One Mind Striving

Fresh Mercy

Rob — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:41:14 +0000

How easy it is to lose sight of God’s faithfulness when things just don’t seem to be going your way. Life is hard but God is good to those He loves and called.

Right in the middle of his lament for Judah (Lamentations 3:1-18), Jeremiah reminds us that though it may seem that God has abandoned His people, and our feelings about hard circumstances takes the drivers seat in clear reasoning, the reality is that God is faithful in goodness and mercy. We are reminded that while mercy does not come without the sharp edge of justice, we find profound hope in the certainty of His everlasting promise of fresh mercy.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:21-24

Look for fresh mercy every day! It is there to be discovered to those who love Jesus. Let’s strive together looking in joyful hope for God’s fresh mercies every single day this year!

Have a Happy Mercy Filled New Year

IPad test

Rob — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:12:27 +0000

Test

Starry Starry Night

Rob — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:54:26 +0000

Each year students of the Nativity once again ponder the origin of the Star of Bethlehem. Was the star that the wise men saw a comet? A constellation? A supernova? Special Creation? Glory of the Lord? For a couple of interesting perspectives click on the links above.

Excuses, Excuses!

Rob — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:47:19 +0000

James 1:1-8

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James begins the weavers needle pulling the thread of suffering through the outworkings of our life in faith to Christ Jesus. As he stitches together the life of faith marked by the patchwork trials every Christian must endure on their way to eternal glory, we are pointed in his letter to divine reasons in which suffering is both helpful and is to be manifested. In each area summed up as economic, socal interaction and physical health, James encourages us to have a right response.

One of the simplest means of determining whether one is responding in a manner that is helpful or is reacting in a way that is harmful is to listen to the words expressed about the present situation of life. Are they receptive to what God has in store for the future, or are they complaining about the present temporal situation. We all struggle with the fact that “We are born crying, live complaining, and die disappointed.” Yet viewed in light of eternity in Christ, what we all face today is what Paul calls “light affliction.” (2Cor 4:17) So lets just lighten up a little and stop our grumbling and see what God has in store to which He has promised to those who love Him!

What say you?

Click here for a really good 12 point summary on reason for not complaining.

The Gospel and Social Justice

Rob — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 02:38:27 +0000

In this time of political urging for the redistribution and equalization of the worlds wealth to the poor, prominent evangelical leadership seem to echo that same mantra. For a good explanation and refutation, lest we lose our focus and focus on a socialized gospel, go to The Cripplegate blog and read more.

One additional note to consider as you read: There is a difference between personal and corporate responsibilities with regard to the church.

The mission mandate of the church is purely spiritually gospel oriented, yet on the personal level, helping those who are physically needy can function as witnessing opportunities in testifying of the glory of Christ.

Facebook and Your Child

Rob — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:14:25 +0000

Covenant Eyes, an internet activity monitoring service, recently posted an article laying out some of the data and dangers of Facebook for children. In the article it was reported that there are over 7 million children that are under the age of thirteen who are (illegally) registered with Facebook accounts. And many of these with the permission of their parents who either approve or help their children lie about their ages. The following is an excerpt from the article.

It’s called “Smash or Pass.” Boys and girls alike can submit a photo of themselves or someone else to any number of smash-or-pass pages on Facebook. Others then stop by and say whether they would like to “smash” (have sex with) or “pass” (turn down) this person based on the submitted photo. As you can imagine, profanity and swarms of other crude comments follow. (Read more)

This is just a sample of the adult content and culture of Facebook. To learn more, I recommend that you read the article with concern for your children, your relatives children and your friends children. (Read more)

Today – Spend it all on Christ

Rob — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:56:17 +0000

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Faithful Father

Rob — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:18:39 +0000

Here is the You Tube link to the song from yesterday. It is a reflection of Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the Prodigal sons and the extravagantly faithful Father.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3ZWmgPFbso&NR=1

Lyrics to Faithful Father by Brian Doerksen:

Father I can’t explain this kind of love, this kind of grace
I know, I still break your heart and yet you run to welcome me

(chorus)
This is my song of praise to you
For who you are and all that you do
from the moment my life began, you have been faithful

Father, I love the way you hold me close and say my name
I know, when my life is through my heart will find it’s home in you

(chorus)

“And I’m still amazed when I think about the day that I returned.
Blinded by my own addictions and grief, I began my journey
expecting rejection, but secretly, secretly hoping for mercy
And while I was still a ways off rehearsing my lines, you saw me
and you ran to me… you ran to ME! And I began to speak and I said
“Father… I’ve been unfaithful and I am no longer worthy to be called
you son…”… “Welcome home son, I’ve been waiting for you!
I AM FAITHFUL! And I will always be your faithful father”

This is my song of praise to you
for who you are and all that you do
From the moment the world began
You have been faithful

(Repeat chorus)

You have been faithful, forever faithful…father

The Rapture – Moving Target?

Rob — Sat, 28 May 2011 12:34:44 +0000

Harold Egbert Camping (born July 19, 1921) is an American Christian radio broadcaster. He is president of Family Radio, a California based radio station group that spans more than 150 markets in the United States.

Camping is notable for applying numerology to his interpretations of Bible passages to predict dates for the end Times. In his 2011 end time prediction, he calculated that the Rapture would occur on May 21, 2011, and that God would subsequently completely destroy the Earth and the universe five months later on October 21. He had previously predicted judgment days on May 21, 1988, and September 7, 1994.

His latest prediction was widely reported in the mainstream press, and prompted responses from various atheist organizations. When May 21 passed without incident, Camping stated that he now believes a “spiritual” judgment occured on that date, and that the physical Rapture would now occur on October 21, 2011, simultaneously with the destruction of the universe by God. (Wikipedia)

Camping’s careless predictions have not been without cost.

One positive result in light of the heresy of this false prediction is that it has opened the door for many Christians to testify of the grace of God to unbelievers. In spite of the foolishness of human failures, the sovereign God does truly “work all things for good” (Romans 8:28) even the bad things, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Thoughts On The Resurrection

Rob — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:10:35 +0000

Six reversals that occurred when Jesus rose from the grave based on:

1Corinthians 15:12-23

In raising Jesus from the dead:

We have forgiveness of sin in Jesus as our all-sufficient forgiver. (Verse 17)

We have a reliable friend in Jesus who is utterly reliable. (Verse 14)

We receive guidance in unchanging truth through Jesus as the absolute foundation for truth. (Verse 15)

We have life that is not pitiable but admirable, a ministry that is not in vain but worthwhile through Jesus as the source and end of all life and all ministry. (Verse 14, 19)

We have an everlasting joy that will not be ended by death in Jesus as the author of life, the victor over death, and the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep in Him. (Verse 18)

In Jesus resurrection God vindicated his Son’s righteousness and He raised Jesus from the dead to validate our forgiveness.

Praising God through the power of His resurrection in Jesus Christ the Lord!