Jan 2010
Our Love
Jan 25, 2010
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
-John 13:35
How would those closest to you describe you in the workplace, at the golf course, in the neighborhood, or at home? Make no mistake, Jesus didn't leave things open for discussion but got straight to the point. They will know that you are a follower of Christ, a believer, a Christian by how you love. We might like to put something else in the place of love like appearance, giving, or going to church, but it just doesn't work that way. Jesus said that nothing else is more convincing of whose we are than how we love.
-Sidney
-John 13:35
How would those closest to you describe you in the workplace, at the golf course, in the neighborhood, or at home? Make no mistake, Jesus didn't leave things open for discussion but got straight to the point. They will know that you are a follower of Christ, a believer, a Christian by how you love. We might like to put something else in the place of love like appearance, giving, or going to church, but it just doesn't work that way. Jesus said that nothing else is more convincing of whose we are than how we love.
-Sidney
Album Recommendation - Life Light Up
Jan 18, 2010
It's been a while since I've done one of these album recommendations, so I was looking back at all the music I bought during 2009, and I'd have to say that Christy Nockels's "Life Light Up" was definitely one of my favorites for the year. Here's the track list:
1. By Our Love
2. Choose
3. Hosanna
4. In Your Hands
5. Life Light Up
6. Marvelous Light
7. A Mighty Fortress
8. My Master
9. No Not One
10. Song of the Beautiful
11. You Are Able
Christy has been my favorite female worship leader for years so when her first full-length solo album was released, I was very excited, and I can truly say that I was NOT disappointed! My favorite song is "A Mighty Fortress" which does a wonderful job describing our God with awesome word pictures you can totally envision. It becomes very anthemic at the end as the choir joins in. It's impossible not to break out in worship during this song!
My other favorites from the album are "Choose", "Hosanna", "Life Light Up", and "No Not One". This is one of those albums that you will listen to all the way through so get over to iTunes and get it now.
Meeting Together
Jan 11, 2010
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
-Hebrews 10:24-25
I love cold weather! This past week has been great except for the anticipated electric bill that will reflect our excessive use of heat trying to keep warm. With all of our record cold weather, we have had a fire going in the fireplace this whole week at home. I think I have cut and burned more firewood this past week than in the past 5 years combined. It reminds me of growing up and being at church camp singing, "it only takes a spark to get a fire going..."
Talking about the cold, I read a statistic this past week that said 48% of those that attend church, only do so once a month. I don't know the validity of the statistic, but as I thought back over the years and of people I know, it seemed to be pretty accurate. Why is church attendance so lackluster? After this long sermon today on church attendance, we are well aware that God isn't an attendance keeper. However, why would the growing follower of Christ seek to disassociate themselves from that which we so should desire? Is once a month good enough to satisfy our need, or do we think that our once a month appearance is all that is needed to satisfy our Heavenly Father?
It is so easy to slip into a mode of carrying out those rituals we feel we are supposed to do and totally miss the relationship our Heavenly Father desires with us. May we never base our relationship on religious activity but hunger to gather as often as possible as we seek to encourage one another and celebrate our risen Savior!
-Sidney
-Hebrews 10:24-25
I love cold weather! This past week has been great except for the anticipated electric bill that will reflect our excessive use of heat trying to keep warm. With all of our record cold weather, we have had a fire going in the fireplace this whole week at home. I think I have cut and burned more firewood this past week than in the past 5 years combined. It reminds me of growing up and being at church camp singing, "it only takes a spark to get a fire going..."
Talking about the cold, I read a statistic this past week that said 48% of those that attend church, only do so once a month. I don't know the validity of the statistic, but as I thought back over the years and of people I know, it seemed to be pretty accurate. Why is church attendance so lackluster? After this long sermon today on church attendance, we are well aware that God isn't an attendance keeper. However, why would the growing follower of Christ seek to disassociate themselves from that which we so should desire? Is once a month good enough to satisfy our need, or do we think that our once a month appearance is all that is needed to satisfy our Heavenly Father?
It is so easy to slip into a mode of carrying out those rituals we feel we are supposed to do and totally miss the relationship our Heavenly Father desires with us. May we never base our relationship on religious activity but hunger to gather as often as possible as we seek to encourage one another and celebrate our risen Savior!
-Sidney
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