tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9376279932876262312011-11-07T12:11:20.599-05:00tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.comBlogger3521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-15802049180881124402011-06-23T15:18:00.001-04:002011-06-23T15:20:18.109-04:00

We’ve been looking at Jesus’ teaching on possessions and contentment in Luke 12:13-34. We’ve learned that a “Kingdom Lifestyle” is when you are “rich toward God” (v.21) by “selling your possessions and giving to the needy” (v.33). That sounds really poetic..., if you are Mother Teresa or something!And how am I supposed to do that? How am I supposed to let go of my “kingdom”? I want my stuff!

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-22232050410422344622011-06-08T14:21:00.001-04:002011-06-08T14:21:56.253-04:00

“Hypocrite” - The word just rolls off the tongue with a sneer of disgust. It’s a favored word for skeptics and cynics. “Hypocrite” immediately places it’s object in the category of the inauthentic and fake. Hypocrisy is an infestation that works it’s way through organizations, churches, and individuals. When image is everything then he who wears the best mask wins. When hypocrisy reigns, “To Seem

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-13918986378135925452011-06-03T13:09:00.001-04:002011-06-03T13:09:46.074-04:00

We love to read Jesus’ rebukes of the Pharisees. We are astonished of how he takes on the “powers that be” in favor of the little guy. We like it until we realize that we are “the powers that be”! You see, we are those who hold to a high view of scripture, are religiously conservative, and who seek personal holiness - just like the Pharisees!Now, all those things are good, but can be distorted

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-85638342642977077052011-05-25T11:39:00.005-04:002011-05-25T11:43:34.406-04:00

A lot of people think following Jesus is about moral transformation, being a better person, or worse, being a “nice” person. Sometimes we even hear phrases like “That is the Christian thing to do” or “That wasn’t very Christian of you”, as if Christianity was founded by Miss Manners.But being is Christian is less about being a “moral” person, and more about being a “conquered” person.When a

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-53731386000827294432011-05-18T13:10:00.001-04:002011-05-18T13:14:00.606-04:00

“We” vs “me” in prayerI don’t know about you, but when I pray, MY concerns about ME crowd in and become MY main concern. Thoughts of US and WE are pushed out my the big ME!But that’s not the way Jesus taught us.The Lord’s prayer is not a ME prayer but a WE prayer. Look at all the WE, US, and OUR in the prayer Jesus taught us (Luke 11:2-4).“OUR Father in heaven, Holy be your name” - This expresses

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-81776583219138814712011-05-12T10:54:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:42:30.468-04:00

“Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” Luke 10:42One of the key motivators for moving from “Martha mode” to “Mary mode” is the portion we choose. Martha's chosen “portion” was submitting to the tyranny of the the urgent, outward pressure, and inward expectations. She was “distracted, anxious, and troubled” by these tyrants. She was joyless in the presence of

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-78295570017791891672011-04-27T11:13:00.001-04:002011-04-27T11:15:58.055-04:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-52140203303183863822011-04-20T13:56:00.002-04:002011-04-20T13:59:08.346-04:00

“He saw him, he had compassion, he went to him …and took care of him” Luke 10:33-34,37See, Feel, Go, Care. When asked “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus instead answered, “What does it mean to be a neighbor?” Those four actions are what defined the “neighborliness” of the Good Samaritan. Okay, I’ll admit, the priest and the Levite also “saw”, but they passed by on the other side. The Samaritan saw, felt

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-7438855496708723612011-04-13T14:26:00.001-04:002011-04-13T14:27:21.798-04:00

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20Joy is a fleeting feeling. We take joy in pleasant experiences, personal successes, goals obtained, satisfying relationships, and vicarious victories (insert your favorite sports team here). All those feel good.But what about when experiences aren’t pleasant?

