Head-dibs

(view Part 1) Reading 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 we discover that Paul’s greeting is loaded with golden nuggets--and we are just getting started. So far, we’ve explored the three worlds of Paul (Paul the Jew, Paul the Greek and Paul the Roman). Now let’s take a close look at Paul the Apostle. This is where we find him faithful. Paul, the man of many worlds was prepared by God to be a bridge, carrying the gospel to many cultures. We examine his apostleship because this is one issue Paul defends in this letter. There were questions about what this means, so he answers them. “Apostle” means more than simply “sent one” (not “pempo,” but “apostolos”). In common  day-to-day use the word describes a vessel outfitted for a specific expedition. It is related to “Admiral”, one armed with orders, the spearhead of logistics. More isolated uses reveal the word applied to an ambassador, a delegate, messenger--one sent off on commission to be someone’s representative. Specifically we under...

Maybe someone can help me: was it Aristotle who said a thing cannot be beautiful if it is too big, cannot be comprehended as a whole, or viewed all at once? One can’t help but wonder how one looks at a starry sky or the majestic mountains much less smell a flower and say “this is not beautiful.” One wonders if the other is not confused between the absolute (there is something a thing called “beauty”) and the particular (“this or that is beautiful”). I could say, “That is beautiful,” and you may disagree. Contrariwise, I may disagree with you say is beautiful. Yet, there is one point of agreement we share: beauty exists. The particular of what is beautiful is where we differ. No, there is beauty in complexity and simplicity, in part or as a whole. This is the beauty of God’s will. What He desires for mankind is complex but simple and stunningly beautiful: complex on His part and simple for us. Since man desires to do his own for himself with the hope that God understands, man ma...

A good writer shows the reader what to see in narrative, rather than simply tell. Joseph Conrad could have simply written, "as the sun went down, two men walked up the hill." How boring. Instead, Conrad shows us: "The sun was low: and leaning forward side by side, they seemed to be tugging painfully uphill their two ridiculous shadows of unequal length, that trailed behind them slowly over the tall grass without bending a single blade." (Heart of Darkness, 1902) Now that's good writing! Dr. George Murray delivered an incredible message on " Knowing and Doing The Will of God ." Need some help with sermon preparation? Use this handy tool for help in making applications from the text. Yet another reason why I can't accept the premise of evolution. First Underwater Footage: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill at Source Sometimes a part of the Sun can just explode into space . Can you tell the difference between Joel Osteen and a fortune cookie ? What are five...

When David Livingstone (1813 - 1873) was asked if he didn't fear that going into Africa was too difficult and too dangerous, he answered, "I am immortal until the will of God for me is accomplished." Enjoy this video of his amazing story:

(adapted from McQuilkin, Robertson. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics, 2nd ed . Wheaton: Tyndale, 1995.) I. Recieving Directions: Understanding the Will of God A. Consult Scripture, the first and most important part of Divine guidance; B. Pray for faith to trust God, for strength to obey, and for wisdom to understand; C. Chruch. Seek Godly counsel from impartial, mature, wise Christians; D. Reason is a gift of God but not infallible. Use it in combination with the above. E. Have inner conviction that God is pleased in our choice that follows a decision. II. Principles for Pleasing God in the Choices of Life A. The Directed Life: Proverbs 3:5-6 1. Trust God. a. " Trust in the LORD with all your heart ," The supreme qualification for experiencing God's direction in life is faith. Faith is not merely passive; it is active obedience, actively seeking His will. b. " and do not lean on your own understanding ." This does not say that we should not use our own underst...

God’s will is still a hot-pursuit item; however, I think what most people really mean when they say they are looking for God’s will is they are looking for something easy to do, yet still feel like they are accomplishing something for the Lord. You know, “what can I do to feel spiritual, but not break a sweat or bring any drastic changes to my life?” Read through the following list and see if you can name the individuals who experienced some of the hard-to-obey commands of God: This man was told to name his son “John.” This man was to anoint someone else as king while Saul still lived. This man was told to enter a Gentile’s home and preach the gospel. This man had to cross the sea . . . on foot. Who was told to leave his father’s house and move to a new land? And what about the guy who had to take a harlot for a wife? Then there was the fellow who was told to preach to his enemy. And the chap who helped a man who killed Christians? What was the name of the man who built a boat on dry l...