The Passion of Jesus (Readings for Holy Week from Luke)
Posted: April 1, 2012 Filed under: Bible, Gospel, Jesus, Spiritual Formation, The Cross Leave a comment »
It is Holy Week! I encourage you to read about the journey Jesus was on to fulfill His Mission from God! You can read the following verses from the Gospel of Luke and copy the below questions into your journal for reflection and meditation, then tell others what you discovered!
Palm Sunday – Luke 22:1-38
1. What did learn about Jesus?
2. How does change your life?
3. How does this change the world?
Monday – Luke 22:39-46
1. What did you learn about Jesus?
2. How does this change your life?
3. How does this change the world?
Tuesday – Luke 22:47-53
1. What did you learn about Jesus?
2. How does this change your life?
3. How does this change the world?
Wednesday – Luke 22:54-62
1. What did you learn about Jesus?
2. How does this change your life?
3. How does this change the world?
Maundy Thursday – Luke 22:63-23:25
1. What did you learn about Jesus?
2. How does this change your life?
3. How does this change the world?
Good Friday – Luke 23:26-49
1. What did you learn about Jesus?
2. How does this change your life?
3. How does this change the world?
Saturday – Luke 23:50-56
1. What did you learn about Jesus?
2. How does this change your life?
3. How does this change the world?
Resurrection Sunday – Luke 24:1-49
1. What did you learn about Jesus?
2. How does this change your life?
3. How does this change the world?
Flat Stanley and Dr. J
Posted: September 2, 2011 Filed under: Doctorate Degree, Spiritual Formation Leave a comment »
Flat Stanley and Me on Graduation Day!
A couple of months ago, I finished my formal education graduating with my doctorate from Liberty University, a degree I had pursued for 32 years. (In fact, dreams of getting a doctorate filled my little 4 year old mind as I watched my dad graduate with his own doctorate degree from Westminister Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.) Have you ever pursued something for a long time? It can become an overmastering passion. This is why my favourite picture from that day is me in my doctoral robes and Flat Stanley! Who is Flat Stanley you may ask? Stanley used to be a rotund little boy until a bookcase fell on him (at least that is what Josiah, my 8 year old son, related to me from a story he read in his class.) Subsequently, Flat Stanley showed up in some of our family pictures in different locations in order to fill the requirements of a Grade 2 school project. Why do I love Flat Stanley? He reminds me that books and knowledge puff us up and they can also crush us spiritually. Isn’t that what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 8:1, “KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP, BUT LOVE BUILDS UP!” Flat Stanley reminds me that what is needed to really build me up is love – God’s love! This was demonstrated through Christ who knew everything but chose to lay aside His full knowledge of all things so that He could love us to death – His own death. (Philippians 2:5-8) So the question for you and me is are we choosing to be puffed up or built up? Choosing knowledge will end up crushing you. Choosing instead to love will build you and others up for all eternity!
The Love of God for Extroverts and Introverts
Posted: July 28, 2011 Filed under: Communication, Marriage, Spiritual Formation 4 Comments »Yesterday, I woke up and Lori was not beside me. It was a strange feeling because I am always up before her. My first thought was did Lori get raptured up to Heaven without me? (NOTE: The rapture is the belief that Jesus will come back to take His Church to Heaven to be with Him.) However, I heard her downstairs so I got dressed, made the bed and grabbed my Bible. It was good to see her. Apparently, she had woken up at 4:30 AM and couldn’t get back to sleep. I sat down in my usual red chair to spend time alone with God by reading my Bible and praying. This is my routine everyday (and I say that to encourage some of you who are younger in the faith to find a daily routine of giving your best time to God. Mornings are my best time!)
How I Like to Spend My Mornings!
My habit of spending time alone with God is very precious to me so it was different to have somebody join me, even if it was Lori. Now, remember Lori has been up since 4:30 AM reading and conversing with God herself. I opened my Bible for a time of reflection and meditation and immediately Lori started talking to me. If you know my wife, she is an extrovert meaning that she gets her energy replenished by spending time with people. Me, I’m an introvert who gets recharged by spending time alone. This means we were immediately at a crossroads in our spiritual formation. Was I going to go the way of extrovert spiritual formation or was she going to go my way. I have been at this crossroads a few times in our marriage and chose the wrong path. I thank God that He reminded me that this morning my time with Him included her! Spending time with God is worthless if it does not include loving others. Is this not what the Apostle Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:2, “If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing“? Our spirituality is only as good as our love for both God AND others! Furthermore, a robust and balanced spirituality includes both times of solitude and community. Jesus demonstrated this Himself when He would take time to be alone with His Heavenly Father but would also spend time with others loving and being loved by them as Mark 1:35-38 describes, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed, ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
God made extroverts and introverts to complement one another, even in their spiritual growth. So here are my questions for you today:
INTROVERTS – Are you letting the love of God be demonstrated in your love for others, even if it costs you time alone with God?
EXTROVERTS – Are you letting the love of God be demonstrated in your love for others, even if it costs you time alone with them?
Remember, “Whoever loves God must also love his brother!” (1 John 4:21)
