We hustle. We bustle. Our lives are arguably the most busy they have ever been in history. Computers, email, smart phones, 24/7 internet access, automobiles ... the light bulb! All of these things help our productivity potential be greater than ever before, but what about our potential with God? Are these things helping us get more connected to God and the eternal things that matter most, or are they helping to distract us with greater effectiveness from the inevitability of death and our meeting the Creator? In order for us to have a vibrant and intimate relationship with God we must get away from our normal environments and routines, and we must do this with some regularity (probably more regular than our annual vacation). "Getting away from our normal environments and routines is an essential part of our intimacy with God." We see our Lord Jesus getting away from the crowds, from his disciples, and from his normal schedule in order to connect with and cry out to His Father in Heaven. "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Lk 5:16) "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." (Lk 6:12) "Once when Jesus was praying in private ..." (Lk 9:18) ""Jesus ... took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray." (Lk 9:28) "Jesus ... withdrew again to a mountain by himself" (Jn 6:15) "Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, While he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on the a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land" (Mk 6:45-47) Have you ever spent an entire day away from people with the Lord? Have you ever spent an entire night in prayer, study and meditation? Have you ever gone on an overnight personal retreat - for the sole purpose of drawing near to God? Sometimes people go years in the faith and have never done anything like this (and we wonder why our relationship with God might be stale, stagnant, joyless, and wearisome ... try being married for years without having any special time or special dates, and see if you feel any different in your marriage!) Even if you are not an outdoors person (although there is something to be said for the spiritual connection that can happen in God's creation, c.f. Ps 65:8-13; Rom 1:20; etc.), you can still find creative ways to have special retreats to get away from all the distractions (make sure you don't take your phone, I know it's hard, but hey Jesus and his disciples often went without food!) and connect with God in meaningful ways that will help you to not only persevere in your faith (Heb 10:36), but to also have a faith that doesn't grow dimmer as the years go on, but a faith that burns ever hotter and brighter as you fan it into flame! (2 Tim 1:6) This type of thing does not happen accidentally or all by itself, you must be intentional ... it's not as though your schedule will just miraculously open up! What a great use of some of your vacation days, or school break days this could be! You must plan it and decide to make it happen and that it is important enough for you to say "no" to something in order to do so. I know you won't regret it! #biblestudy #discipline

Is it really that important to have time with God in the morning? Sure you have heard all of these things talked about before from preacher types and the like, but is it really that neccessary? And if so, why? Well my friend, I would argue that it is and this is why: Jesus was an early riser, in a short but telling sentence in the first chapter of Mark's Gospel we read, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35) And while I admit we cannot surmise that this was necessarily Jesus's practice all the time, it was at least his practice some of the time, and it was regarded by the evangelist Mark to be significant enough to record in his gospel (with the providential oversight of the Holy Spirit I might add), indicating to us some pattern or practice of his Lord that he wanted others to know about and imitate. And if you have ever experienced this personally, you are familiar with the benefits and refreshment that it brings, things such as: And spending our waking hours with God, we show the priority of this relationship over all else in life Since our waking thoughts determine the tone and course of our day, morning time with God sets on minds and hearts on what is most important from the very beginning Early in the morning is one of the quietest times of the day, affording us the chance to concentrate in think without interruption from life's demands and pressures (especially those of a young family) We are rested from our nights sleep (hopefully) and our minds and emotions have had time to recover from the strains of the previous day We are able to clear our consciences of the guilt of sin before we begin our day We're able to cast our burdens upon the Lord before the day begins (Mat 11:28; Lk 11:3; 1 Pet 5:7) Were able to draw upon God's power to strengthen us for what lies ahead (Ps 5:1-3) But if were honest with ourselves we know there can be many hurdles for us to get up early especially on a consistent basis (I can relate as I am not naturally an "early riser", but instead a "night owl"): ​​ "But if we are honest with ourselves we know there can be many hurdles for us to get up early in the morning." Not going to bed at a decent hour