April 08, 2007
He is Risen!
The traditional Easter greeting among Christian. To all who travel by this day, this most glorious day.
He is Risen!
Posted by Dennis at 08:49 AM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2007
Guilt
This post I received from "Truth for Life" Alistar Beggs daily devotion using Spurgeon's "Even and Morning devotional." What a truth in my own life. What mercy of God to let me see I'm not alone in this. Help us Lord to worship in truth!
What a veil is lifted up by these words, and what a disclosure is made! It will be humbling and profitable for us to pause awhile and see this sad sight. The iniquities of our public worship, its hypocrisy, formality, lukewarmness, irreverence, wandering of heart, and forgetfulness of God--what a full measure have we there! Our work for the Lord, its emulation, selfishness, carelessness, slackness, unbelief--what a mass of defilement is there! Our private devotions, their laxity, coldness, neglect, sleepiness, and vanity--what a mountain of dead earth is there! If we looked more carefully, we should find this iniquity to be far greater than appears at first sight. Dr. Payson, writing to his brother, says, "My parish, as well as my heart, very much resembles the garden of the sluggard; and what is worse, I find that very many of my desires for the improvement of both, proceed either from pride or vanity or indolence. I look at the weeds, which overspread my garden, and breathe out an earnest wish that they were eradicated. But why? What prompts the wish? So that I may walk out and say to myself, 'In what fine order is my garden kept!' This is pride. Or, so that my neighbors may look over the wall and say, 'How finely your garden flourishes!' This is vanity. Or I may wish for the destruction of the weeds, because I am weary of pulling them up. This is indolence." So even our desires after holiness may be polluted by ill motives. Under the greenest sods worms hide themselves; we need not look long to discover them. How cheering is the thought that when the High Priest bore the iniquity of the holy things he wore upon his brow the words, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD," and even so while Jesus bears our sin, He presents before His Father's face not our unholiness, but His own holiness. O for grace to view our great High Priest by the eye of faith!
Posted by Dennis at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2006
C. S. Lewis "The Four Loves"
I'm currently reading through "The Four Loves" by C. S. Lewis and was really challenged this AM by his comment.
As Christ sees in the flawed, proud, fanatical or lukewarm Church on earth that Bride who will one day be without spot or wrinkle, and labours to produce the latter, so the husband whose headship is Christ-like (and he is allowed no other sort) never despairs. He is a King Cophetua who after twenty years still hopes that the beggar-girl will one day learn to speak the truth and wash behind her ears.
Posted by Dennis at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2006
Tuning the Instrument
I was reading C.S. Lewis book "Reflections on the Psalms" this morning and in his chapter on praise he had this thought. Life here on this earth is like the tuning of an instrument in an orchestra. To the degree that we don't know or appreciate what is to come, it can be a boring thing to endure. Those are my words not his, but hopefully they convey the thought.
One of my favorite times of the year is the coming of the Messiah concert to the Mondavi center in Davis. It will always be a very special time for me and living here in Nebraska, if I'm not able to get back to California to hear it, I will miss it greatly.
Before the concert starts the orchestra comes out, takes their seats and each member starts to tune their instrument. At first there are individual horns and strings being tuned, but gradually as more artists take there seats, the sweetness of the sound starts to develop and come together.
Knowing the performance that is about to come, causes me to rise in my seat and start to appreciate each note and instrument. My appetite is stimulated for the rich feast that is about to be rolled out. My ears strain to recognize a few lines of the coming performance tied together by the artists, an then there is silence.
What follows for me is the closest I think I will ever experience of heaven on earth. It is a taste of the thing for which my soul longs. A picture of the King, seated upon His throne and the story of His redemption of a people for Himself.
Life here and now is that tuning of the instruments that will one day be part of that heavenly choir or orchestra. My wish for myself and all of you is that we might increasingly enjoy the "tuning of the instruments? I know I'm not there yet. God bless you all.
Posted by Dennis at 06:40 AM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2006
The Kindness of God
I just started to read the February issue of Table talk Magazine. The inside front cover was such a blessing. Rev. Burk Parsons starts out his piece by saying;
As we consider the history of God's people in the Old Testament, we do not observe a people who served the Lord faithfully. The people of Israel did not demonstrate their love for God with all their hearts. Even some of the great heroes of Israel manifested the depths of depravity in their lives. Nevertheless, it is through our carefully study of Israel's past that we find great comfort... It is for no small reason that God's record of His people is replete with stories of failure and renewal. For it is in the history of redemption that the patient God of Israel restores His people time after time, demonstrating His enduring love and faithfulness. Despite their lawlessness and rebellion, the people of God in the Old Testament were repeatedly brought to repentance by the kindness of God and were always renewed in their sweet communion with Him.If you're anthing like me that's a great word! Bless His Name.
Posted by Dennis at 10:24 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 19, 2006
Worries and Cares
I was much blessed and challenged this morning by Jesus's words from Matthew 6:34
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew Henry called such worry sin. I've never thought about it in those terms.
There is scarcely any one sin against which our Lord Jesus more largely and earnestly warns his disciples, or against which he arms them with more variety of arguments, than the sin of disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of life, which are a bad sign that both the treasure and the heart are on the earth; and therefore he thus largely insists upon it. Here is,
I. The prohibition laid down. It is the counsel and command of the Lord Jesus, that we take no thought about the things of this world; I say unto you. He says it as our Lawgiver, and the Sovereign of our hearts; he says it as our Comforter, and the Helper of our joy. What is it that he says? It is this, and he that hath ears to hear, let him hear it. Take no thought for your life, nor yet for your body (Mat_6:25). Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? (Mat_6:31) and again (Mat_6:34), Take no thought, mē merimnate - Be not in care. As against hypocrisy, so against worldly cares, the caution is thrice repeated, and yet no vain repetition: precept must be upon precept, and line upon line, to the same purport, and all little enough; it is a sin which doth so easily beset us. It intimates how pleasing it is to Christ, and of how much concern it is to ourselves, that we should live without carefulness. It is the repeated command of the Lord Jesus to his disciples, that they should not divide and pull in pieces their own minds with care about the world. There is a thought concerning the things of this life, which is not only lawful, but duty, such as is commended in the virtuous woman. See Pro_27:23. The word is used concerning Paul's care of the churches, and Timothy's care for the state of souls, 2Co_11:28; Phi_2:20.
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January 16, 2006
The Psalms
Tod over at It Takes a Church recommended Mark D. Roberts new web site The Daily Psalms You must go check it out.
Posted by Dennis at 07:02 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 03, 2005
Unconditional Love
Wow it has been forever since I've login in here. I was sitting around this evening reading some of my favorite blogs 21st Century Reformation being one of them. Brad has some very transparent observations about love, and how our unwillingness effects our intimacy with God.
He has some very honest and challenging things to say. Go give it a read and let me know your thoughts.
One another note, if someone asked you what is the gospel, what would you say?
Posted by Dennis at 08:41 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
June 08, 2005
Jonah
One of the things that trouble me is that people see the things that I'm doing and they may appear to have some nobility to them, when in fact they may be motivated by anything but noble motives.
I was listening to J. Vernon McGee the other day go through the book of Jonah. When I first became a Christian I listened to him everyday. What a blessing that God continues to use him. I'm not sure that the point I got from his message was the one he intended, but I'm sure it was the one God intended for me that day.
It is amazing that you hear things in new ways when the Lord is speaking. We all know that Jonah was a reluctant prophet, but when I considered Jonah's motives for going to Nineveh, they mirrored mine in a lot of the things that I do. Great things happened as a result of Jonah's preaching in Nineveh. Thousands of people's future was changed for eternity, not because of Jonah's pure motives for going, but because of God's graciousness to use our faltering, fumbling, self focused, selfish at times, acts of obedience.
