I Am a Creature

On October 18, 2013 By BrianIn Identity

Who am I? This is a huge question in our world. And many people are looking for the answer in all the wrong places. Who am I? The Bible has a lot to say about who we are. And the answer begins in creation: I am a creature.

I am a creature made by God. “So God created man” (Genesis 1:27). God made us. He is the Creator; we are the created – the creatures. There is an infinite difference between God and us. He is God; we are not. What’s more, we were formed from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). We are living walking dirt.

And we are dependent dirt. He made us – our very existence depends on God. We depend upon God for food – we have food only because God created a world for us to live in that has food. We depend upon him for our abilities – he made us with mouths, eyes, ears, hands, and feet able to do numerous things. We are creatures made by God and dependent upon God.

My identity as a creature made by God and dependent on God calls for a response of humility. The cocky “look at me” attitude so common in our world is completely out of place – and downright foolish. What are we saying? Look at me – one big pile of dirt! I am dust boy. I am dust girl. Not very impressive. Not much to look at. We need humility.

And as a creature, I am not God. The world doesn’t revolve around me. God is not at my beck and call to answer my every whim. The people around me are not my personal slaves. Things don’t have to go my way. I need humility.

I am a creature made by God and dependent upon God – and my identity calls for humility.

More Does Not Equal Meaning

On October 17, 2013 By BrianIn Identity, PASSION Quotes

As long as we think we are writing our own story, we will keep adding adventures or characters, thinking that more is the pathway to meaning and happiness. Here’s the problem: we just don’t have enough resources to get the meaning we crave.
– Bill Clem in Disciple

Prayer Quote of the Week

On October 15, 2013November 12, 2014 By BrianIn Prayer Quotes

Prayer is not only a means to prevail for mercy,
but also to prevent sin.
– William Gurnall

Operation Christmas Child

On October 14, 2013April 15, 2017 By BrianIn Uncategorized

My family and church have been packing boxes for a few years now. My family goes to the stores together, and each of our children packs a box for a child their own age. It makes for a great family outing and is a great way to get children involved in giving. And of course, it can be a huge blessing to the child who receives the box – and even provides an opportunity for the child to learn about Jesus. Great family or church project!

Passion Points

On October 12, 2013 By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Temptation Is Not the Same as Sin – Kevin DeYoung

20 Tips for Devotions in the Digital Age – David Murray

The Practice of Meditation – Tim Challies

Thank You, Lord – Charles Swindoll (via Trevin Wax)

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Time With the Lord

On October 10, 2013March 21, 2015 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes1 Comment

By spending time with the Lord in the Word and prayer, we are likely to gain new perspective on our hassles and headaches. Starting each day with eternity makes our petty problems and long to-do lists seem less significant. By sitting at the feet of Jesus, we will grow more like him—more patient, more loving, more thoughtful. We’ll see that our screens do not satisfy like our Savior. We’ll see that wisdom was not born yesterday, or thirty-four seconds ago on social media. We’ll learn to keep our complaints to a minimum and our eyes on the cross. And we’ll become more helpful to those around us.
– Kevin DeYoung in Crazy Busy

Passion Ethics

On October 9, 2013 By BrianIn Current Collection1 Comment

Homosexuality is the ethical question of our culture today. Here are some helpful posts on being a Christian and struggling with homosexuality:

Compelling Conversion – Mike Wittmer

Letter to a Struggling Gay Christian – Augustus Nicodemus Gomes Lopes (Gospel Coalition)

A Different Kind of Coming Out – Christianity

How Can the Gospel Be Good News to Gays? – Sam Allberry (Gospel Coalition)

Prayer Quote of the Week

On October 8, 2013November 12, 2014 By BrianIn Prayer Quotes

And pray ye also without ceasing for the rest of mankind
(for there is in them a hope of repentance),
that they may find God.
– Ignatius

Missions Focus

On October 4, 2013March 26, 2016 By BrianIn Missions Collection

Here are some good posts on missions to ponder:

You Can’t Avoid the Missionary Implications of Our Faith – John Stott via Trevin Wax

How Much Is Left to Do in the Great Commission? – John Piper (Desiring God)

Answering 7 Common Objections to Long-Term Missions – Ben Stevens (Gospel Coalition)

Why Less Is More in Missions – Matt Smethurst (Gospel Coalition)

The Most Significant Opportunity

On October 3, 2013March 21, 2015 By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

We have to believe that the most significant opportunity before us every day is the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus. We won’t rearrange our priorities unless we really believe this is the best one.

– Kevin DeYoung in Crazy Busy

……thank you ! Sincerely, Jo Ann C Erickson

Loved this! Thanks for sharing!Sent from my iPhone

❤️❤️Sent from my iPhone

Love the idea of putting sentiments into an equation. (Just yesterday I was writing notes to myself where pain +…

I've been a Christian 50 years. At the end of 30 years, I came to a crossroad. I was burnt…

Brian J. Mikul

Tag: Discipleship

I Am a Creature

More Does Not Equal Meaning

As long as we think we are writing our own story, we will keep adding adventures or characters, thinking that more is the pathway to meaning and happiness. Here’s the problem: we just don’t have enough resources to get the meaning we crave.
– Bill Clem in Disciple

Prayer Quote of the Week

Prayer is not only a means to prevail for mercy,
but also to prevent sin.
– William Gurnall

Operation Christmas Child

Passion Points

Time With the Lord

Passion Ethics

Prayer Quote of the Week

And pray ye also without ceasing for the rest of mankind
(for there is in them a hope of repentance),
that they may find God.
– Ignatius

Missions Focus

The Most Significant Opportunity

We have to believe that the most significant opportunity before us every day is the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus. We won’t rearrange our priorities unless we really believe this is the best one.

– Kevin DeYoung in Crazy Busy

As long as we think we are writing our own story, we will keep adding adventures or characters, thinking that more is the pathway to meaning and happiness. Here’s the problem: we just don’t have enough resources to get the meaning we crave. – Bill Clem in Disciple

Prayer is not only a means to prevail for mercy, but also to prevent sin. – William Gurnall

And pray ye also without ceasing for the rest of mankind (for there is in them a hope of repentance), that they may find God. – Ignatius

We have to believe that the most significant opportunity before us every day is the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus. We won’t rearrange our priorities unless we really believe this is the best one. – Kevin DeYoung in Crazy Busy

As long as we think we are writing our own story, we will keep adding adventures or characters, thinking that more is the pathway to meaning and happiness. Here’s the problem: we just don’t have enough resources to get the meaning we crave.
– Bill Clem in Disciple

Prayer is not only a means to prevail for mercy,
but also to prevent sin.
– William Gurnall

And pray ye also without ceasing for the rest of mankind
(for there is in them a hope of repentance),
that they may find God.
– Ignatius

We have to believe that the most significant opportunity before us every day is the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus. We won’t rearrange our priorities unless we really believe this is the best one.

– Kevin DeYoung in Crazy Busy