Friday, January 29, 2010

The end.

What does that mean? When you think of the end, what thoughts come to
mind?

One of the things I love about the gospel is the promise that, for the
believer in Jesus achrist, we are simply transported to a new life
with Christ. But here's the great part... THAT HAPPENS AT THE MOMENT
OF SALVATION!

What great news!

We have life in Him... because He lives.

Blessings y'all.


(sent from a spellcheck-less mobile device)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Avatar Depression?

Please take four and a half minutes and watch this video then read on:



Now... I don;t know about you, but I write fiction as an “escape”. When things get a little hectic in my life, after prayer and rest... I write. Usually it is fiction for youth. One of the tricks to good writing is getting into the minds of your characters. Having said that, let me say this:

I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN DEPRESSED OVER FICTION... EVER.

I'll be honest, not that I'm in the habit of lying... I have a real hard time sympathizing with this. It seems that there is a cross-section of our culture that believes they are owed something. Apart from the promises of God, they are not owed anything.

For the believer: a glorious inheritance and a home in heaven.
For the unbeliever: judgement.

Forget fiction for a moment... let's talk reality.

Brethren, we have a great high priest who not only is interceding for us at the right hand of God the Father but has also secured us a home in heaven and an inheritance this world knows nothing of. Whether it stems from engrossing fiction or the trials of life... you have a remedy for depression and angst. You need only to look to Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

David Spares Saul's Life 01-24-10

David Spares Saul's Life 01-24-10 from Chris Johnson on Vimeo.

NEW VIDEO SECTION!

Greetings.



You can check out weekly sermon video here:



www.vimeo.com/pastorchris

Talk about gaining perspective...

Today I had the opportunity to visit with a dear saint who was
thankful "they are able to get around". Talk about gaining
perspective...

Why don't you take a moment or two and thank the Lord for the everyday
things that allow you to function daily.


Shalom.


(sent from a spellcheck-less mobile device)

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sam's birthday party!

Great times....

Friday, January 22, 2010

Happy Birthday!

Upping the Anty

My youngest, the Izz, is at the stage of her life where repeating everything we say and mimicking our actions occupies a lot of her time.  Charles Caleb Colton once wrote: Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.  I'm going to agree with him.  It also ups the anty. 

Not that Daniela and I are in the habit of using inappropriate language, but her constant observation certainly keeps us aware of what we do and say.

Folks, remember... young children are not the only ones looking at us and taking notes.

. . . Even angels long to look into these things.
1 Peter 1:12

The Father is also observing us, comforting, rebuking, and encouraging His children.

So what should our response be?

. . . whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17

Batman... er... Samuel turns 3!

Happy birthday!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Willing and Waiting

"Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people. Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord your God."

Leviticus 18:29 - 30

 

This morning I was reading through Leviticus and this passage stuck out… actually… it jumped out, smacked me around, and then went back about its business.

 

Brethren, we are not to be conformed to this world… we are called out to be God's instruments of righteousness, pointing people to Christ (Romans 12).

 

Will you present yourself as a willing vessel?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Seriously...

Seriously...


I mean... really?


I checked my spam account today. This is the email address I use to register for things so I won't get bombarded with tons of nonsense. Looks like I got several "once in a lifetime opportunity"'s (I stopped counting at 11)!


Apparently, all I have to do is send _____ my contact info and I will be the recipient of millions.


WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE THESE PEOPLE THINKING?


(Editorial note: If you get these emails either delete them immediately or reply with the Gospel. They are scams.)


I am so thankful that the Lord gives most people eyes to see those scams that sound too good to be true.


But more than that I am thankful that Christ suffered and died for my sins. While I am sitting here thinking about how evil these people are for trying to scam those who are desperate and lack discernment... I am reminded of my own sin. My failure to obey my God and King.


Thank you Lord for your grace.


For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11 - 14

Sunday, January 17, 2010

You don't scare me...

This morning's text was a powerful one... 1 Samuel 17.

David, strengthened by his trust in the Lord's provision takes on what
seems like an impossible task.

Folks, what has Christ called you to that only you can do?

Will you follow His leading and allow Him to glorify Himself through
you?

What are you afraid of?

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Friday, January 15, 2010

WALK BY FAITH

This Sunday we will be looking at the story of David and Goliath.
 
This is not an inspirational story about an UNDER-DOG.  
 
This is an exhortation to walk by faith.
 
What we are looking at today is the recounting of a young man's total confidence in God.
 