because of our lack of discipline and self-control. For many of us if we're honest our going to bed late is not a sign of being a hard worker but wasting time and energy in our "winding down" time that we spend watching TV and other various unproductive things. Not waking up at the same time everyday Not relying on ourselves to wake up and get out of bed, but instead relying on a spouse, roommate, or parent (getting out of bed immediately and on time everyday could generally be one of the single disciplines that has the greatest impact on your life and relationship with God) Prov 6:6-11; 26:14 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11 May these helpful practices and common pitfalls help you as you strive to have time with God that is not dutiful, but instead is full of meaning, connection, inspiration, guidance, correction, and hope! #biblestudy #discipline

Here is a list of what I would call must reads this year for anyone wanting to grow and be stretched in their Christian walk. Covering everything from leadership, intimacy with God, the will of God, to homosexuality and many things in between, these are some of my best picks for Christian growth and maturation. (These are listed in no particular order). Start With Why - Simon Sinek ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Simon Sinek (Ted Talk) - discusses the principles behind successful leadership and how leaders can inspire others by clarifying their "why". This book is the original material for Simon's Ted Talk that is one of the top ten most viewed Ted Talks ever with 25 million views. Crazy Love - Francis Chan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Francis Chan is so great. He is down to earth, funny, and convicting because of his understanding and reverence for God. This is an incredible book about simply loving God and being loved by Him. No fluff, no frills, just honesty and reverence. A great read. Slaves, Women & Homosexuals - William Webb ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book definitely lives up to its provocative title ... a bit more academic and technical than some might be used to, but Webb sets out to make a theological case for our doctrinal understanding of the bible on these very sensitive and controversial topics. I believe he does an excellent job based on his thesis of a 'redemptive hermeneutic'. The Speed of Trust - Stephen M. R. Covey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stephen Covey discusses the principles and power of trust, as well as the detriment of the "trust tax" in leadership and team building. This is a great book for those that lead and want to be able to maximize the output of any team. How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth - Fee & Stuart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is an absolute must read for anyone who has been a Christian more than a few years. A bit technical, it can be difficult for some to get through the first time, but it is absolutely invaluable as the authors walk you through principles of how to read the bible correctly, and thus interpret it correctly allowing you to be aware of common pitfalls that are made when reading the bible. Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Christian classic written in the late 1600's (you can get the original written in Victorian English for free under public domain, but this link is to a modern English translation) considered by many to be one of the best Christian books written in the last 500 years. An allegory representing the Christian journey, this is a must read for everyone. Wild at Heart - John Eldredge ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ John Eldredge is one of my favorite authors as he strikes at the heart of manhood, how it is developed (or undeveloped) and the role our earthly Fathers play in that (for good or bad), and the ways in which this translates into our relationship with our heavenly Father. This is a must read for every young man (and every young woman that wants to better understand them). Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of the great Christian classics, and C.S. Lewis' most famous title, he masterfully builds an apologetic (not as in he is apologizing for anything) case starting for a rational and philosophical belief in God moving toward the Christian belief of Jesus being that God. Decision Making and the Will of God - Gary Friesen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book is one of my all time top favorites. It tackles one of the most foundational question that every believer faces: how do I know what God's will is for me in this decision in my life? Who should I marry? What job should I take? Should I move? This is a must read for everyone in the faith. Divine Sex - Jonathan Grant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is one of the best books I have read in a while. Though perhaps a little more technical than some are used to, Grant does an incredible job revealing and cutting through our cultural normatives when it comes to sexuality, and helps us to have a more biblical and Godly outlook on our sexuality, whether single or married. #theology #culture #biblestudy #philosophy

The Hebrew writer exhorts the Christian's on how they, and we, should live in relation to God and one another.

5 years ago today marked the day I married my best friend. And before you go getting all soft and "awwww" on me … just wait a second. This 5th anniversary has caused me to reflect and remember something about God, a truth that I honestly sometimes forget: that God calls the things that are not as though they were (Rom 4:17), that His ways are higher than my ways and his thoughts higher than my thoughts (Isa 55:9), and that He does immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). As I was talking to a friend today and recounting my personal story of faith and my journey to walk with God, I remembered that at the point in my life when I became a Christian I had no desire for children, I abhorred them actually (why would you want children when all they do is break your heart, disobey you, and get in the way of you enjoying your life?). And the thought of marriage was only an outside chance in my head. Not that I didn’t think I could get married, but I doubted I would ever want to (who would want to get married if you have never seen any benefit in marriage?). Obviously now that I am married and have a two month old son I no longer feel this way, but it was amazing to me in the course of my conversation with my friend to remember how I used to think, and what my heart desired, and didn’t desire, at that time. Tears started to well up in my eyes as I spoke to my friend telling him that at that time I hated the idea of having children, but then thinking of my son’s face and how his soft and innocent smile melts my heart in ways that can hardly be described. Our conversation was centered on how much God has done in and through my life that I could not have fathomed or envisioned before … it’s as though my mind is too feeble to envisage the beauties and realities that God had (and has) in store for me. I emphasized the point that God would do the same in his own life, if He would but let him. "Our minds are too feeble to envisage the beauties and realities that God has in store for us." It is in these moments that I am reminded that my God is a great and daring God, one that I cannot truly understand or comprehend, but one who’s love is so immense and who’s will is so good in degree and measure, that it humbles me to my very core and inspires me with genuine awe and wonder. #relationships #family #spirituality

Christology = the branch of Christian theology relating to the person, nature, and role of Christ. In short, "Who Was Jesus?" Implicit Christology: Here are 12 implicit ways the bible speaks of Jesus' identity and who He was: Jesus' Relationships ​You get the impression that whenever Jesus interacted with and spoke about others he was always "in charge". (c.f. Mat 11:11-12, 17:11-13) Accepting Worship, Prayer, and Faith ​Jesus encourages people who fall prostrate before him, worship him, pray in his name, and who are healed because of their faith in him (c.f. Mat 14:33; Jn 16:23-24, 14:13-14; Mrk 5:34, 10:52; Lk 7:50, 17:19). Later the disciples and even angels would rebuke people who treated them that way (c.f. Acts 14:14-15; Rev 22:8-9) God's Final Eschatological (the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind) Agent ​In Mark 8:38 and parallels Jesus declares that one's response to him determines his or her eternal destiny (c.f. Lk 12:8-9) Authority to Forgive Sins ​Mark 2:10 and parallels astounded its original audience as Jesus claimed to forgive the paralytics sins. (c.f. Lk 23:43 for Jesus's ability to promise to crucified man immediate forgiveness and presence in Paradise) Metaphors Applied to Yahweh in the Old Testament ​The metaphors from the Old Testament that Jesus used from himself that were often reserved for God: bridegroom, rock, director of the harvest, sower, shepherd, father, giver of forgiveness, vineyard owner, and king. The combined effect goes even beyond indicating Jesus as Messiah to pointing out one who is God himself, anything which otherwise only John, among the Gospels, introduces explicitly. Other ways in which Jesus associates himself with functions of Yahweh include receiving children's praise (Mat 21:16; c.f. Ps 8:2), seeking the lost (Lk 19:10; cf. Ezek 34), and experiencing rejection as the cornerstone that becomes a stumbling stone (Lk 20:17; c.f. Isa 8:14-15). Miracles and the Kingdom ​Jesus is miracles were not arbitrary or capricious but dovetailed with his announcement of the arrival of God's kingdom and fulfilled Old Testament and intertestemental Jewish expectation of what will happen when the messianic age arrived. But if the kingdom or messianic age has arrived, then the king or Messiah must also be present. Abba ​Jesus' sense of filial consciousness should not be ignored (Mrk 14:36) Amēn ​A Semitic term preserved in Greek transliteration often translated into English as "verily" or "truly". Unlike the prophets, Jesus does not declare what the Lord God