25 Feb 2011

Leadership Lesson – Josh Moody

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 0

“What we do tends to be what people follow, and if what we do doesn’t go in step with what we believe, likely as not people will follow what we do rather than what we say we believe.  That’s why you get so many Christian who look like their pastors and sound like their pastors; they are little clones of their leader.  From their mannerisms, you can spot who their leader is if you are familiar with the leader.  so, if you are a leader, you need to watch out for this.”

 Josh Moody, No Other Gospel, pg 97

Examples:

1.  I knew of a dude in seminary that owned everything that he was aware of that was ever recorded that featured Paige Patterson.

2.  I know of a guy who sounds like David Platt when he prays.

3.  The first time I heard a local pastor preach, I could tell he had lived in John Piper’s basement because his demeanor and hand motions.

4.  There are guys I serve with who have the same hand motions of one of the guys who has been on staff a long time.

5. I was at a Bstudy the other night and when the pastor asked an asst pastor what he thought of a passage, it was exactly what he would have thought.

6.  The name of the curriculum we are working on is called Treasuring Christ – our pastor pretty much got that from a prof in England because he always says it.

I wouldn’t say any of these are bad things; but you can see where the danger would come.  What happens if you behave in such a way that is not painting an accurate picture of Christ’s heart or is not becoming of someone who would claim Christ?  What about people who believe the theology you hold to – and that theology doesn’t line up to the Authority of Scripture?

Josh offers a great leadership principle.  How do you lead with humility knowing that others are watching you and following your example?

24 Feb 2011

Thursday Thoughts: Gentleness

by | posted in: Bible, Books, Women | 0

You know some of those statements that are said to you at a point in your life that stick with you?  Whether they be good or bad, you always remember them?  Those cutting words, those words of joy and praise, those wounding words.  Well, about 10 years ago I heard some words spoken to me that have been cutting ever since.  Not all the time, but at certain moments I remember them, and God at least allows me to use them for my good now instead of my harm.

Those words were: “Kim, one thing you are not is a gentle and quiet spirit.”  Ok – now.  After reading that, think through it biblically – where that is one thing Scripture commands women after God’s own heart – for them to be gentle and quiet.  This probably is in the top 3 statements that have hurt me over the course of my life.

So, how is God using this statement even today.  He grows me.  He strengthens me.  He enables me to not let that statement have control and wounding power over me, but allows me to use that statement for His glory by allowing the Spirit to sanctify my heart and spirit.

Am I there yet?  Good gracious, no.  But, here are some thoughts I read this morning on the subject by my favorite author, Jerry Bridges.

In The Practice of Godliness, Bridges talks about gentleness as being a person where people find rest.  Basically, do people find rest in your presence or not?  As I even wrote last week that I want my home to be a place of rest for people, a place of quiet and enjoyment for people, I also want my presence to be that way.  When people are around me, when they leave me – who are they?  Are they rested?  Are they encouraged?  Are they pointing more to Christ than they were before they got to me? Do I press them into the gospel or do I drag them away from the gospel with my spirit?

“Christ’s whole demeanor was such that people were often restful in His presence.  This effect is another outworking of the grace of gentleness.  People are at rest, or at east, around the Christian who is truly gentle.”

“George Bethune said, ‘Perhaps no grace is less prayed for, or less cultivated than gentleness.  Indeed it is considered rather as belonging to natural disposition or external manners, than as a Christian virtue, and seldom do we reflect that not to be gentle is isn.”

Gentleness is a gift of the Spirit – it is not a personality trait.  we are giving these and therefore should back away from sin in order to manifest these.  We quench the Spirit when we do not manifest gentleness.

Style…clothing…accessories…I read many blogs.  But, how often do I stop to think about “clothing myself with gentleness.” (Col 3.12).  When I awake in the morning I’ve usually at least pondered my outfit for the day – but have I thought about how I’m going to display gentleness with the people I deal with and meet that day?  Usually I’ll answer that question – no.