He allowed his theology to interpret his circumstance.
 
He did not see Goliath as a threat to himself, but as an offense to God.
 
 
This is an exhortation to walk by faith.
 
 

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Windows 2010 home edition



That's just plain funny.

:)


(sent from a spellcheck-less mobile device)

Daddy, did you see me?

"Daddy, did you see me?"

...

"Daddy, did you see me?"

Last Saturday I went to my oldest daughter's ballet class. She is
really getting the hang for dance. When her class let out and the
herd of young ballerinas came through the door to their parents I
overheard again and again, "Daddy, did you see me"? Not only do
children take great joy in pleasing their parents, but as a father I
certify that that parents take great pleasure in rejoicing with them.

Believer, remember that, "...whether you eat or drink or whatever you
do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

When was the last time you went to the Father and told Him about your day?

Why not today?

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Izz is...

Friday, January 8, 2010

Bye bye...

:)

Thursday, January 7, 2010

You Have Today...

"Dream as if you have forever, Live as if you only have today."
-- Author unknown (to me anyway)

 

I am so thankful that the Lord laid out His plan for us.  We are told to seek His will for us (Psalm 40:8; Romans 12:1 – 2, and elsewhere).  Probably the most telling statement made in the life of Christ about seeking the will of God is found in John 7:17:

 

If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
 
The Book of Proverbs exhorts us to live wisely and plan for the future and at the same time, James cautions us to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:15).
 
We are called to be steadfast in our faith, and look to the glorious reappearing of Christ! (2 Peter 2 - 3)
 
There is so much to be done and often times we feel like there is too much for us to do for the Lord.
 
When you feel like that remember:
 
You have today.
 
Then ask yourself:
 
With all of today's potential... what will I make of it?

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

YOUR FAITH IS SHOWING

Why is it "God" always tells crazy people to do crazy [stuff] like kill people, why doesn't he tell them things like.....Do the dishes, or walk the dog???

-- A friend of mine

 

Wow… what a telling statement.

 

How would you answer this? What would you say to my friend?

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, this is a real concern.  This is why the Scriptures declare:

 

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

-- Ephesians 4:17 - 24

 

Folks… the world is watching and taking notes.

 

Watch your life and doctrine… they are showing.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Gadget, Gadgets everywhere...

I have a confession... I love technology.

I appreciate the tools that have come along in the last few years and
it is amazing to see what have been developed in just the few short
years that I have been breathing air. Some readers out there can not
appreciate this... but I remember when Mario was 8 bit and a 32 inch
TV was considered MAMMOTH! Good night... there were no Pentium 3's,
2's, or 1's... (Sorry for the time warp there.)

Recently I listened to a couple of pod casts on technology and the
direction it seems to be headed. Listening to some of these tech guys
talking about technology as "advancements"... I wonder how many of
these tools, ideas, procedures, and techniques are, in fact, NOT
ADVANCEMENTS... But retreats?  Some of the most "innovative" stuff can
actually be a retreat to more comfortable and familiar territory.

Here's something all of us should consider: Do I take the easy route
for the sake of comfort?

Certainly Jesus didn't.

Technology is great... utilize it.

Gadgets are great... allow them to make you more productive.

But the end goal of these modern marvels on ingenuity should be to
make us better servants of the King. And at the end of the day,
that's what should matter.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

A book review for you preachers out there

Happy New Year!

 

What better way to begin the year than with a book review?

 

Haddon Robinson offers the church a concise and extremely helpful volume on preaching in Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages.  I love his use of language and the fact that Robinson, as a master teacher, speaks on "my level".  As a writer, and a preacher… I respect that.

 

If you are looking for a book to help round off a few rough edges in your sermon(s), I wholeheartedly recommend Biblical Preaching.

 

The copy I read is a first print from 1980. (Yep... this book is as old as I am.)  Here is the updated edition (2001)

 

http://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Preaching-Development-Delivery-Expository/dp/0801022622/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262302636&sr=8-1

 

Robinson gets high marks from me on this one and, infinitely more important, what this book aims at producing glorifies Jesus… namely, Biblical Preaching.  If I had to sum the book up in one thought it would be:  The preacher is to communicate truth to those who need it.  If it is not properly communicated... we have failed in our task.  Clarity over profundity.
 
Note:  If you enjoy listening to podcasts on sermon development and would like more from Haddon Robinson... here's the link in iTunes.  The podcast is called PREACHING POINTS.