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-58871344180861496602011-03-30T15:16:00.000-04:002011-03-30T15:17:22.418-04:00

Jesus sends us all out. That’s it. If you are a Christ follower then you are following Jesus on his mission to reach lost people. If he is going, then we are following. So if you are not “redemptively rubbing shoulders” with lost people then you are not following Christ. At least not as you should. Read Luke 10:1-16Jesus talked about reaching people like workers “reach” the harvest. Do you care

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-10268564399867536962011-03-24T14:24:00.001-04:002011-03-24T14:25:22.836-04:00

I want a cool nickname. “The Rock” has a cool nickname. “The Black Mamba” has a cool nickname. “Ole Blues Eyes” has (er..., “had”) a cool nickname. And James and John had a cool nickname. Jesus called them the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). That sounds like a biker gang, not followers of Christ! How cool is that?!Maybe that’s why they got so mad at the Samaritans when they refused to welcome

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-84019374678018533882011-03-14T12:39:00.001-04:002011-03-14T12:41:28.343-04:00

The last couple of weeks we have been learning some “lessons from the valley” from Luke 9:37-50. After the “mountain top experience” of the transfiguration, the disciples meet some epic fails in the valley of ministry. But solid lessons a can be learned: A Lesson about Faith: v.37-43a “Power lies not in the person praying but in the person of Christ.” A Lesson about the Cross: v.43b-45 “Before

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-4160096922705363732011-02-28T15:52:00.000-05:002011-02-28T15:53:24.935-05:00

Sometimes it seems that Christ followers fall into one of two camps. There is the “big faith” camp which prays big prayers, sings like cheerleaders, thinks positively, and dismisses hardship as temporary at best.On the other hand there is the “hard core” camp. This tribe counts the cost of discipleship, embraces sufferings, and doesn’t expect much from God but trials.Is there a third way?In Luke

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-52587074138393440162011-02-23T19:42:00.002-05:002011-02-23T19:46:42.438-05:00

News Flash: God wants the Bible to change us! That’s right, Bible teaching is not to increase our body of knowledge but to transform our lives. So, now that we have worked our way through 2nd Thessalonians, let’s go back and ask ourselves some probing questions...Can I say that my faith in Christ is growing, or have I become plateaued and stagnant? (1:3)Am I treating others with increasing love

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-35534908600979679182011-02-17T14:25:00.002-05:002011-02-17T14:28:48.120-05:00

Everybody works. Everyone who wants to eat, that is! But who are you working for there are several right answers to this question.Do you work for yourself? Well on a base level this is okay. We are called to “eat our own bread” and not to be a burden to others. And there is that whole work/eat thing.Do you work for your family? That’s okay too. We are called to provide for our families as a sign

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-64930717649906729872011-02-09T12:23:00.002-05:002011-02-09T12:24:24.146-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-71472813158658038582011-02-02T17:01:00.001-05:002011-02-02T17:01:53.266-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-85896571495512656322011-01-31T15:42:00.002-05:002011-01-31T15:44:29.090-05:00

Confession time. I have been watching war movies of late. Particularly Vietnam war movies. Some of them are revisionist history, I realize. But I am still impressed with the courage of those soldiers fighting what seems to be an un-winable war. Most of the time the odds were overwhelming.We can feel like that at times. Okay, most of the time. We can feel overwhelmed with struggles, sin, and

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-18426667631334584442011-01-24T17:44:00.001-05:002011-01-24T17:45:48.544-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-83229006868099229212011-01-20T19:01:00.007-05:002011-01-20T19:09:34.677-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-72574377582290365362011-01-19T19:50:00.001-05:002011-01-19T19:51:55.571-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-5866917705417956902011-01-12T15:02:00.004-05:002011-01-12T15:10:45.053-05:00

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Thess 1:11-12)I have been so challenged by this passage and Paul’s passion for the

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-75495381983896163682011-01-11T14:34:00.004-05:002011-01-11T14:36:36.604-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-67925897693043082352011-01-08T14:57:00.004-05:002011-01-08T15:01:04.601-05:00

TrueFaced: Bruce McNicoll, John Lynch and Bill Thrall, Colorado Spring. CO: NavPress, 2005, 160pOverview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.Truefaced is a call by its authors to resist and recover from the pressure to conform to outward expectations, from oneself or from others, and to live authentic lives in the grip of God’s grace. Through

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-16696039021239742202011-01-07T11:11:00.004-05:002011-01-07T11:14:47.088-05:00

::The Twelfth Night::Okay, so I am trying to milk every last drop out of Christmastide as I can. I still have the tree up and the lights on. I am listing to Christmas music on Pandora. I am still attempting to immerse myself in the wonder and mystery of the incarnation. Because, after all, it is still Christmas.So how does one celebrate “the twelfth night”? For medievals this was a night of

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-66572388798135921392011-01-03T17:43:00.013-05:002011-01-03T17:53:01.384-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-87829256163199232532010-12-30T12:50:00.001-05:002010-12-30T12:52:31.773-05:00

There is no better way to feed your soul, ward off discouragement, convict your heart, or gaze upon Christ than reading the Bible every day. Do you realize that just 15 minutes a day will get you through the entire Bible in one year? How great will it be to look back on 2011 having read the Bible cover to cover! Here’s how:1. Find a plan.There are many Bible reading guides available. May I

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-80751576694790073232010-12-24T20:53:00.000-05:002010-12-24T20:53:01.685-05:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-45212031530755918482010-12-22T22:35:00.000-05:002010-12-22T22:36:01.114-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-11680148253670637422010-12-15T17:12:00.000-05:002010-12-15T17:13:06.544-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-91918334616353893712010-12-07T17:04:00.001-05:002010-12-07T17:05:52.328-05:00

“He has brought down the mighty from their thronesand exalted those of humble estate;He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.” Luke 1:52-32 (emphasis mine)How come I never really thought about Mary’s “song” at Christmas? How come I never thought about the “great reversal” she sings of – you know, bringing down the mighty yet exalting the humble, sending the

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-31493675793748780332010-12-03T15:12:00.001-05:002010-12-03T15:12:40.670-05:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-85057595039591487002010-12-01T22:14:00.001-05:002010-12-01T22:15:42.231-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-80807493808877612482010-11-23T14:34:00.002-05:002010-11-23T14:36:37.759-05:00

I have always loved the brutal honesty and transparency of Paul, the apostle. While many people in the public eye carefully groom and massage their image, Paul shows us himself, with all the warts. He says very candidly to the church in Corinth: “our heart is wide open” (2 Cor 6:11), and pleads with them to “widen your hearts also”!Paul sets the example. First he opens his heart, and then he

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-19606286196926515232010-11-22T11:39:00.004-05:002010-11-22T11:48:02.625-05:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-42920948008433280392010-11-10T14:14:00.001-05:002010-11-10T14:17:13.998-05:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-91251960205084673942010-11-03T22:10:00.001-04:002010-11-03T22:12:07.707-04:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-41175156722890681922010-10-27T16:38:00.001-04:002010-10-27T16:39:44.125-04:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-65278317339477999802010-10-27T15:36:00.000-04:002010-10-27T15:37:23.813-04:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-25414986909554290982010-10-23T08:47:00.000-04:002010-10-23T08:48:17.667-04:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-37518690310128949622010-10-20T16:20:00.000-04:002010-10-20T16:21:06.970-04:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-42532895211837353052010-10-14T13:25:00.003-04:002010-10-14T13:26:46.319-04:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-14448696940529725552010-10-06T20:45:00.000-04:002010-10-06T20:46:19.376-04:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-90891737842585915252010-09-29T14:00:00.004-04:002010-09-29T14:42:32.347-04:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-74869316149073081072010-09-24T11:29:00.002-04:002010-09-24T11:30:23.452-04:00

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tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-82688395830822877892010-09-22T10:08:00.000-04:002010-09-22T10:08:40.015-04:00

He rejoices over us � Of First Importance:“How heart-cheering to the believer is the delight which God has in his saints! We cannot see any reason in ourselves why the Lord should take pleasure in us; we cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have to groan, being burdened; conscious of our sinfulness, and deploring our unfaithfulness; and we fear that God’s people cannot take much delight

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-68997512581211467582010-09-09T13:56:00.001-04:002010-09-09T13:58:16.012-04:00