How does being around gentle people affect me?  I can think of a men and women in my life who display a great deal of gentleness and kindness.  I LOVE being around them.  I come away from them rested, more joyful, and relaxed.  Not busy.  Not hurried.  I love that.  That is what I crave and desire.  I desire rest and ease in relationships.  Comfort, gentleness, kindness.  Me being around those type of people makes me want to be that way.

So, I should study Christ more.  I should study and see how Christ is gentle.  Jesus gives rest.  I want to be like him in my relationships.  Thankful for people in my life who manifest already (though imperfectly) the gentleness of Christ.  I am grateful that you are pouring out that grace in my life.  For however long I know you – know that you have invested in my life.

You take wounds: and make them whole.  That is the salve of Christ and His Word and His covering with His own precious blood shed on Calvary for me.

“The Christian who truly seeks to obey God through gentle character will actively pursue gentleness, striving to close himself with it.  He will place this godly virtue high on his list of spiritual traits and LOOK TO GOD the HOLY SPIRIT to PRODUCE this fruit in his life.  We should also ask the Holy Spirit to make us aware of specific situations in which we fail to act with gentleness and considerateness.  Only then will we be driven to pray fervently for the grace of gentleness.”

What books have you read on gentleness that you think would be good to offer for the discussion?

23 Feb 2011

Wednesday Words: Be Still My Soul

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 2

With all of the great tunes that we sang Sunday @pray dot org, I was going to choose one of those to highlight this week.  However, my Mom commented on a facebook status of mine with something their church sang this past week and I needed those words to hurry to my soul so I chose “Be Still My Soul.”

One of my versions of this hymn is by Selah and you can watch/listen here but a newer version of this song is here by Keith and Kristyn Getty back in 2009.

For the purposes of this post, I’m sticking with the 1700s version:

 Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

22 Feb 2011

Book 7 of 52: No Other Gospel (Josh Moody)

by | posted in: Bible, Books | 0

Commentary and Gospel to preach to yourself: does it get any better?

Josh Moody, pastor of College Church in Wheaton (which I love by the way, just the city, the college, the grounds), took his sermons from Galatians and poured it into a readable, short-chaptered, book you can read in a month (as long as the month has 31 days). 

His only goal is to give a hard look at what it means to live our lives by ONE GOSPEL: The Cross, what the Bible says the Gospel is – and not let anything else interfere with that.  He succeeds.  The first couple of chapters were so highlighted I knew this would be a book I would pour into for years, and use readily as a resource when writing or studying or speaking at a conference, etc.  Such depth and insight.  Both scholarly and pastoral.

“We are practical atheists if we limit God’s usefulness of us to our personality.  God did not greatly use Paul because he thought Paul had all the right credentials.  It was not “Oh, Paul, he knows the Bible and has good connections, let’s get him.”  No, it was the religious terrorist.  How unlikely is that?  God delights to take unlikely people and user them because then the focus is on God, not on the unlikely people.” – 16

In thoughts of planning worship services: “When we plan, it is the Bible that must guide.  Our worship must be Bible-centered in order to be God-centered.” – 17

Just in case you ever wonder what you had to do with your salvation: “Our salvation does not start with us.  We do not initiate the process.  We did not come up with the plan.  We did not start it.  God did.” – 25

These are but a small taste to the rich truths that Moody brings out of Galatians into sermons and then puts them in your hands as a tool for you to know the gospel better.  Use this as a secondary source when studying/memorizing/learning Galatians.  It will be a blessing to your soul and life and ministry.

22 Feb 2011

Tuesday Tools: GoldTouch Baking Pan (and recipe)

by | posted in: food | 2

Not only do I like writing tools, I also love baking tools.  I’m not a gadget person, but I do love quality products that I know will last.

During my previous stint in NC and part of my time in the Ville, I had the luxury of working at Williams-Sonoma during the holidays to earn some money, get to know non-believers, save some money for mission trips, and stock my kitchen.  It was for the most part a great p/t job.

I got this one pan early on and it is one of my favorite in my kitchen.  Last night I baked an apple cobbler in it so I thought I would post about the tool and give you the recipe as well.

This pan is versatile and pretty – even when it is baked in and everything.  The gold finish keeps its look even when you’ve had it for many years like me.  I also have  bar pan in this series and love it as well – these are my two go-to pans!

Here is a quick and easy cobbler recipe from my mentor.  I’ve had this recipe for 15 years or more now and love it and it always is a hit:

Easy Cobbler
3/4 cup self-rising flour
1 stick butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 cup sugar
cinnamon
1 can pie filling
1/3 cup sugar
cinnamon

In glass 8×8 pan (or microwave safe to make cleaning dishes easier), melt stick of butter. Mix in flour, milk, and 1 cup sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Spoon on pie filling. Top with mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Serve with ice cream! 🙂

21 Feb 2011

Much & Link Love – Feb 21 Edition

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 2

1.  I need sound sleep.

2.  Held together like a pair of bookends – one of my fave lines right now in a song.

3.  What are my other favorite songs right now: Little Miss (Sugarland), Who Are You When I’m Not Looking (Blake Shelton), I Wouldn’t Be a Man (Josh Turner), Made for Colder Weather (ZBB), Hello World (Lady A), I Can’t Love You Back (Easton Corbin).

4.  Another way I handle stress is that I don’t eat as much usually because I don’t feel great – this might help me make some weight-loss goals. 

5.  I love the leadership at my church.  They are a grace to me.

6.  Just received an iTunes and SBux giftcard in the mail – that’s definitely a great way to start a Monday.

7.  Big news comes March 1.

8.  Everybody’s experience is different.  We can’t let media or other’s experiences dictate ours – we can only stand on Truth of God’s Word.

Link Love

Since I didn’t give you many last week because I did my Valentine’s Post, I owe you some good ones.

1.  I do like Andrew Peterson, and I do like this song, but I don’t think I’ll play it at my wedding…just a thought.

2.  Definitely want to serve this at a brunch if I have one in the near future – perfect for spring or summer.

3.  My friend, Courtney, hits on a topic all of us need to hear!

4.  Very much looking forward to this new Gospel Coalition project.

5.  I want to make this – maybe with sweet potatoes.  Need to go buy some brussel sprouts

6.  So thankful for being a part of a church where this issue isn’t a problem for corporate worship, but I know it is a needed discussion!

7.  I’m one of these, but I like how Macheesmo handles the criticism.  I try not to annoy folks with my camera!

8.  Vicki Courtney hits on a HUGE topic…one that is needed.  I see a lot of girls go by in the kids area where I serve who are dressed just like adult women just in small sized (heels, halter tops, latest fashions, etc).  Be wise.

9.  If anyone knows me at all – they will know my fave store bought cookie is the OREO!  Here is an amazing cookie I need to make.

Those 9 should hold you over till next week! 🙂

17 Feb 2011

Thursday Thoughts: Christ-like Hospitality

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 6

Yesterday in our ed-staff meeting, one of the pastors at my church brought up the fact that one of the times the NT uses the word example is when Christ shows the example to the disciples of service: wraps a towel and washes their feet.  The display of service, grace, unmerited reward, purity.

I started thinking about how I use my home for hospitality.  I can make all the excuses I want: time, small apt, shared apt, you name it – but hospitality is still a command that we need to follow.  This isn’t going to be a blog post on the hospitality commands or all the verses that talk about it – but more the practical and attitude of showing hospitality in your home.

1.  It is not about cooking fancy foods.  I remember having a couple in my home back after Christmas.  I shared with my brother while I was home that I was nervous about what to cook for them because she is a personal chef and he is just a great cook.  He said they would probably just like a normal meal.  Well, God helped me figure out what to cook for them by causing snow to fall so I arrived home just an hour or two before their arrival.  I picked up a rotisserie chicken from HT, baked some sweet potatoes, roasted some green beans and mushrooms (love) and then created a little semi-homemade trifle dessert.  Simple, yet yummy.  But, I was still worried about what they thought.  Good thing they enjoyed it.