Don't you long for the time when the obedience will be from hearts that loooong to obey and do His will! In the meantime, He isn't going to set you aside until you get your act together. He simple calls us to be available. He'll get us to Nineveh. Praise His name!
Posted by Dennis at 06:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 17, 2005
The Sovereign God
Rebecca over at Rebecca Writes is asking people to share their conversion stories. She knows this guy named Scott who is a member of the same church she attends. Go read his story. To God be the glory!!!
Posted by Dennis at 04:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 12, 2005
Successor to Peter?
Story has it that Peter asked to be crucified upside down because he didn't consider himself worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. I wonder what he would have thought about being buried in a manner that far surpassed the burial of his Lord.
Posted by Dennis at 07:52 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
April 10, 2005
The Reformation
Did the Reformation matter? Was it necessary? Do we have one High Priest? Are we admitted to the Kingdom of God because of the merits of anyone other than the Lord Jesus? Are we saints or do we need the proclamation of an earthly origin to establish sainthood? Are we Protestants? What does that mean? It meant a lot at one time. It cost people their lives. In light of the events of the past couple weeks; these are questions that serious thinking people should be thinking about.
Go read the account of Jesus' rebuke of a mother out to get her two sons high places in His kingdom in Matt 20:20-28. Peter is doing high speed revolutions in his grave over what has beeen going on this past week.
Ok let me have it!
Posted by Dennis at 02:41 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
April 07, 2005
Deceit
I received the spring issue of Eternal Perspectives a couple days ago. Randy Alcorn of Eternal Perspective Ministries is a great author and encourager. Go check out his site here. He writes in the latest issue about guilt, God, and self-esteem.
Despite what some would have us believe, there is such a thing as true moral guilt. Therefore, not all guilt feelings are invalid-they may stem from a true condition. We do people no favor by saying "Don't feel guilty" when in fact according to God's word they are guilty. Our goal should be a conscience cleansed of sin, not a conscience that denies sin.Randy reminds us of the words in Psalm 32:1-2.
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.God willing I've got more reflections to share about this later today.
Posted by Dennis at 06:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 27, 2005
He is Risen !
Why do you look for Him amongst the dead?
He is Risen!
Posted by Dennis at 07:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 26, 2005
Sunday Morning
Hello brothers and sisters
Sunday morning get up a little early and take a couple minutes to listen to this before you start your day.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/play.php?chapter=20&book=50&aid= 3
No peeking now, I'll know if you cheated!
In our commemorations He is still in the grave, But God..., Sunday is only hours away. Bless Him
Dennis
Posted by Dennis at 12:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 13, 2005
Assurance of Salvation
You may have recognized that several of my post start out
Tod
That is because I spend a lot of my blogging time reading Tod Bolsinger's posts at It Takes a Church. He has been having a discussion lately about "passing the peace." A ritual of greeting everone each Sunday in worship.
He has mentioned another ritual that I became familiar with at the PCUSA church I used to attend. It is the assurance of salvation or forgiveness. It has been some time since I've been a part of this ritual, but it bothered me at the time that we might be inoculating people to the need for confession and repentance of sins through faith in Jesus Christ. To publicly announce freedom from the penalty of sin to a group of people seems dangerous to their spiritual health. I know we are not to be fruit inspectors but, a blanket pronouncement? Am I wrong?
Posted by Dennis at 05:39 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 06, 2005
Pocket Change
This story was sent to me this morning. It is a reminder of how easy and how often we sell our inheritance for pocket change.
Several years ago, a preacher moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "you better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet."When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me to much change" The driver with a smile replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking lately about going to worship somewhere. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday"
When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "O' God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.
Have a great Lord's Day! I'm off to worship the King.
Posted by Dennis at 08:22 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 05, 2005
What a Resource!
Rebecca has posted a real treasure today at Rebecca Writes. She gives credit to seeing it on the Baptist Bulletin Board. It is going to the top of the pile here.
