endurance & encouragement

Especially during the last 2 1/2 years (can it be that long!?) with Don gone from the house for 17 hrs each week-day and studying all the time on the weekends, these verses were a real encouragement to me.

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

the things of the Spirit

"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace" Romans 8:3-6 As one could easily pick out from my previous entries, I'm currently reading through the book of Romans. It's kind of funny, but God seems to think that Don and I need A LOT of this book - and I agree! Don's listened to John Piper , Lance Quinn , Curtis Thomas and George Zemek preach through Romans. I've heard Lance and Dr. Z . Now, at what will most likely be our new church , Phil Newton is starting to preach through a new book in January - guess which one? Romans. So in preparation for that sermon series I'm re-reading the book - and (though I shouldn't be) quite frankly amazed at how much I STILL don't understand! (and how much more I understand but don't consistently practice...

conformed to this world?

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2 The question I am asking myself today based on these verses is "In what ways am I tempted to be conformed to this world?" Don and I talked about it at breakfast this morning. Without really having to think about it, I know one thing I struggle with (not so much right now, but it always comes and goes in intensity - and knowing me it will be a big struggle when the new baby is probably 5-6 weeks old) is the issue of the Bible's definition of womanhood and the popular culture's definition. Many times in the past the main idea on my radar has been the idea that I could make a more significant cont...

woe to the Pharisees and lawyers

If one should ever be tempted to think that Jesus was all mushy and only said "positive" things that would build people's self-esteem, he should read Luke 11:37-54. Jesus goes against any idea that one might have about not offending your dinner host. A Pharisee had invited him to dinner and Jesus first makes a point by not ceremonially washing his hands - which gives an open door for a "real" conversation. One of the things he accuses the Pharisees of doing... "For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." Makes me think - am I disregarding justice and loving God and emphasizing smaller, more insignificant things? It seems like it is one of those things of making an idol out of some good thing. For instance, lately I've been doing tons of reading and strategizing on how to save money on groceries an...

somewhere between

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