2.  It is not about impressing your guests.  I am the type with most people that I want to vacuum before they come over, make sure everything is in its place, etc.  But, I know the guests that I love because when they come over I don’t worry about if they see that my house is lived in.  I always need to be a good steward of what God has given me and not be lazy about picking up my home – but I do not need to bring out the dust rag and Pledge 30 minutes before you walk in my front door.  We need to be always ready to have anyone come in our home.  I know what a blessing it is for me to walk into a home of families I love and there are toys scattered everywhere, dishes in the sink, maybe things aren’t perfect – but neither is the guest!

3.  It is about showing grace.  It is always an opportunity to share with your guests the grace of God.  God has been so kind to me that I need to pass on those gifts and that grace to others.

3.  It is about comfort.  I want my apt to be a place of comfort for others now.  But, I think more importantly, I want that in my home one day – maybe as a family – maybe as a single – I want to have my home be a place of comfort, life, and ease.  I want people to come and be able to “make themselves at home” and come and go as they please.  I want my friends to have a home away from home, a retreat.  I have wonderful friends who have modeled that for me through the years, and I pray that I can be a blessing to others in the same way.  I was just mentioning to someone last night that I don’t want people in my home all the time, because we all need our downtime, our be by ourselves time, strictly family time – so there needs to be guidelines – but again, grace, Kim, grace.

4.  It is not about getting something in return.  We do not give so that others will give back.  We do not shower grace in anticipation of what we might get in the future.

5.  It is about having the mind of Christ.  I need to keep this in mind.  Christ wasn’t worried about if the towel wrapped around his waist was clean and pressed and smelled like lavender.  He wasn’t concerned with the floor being swept.  His one concern was teaching them humility and service.  I want that pressed into me when I have folks in my home – or when I have the ability to serve at a function.  The pastors I have the opportunity to serve with model this well: if we have a meeting with food – it is mostly the pastors that are the first to jump up and clear the tables of the plates and trash.  It still surprises me every time.  I am grateful for their humble hearts and their willingness to serve us.

I write these things out of conviction and out of yearning to be more Christ-like, not that I have this all together.  Again – this whole preaching the gospel to myself.  Knowing that to die to self is the only way to live to Christ.  And that is my gain.

Here are some hopefully helpful quotes from wise women that I hope will encourage you in your effort to proclaim the gospel in your hospitality:

“God urges us to deny ourselves, to lose our lives, and to give preference to others.” – Dorothy Patterson, BeAttitudes for Women

“The home may not (be) a place of luxury, but (hopefully it is) a place of community.” – Carolyn McCulley, Radical Womanhood

“Simplicity frees you to extend hospitality more easily and more often, so that it can become a true ministry of the Christian home regardless of other demands on your time and energy.” – Eilizabeth Skoglund, The Welcoming Hearth

“Cultivating a love for the home means acquiring practical skills and training so that you can intentionally make your home a mission field, not a museum.” – Carolyn McCulley, Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye (and just to add…this mission field does not only apply to having non-believers in your home – but I truly think it also means to have the Body in your home and show them Christ.)

I hope this post encourages you.  It has me.  Even as I put the final period.

16 Feb 2011

Top Books

by | posted in: Books | 0

Libraries are so fun to look at.  Man, I could spend days reading or looking at others’ libraries.  They inspire.  They encourage.  Yes, the libraries themselves, but also the books themselves.  They inspire thinking, writing, and action.

I will be ultra spiritual and say my Top Book ever is The Bible – but I’ll leave it with Colossians 3:16

Top Books for Women/Wives (all of these are in no particular order unless otherwise stated)

1.  Helper By Design – Elyse Fitzpatrick

2.  When Sinners Say I Do – Dave Harvey (great book for pre-marital counseling)

3.  Feminine Appeal – Carolyn Mahaney

4.  Radical Womanhood – Carolyn McCulley

5.  Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye – Carolyn McCulley

6.  Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild – Mary Kassian

7.  Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God – Noel Piper

8.  Biblical Foundation for Manhood and Womanhood – Wayne Grudem

9.  Sacred Influence – Gary Thomas

Here are my top authors – so you could really read this to say:  anything by these authors are in my top books!