Posted by Dennis at 05:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 01, 2005
Church, I Like It!
Well here goes, I'm about to hurt someone’s feelings. I hate doing that. It all started this morning at a prayer meeting. One of the gentlemen in attendance related a story, supposedly true, about a priest that was lying on a beach on the shores of Lake Michigan with his eyes closed. He sensed someone's shadow cover is face, opening his eyes, sure enough two people were standing over him. They asked him if he had ever accepted Jesus has his personal Savior. He said, "Unfortunately yes." Then the guy at the prayer meeting said he could understand the fellow saying that. Now I know this guy and have prayed with him before. He knows Jesus, his prayers are real. I just can't comprehend people having that attitude. I know that the Lord's scalpel can hurt sometime, but come on!
I come home tonight and what do I read about over at Tod's site, but a quote from one of the main men on the Christian blogging front. He doesn't like church! Agh! the evangelical outpost: Deadwood in the Pews; The Trouble with Church Now I have to applaud his honesty, but doesn't like church?
I admit, I have only been a Christian since 1993, and have only had two church homes in that time, but, doesn't like church! I also admit I have at times thought more about lunch and the coffee after the service than the pastor's words, but, doesn't like church!
I don't want to sound condescending or holier than thou, but, ...well you get the idea. What's wrong with this picture? Church is where my family is. When it is time to leave, I'm sad. Shouldn't we be rejoicing to be in the company of the redeemed? Shouldn't we be rejoicing to belong to the Lamb? There is something very, very wrong about not loving the church, its His body. No one ever hated his own body. I heard that somewhere.
I am truly sorry if I have hurt anyone's feelings or stepped on any toes, but this is serious stuff. This is face in the dirt serious.
Posted by Dennis at 07:00 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Submission
This "Tod" guy just keeps hitting the nail on the head with his questions. Go on over and check out his questions on submission.
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February 23, 2005
Going the Right Way
"Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
Pastor Tod Bolsinger over at It Takes a Church is using this text for his series on Lent. I was surfing tonight, waitng for an important email to come, and came across an old friend, Henri Nouwen. I've read his book Reaching Out but I think it is time for a refresher read. This quote caught my eye.
"How do we know that we are not deluding ourselves, that we are not selecting those words that best fit our passions, that we are not just listening to the voice of our own imagination?...Who can determine if [our] feelings and insights are leading [us] in the right direction?"
To read the whole quote vist Henri's site
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February 13, 2005
Understanding
Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding"
I find it interesting that God does not say here that we shouldn't seek understanding. On the contrary God's word says, to seek it, there is great value in understanding.
By it we:
know how to work, Ex36:1; 2Ch 2:12
are able to make sound judgments, 1Kings 3:9
to answer people, Job 20:3, Pro 1:5
guard against evil, Job 28:28
learn to obey, Psalm 119:34,73
to hate evil, Psalm 119:104
be protected, Pro 2:11
be blessed, Pro 3:13
guard our tongues, Pro 11:12
prosper, Eze 28:4
guarded from ruin, Hos 4:14
The problem comes when we "lean" on it. The word means to support ones self, lie or rest. God has reserved that function for Himself and when we make our understanding the basis of our rest or peace, we commit idolatry. We have put something else in the place of God.
I remember several years ago I was praying about something that I didn't have peace about. I couldn't understand what was going on and God very clearly let me know that I was seeking peace in the wrong place. I was worshipping my understanding, not God. I wish I could say I got the message the first time. It is a truth I have had to learn over and over.
Understanding is a good thing, seek it. It has real value, but when it comes to having peace in our lives, God has reserved that job for Himself. Until we get that through our thick skulls, we will never approach the kind of peace Jesus talked about. His peace!
Posted by Dennis at 03:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 12, 2005
Your Heavenly Father Knoweth
For those who have been Christians for any length of time, you are probably familiar with "Streams in the Desert." A devotional published in 1925, compiled by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman. I can not recommend it highly enough. It has brought me to tears many, many times. Today was such a time. Here is an excerpt.