says, But what he himself says, yet in contexts of equally authoritative claims The Messianic Demonstrations of the Final Week ​The "triumphal" entry consciously reenacts messianic prophecy (Zech 9:9) "Something Greater" Is Here Several statements showed Jesus to be greater than David or the Temple, or Solomon or Jonah (Mat 12:3-6, 41-42) Shaliach: "I have come to" ​In the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) they refer to this phrase over and over, "I have come to" and the gospel of John refers to "one who sent me" which implies that Jesus is on a mission from God. Jesus' Seemingly Supernatural Insight ​On several occasions Jesus appears to be able to read peoples minds or perceive their deepest needs, and predict the future (Mrk 10:21, 12:24, 14:13) "Jesus was convinced that how one responded to him was the most important decision anyone could make." Explicit Christology: Some explicit names and titles that Jesus used of Himself to reveal his identity (can you find where each of these occur in the N.T.? ... without using a concordance?): Son of Man Son of God Lord Messiah King Servant of the Lord Prophet Teacher Son of David Savior Lamb of God Word I Am No matter what level of gospel tradition one examines - the Evangelists' redaction, the developing oral tradition, or the bedrock core of what can securely be assigned to the historical Jesus - one impression remains the same. Jesus, like his earliest followers, was convinced that how one responded to him was the most important decision anyone could make in his or her life. On this response hinges one's internal destiny. Taken from: Jesus and The Gospels, an Introduction and Survey - Blomberg #biblestudy #theology

"On an unremarkable morning in January 2007 during the morning rush hour, a young man entered L’Enfant Plaza Station in the Washington, DC subway. There was nothing distinctive about how he looked; a youngish guy in jeans, a long sleeve T-shirt, and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. Taking his place against the wall at the top of an escalator, he pulled a violin from a small case and threw in a few dollars and some loose change as seed money. He played for around 45 minutes to a restless conveyor belt of people - over a thousand in the time he was there. As he played, the preoccupied herd thundered past him; only a small boy lingered for a few minutes before his mother impatiently grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the escalator. The few who do who did give money tended to toss it into his case on the run, more an expression of guilt then appreciation. When he finished, the young man collected his money, packed away his violin, and left the station. No one applauded; no one even noticed. For his labors he had earned a grand total of $32.17. The supposedly cultured crowd of largely federal government workers were unaware that morning that the young fiddler in the metro was Joshua Bell, one of the finest classical musicians of his generation. He played some of the most complex and elegant music ever written (Bach) on one of the most valuable violins ever made - a Stradivarius worth $3.5 million. Bell’s impromptu performance in the metro was arranged by the Washington Post, as an experiment to see if, in a mundane setting at an inconvenient time, true beauty would transcend it." (as told by Jonathan Grant in "Divine Sex") Gene Weingarten won his first Pulitzer Prize for his article about the experiment, “Pearls Before Breakfast”. Weingarten went on a couple of years later to win another Pulitzer with the Washington Post for his haunting story about a new phenomenon of modern society; parents who accidentally kill their children by forgetting them in their vehicles. Before the early 1990’s this was very rare, but in 2009, when his article “Fatal Distraction” was written, it happened in the U.S. about 15-25 times per year. “What kind of person forgets a baby? The wealthy do, it turns out. And the poor, and the middle class. Parents of all ages and ethnicities do it. Mothers are just as likely to do it as fathers. It happens to the chronically absent-minded and to the fanatically organized, to the college-educated and to the marginally literate. In the last 10 years, it has happened to a dentist. A postal clerk. A social worker. A police officer. An accountant. A soldier. A paralegal. An electrician. A Protestant clergyman. A rabbinical student. A nurse. A construction worker. An assistant principal. It happened to a mental health counselor, a college professor and a pizza chef. It happened to a pediatrician. It happened to a rocket scientist.” (Fatal Distraction) As I read this, I looked over at my 6-week-old first-born son and I thought to myself, I would be unbelievably devastated if I were to do something like that him. And that of course, is understated. But then I also thought, it is not beyond the scope of