Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Computer Fast

On By BrianIn Uncategorized6 Comments

After almost three weeks, I am blogging again.  Two of those weeks were a total computer fast.  The first day of my fast was crazy.  I kept thinking, “I should check the internet for…oh wait, I’m not using the computer.”  After that, it was wonderful.  No computer troubles and frustrations.  More time for other things.  Less random voices bouncing around in my head. 

After two weeks without a computer, I can better see the good and bad of the internet and computer.  Certainly it allows one to access a lot of information.  At the same time, perhaps it allows us to access too much information.  I need to set limits.  I need to surf less.  I need to visit fewer blogs and visit them less often.  I need less random voices bouncing around in my head.

The internet also helps us connect with others.  And yet often this is rather shallow.  I know what people are doing on Facebook, but how well do I really know most of them?  I have already determined I want to check my e-mail less often and Facebook even less.  I want to spend more time with my family and less time with my computer.  

The internet can also be a powerful platform for presenting ideas.  I blog to share thoughts with others.  Yet I need to take a break from time to time to just listen.  And I need to care less about my stats.  The irony is – though I haven’t written for almost three weeks in August, August will turn out to be one of the top three months for people seeing this blog.  Go figure!

Bottom line: The internet is a wonderful tool that can become almost god-like in our lives if we let it.  I don’t need to check my e-mail, Facebook, blog one more time.  I don’t need to surf other blogs so often.  It won’t make my day any better.   It will probably just add more random voices to my already full head.

Do you find yourself always on the computer, checking e-mail or Facebook several times a day, spending hours surfing the web?  I recommend a computer fast to regain some perspective.  You might be surprised at how wonderful life can be without it – without so many random thoughts bouncing around in your head!

Book Look: Transforming Grace

On By BrianIn Book Look

Transforming Grace – Jerry Bridges

I have recently finished reading this book again.  It was my third time through.  Some authors write their own ideas and attach a few Bible verses.  Others start with Bible verses and move to their own ideas.  Few write immersed in Scripture like Bridges does.  In this book, Bridges gives us an in-depth Bible study on God’s grace.  He covers God’s grace in saving us from our sins, his grace that makes us holy, his grace that enables us to serve, and his grace in the midst of trials.  In the context of this blog, it is God’s grace that both enables and motivates us for three passion living.  So grace is an important reality for us to know more and live in more. If you haven’t read this book, pick it up!  If you have have, you might find it useful like I did to read it again.

The Greatest Good

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

It is difficult for us to see God’s hand of love in the adversities and heartaches of life because we persist in thinking, as the world does, that happiness is the greatest good.  Thus we tend to evalute all our circumstances in terms of whether or not they produce happiness.  Holiness, however, is a greater good than happiness, so God arranges and orchestrates circumstances to produce holiness before happiness.  He is more concerned about our eternal than or our temporal welfare and more concerned about our spiritual than our material welfare.  So all the trials and difficulties, all the heartaches, disappointments, and humiliations come from his loving hand to make us partakers of his holiness.

– Jerry Bridges in Transforming Grace

Our Only Worthiness

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes1 Comment

Remember we did not declare temporary spiritual bankruptcy.  Our bankruptcy is total and permanent.  The only worthiness we have for entrance into God’s Kingdom is in Christ.  The only worthiness we have with which to come before God is in Christ.  The only worthiness we have to qualify us for ministry is in Christ.  If we are to progress in any aspect of the Christian life, we must look outside ourselves and only to Christ.  It is is him that the grace of God is so abundantly poured out on us.

– Jerry Bridges in Transforming Grace

Fire From Heaven

On By BrianIn Book of Luke, Virtue of Humility

In Luke 9:51-56, the Samaritans reject Jesus, so James and John suggest that they might call down fire from heaven to destroy them.  Jesus rebukes them.  He has come not to destroy but to save. 

Are we more like Jesus, or more like James and John?  Like Jesus, do we seek to love and serve and save those who reject us, oppose us, are against us?  Or like James and John, do we want to destroy them? 

I fear the American church often fails miserably in this, for too often we are not known for our love toward those who oppose us.  Atheists, cults, other religions – we believe these are wrong, but how do we treat them?  With respect, love, and humility, as people made in the image of God? 

Or consider the cultural issues of the day.  Do homosexuals know us by our love, or are we more like James and John?  Could we be losing the culture war because we have made it a war, because we fight like the other side?  Our mission is not to destroy them but love them into God’s kingdom.  If we follow Jesus, we will treat them with humility.  Too often we respond like the Pharisees with pride, an attitude of – “I’m better than you.”  Somehow we forget that we are all sinners, and I have nothing in myself to boast in.  I am saved by God’s grace alone.  That does not mean we shouldn’t stand up for what we believe in, the issue here is how – our attitude.

Closely related to cultural issues is politics.  We may disagree with our President on many things, but what is our attitude toward him?  Proud, angry, and hateful?  Or humble and loving?  Jesus calls us to give up our fire from heaven and to love like he did.

Father, make us more like your Son who came in humility and love.  Remove the pride and hate from our hearts.  Let us treat others with the respect your image bearers deserve.  Amen.

Better Than You

On By BrianIn Virtue of Humility

“An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest” (Luke 9:46).  Can you imagine that?  Grown men arguing about who was the greatest!  And this, just after Jesus, the truly great one, had spoken of becoming low for us! 

To get their attention, Jesus takes a child – with no status, no power – clearly not great.  “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.  For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48).  The child, least in their eyes, is great.  Greatness is not about status or power.  It is not about being better than others, exalting oneself above others.

If receiveiving a child is like receiving Jesus, like receiving God, then the child has great significance.  And so do all of us, for we are all made in the image of God.  No one is better or worse than others, we are all equally valuable.  So arguing about who is greatest is nothing short of foolish.

I suspect few of us would argue with someone else about who was greater.  And yet, how easy it may be for us to act like we are greater than another.  How easy to start thinking we are better than another.

I’m better than you because I am a Baptist, a Methodist, a Charismatic, a Calvinist, an Arminian, a Dispensationalist, and the list could go on.  I’m better than you because of my spiritual gifts, and I minister this way, and you don’t.  I’m better than you because my family does things this way, and your family does it that way, and that seems really odd to me.  I’m better than you because I make more money than you, I have a higher standard of living.  I’m better than you because you hurt me which makes you a terible sinner.  I’m better than you…. 

Father, how easy it is for us to begin to think that we are better than others.  The smallest differences can introduce this idea to our minds, and our pride grasps and feeds the idea.  Guard our minds.  Throw down our pride.  Help us to give up our pursuit of being being better than others.  Let us learn from Jesus who, though greater than all, humbled himself and became one of us to save us.  Amen.

Book Look: Jonathan Edwards

On By BrianIn Biography/History, Book Look2 Comments

Jonathan Edwards – Iain H. Murray

Each year I like to read some biographies.  This year my focus is Jonathan Edwards.  Murray gives a mostly readable look at Edward’s life.  He includes interaction with many of Edwards writings published during his life (which slows the pace a bit, but helps you better understand the man and his times).  Murray concludes by considering his legacy.  At 500 pages, it requires some dedication, but is worth the effort.

Book Look: The Cross Centered Life

On By BrianIn Book Look

The Cross-Centered Life – C. J. Mahaney 

I recently reread this book, and have included a few quotes in some past posts.  It is a short book, but it has an important message.  We simply can’t lose sight of the cross, or even more – it must be central to our lives.  He shows how the cross destroys legalism and removes guilt.  And he gives practical suggestions for living with the cross at the center of our lives.  Much worth reading…and rereading.

Web Weekly

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

The summer seems a bit slow in the blogosphere with many taking breaks, but here are a few posts to chew on:

One of my desires is not only to live this three passion life, but to pass it on to my children.  This requires me to spend time teaching my children about Christ and our response to him.  In that vein, Brian Croft has a helpful blog about fathers shepherding their children.

Humility is essential for true compassion for others.  If we love to be first, we simply will not show compassion toward others.  With that in mind, consider Scotty Smith’s prayer for humility.