"I can still believe that a day comes for all of us, however far off it may be, when we shall understand; when these tragedies, that now blacken and darken the very air of heaven for us, will sink into their places in a scheme so august, so magnificent, so joyful, that we shall laugh for wonder and delight. --Arthur Christopher Bacon
No chance hath brought this ill to me;
'Tis God's own hand, so let it be,
He seeth what I cannot see.
There is a need-be for each pain,
And He one day will make it plain
That earthly loss is heavenly gain.
Like as a piece of tapestry
Viewed from the back appears to be
Naught but threads tangled hopelessly;
But in the front a picture fair
Rewards the worker for his care,
Proving his skill and patience rare.
Thou art the Workman, I the frame.
Lord, for the glory of Thy Name,
Perfect Thine image on the same.
--Selected
Posted by Dennis at 08:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 11, 2005
Name Change
Several days ago I began reading Tod Bolsinger's blog "It Takes a Church". He is plowing ground in me that has been in process since I became a Christian. Its been a long road and many people have been and are involved in the preparing and plowing. Thank you.
So what's the name change about? Simple, I am by nature a pretty self center person. That may come as a surprise to some, but that's because you see the outside of the cup. I'm tired of being like that. I want to repent of me. I know that the work began long ago, and still has far to go to draw me away from this self centeredness. The gracious Lamb's hand has been in every apparently random event that has come my way. The troubles and the encouragements I've experienced are all part of His plan and I am grateful for His care.
I was never comfortable with the former name of this blog, "Dennis Talks," it seemed so self-centered and I have decided that in keeping with Tod's admonition to "Give Up the Yoke of You," I must decrease and the Lamb must increase.
When people observe what I do, the rest of my time on this earth, I don't want them to see how great a person I am, but to see how great the Lamb is, who makes all things possible.
Not unto me, not unto me, but unto the Lamb, be glory, power and dominion, now and forevermore. Amen!
Posted by Dennis at 10:16 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 09, 2005
Lent
Wow is all I can say about this post from Pastor Tod Bolsinger. Go read it.
Posted by Dennis at 12:24 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 07, 2005
Are you willing to be annoyed for Christ?
Pastor Tod Bolsinger It Takes A Church...: Staying Put sticks a needle in a boil of the church today. We just can't or won't put up with each other. When will we start taking Jesus seriously about loving each other? If we can't overlook each others faults and personal idiosyncrasies how in the world are we going to model the love of Jesus to a lost and damned world. When are we going to stop thinking more highly of ourselves, and put other’s personalities, wishes and dreams ahead of ours? For Christ’s sake, get over it. This pilgrim has miles to go before I sleep, come on lets get started!
Posted by Dennis at 09:54 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
February 05, 2005
Psalm 1
Psalm 1 starts out:
How blessed is the man...
It isn't in the form of a question; it is an exclamation of truth! I didn't get much farther, I started thinking about all the things that I have and am able to do. Being able to rise from my nights sleep and move about freely and with very, very little discomfort. Being able to take care of my personal needs. I'm grateful for a house that is heated in winter, cooled in summer. I sat there in my easy chair and leaned back, closed my eyes and let the joy of many other things sweep over me.
Then I looked back at the text, it goes on:
"...who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night."
I notice that the things I was rejoicing in weren't listed. It is not my possessions or health that Scripture speaks of here. If I couldn't rise pain free, if I couldn't care for my personal needs, if the house weren't heated or cooled, if my circumstances were radically different I would still be blessed!
My blessedness is founded on the truth of 1 John 5:11
"And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life."
That is why, as my life moves on toward that glorious day of the appearing of or Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; I am enabled by His Spirit to:
"...not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night."
Oh, to do it more. It’s not a pipe dream or a maybe; it is an extraordinary truth and blessing. Bless the dear Lord!!
Posted by Dennis at 08:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack