Author: Brian

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

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Here are some good posts about discernment and the movies:

What Does ‘The Shack’ Say About Your Pain? – David Mathis (DG)

Why I Won’t Be Seeing (or Reviewing) The Shack Movie – Tim Challies

Our Mother Who Art In Heaven? – Tony Reinke (DG)

“Beauty and the Beast” to Feature an “Exclusively Gay Moment” – Denny Burk

The Facts about Beauty and the Beast Disney Movie – Amy Blevins

Sex on the Silver Screen: What Would a Victorian Christian Say? – Tim Challies

Reflections on Psalms 51-55

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • Sinners – Psalm 53 reminds us that we are all sinners (v2-3). And Psalm 52 reminds us that God will judge the wicked sinner.  So we plead for God’s mercy and seek his forgiveness (Psalm 51).  He can cleanse us from our sins and blot out our iniquities.  For what sins do you need to seek his forgiveness?  Praise the Lord for his mercy!
  • God our Helper – God is our helper and the upholder of our lives (Psalm 54). And so we cast our burdens upon him – and he will sustain us (Psalm 55).  Where do you need God to help and sustain you?  Cast those burdens on him.

Psalms 51-60: God Our Helper

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(52-53, 58-59) How does David describe the wicked who have come against him in these psalms?

(52, 55-56) How does David respond when people come against him according to 52:8, 55:23, 56:3-4?

How are we often tempted to respond when people come against us?

How do you need to apply David’s response to your own life?

(54-59) How else does David respond when people come against him (54:1-3, 55:1-3, 56:1-2, 57:1, 59:1-2)?  What is he looking for?

Name one situation in your life today in which you need to follow David’s example.  Stop and do it now!

(52-60) In response to David, what does God do for David?

What does God do with the wicked?

How can this encourage you when you have others come against you?

(52, 54, 57, 59) How does David respond to what God has done for him (52:9, 54:6-7, 57:7-11, 59:16-17)?

For what situations in your own life can you do the same?

(51) Sometimes you are the person acting wickedly.  How might you use this psalm to help you confess and repent your sins?

(51-60) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

God Will Use Even You – Steven Lee (DG)
It’s okay to be a nobody, if in all you do, you serve Somebody.

Contentment in a Discontented World – Jason Helopoulos (TGC)
The Christian finds Christ to be sufficient. We are the richest and most secure people in the universe; so the storms may beat the walls of our lives and yet contentment can lie safe within. It isn’t touched, because it is wrapped up in Him, who is our All in all.

Do You Disagree Online Like a Nonbeliever? – Alex Hong (DG)
If our lives testify in any way large or small to the stunning beauty of our rescue, then we will begin to outshine the hostility and argumentative dialogue of our day.

When Christians Hurt You – Nicholas Batzig
In the house of God, Christians must learn to remember the identity of their brothers and sisters, humbly pray for their brothers and sisters, lovingly cover the sin of their brothers and sisters and privately confront their brothers and sisters.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping our great God with your local church!

 

Sermon Songs: Mark 5:1-20

On By BrianIn Mark Hymns

MusicNotes

Tell of the man with the Legion
Bound by a strong enemy
Oppressed and ruined by demons
Until our Lord set him free
Behold our Lord’s greater pow-er
Salvation so rich and free
Desire and trust Him each ho-ur
Proclaim His grace and mercy
Tell me the story of Jesus
Write on my heart ev’ry word
Tell me the story most precious
That I might live what I’ve heard

 (Some words by Fanny Crosby, to the tune of “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”)