What do we give to God when we really don't feel up to giving much? God is not hungry or needy. Therefore he does not want our offerings of food or service to him. What he does want is a thankful heart: “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,and perform your vows to the Most High,“and call upon me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Psalm 50:14-15 But what do

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-38714148656781264382010-09-02T16:09:00.000-04:002010-09-02T16:10:59.502-04:00

This week I have invited Martin Luther to share his thoughts on spiritual depression. In this letter he counsels Prince Joachim of Anhalt, a mutual friend of Luther and Nicholas Hausmann, on how to deal with apathy, burn-out, and depression. Enjoy!"Be merry, then, both inwardly in Christ himself and outwardly in his gifts and the good things of life." Luther “Your Grace has Master Nicholas

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-12292422127746243172010-09-01T14:01:00.000-04:002010-09-01T14:01:38.760-04:00

christianaudio.com - christianaudio.com: "Spiritual Leadership (Unabridged) by J. Oswald SandersWith more than 500,000 in print, Spiritual Leadership has proven itself a timeless classic in teaching the principles of leadership. J. Oswald Sanders presents and illustrates those principles through biographies of eminent men of God - men such as Moses, Nehemiah, Paul, David Livingstone, and Charles

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-18193513835811068482010-08-26T14:54:00.001-04:002010-08-26T14:54:55.031-04:00

What do we think of when we speak of “going to church”? Answer: Sunday morning.When does “the church” meet? Answer: Sunday morning.What is “the church”? Answer: The place we meet on Sunday morning.How do we answer; “So, how was church?” Answer: What happened on Sunday morning. Have we overemphasized what we do on Sunday mornings? We plan up, gear up, set up, and unleash the production and call

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-58216834615844700582010-08-17T17:11:00.002-04:002010-08-18T14:36:38.788-04:00

It’s natural to have concern for those who are suffering. We hear about the afflictions of someone we care for and we just want it to stop. The affliction could be illness, finances, employment, relationships – you name it! In fact, just below you’ll read a list of needs to pray for.And there is nothing wrong with praying for needs to be met and afflictions to be lifted. Jesus tells us to pray

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-83585804997576904162010-08-04T18:05:00.003-04:002010-08-04T18:09:58.323-04:00

Last week in church we looked at “Extravagant Love” from Luke 7:36-50. In that amazing encounter, Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace”. Faith? Saved? At this stage of redemptive history, what possibly could this woman have believed about Jesus?She could not have articulated a theology of the atonement, she probably wasn’t versed in the Trinity, and the dual natures of

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-1961744669794960482010-07-28T12:41:00.001-04:002010-07-28T12:43:35.367-04:00

“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard” from Luke 7:18-23John the Baptist was concerned and confused. His cousin, Jesus, was doing great miracles – miracles one would expect of the promised messiah. But the revolution was not being televised – yet. Where was the fiery reformer John was expecting?So John asked the question, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-26066599491621076772010-07-14T13:59:00.000-04:002010-07-14T14:00:17.577-04:00

Honesty is one of the reasons to love the psalms. The psalm writers share their hearts, bare their hearts, and know their hearts like nobody else. I was reading Psalm 119 this morning and was impressed with how well the psalmist knows his own heart deficiencies and calls out to the Lord to do what only the Lord can do:I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! (Psalms

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-15443154226602902232010-07-07T16:07:00.001-04:002010-07-07T16:07:48.696-04:00

Who do you look up to? Who do you put on a pedestal? Parents? Pastors? Missionaries? Friends? What happens when you get up close and see all the warts and blemishes? What happens when you see more of the “old man” than you do of Christ in them?We often say, “don’t trust in people, people will always disappoint you”. But when it actually happens we are shocked and disillusioned. What do I do with

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-41100299980698998342010-06-30T20:19:00.000-04:002010-06-30T20:20:07.951-04:00

Though I didn’t get to hear Sunday’s message God’s sovereignty surprised me again. As I was traveling to S.Fla I was listening to a message by Josh Harris from the NEXT Conference. His text was from Luke 6, about the wise and foolish builders. I was also meditating on this text last week as well. Here’s some insights for review:1. Everybody gets the rising river. The wise builder was not exempt

