by Kimberly | Feb 25, 2011 | Uncategorized
“What we do tends to be what people follow, and if what we do doesn’t go in step with what we believe, likely as not people will follow what we do rather than what we say we believe. That’s why you get so many Christian who look like their pastors and sound like their pastors; they are little clones of their leader. From their mannerisms, you can spot who their leader is if you are familiar with the leader. so, if you are a leader, you need to watch out for this.”
Josh Moody, No Other Gospel, pg 97
Examples:
1. I knew of a dude in seminary that owned everything that he was aware of that was ever recorded that featured Paige Patterson.
2. I know of a guy who sounds like David Platt when he prays.
3. The first time I heard a local pastor preach, I could tell he had lived in John Piper’s basement because his demeanor and hand motions.
4. There are guys I serve with who have the same hand motions of one of the guys who has been on staff a long time.
5. I was at a Bstudy the other night and when the pastor asked an asst pastor what he thought of a passage, it was exactly what he would have thought.
6. The name of the curriculum we are working on is called Treasuring Christ – our pastor pretty much got that from a prof in England because he always says it.
I wouldn’t say any of these are bad things; but you can see where the danger would come. What happens if you behave in such a way that is not painting an accurate picture of Christ’s heart or is not becoming of someone who would claim Christ? What about people who believe the theology you hold to – and that theology doesn’t line up to the Authority of Scripture?
Josh offers a great leadership principle. How do you lead with humility knowing that others are watching you and following your example?
by Kimberly | Feb 24, 2011 | Bible, Books, Women
You know some of those statements that are said to you at a point in your life that stick with you? Whether they be good or bad, you always remember them? Those cutting words, those words of joy and praise, those wounding words. Well, about 10 years ago I heard some words spoken to me that have been cutting ever since. Not all the time, but at certain moments I remember them, and God at least allows me to use them for my good now instead of my harm.
Those words were: “Kim, one thing you are not is a gentle and quiet spirit.” Ok – now. After reading that, think through it biblically – where that is one thing Scripture commands women after God’s own heart – for them to be gentle and quiet. This probably is in the top 3 statements that have hurt me over the course of my life.
So, how is God using this statement even today. He grows me. He strengthens me. He enables me to not let that statement have control and wounding power over me, but allows me to use that statement for His glory by allowing the Spirit to sanctify my heart and spirit.
Am I there yet? Good gracious, no. But, here are some thoughts I read this morning on the subject by my favorite author, Jerry Bridges.
In The Practice of Godliness, Bridges talks about gentleness as being a person where people find rest. Basically, do people find rest in your presence or not? As I even wrote last week that I want my home to be a place of rest for people, a place of quiet and enjoyment for people, I also want my presence to be that way. When people are around me, when they leave me – who are they? Are they rested? Are they encouraged? Are they pointing more to Christ than they were before they got to me? Do I press them into the gospel or do I drag them away from the gospel with my spirit?
“Christ’s whole demeanor was such that people were often restful in His presence. This effect is another outworking of the grace of gentleness. People are at rest, or at east, around the Christian who is truly gentle.”
“George Bethune said, ‘Perhaps no grace is less prayed for, or less cultivated than gentleness. Indeed it is considered rather as belonging to natural disposition or external manners, than as a Christian virtue, and seldom do we reflect that not to be gentle is isn.”
Gentleness is a gift of the Spirit – it is not a personality trait. we are giving these and therefore should back away from sin in order to manifest these. We quench the Spirit when we do not manifest gentleness.
Style…clothing…accessories…I read many blogs. But, how often do I stop to think about “clothing myself with gentleness.” (Col 3.12). When I awake in the morning I’ve usually at least pondered my outfit for the day – but have I thought about how I’m going to display gentleness with the people I deal with and meet that day? Usually I’ll answer that question – no.
How does being around gentle people affect me? I can think of a men and women in my life who display a great deal of gentleness and kindness. I LOVE being around them. I come away from them rested, more joyful, and relaxed. Not busy. Not hurried. I love that. That is what I crave and desire. I desire rest and ease in relationships. Comfort, gentleness, kindness. Me being around those type of people makes me want to be that way.
So, I should study Christ more. I should study and see how Christ is gentle. Jesus gives rest. I want to be like him in my relationships. Thankful for people in my life who manifest already (though imperfectly) the gentleness of Christ. I am grateful that you are pouring out that grace in my life. For however long I know you – know that you have invested in my life.
You take wounds: and make them whole. That is the salve of Christ and His Word and His covering with His own precious blood shed on Calvary for me.
“The Christian who truly seeks to obey God through gentle character will actively pursue gentleness, striving to close himself with it. He will place this godly virtue high on his list of spiritual traits and LOOK TO GOD the HOLY SPIRIT to PRODUCE this fruit in his life. We should also ask the Holy Spirit to make us aware of specific situations in which we fail to act with gentleness and considerateness. Only then will we be driven to pray fervently for the grace of gentleness.”
What books have you read on gentleness that you think would be good to offer for the discussion?
by Kimberly | Feb 23, 2011 | Uncategorized
With all of the great tunes that we sang Sunday @pray dot org, I was going to choose one of those to highlight this week. However, my Mom commented on a facebook status of mine with something their church sang this past week and I needed those words to hurry to my soul so I chose “Be Still My Soul.”
One of my versions of this hymn is by Selah and you can watch/listen here but a newer version of this song is here by Keith and Kristyn Getty back in 2009.
For the purposes of this post, I’m sticking with the 1700s version:
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
by Kimberly | Feb 22, 2011 | Bible, Books
Commentary and Gospel to preach to yourself: does it get any better?
Josh Moody, pastor of College Church in Wheaton (which I love by the way, just the city, the college, the grounds), took his sermons from Galatians and poured it into a readable, short-chaptered, book you can read in a month (as long as the month has 31 days).
His only goal is to give a hard look at what it means to live our lives by ONE GOSPEL: The Cross, what the Bible says the Gospel is – and not let anything else interfere with that. He succeeds. The first couple of chapters were so highlighted I knew this would be a book I would pour into for years, and use readily as a resource when writing or studying or speaking at a conference, etc. Such depth and insight. Both scholarly and pastoral.
“We are practical atheists if we limit God’s usefulness of us to our personality. God did not greatly use Paul because he thought Paul had all the right credentials. It was not “Oh, Paul, he knows the Bible and has good connections, let’s get him.” No, it was the religious terrorist. How unlikely is that? God delights to take unlikely people and user them because then the focus is on God, not on the unlikely people.” – 16
In thoughts of planning worship services: “When we plan, it is the Bible that must guide. Our worship must be Bible-centered in order to be God-centered.” – 17
Just in case you ever wonder what you had to do with your salvation: “Our salvation does not start with us. We do not initiate the process. We did not come up with the plan. We did not start it. God did.” – 25
These are but a small taste to the rich truths that Moody brings out of Galatians into sermons and then puts them in your hands as a tool for you to know the gospel better. Use this as a secondary source when studying/memorizing/learning Galatians. It will be a blessing to your soul and life and ministry.
by Kimberly | Feb 22, 2011 | food
Not only do I like writing tools, I also love baking tools. I’m not a gadget person, but I do love quality products that I know will last.
During my previous stint in NC and part of my time in the Ville, I had the luxury of working at Williams-Sonoma during the holidays to earn some money, get to know non-believers, save some money for mission trips, and stock my kitchen. It was for the most part a great p/t job.
I got this one pan early on and it is one of my favorite in my kitchen. Last night I baked an apple cobbler in it so I thought I would post about the tool and give you the recipe as well.
This pan is versatile and pretty – even when it is baked in and everything. The gold finish keeps its look even when you’ve had it for many years like me. I also have bar pan in this series and love it as well – these are my two go-to pans!
Here is a quick and easy cobbler recipe from my mentor. I’ve had this recipe for 15 years or more now and love it and it always is a hit:
Easy Cobbler
3/4 cup self-rising flour
1 stick butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 cup sugar
cinnamon
1 can pie filling
1/3 cup sugar
cinnamon
In glass 8×8 pan (or microwave safe to make cleaning dishes easier), melt stick of butter. Mix in flour, milk, and 1 cup sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Spoon on pie filling. Top with mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Serve with ice cream! 🙂
