Head-dibs

Thanks, 'Lisa for recording! So blessed to be in this ministry with such talent--but of course, we miss Johnny! "Great Are You, Lord" (All The Sons and Daughters, cover) "You Are So Good To Me" (Third Day, cover)

Paul writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort”.  (2 Corinthians 1:3) Here we find reasons why God is praised as well as some truths about the God of all comfort. God is praised because He is God of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus has a God. After the resurrection, “Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”’” [Jn 20:17] When Jesus died, the disciples needed comfort. Jesus comforts Mary with the truth that God has not forgotten anyone. He sends her back to the disciples with a message concerning His ascension: The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is our God by reconciliation which is rooted by faith in His death, burial and resurrection. Who is the God of Jesus? Notice that I did not ask, “who is God to you?” Who God is and our idea of God may not be...

It’s difficult to tell from the outset, but as Paul is suffering quietly he opens his second letter to the Corinthian church with an doxology (an outburst of praise): “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3) 1618-1648 the “Thirty Years War” raged in Europe over who was going to control Germany. Entire regions were devastated, stripped by by foraging armies. Military and civilian survivors were eventually hit with famine and disease that followed the waste of wartime. Countries in the conflict went bankrupt. Lawlessness added to the hardships. Martin Rinkart was one of four pastors in a small German town that was overrun three times by battling armies. The city and his home eventually became a place for refugees and their diseases. One pastor left for reasons of health and safety. Martin buried the other two pastors along with his wife, performing as many as 50 funerals each day. Martin wrote these ...

[I read old books because they are there] Louie Giglio’s book, “The Air I Breathe [Worship As A Way of Life]” (2003) is well, a breath of fresh air, considering the number of contemporary books available on the subject. This 122 page book (consisting of 11 chapters plus questions for group discussion) fits nicely in just about any pants pocket or purse. If you’ve enjoyed any of Louie’s talks, this will be a nice refresher. Louie begins with a captivating question then goes beyond any typical answer, demonstrating “why worship matters” and the cost of worship--both for Him and for we who worship. Here, Louie proves that worship begins not with the one who worships, but with the object of worship; that is, worship is our response to God. “When God is not greatly praised, it’s only because we don’t think He’s that great of a God. When our worship is small, it’s because our concept of God is small. When we offer God little-bitty sacrifices, it’s because we’ve somehow reduced Him i...

Here's a question often heard (or something like it): "So, why does your church do ____ and that church does ____ ?" or "Why does your church say _____ and this church says _____ ? Who's right?" This is actually an ancient question, easily answered with two words. Our Lord Jesus Christ walked this earth and  met many people, one of whom was an outcast woman who lived in the city of Sychar. She asked Jesus directly: " Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship .” (John 4:20 [ESV2011]) In other words, "Who's right?" Jesus answer: "Believe Me . . ." That's enough right there. Think it over.

Luke's gospel describes the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. As He entered the city on the colt of donkey, the people sang out praise and laid palm branches and their cloaks along the road while crying out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" The Pharisees wanted to silence this praise, to which Jesus responded, "if these become silent, the stones will cry out." Science confirms these rocks are made of a volcanic basalt, but cannot explain the particular musical tones they produce when struck. One cannot help but be amazed to hear the Creator speak of particular qualities such as this, embedded within His Creation. Additionally, it makes one wonder exactly how the stones will cry out when these stones must be struck . . .

I hope you didn't look at your calendar but if you did, you would notice that today is Rosh Hashana. This holiday is one Israel’s calendar, one festival of three celebrated in the seventh month. Students of scripture would call this the “Feast of Trumpets.” Many today would call this “New Years” so if you need to “start over,” this is a great time to do it. Why wait for January 1? The Torah instructs (the book of Numbers, chapter 29) that this is a day of worship, sacrifice and suspension of labor. Such a time of refreshment intends that one literally stop whatever is keeping one busy and worship. Lay down the tools, get your fingers off the keyboard, gather with others who love the Lord and worship. Each time we worship, we do a spiritual “check”, make certain we keep clean before the Lord by confession and repentance. Are you clean before the Lord? How committed are you to the things of God? He gave us the best gift of Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Why not take this time...

A reader from Nigeria wrote with this question: "I am a catholic, I want to know the significance of incense during worship. Thank you." The use of incense is found in the Bible, and is symbolic of things we offer to God. There are passages in scripture that describe prayer as being incense before God. The fellowship of God's people (I am summarizing) has been called "a sweet smell" to God. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says that we are the fragance or aroma, an agreeable smell of sacrifice ("incense," if you will) of Christ to God! There is nothing magical or extra-spiritual about using incense. If you chose to use it, then enjoy God in Christ Jesus as you do so!

“A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling with word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”   C.S. Lewis, " The Problem of Pain ." 

William Monteguhe Dyke was a young man who became blind at the young age of ten. Despite the handicap, he grew to be a very smart, witty, and handsome young man. While attending graduate school in England, William met the daughter of an English admiral and they were soon engaged. Though having never seen her, William loved her very much. Just before the wedding at the insistence of the admiral, William submitted to special treatment for his loss of sight. Hoping against hope, William wanted the gauze from his eyes cut during the ceremony. He wanted the first thing he ever saw to be his wife’s face. As she came down the aisle during the wedding, Williams’ father started unwinding the gauze from around his head and eyes--still not knowing if the operation would be a success. With the unwrapping of the last circumference, William looked into the face of his new bride for the first time. “You are more beautiful than I ever imagined,” he said. Though we have never seen Jesus, it will b...

1. They know that time never erases a crime . 2. Can he handle the job ? 3. Five "things" evangelism is NOT . 4. Five reasons to turn it down .

I double-clicked on the word “power” and my dictionary automatically opened to the word “control.” Oh, the irony--who is in control? The first definition under “control” includes “check, test” while the second definition elaborates the concept, “to exercise restraining or directing influence over; rule.” “Power” describes “ability” and “possession of control.” The two definitions do not describe two different ideas. “Power” and “control” are both related when one considers “conduct.” We’ve all heard the saying, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Is the principle so absolute? If power is kept in check, under control, power actually contributes and builds up. Electricity, for example, in its unchecked state can be quite dangerous; on the other hand, under the control of wires, insulation, circuits, etc. electricity can be quite good and useful. The same is true of water. Unless it is channeled, water can bring us to ruin. The problem is that absolutes (like power, love...

If this were not true, I'd feel ashamed to even think of sharing it. My car is showing signs of going "by the wayside" (so to speak) as it is chugging and needs some attention. This is not easy to do when you only have one car and a limited budget, but one does what one can when he is able to do it, yes? The other day, the window on the driver's side made a funny noise and got stuck in the "down" position. My beautiful and very intelligent wife helped me get it up again. Later, dummy me forgot about the noise, and rolled it down--only to get it stuck--again. Once again, she helped me get it up. I told myself repeatedly to never even think about considering giving the thought of entertaining the idea of contemplating the remote possibility of bringing the window down again. So I didn't. Still more recently, while trying to find a misplaced cell phone, I opened my car (hot from sitting in the sun), started it, and hit the down button to the rear win...

July 2004 I went to Kenya, Africa to speak in two Pastor’s Conferences on the subject of Man, Sin and Salvation. At the end of each day I left just over an hour for questions (half the time were questions touching the subject of my lectures, and the other half for “open questions”; that is, people could ask anything). For the next few weeks, I will be sharing the questions that were asked of me, and my answers—and believe me when I say these people really know how to think! Question from Kenya #1: “Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?” [“ But He said, ‘You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live! ’” (Exodus 33:20) was the basis of the student’s question]. Answer: First, consider those who did see God—how did they respond when they saw Him? They were instantly aware of their sinfulness, and God’s holiness and righteousness (to name a few. And notice also that each responded in an attitude of worship, bowing down): Abraham built altars, wors...

by Bob Holmes on 2008/4/23 CIU Graduate is the Writer of “Indescribable” Christian singer and songwriter Laura Story recently returned to her alma mater, Columbia International University . Story is best known as the writer of the worship song “Indescribable” made popular by Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin. She was in Columbia for a concert and to lead worship during a chapel service. Story took a moment on a beautiful spring day to chat with CIU Communications Coordinator Bob Holmes. Sitting on a bench outside Shortess Chapel, Story talked about her days at CIU, and the success of “Indescribable.” Click here to view the interview.

“Lord, help me to glorify thee; I am poor, help me to glorify thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me to extol thee by spending them for thee; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but thine, and glow with no flame but affection for thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of thee and for thee; Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into thy treasury; I am all thine; take me, and enable me to glorify thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.” (Spurgeon, Morning and Evening Feb. 15)

Psalm 34 1. God is the focus of praise (1-3). I am firmly convinced that this very psalm was the content of David’s mutterings of madness. Remember the occasion when Br’er Rabbit (or Bro’ Rabbit) was once again in the clutches of Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear, who sought to pull out his ears and yank of his tail, to enjoy him for their dinner? One his Rabbit’s plans to escape including his convincing his captors to PLEASE eat him, and never to throw him into that most horrid and dreadful place, the briar patch. He begged and pleaded to be eaten—anything, just PLEASE don’t throw him into that briar patch. Fox and Bear thought the torture would be better if they did throw him into the briar patch instead of eating him and when Rabbit found out, he set to hollerin’ so. Finally, the Rabbit was launched through the air and plompt right smack into that ol’ briar patch, where instead of screaming and yelps of death, Bro’s Fox and Bear heard laughter. They quickly learnt that that ol’ briar patch w...

“ While Israel remained at Shittim, the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab. For they invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry against Israel .” (Numbers 25:1-3) Satan through the world has two ways to attack the godly: up front and with great stealth. Moab had tried already to come against Israel with arms, even with a professional cursor, but he enemy of Israel failed both fights. But they had another weapon that, in effect, exploded in the lap of Israel. While Moab could not stand against Israel in the open, they attacked in worship. Worship, of all places! Who ever thought of that tactic? Whoda thunk warfare could occur in worship . . . I’ve been hung up on this one set of verses all day because of the quiet way God is teaching me through His Holy Spirit. I just can’t get over the fact that the people have the presence of God in thei...