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-16388286600910556232010-06-24T13:37:00.000-04:002010-06-24T13:38:41.874-04:00

This week I am going to invite a “guest pastor” to share some powerful thoughts on battling a judgmental spirit by looking for evidences of grace. C.J. Mahaney is a true gift to the body of Christ and encourages my soul every time I hear him. I would encourage you to read and/or listen to everything you can get your hands on by C.J. Enjoy…Most people are more aware of the absence of God than the

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-77066256648613218712010-06-12T09:44:00.003-04:002010-06-12T09:49:59.193-04:00

The parables in Luke 15 follow a similar pattern: Something is lost. That something is found. So somebody throws a party. Pretty simple. But how do we wrap our minds around the idea that God likes to celebrate? We are used to thinking of God sitting austere, disinterested, and disconnected from our emotions. A God that parties is not in our mental filing cabinet. Yet it is clear

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-29137787011756380382010-06-03T13:55:00.000-04:002010-06-03T13:56:34.709-04:00

Okay, a name for a TV show (anybody remember Howie Mandel with big hair?), but also a way of describing ways we try to reconcile with God.Deal: I bring a bargaining chip to offer God in return for his acceptance of me: a life devoid of “big sins” (bank robbing, murder, etc…), regular religious practices, being a “nice person”, promising to try harder, playing the sympathy card with my abusive

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-10919714769371097902010-05-26T21:18:00.001-04:002010-05-26T21:18:52.540-04:00

As we have been looking at the parable of the prodigal sons in Luke 15, one thing we must notice is the father’s heart for his lost boys. One is lost in his rebellion; one is lost in his religion. One is lost in his immorality; the other is lost in his morality. But neither is entering the father’s joy.I can see these brothers pointing fingers at each other. I can hear the younger saying, “You

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-30164524881790845072010-05-19T14:27:00.001-04:002010-05-19T14:27:13.582-04:00

“Tom, I need to tell you something”, he said.I must be in trouble, I thought!I had gotten to know “Gary”, one of the regulars at “Lucky’s Lake Swim”, a few months ago. As we had built our relationship, he discovered I was a pastor (I never let on that I am a pastor too early – I like the look of surprise in people’s eyes when they find out!). Last year Gary had pulled me aside and asked me if I

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-58045580776662812572010-05-13T19:00:00.001-04:002010-05-13T19:00:37.842-04:00

It’s no secret that a shared experience brings people together and builds relationships. Boy Scout campouts, family vacations, missions trips, you get the idea. Shared experiences bond us together.Too often our shared experience with Jesus is more like a bunch of separate cars going down the highway of life. We are all headed in the same direction, but with windows up, A/C on, and radio blaring

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-56265025925349607712010-05-12T14:45:00.000-04:002010-05-12T14:46:11.880-04:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-52298520686427170262010-05-04T17:02:00.001-04:002010-05-04T17:02:59.731-04:00

After I had settled down from the distress of a blown torque converter on I-75 last Saturday, I wondered what the Lord was doing in all of this. Okay, so I was not considering this trial “all joy” at the time, as James instructs us. But I was trying.Our tattooed tow truck driver, Tony, gave me my answer. As we began to talk on our long drive from Ocala to Orlando, spiritual things became the

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-36113475880135616752010-05-02T19:39:00.001-04:002010-05-02T19:39:50.727-04:00

Congrats Janna! from tom welch on Vimeo.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-21838452617669616122010-05-02T14:18:00.001-04:002010-05-02T14:18:54.331-04:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-32163125034891366562010-04-21T10:42:00.001-04:002010-04-21T10:45:20.704-04:00

Colossians 1:15-20"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-89311337446135763262010-04-14T15:40:00.001-04:002010-04-14T15:41:11.483-04:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-48277076664232160612010-04-13T13:03:00.001-04:002010-04-13T13:04:44.973-04:00

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls us to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world,” serving as both a preservative and a lighthouse to the world. But consider this: salt and light have no effect without first making contact with something.From "Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different" (Tullian Tchividjian)

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-39276921258888478422010-04-09T12:31:00.002-04:002010-04-09T12:37:06.582-04:00

Why Missions?View more presentations from tom welch.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-67552480200610390642010-04-07T16:30:00.001-04:002010-04-07T16:30:20.712-04:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-54214087544296938442010-04-07T14:03:00.002-04:002010-04-07T14:06:02.164-04:00

Good post from DGM: All the beautiful virgins...

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-81975161140378998642010-04-06T09:59:00.001-04:002010-04-06T09:59:34.090-04:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-60254283673230750482010-04-02T15:54:00.000-04:002010-04-02T15:56:27.827-04:00

 1 Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?  2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,    a scrubby plant in a parched field.There was nothing attractive about him,    nothing to cause us to take a second look.He was looked down on and passed over,    a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.One look at him and people

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-85292447063316456922010-04-01T09:39:00.001-04:002010-04-01T09:39:03.393-04:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Good Stuff!View more presentations from tom welch.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-36973159823257495012010-03-31T10:57:00.001-04:002010-03-31T10:57:46.816-04:00

“One canon, two testaments, three creeds, four general councils, five centuries and the series of the Fathers in that period determine the boundaries of our faith.”Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626)

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-26227396518481646412010-03-26T12:01:00.001-04:002010-03-26T12:01:33.480-04:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Ymca Spiritual LegacyView more presentations from tom welch.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-57500853012396166462010-03-23T14:14:00.001-04:002010-03-23T14:16:54.418-04:00

“And Jesus said to [the Pharisees], "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?" Luke 6:9 You might be a Pharisee if (stolen from TreyMorgan.net)1. If you consider the church roll the Lamb’s book of Life.2. If you're disgusted by the moral filth that is playing out of your own DVD player.3. If you think Christianity is about rules rather than

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-76901049125660744232010-03-19T09:11:00.001-04:002010-03-19T09:13:00.943-04:00

From “Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different” (Tullian Tchividjian)In this windowless world, God, transcendence, and mystery have become less and less imaginable. All of life is “rationalized.” Everything becomes a matter of human classification, calculation, and control. “What counts in a rationalized world,” says Guinness, “is efficiency predictability,

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-57984297140187255922010-03-18T10:23:00.002-04:002010-03-18T10:32:54.847-04:00

From "The Resurgence"

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-34502766709769882602010-03-15T12:29:00.004-04:002010-03-15T12:39:19.701-04:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-80589024485816591612010-03-05T11:12:00.000-05:002010-03-05T11:13:29.296-05:00

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-51597725029355293052010-03-04T17:23:00.001-05:002010-03-04T17:23:39.929-05:00

My New Sandbox... from tom welch on Vimeo.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-2619679537472258722010-02-22T07:09:00.000-05:002010-02-22T07:10:02.002-05:00

Orlando Gladiators Water Polo from tom welch on Vimeo.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-74913269313149374662010-02-19T22:59:00.001-05:002010-02-19T22:59:48.173-05:00

Birthday Greetings from tom welch on Vimeo.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-52903000304460837902010-02-19T21:17:00.000-05:002010-02-19T21:18:48.129-05:00

Tom's 50th from tom welch on Vimeo.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-69902990500944228242010-02-09T12:26:00.001-05:002010-02-09T12:29:40.899-05:00

If you want a quick guilt trip, compare your last 24 hours with Jesus first 24 hours in Luke 4:31-44. Let’s see: preach the good news – check! Deliver from demons – check! Heal the sick – check! Jesus was definitely a man on a mission!Okay – so our productivity won’t match up with Jesus productivity*, we can still join him on mission. Remember, Jesus’ mission was to go with authority, power, and

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-71207901470077992482010-02-08T18:07:00.001-05:002010-02-08T18:07:42.863-05:00

Stephen's New Drum Kit from tom welch on Vimeo.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-88879561656427510012010-02-02T14:30:00.001-05:002010-02-02T14:33:05.935-05:00

Jesus has a great mission statement:"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)You’ve got it all here – preaching, healing, liberating. This is enough to

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-21468589163541915142010-01-31T23:01:00.002-05:002010-01-31T23:03:28.771-05:00

“Star Wars” had one. “True Grit” had one. Even “Avatar” has one.What?An epic one on one battle where the protagonist faces off with his enemies in a last climactic fight for victory. And as we watch we get emotionally sucked in to the drama and pathos. We feel that the battle is our own.It makes for good drama. But it makes for even better reality.When Jesus faced off with the devil in the

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-68940392842239448302010-01-21T12:56:00.002-05:002010-01-21T12:58:36.694-05:00

What we all crave, deep within our souls is the blessing of our father. The Bible makes much of the importance of a father’s blessing and the heartbreak when that blessing is withheld. Many adults pursue their father’s blessing years after their dads have passed away. That sense of approval, respect, and love is what our heart’s long for,What does the father’s blessing sound like? Well, Jesus

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-30672029974124525622010-01-13T20:14:00.005-05:002010-01-13T20:20:01.446-05:00

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach. The Sacred Romance could be categorized as a “wistful-heart devotional”. In their romantic way, the authors seek to awaken the reader’s heart to its true desire for something more. Using various metaphors, Curtis and Eldredge walk through several “acts’ of the drama of life and a true walk with God,

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-87937328050051121462010-01-13T20:10:00.003-05:002010-01-13T20:18:32.698-05:00

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.Jerry Bridges likes to keep the main thing the main thing, and to keep that main thing simple. In The Gospel for Real Life Bridges keeps his focus on communicating the theology of the gospel in laymen’s language. He explores all the power, nuances, metaphors, and application that make up the gospel of

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-18194756631056456232010-01-09T14:41:00.004-05:002010-01-09T14:47:02.320-05:00

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.After his magnum opus, Dynamics of Spiritual Life, Lovelace puts the cookies on the bottom shelf with Renewal as a Way of Life. He covers much of the same ground as his longer volume, but packages and applies his insights in a new way. He begins with a solid section tracing the Biblical theology of the

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-57017988372368469292010-01-08T22:27:00.004-05:002010-01-08T22:31:31.807-05:00

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.In Spiritual Companions, Peter Toon gives a literal A to Z of classic Christian authors from the Church Fathers to contemporary voices. Beginning with Joseph Alleine’s “A Sure Guide to Heaven” and finishing with “The Way of a Pilgrim” (unknown author), Toon directs the reader to Christian literature that

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-91959731988894721782010-01-08T19:32:00.007-05:002010-01-08T19:43:54.127-05:00

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.Drawing from a deep background in church history, Lovelace is well qualified to trace the history of spiritual awakenings and test them against the modern world. In “Dynamics of Spiritual Life”, Lovelace first gives the reader an anatomy of spiritual awakening vis-à-vis a historical overview from early

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-57874442521479179562010-01-08T10:48:00.003-05:002010-01-08T10:56:59.631-05:00

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.Jerry Bridges challenges the oft unstated premise of many Christians: We begin the Christian life by grace, but then it’s up to us to grow in Christ through the disciplines of discipleship. In “The Discipline of Grace”, Bridges shows the reader that the whole of the Christian life is of grace, from beginning

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-36737451284338308512010-01-07T14:52:00.000-05:002010-01-07T14:53:07.120-05:00

Welcome to Sunny Orlando from tom welch on Vimeo.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-39028767825408285302010-01-07T10:27:00.001-05:002010-01-07T10:27:22.691-05:00

Jonathan's New Crib... from tom welch on Vimeo.

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-937627993287626231.post-28131031881407910372010-01-06T22:03:00.004-05:002010-01-07T06:35:36.786-05:00

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach. “The Enemy Within” is essentially a journey into the sinfulness of the human heart. Lundgaard wants his readers to know the “exceeding sinfulness of sin” and to learn to hate and to do battle with the flesh. Lundgaard leans heavily on the works of puritan author John Owen. One could look at Lungaard’s

tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147725689313713863noreply@blogger.com0