imagination that I could have the capacity to be so self-absorbed, so distracted, so focused on other things that I thought were paramount at that moment, that I could neglect someone I love … to the point of death. Even if it is not neglect in such a dramatic and devastating way, could I neglect someone I love to the point where I am absent emotionally, too wrapped up in my own world to give the time, love, and nurturing attention that children so desperately need and crave as they develop? This is not pretty to admit. So what does this all mean? I believe one of the things it could mean is that as we become busier and more distracted with the aid of technology, the ability to work past dark and communicate with peoples in all time zones across the world, we can more easily lose ourselves to the things that are not most important, and in doing so, not only miss out on some of the most beautiful things around us, but actually destroy them inadvertently. So be aware, and beware, of the pitfalls of modern society’s egotistical, capitalistic, and human soul-devouring rat race … it could cause you to miss the beauty God has intended for you to partake in, perhaps even taking you to places you never intended to go. "So be aware, and beware, of the pitfalls of modern society's egotistical, capitalistic, and human soul-devouring rat race." Try putting down your phone immediately when you come home from work. Try turning off your phone and never turning on the television one weekend to spend time with the people you love [if for no other reason than to exercise the self-control that God has empowered you with through His Spirit (2 Tim 1:7)] Try stopping to talk to someone at the office for a few minutes that you normally would walk past and give the typical courteous, “hey, how are you doing?” remark as you continue on your way. Try learning something new about that person ... perhaps start with their name. And if you see something beautiful, even if you just think you do … take a moment to soak it all in. In fact take two. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phl 4:6-7). "One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (Ps 27:4) #culture #technology #spirituality #beauty

Many of you have heard of the argument against God's omnipotence (all powerfulness) that goes something like this; If God can do anything, can he make a rock so big that even he can't lift it? Of course this is an illogical argument (because if He cannot do either one of them He is not omnipotent, but since it is illogical to do both simultaneously, it is irrational), but it tends to trip people up at first glance. This argument strikes at the heart of whether or not God has the power to enact His will. Something that hits a little closer to home for the Christians is something like the concept that God want's all men to be saved (c.f. 1 Tim 2:4) but the fact is that not all will be saved (c.f. Mat 7:13-ff). So is God some how limited in his ability to accomplish His will? Well yes and no. Yes God is limited in His ability to accomplish His will if you are looking at it for face value, for his will for all men to be saved is not strictly speaking, accomplished. But on the other hand, no He is not limited, except for the ways in which He limits Himself in terms of the means to accomplish His will. For example, does God have the power and ability strictly speaking to force you to do something He wants you to do? Well, yes He would have that ability technically, but He limits Himself from using that ability because of His character, which is love ... the love that allows you to choose for yourself and the love that causes Him to restrict Himself. "God restricts His omnipotence by the consistency of His character" We encounter this idea all of the time. For instance, our precious little Johnny is accused one day of some heinous crime ... and we say, "Our little Johnny could never do that!" But what do we mean by that statement? That little Johnny technically lacks the ability to do that, or that it is against his character to do such a thing? I believe we all recognize that we mean the latter in this instance. And so it is with God. Of course God has the ability to do what ever He wants, for He is not lacking in power (omnipotence), but He chooses to restrict Himself in order to be consistent with His character, how He defines Himself. And in the example used previously, God defines Himself as love, which does not override the gift He has endowed His creation of man that bears His image ... a will of his own. Thankfully the difference between God and our little Johnny is that God has the power (unlike poor Johnny) to actually enact His character consistently and perfectly, never faulting from it (Num 23:19). #philosophy #theology

