Resolutions/Revolutions

Resolutions require will power to be effective. Revolutions are an overthrow of the existing power and a replacement with something new. I think revolution will take us much further then resolutions ever could. When the Spirit of God overthrows the power of the old self, tremendous things happen. When the image that is seen is more and more Him and less and less us, we're heading in the right direction for something really revolutionary: a heart fully devoted to Him.

Connectivism and the Apostle Paul

I am currently taking a class on learning theories and design. We have been looking at a number of different theories. One that caught my attention is connectivism. Connectivism is touted as "a learning theory for the digital age" and includes, among other principles, the idea that learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources.

This morning my wife and I were reading Ephesians 4:15 and 16.

"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."

Isn't it interesting that this new (maybe 10 years old) theory is reflected in the writings of the apostle Paul from the first century! What wisdom of God is manifested in how he put us into relationship with others and enriches our lives through these connections and the knowledge and skills that each shares!

My wife and I recently were privileged to get a DVD by Louie Giglio that is an awesome exposition about an awesome God. It is also available on youtube.

willingcaptive.com is no more - for now

As evidenced by the frequency (or lack thereof) of the posts in this blog, time is a valuable and slippery commodity. In evaluating my time investments, I have decided to let www.willingcaptive.com go away for a time. I simply was not devoting time to it due to other commitments that took precedence.

An awesome privilege!

When you think about it, worship is definitely more than a “warm-up act” for the message. The Westminster Catechism says this:

Q) What is man’s primary purpose?
A) Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God (1 Cor 10:31; Rom 11:36), and enjoy Him forever (Psalm 73:25-28).

Or like the song states, “All of life comes down to just one thing, that's to know You, oh Jesus, and to make You known”.

Worship is sure an awesome privilege! We get to join in the activity of the angels! And God chooses to inhabit our praises.

On fire

The March 12 post quoted Hebrews 12. In Deuteronomy 4:24 we find the same words echoed.

"For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."

It may seem odd to think of God as being jealous. We often think of jealousy as a negative quality. But understanding God's exclusive claim on our heart, it is far from a negative thing. God has established a relationship with us that is marked by the same kind of commitment as a husband for his wife. Just as a husband would have righteous jealousy over his wife flirting with another man, God has a righteous jealousy toward us.

God, keep my heart undivided, fully given to you!

A word of encouragement

I was chatting today with a friend. God showed me a word of encouragement for them. I hope it encourages you too!

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

REV 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.