strategy. Instead this is their conviction …

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Dan. 3:17-18

Where does that confidence come from? Their theology! It was rooted and anchored in what they believed about God!

"…the God we serve is able…"

But notice this: They were not predicting that God would deliver them (although that's exactly what happened), but that God could deliver them. That is how faith operates. It is enough to know that God is able.

And if we truly believe that God is all-powerful, then if he doesn't do what we expect Him to do, it isn't because His hands were tied, but because He has an unseen plan. It is not because He is limited, but because I am. I just don't know all the options.

None of us knows God's script for our lives. But we know that God has the power to do whatever is best for us and those we care about. That is enough.

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Decision-making and Peace

People often make decisions based on whether or not they have a "peace about it." But is that the best gauge?

I'm not sure it is. Because sometimes when people say, "I have a peace about it," what they mean is that they are choosing the easier, safer route. Or simply avoiding the right thing to do.     

So instead of "having a peace about it," I would recommend that your decision be grounded in the God of Peace. Here are five questions I suggested in my message to ask yourself to help discover if your decision is grounded in the God of Peace (to hear the biblical grounding and commentary listen to the message online at http://www.greenvalleychurch.com/mainmenu.html) .

What would help me and others experience God?

1 Cor. 14:19-25

Which option will most strengthen me and others?

1 Cor. 14:26

Where should I bite my tongue?

1 Cor. 14:27-28

How much weight do my godly friends give it?

1 Cor. 14:29

Does it lead to peace, not disorder?

1 Cor. 14:30-33

I'd love to talk to you for an hour

Many people think that a pastor spends most of his time talking and meeting with people. You'd be surprised how much time is actually spent in administration, message preparation and study, research, planning, and just doing the business of the church.

Still, I love those times when I can spend some unhurried time, talking with people about what matters most - God.

Like with Ben. I met with Ben for tea yesterday. Man, I was encouraged.

Or Jacob. Jacob recommended we meet at 8:30 in the evening for sushi. I loved it. The raw fish AND the conversation about God.

In a few minutes I'm meeting with a pastor from our area that I've never met. I even think he's buying tea. I'm looking forward to the mutual encouragement.

So here's an offer for my blog faithful. If one of you wants to meet this Friday at 4 pm, I'd love to take some time, encouraging each other in our faith. Let's meet at the church. It's not that I'm not available other times, but sometimes we all just need something on the calendar to make it happen.

The first one to ask, gets the spot. You can either comment on the blog post, or if you'd rather not be that public, email me at doug@greenvalleychurch.com

Let's be encouraged!

UPDATE: Within 3 hours I got a taker! Cool.


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The cross is so counter-intuitive

1CO 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The cross is so counter-intuitive. That which seems like defeat is actually victory. That which seems like weakness is actually strength. That which seems like tragedy is actually is triumph. With the cross, God turned the worst into the best.

To many, in biblical times and today, the cross seems ridiculous. Before Jesus, the cross was a symbol of death, crime, and shame.

Imagine if we were able to assemble some of the world's wisest people to solve the problem of evil in the world. What would they recommend?

The educator would say, "People just need more information. They need to be taught to lift themselves out of circumstances." The moralist would say, "People just need to try harder. We must set up an effective system of reward and punishment. Then everyone will be good." The political activist would opt for policy reform. The entertainer says you just need to razzle-dazzle them; amuse them, and keep them from thinking too much. The pop psychologist would blame it on your parents.

But God didn't consult the world experts. Instead, He said, "This is how I will do it. I will come to earth myself, be born to an unmarried couple. I will live in obscurity for 30 years. I will wander as an itinerant preacher. I will live in poverty. I will make enemies with the powerful and the influential. Instead I will surround myself with a group of men who culture has overlooked. I will go to Jerusalem, straight into their snare, and I will be beaten and I will be killed like a criminal." And to that, the educator, moralist, activist, entertainer, and psychologist would say, "Foolish, foolish."

But to those who have experienced the power of the cross, O, the wisdom of God!

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