For most of us when we are honest with ourselves, we ask questions like, "Do I really need all this stuff?" Especially for those of us that live in the western cultures of capitalism and consumerism, the brutally honest answer to that question is a resounding, "NO!" Unfortunately this answer is not very popular, either with ourselves, or with others around us, as we are all chasing each other and trying to keep up with those proverbial Jones' (BTW I still haven't caught them yet). "In trying to keep up with the "Jones' ... have you ever caught them?" "Capitalism is probably the most formative structural reality within our society. It sets the course for most of our lives, shaping what we considered to be worth having an giving us a context in which to pursue those things. Certainly for most in the Western world, capitalism has become the taken-for-granted shape of things, as permanent and unquestioned as the sealed roads and powerlines outside our houses." (Jonathan Grant - Divine Sex) Our capitalistic culture is so pervasive that it gives us what James K. A. Smith calls "secular liturgies" - "the visions of what life is all about: what will bring us satisfaction, what will save us, what will give our lives meaning and significance, what will add up to the good life. Smith warns that we can avoid overtly religious liturgies by not attending church, but we cannot avoid cultural ones. They are all around us, and they seek to capture our imaginations, to tap into our deepest desires, and direct our worship toward rival gods." Here are some helpful ideas that I have wrestled with employing in my own life in order to downsize and fight against the trappings of this world and it's constant barrage of telling me I need more stuff (here is an interesting article discussing the barrage of the 5000+ ad and brand message the average person encounters per day). Go Through Your Closet At least once per year go through your closet thoroughly and get rid of everything you haven't worn in the past year and give it away (I know this can be very difficult for some of my fashionista's out there, but don't kid yourself, if you didn't wear it last year, it's not likely you will wear it next year) Buy Used This tactic not only applies to automobiles (which if you buy new, dramatically depreciate in value once you drive them off the lot) but also for more common items like clothes, furniture, electronics, etc. I have found that the more I buy used, not only do I save on the initial sticker price, but also the less I tend to covet it and the less I care if it gets 'gently' worn after purchasing it (thus helping the dynamic around my household). Challenge Yourself Find something really difficult for you to part with, and challenge yourself to get rid of it. For me I really liked watches (hey it's the only socially acceptable jewelry allowed for men!) so I challenged myself that anytime someone commented on how much they liked my watch I would give it to them off my wrist (of course I can't do this forever unless I continually buy watches, which of course would defeat the purpose). #spirituality #money #culture

2105 marked an incredibly sad and tumultuous year for my now home state of South Carolina with a racially motivated mass shooting at a predominately black church in Charleston and the subsequent removal of the confederate battle flag from the state capitol's ground. Being in a racially diverse church myself I know that these things strike very close to home for many, and it is always a trying thing when Satan uses the attacks of inequality, injustice, and hatred to tear at the fabric of the unity of Jesus’ church. Racism is not something new, as though South Carolina, the first state to secede, somehow invented the problem. The problem is as old as sin itself, from the fall when rebellion to God entered man’s heart and mind. Ever since then we have hated one another and looked for every opportunity for self-glorification, even if it means stepping on our fellow man. "Racism is not something new, as though South Carolina somehow invented the problem." This doesn’t apply to you of course; you would never do such a thing. But unfortunately you are wrong. And although sin comes in many shapes and sizes, and through a humanistic lens there are lesser and greater sins against man which have varying punishments, if we are honest with ourselves we would admit that we are capable of far more evil than we like to imagine. In the book of Galatians Paul speaks extensively on the issue of racism and tribalism, rebuking the understanding of the Jewish Christians there and their unwillingness to embrace their non-Jewish believing brothers and sisters (Gal 3:28) but I wonder if we have settled for this exact thing in the Church now in our day? While it is very difficult, and often painful, we must fight with the power of the Spirit to maintain His unity and peace (Eph 4:3) with one another and not allow any division from our sinful nature to enter in. #culture #racism