Archive for May 10th, 2009

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To the Mother of my Sons:

May 10, 2009

Since it’s mother’s day I want to send some love to the mother of my three sons (otherwise known as my wife).  Seriously, I think she is pretty amazing. 

First, she loves and fears God which sets her on a strong foundation.

Second, she is the “wife of my youth,” as the Proverbs describes her, the one who brings such joy to a man’s life.

Third, she supports and contributes to our family and my ministry beyond what I ever would have expected or even imagined.  She’s like the lady in the cartoon whose psychiatrist says, “So you use 50% of your energy on your job, and 50% of your energy on your kids, and 50% on your husband.  I think I’m beginning to see your problem.”  Except my wife expends about 100% in each area (which I realize is mathematically impossible, but still, you get the point).

Fourth, she puts up with me and this is what I find really astounding.  She knows me better than anyone on planet earth.  She knows my weaknesses and my faults, my sins and my struggles.  She knows how self-conscious and egotistical I can be, all at the same time.  She puts up with my arrogance, pride, and self-centered(ness), and she sticks with me none-the-less.  She knows my inconsistencies and hypocrisies.  She knows I don’t always practice what I preach or preach what I practice.  Yet she loves me just the same.

You’ve heard the humorous saying “Behind every great man there is a surprised woman.”  Well, I’m no great man; but when I occassionally do something well she isn’t surprised which means that she believes in me.  And her belief in me (sometimes blind faith actually) motivates and inspires me to try to be better.

So, on Mother’s Day I just want to take a blog-moment to say “Thank You” to my wife, the love of my life.

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Challening Quote from Jim Cymbala:

May 10, 2009

The Jewish faith in Jesus’ day was dominated by rabbis—teachers of the law.  Their doctrine was thorough.  Jesus told them “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.  These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39-40, italics added).  They knew the written word of God very well, but not the living Word, even as he stood before them.

The Scriptures are not so much the goal as they are an arrow that points us to the life-changing Christ.

Unfortunately, the rabbis never did realize who was among them.  In the last few days before his crucifixion, Jesus wept over the city as he said, “You did not recognize the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44 NASB).

It is fine to explain about God, but far too few people today are experience the living Christ in their lives.  We are not seeking God’s visitation in our gatherings.  We are not on the lookout for his outstretched hand.

The teaching of sound doctrine is a prelude, if you will, to the supernatural.  It is also a guide, a set of boundaries to keep emotion and exuberance within proper channels.  But as Paul said, “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:16).

Jim Cymbala.  Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997) p. 150-151.

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