Month of September
All-Time
via http://www.wetalkofholythings.com/2013/09/septembers-holy-things.html
via http://www.wetalkofholythings.com/2013/09/septembers-holy-things.html
Be like Jesus, if someone wants your shirt, give him your pants too—modestly of course.
Dr. Gary Cohen
via http://www.wetalkofholythings.com/2013/09/be-like-jesus-give-away-your-pants.html
Last Wednesday night Pat McGuire lead the discussion on Bold Faith. He referenced the “Turn the Other Cheek” passage in Luke 6. You will note that #BTSermon is not just a place to share direct quotes, but to explore thoughts provoked by the message.
Love your enemies: thank God He is in the business of loving us, enemies of God. #BTSermon @myen
— Christopher Jimenez (@cjmnz8) September 19, 2013
This is a great place to begin. Pat McGuire asked the question, “Did Jesus practice what he preached?” And boy, did he ever! God is in the business of loving us. Even while we were still enemies, God was actively showing his love towards us (Rom. 5:8). If there is ever an instance of practicing what is preached, this is that instance.
This thought leads to devotional worship. What other response do we have available to us but gratitude? Jesus is simply asking us to mimic him. I say simply because that is clearly what he is saying, not that is it a simple task. It is not simple; it is counter-intuitive. Nonetheless, it is what he asks of us.
Turn the other cheek is a condition of the heart, not an excuse to be a coward. #BTSermon @myen
— Christopher Jimenez (@cjmnz8) September 19, 2013
An inevitable question that rises from a face-value reading of this passage has to do with self-defense. Are we to become cowards then; never fighting, turning the other cheek while sacrificing our bodies to the flames/sword/gunfire and take on the role of victim? Shall we offer up our families and other loved ones in the name of Luke 6? I know extreme pacifists who would claim this. To these challenges I say the following:
Look at your enemy as an audience, ready to behold Christ’s love expressed through you. #BTSermon @myen
— Christopher Jimenez (@cjmnz8) September 19, 2013
Along the lines of martyrdom is this thought, that the Christian who turns the other cheek to his enemy becomes a manifestation of God’s love towards mankind. When we, as Christians, view our enemy as an audience rather than a nuisance, our eyes may open to the vast, new mission-field available to us. Perhaps this close contact is just the opportunity to preach the gospel that you have been praying for.
Maybe you should take advantage.
Below is a widget with all tweets tagged #BTSermon. Please peruse the list and let me know your favorite tweet in the comments section. I’d love to hear from you!
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via http://www.wetalkofholythings.com/2013/09/turn-other-cheek-few-btsermon-notes.html
We never get to a place where we don’t need to continue increasing in it (love).
—Thomas Wheeler
via http://www.wetalkofholythings.com/2013/09/continue-increasing.html
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
—2 Timothy 1:7
Today is another anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. I do not wish to rehash the day, though I do wish to honor those affected. I went through some of my notes and pulled some of the quotes and notes regarding the place of fear (terror) in a Christian’s life. We also remember that this year was not without terror, as we also suffered the Boston Bombings.
“@bobgoff: Misery doesn’t love company, it loves fear. God’s love beats anything we’ve ever afraid been of – it’s not even close” @myen
— Christopher Jimenez (@cjmnz8) March 29, 2012
What we should do about it
We must do the things that honor the Lord. If we fear Him, then we will do the things that honor the Lord.
—Walter Stanley
It scares me to #pray (when seeking the #kingdomofheaven). Ward #btsermon @myen
— Christopher Jimenez (@cjmnz8) May 27, 2012
Dr. Gary Cohen preached on the Tetrapharmacos
The Tetrapharmacos is the Stoic Philosophy on what not to fear (be afraid/in terror of).
- The gods
- Pain
- Death
- Man
Exodus 34:29-35. Why should we be afraid of Glory? Because of our own guilt. #ChristianLiving #JesusTweeters
— Christopher Jimenez (@cjmnz8) September 11, 2013
Genesis 32:9-12—Jacob Prays
- Rest in a Gods truer promise.
- Ask for deliverance.
- Fears laid before God.
- Remember future promises.
In the end, the God we serve is simultaneously a God of Wrath and a God of Love. We have reason to be afraid, yet we have reason to be confident. I leave this post to the verses of a well known hymn at my assembly:
Our times are in Thy hand;
O God, we wish them there;
Our lives, our souls, our all, we leave
Entirely to Thy care.Our times are in Thy hand:
Whatever they may be;
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.Our times are in Thy hand;
Why should we doubt or fear?
A father’s hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.Our times are in Thy hand;
Jesus, the Crucified,
Whose hand our many sins have pierced,
Is now our guard and guide.Our times are in Thy hand;
We’ll always trust to Thee,
Till we possess the promised crown,
And all Thy glory see.Source: Hymnal.net
via http://www.wetalkofholythings.com/2013/09/remember-terror.html
BUT… my sister and her friend’s band, Azaliah (pronounced like the flower) have entered a contest and need hits so they can win it. So yes, I’m using my power over all 10 of you who read this blog to ask for hits—crass, boorish views.
Hopefully you like it. If not, that’s ok too. Thanks for listening!
via http://www.wetalkofholythings.com/2013/09/azaliah-acoustic-cover-dead-come-to-life.html
A creation making itself, an evolving world which is a creation making itself, is a greater good than a ready-made world would be. However, it is a good that has a necessary cost, because that process of shuffling exploration of potentiality will necessarily involve ragged edges and blind alleys.
Sir. John Polkinghorne
Belief in God in an Age of Science
From: Life, God and Other Small Topics
via http://www.wetalkofholythings.com/2013/09/quote-creation-making-itself.html