Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Come See A Man

I heard this beautiful song on a Revive Our Hearts message this morning. To read or listen to the entire message go to Revive Our Hearts.



For most of my life, I felt like a woman, a woman of ill repute.
For the things that I’ve done and what was done to me, I felt I was of no use.
Like the woman at the well who spoke to Jesus alone looking for a drink.
I've been looking for love in all the wrong places, helpless, needy, and weak.

But now that I know Jesus, to the world I will proclaim
These words of invitation. I will forever lift up His name.
And I will sing, "Come see a man who knows all about me,
Who knows all I’ve done, and the love that I need.
Come see a man who won't leave or forsake me.
Who died on a cross to set me free.
Come see a man who gives life eternal.
Who is the bread of life, living water for your thirst.
Come see a man who gives new beginnings,
Who gives second chances, who gives new birth."

I know a man who knows all about me,
Who knows what I’ve done and the love that I need.
I know a man who won't leave or forsake me.
Who died on a cross to set me free.
I know a man who gives life eternal.
Who is the bread of life, living water for your thirst.
I know a man who gives new beginnings,
Who gives second chances, who gives new birth.

His name is Jesus.
His name is Jesus.

Then we can sing it together, together of as a body of one.
We can tell the world about Jesus
Jesus Christ, God's risen son.
And we all can sing:

Come see a man who knows all about me,
Who knows what I’ve done and the love that I need.
Come see a man who won't leave or forsake me.
Who died on a cross to set me free.
Come see a man who gives life eternal.
Who is the bread of life, living water for your thirst.
Come see a man who gives new beginnings,
Who gives second chances, who gives new birth.

His name is Jesus.
His name is Jesus.
His name is Jesus.
His name is Jesus.

Are You a Real Disciple?

The following post is borrowed from Generation Cedar.


Discipleship has really been on my mind a lot lately. Discipleship has two parts:becoming a disciple of Christ, and then becoming adiscipler of others.

My dad and I were discussing a devotional he had read. The author pointed out a profound and almost foreign point about becoming a disciple of Christ:

Discipleship always COST something.

Christ always asked his followers to leave something behind. He spoke of “being worthy of ME”, and “selling all that you have”. For some, it cost everything; for others, it cost wealth; some left behind family, professions, reputations–things they loved dearly.

This is the price of discipleship. But Christians are not being taught this gospel anymore. Today’s gospel in many circles is focused on what you will gain for following Christ. Wealth, answers, health, victory, etc.

And before I am misunderstood, I will be the FIRST to shout about all the things I’ve gained for being a follower of Christ. But gaining is not the focus of the gospel. Losing is.

First things must come first. A life is found only if it’s willing to be lost. That’s the heart of the gospel. But am I willing to lose it?

Am I willing to deny myself first, before the benefits come? What am I willing to leave behind? Am I willing to lose all, EVEN IF I don’t see the gain?

Jesus called his disciples to some hard things; he told them without apology, “Look, some of you will be dragged before magistrates, beaten, and put to death. But take heart, your reward will be in Heaven.”Christians knew right up front that this wasn’t going to be easy. Why else were they willing to go to the stake for Him?

We can’t even fathom persecution like that. We complain about such light and momentary afflictions and most of us know little about “taking up crosses”.

How many of us are willing to admit that many things we do or refuse to do, are determined by what we are afraid to lose? I would submit that what separates a true disciple from an imposter is a reckless willingness to give themselves up….and this gives me serious pause as I reflect on my own heart.

When once we are completely abandoned to Christ, we follow Him and take no care about what we lose or leave behind.

What are you willing to lose to gain Christ?

(Revised from the archives, 2008)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Five Finger Attributes of God

Yes, I know there are more than 5 attributes of God, but I read this and thought it was a good way to help our children remember some of them. Have your little ones hold up a hand. As they hold up each finger of their hand, you want them to be able to remind themselves that God is...

*Always there. "For he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

*Always answers. "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:17).

*Always understands. "For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14).

*Always forgives. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

*Always loves. "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you" (Jeremiah 31:3).


Friday, August 13, 2010

John Angell James

"Every woman, whether rich or poor, married or single,
has a circle of influence, within which, according to her character,
she is exerting a certain amount of power for good or harm.

Every woman, by her virtue or her vice:
by her folly or her wisdom; by her levity or her dignity,
is adding something to our national elevation or degradation...

A community is not likely to be overthrown where woman fulfills her mission;
for by the power of her noble heart over the hearts of others,
she will raise it from its ruins
and restore it again to prosperity and joy."

John Angell James (1785-1859)
Female Piety: A Young Woman's Friend and Guide

Amy Carmichael Quote

"If I ask to be delivered from trial rather than for deliverance out of it, to the praise of His glory; if I forget that the way of the Cross leads to the Cross and not to a bank of flowers; if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking, so that I am surprised when the way is rough and think it strange, Think it not strange, Count it all joy, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
Amy Carmichael

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

How Sovereign Is God?

"I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an atom more or less than God wishes—

that every particle of spray that dashes against the steamboat has its orbit, as well as the sun in the heavens—

that the chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered as the stars in their courses.

The creeping of an aphid over the rosebud is as much fixed as the march of the devastating pestilence—

the fall of sere leaves from a poplar is as fully ordained as the tumbling of an avalanche."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

MOMENTum: Leading in the Moment on Vimeo

This message for Christian Women in Leadership was delivered by Mary Kassian at the 2009 LifeWay Women Leaders' National Forum in Nashville, Tennessee. Mary challenges leaders to 'Seize the Moment' to bring women to a point of radical commitment to the gospel, to understand the implications of the gospel for womanhood, and to be part of the quiet counter-revolution of women and men who love Jesus and dare to delight in God's design for their lives.

Can Homeschoolers Do Well in College? - CBS MoneyWatch.com

"Can students who enter college after years of homeschooling do well?" Click on the link below for the results.

Can Homeschoolers Do Well in College? - CBS MoneyWatch.com: