I am currently reading through Colossians as part of my morning devotional time. This morning I came to this passage:
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)
The ESV Study Bible has a note that really struck a cord with me, explaining what "seasoned with salt" means and its implication:
This statement echoes the teaching of Jesus when he called his disciples to be “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). When applied to conversation, the metaphor suggests speaking in an interesting, stimulating, and wise way. Paul's comments assume that the Colossian believers are vitally involved in the local community and have ample opportunities to interact with outsiders in a way that would commend the gospel to them.
A big question for me (and maybe you?) -- am I vitally involved in my community so that I have ample opportunity to commend the gospel to outsiders? I think I need to work on this.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tiger
As everyone knows, Tiger Woods held a press conference this morning to address his recent issues.
Chris Brauns has some great thoughts on Wood's remorse and his professed Buddhism:
Tiger Woods today issued an unqualified apology for his infidelity. I appreciate the way Tiger took ownership and pray he will hear the invitation of the Gospel.
At the same time, Tiger’s statement raises questions about his professed Buddhism. Tiger said:
"Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don’t realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught."
Besides saying that immorality is wrong, how will Buddhism help?
Read the rest here.
Chris Brauns has some great thoughts on Wood's remorse and his professed Buddhism:
Tiger Woods today issued an unqualified apology for his infidelity. I appreciate the way Tiger took ownership and pray he will hear the invitation of the Gospel.
At the same time, Tiger’s statement raises questions about his professed Buddhism. Tiger said:
"Part of following this path for me is Buddhism, which my mother taught me at a young age. People probably don’t realize it, but I was raised a Buddhist, and I actively practiced my faith from childhood until I drifted away from it in recent years. Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint. Obviously I lost track of what I was taught."
Besides saying that immorality is wrong, how will Buddhism help?
Read the rest here.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Chris Coghlan
Here is a great story about Chris Coghlan, last year's National League Rookie of the Year as the Florida Marlin's leftfielder. Coghlan is a committed Christian and passionate about sharing his faith.
A Call to Holiness
Yesterday's post at Christians in Context: from orthodoxy to orthopraxy:
Whatever thing I have denied my selfish desires, Christ denied more to condescend in human likeness and perfect humility.
Whatever temptation I have had to overcome, Christ overcame more on my behalf that he might present a perfect substitute for me before God.
Whatever pain I have endured—whether physical or emotional—in denying the longings of my body and mind, Christ endured more under the just wrath of God on the cross in my place.
Whatever loneliness I feel (imagine: the pathetic loneliness of one who is a temple of the Holy Spirit and a child of God), Christ felt more when the Father turned his back on him because of my sin.
Christ has made a way. He has given me his Spirit. Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.
So grow up. Be a man. After all, "you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin" (Heb. 12:4).
For a deeper treatment, read The Mortification of Sin by John Owen.
Whatever thing I have denied my selfish desires, Christ denied more to condescend in human likeness and perfect humility.
Whatever temptation I have had to overcome, Christ overcame more on my behalf that he might present a perfect substitute for me before God.
Whatever pain I have endured—whether physical or emotional—in denying the longings of my body and mind, Christ endured more under the just wrath of God on the cross in my place.
Whatever loneliness I feel (imagine: the pathetic loneliness of one who is a temple of the Holy Spirit and a child of God), Christ felt more when the Father turned his back on him because of my sin.
Christ has made a way. He has given me his Spirit. Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.
So grow up. Be a man. After all, "you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin" (Heb. 12:4).
For a deeper treatment, read The Mortification of Sin by John Owen.
Money Can't Buy Happiness, So....
A man gives away his 3 million pound ($6 million dollars) fortune.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Marriage Resources
Following up from my message this past weekend, I thought it might be helpful to pass along some marriage resources and their main theme:
Books
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas -- God designed to marriage to make us holy more than happy.
Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by CJ Mahaney -- great resource for husbands to learn how to study and romance their wives.
When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey -- learning how to deal with your sin and its impact on your marriage.
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper -- marriage is designed by God and for God.
Preparing for Marriage -- great pre-marital resource or for those who didn't do pre-marital counseling.
Messages
Intimate Marriage by RC Sproul -- I think this is obvious.
John Piper's sermons on marriage -- they are all worth a listen or read.
Mark Driscoll's Peasant Princess series -- please note that this series is not for the faint of heart. Driscoll is direct and at times provocative, but has many good things to say.
Books
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas -- God designed to marriage to make us holy more than happy.
Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by CJ Mahaney -- great resource for husbands to learn how to study and romance their wives.
When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey -- learning how to deal with your sin and its impact on your marriage.
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper -- marriage is designed by God and for God.
Preparing for Marriage -- great pre-marital resource or for those who didn't do pre-marital counseling.
Messages
Intimate Marriage by RC Sproul -- I think this is obvious.
John Piper's sermons on marriage -- they are all worth a listen or read.
Mark Driscoll's Peasant Princess series -- please note that this series is not for the faint of heart. Driscoll is direct and at times provocative, but has many good things to say.
The Discipline of Grace
I am a big fan of Jerry Bridges, and his book The Discipline of Grace is one of the top five books I have ever read. Tim Challies has a good post today on how he has applied the principles in the book to his life. Read it here.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Why Does Africa Remain Broken?
This is a difficult question, but as one who has travelled and ministered in West Africa several times, I agree with Robert Smith's assessment.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Why Should Christians Learn About Islam?
Pastor Daniel Montgomery of Sojourn Church of Louisville answer this important question in this video.
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