1.  Jerry Bridges – yes, my favorite author – EVER – fave book is Respectable Sins

2.  John Piper – his Swans series is my favorite

3.  D. A. Carson

4.  Paul Tripp – ANYTHING

5.  C. S. Lewis – Narnia and the 4 Loves

6.  Mark Driscoll

7.  Wayne Grudem

8.  Carolyn Mahaney

9.  Carolyn McCulley

10.  Elyse Fitzpatrick (hands-down favorite female author)

11.  Mary Kassian

Now for some random books:

1.  No Other Gospel – Josh Moody

2.  Valley of Vision

3.  Mortification of Sin – Owen

4.  Esther & Ruth Commentary by Duguid

5.  Journals of Jim Elliot (and anything about his life)

There you have it – what are your fave books or top authors?  And yes, I’ve only highlighted my “Christian reading”.  I also love cookbooks, biographies, history, magazines, Jane Austen, classics, and John Grisham, and Charlie Brown!

16 Feb 2011

Wednesday Words: How Deep the Father’s Love For Us

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 2

There is a false belief out there for some people that all the good music for church was written at least 100 years ago and then there is the false belief that says only good music is stuff written today (or in the last 100 years).  Both of those are indeed false. 

So, how do we discern if something is fit to be sung in church?  Since I’m not a worship pastor, nor have a degree in music, this is not going to hit on anything musically (though I have sung my entire life and can play, I’m not the expert, there are plenty who know so much more than I do).  However, the lyrics we sing need to be grounded in truth and useful for the edification of the Body of Christ.  This grounding in truth needs to be grounded in the WORD – which is our source for hearing the very Words of God.

All that to say – this modern hymn written by Stuart Townend, is amazing, truth-filled, purposed for edification in the truth of the love of Christ, the GIFT of the Father, and the power of the Cross.  I figured it fitting since this week was Valentine’s Day and Easter is only 2 months away!  You can click here to hear Stuart talk about this song – which I love hearing (especially with his accent).  (And on a side note: he has written some fabulous music – much of what you might even sing in your own church and you don’t even know that it was Stuart Townend). 

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
 But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrectionWhy should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Even reading these words and singing through them as I type them – bring pain, introspection, HOPE, and glory only in Christ.  There is so much truth here.  Sorta like Paul in Romans (almost a gospel in a book) – this is very much one of the gospels in a song for me.

15 Feb 2011

Tool Tuesdays: ESV Journaling Bible

by | posted in: Bible, Books | 0

“Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes.” – Psalm 119.5

Continuing with the Tuesday is for Tools idea, I thought I would take one of my favorite Bibles and highlight it.  One of the Bibles I purchased during my time at THE Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was Crossway’s ESV Journaling Bible.  I didn’t use it that much for a while, but now it is the one I constantly have with me (though at this moment it is on my desk at the office, and I am in my bedroom, so not 24/7, but you get the picture).

The view inside the ESV Journaling Bible is a 4 column text (2 on each page) with lines on the outside of the columns to write in.  There are very few reference notes found at the bottom.  At the back there are introductions to each of the books of the Bible, though definitely not as in-depth as in the ESV Study Bible. 

How I use it: Since I write curriculum for my day job, I use it to take notes on passages that I’m writing on, so if I get to teach on those passages or don’t have the curriculum with me, I can know the exact points that I brought out in the curriculum.  Or…if someone is speaking on a given passage, I can take notes because others are more brilliant than I am and come up with more insightful thoughts into Scripture.  I love sitting, listening to someone preach, and just jot away (either with pencil or a fine-tip pen that won’t bleed through the pages). 

The only thing I don’t like about this Bible is there is not a concordance in the back.  The good thing about it is I’m learning to know where certain verses are and trying to keep their addresses tucked away in my brain.

Fun thing about it: on a random day at the offices: you can walk by both my office and my boss’ office and find the ESV Journaling Bible in black laid open in front of our monitors.  And my boss’ wife has one too – but hers is prettier. 

Do you have a favorite Bible?  Are you a person who writes in their Bibles or not?  How long have you had your Bible?  I do have one from my late elementary years, but I don’t think I have one from any earlier than that.