Isaiah and Sara

never forget that you are a sinner…

When you’re dealing with a frustrating person, who just won’t understand.

When you get cut off in traffic, and want to make a certain hand gesture and say words that are “cursing”.

When you see someone trip and fall morally, and all you want to do is to say how stupid they are.

When you hear a “leader” say something stupid, and don’t try to find out the context.

When someone sets you up for the greatest verbal smackdown in the world, and you so desperately want to take the opportunity.

When you see someone proud and hope that they fall flat on their face.

never forget that God loves you, and that Jesus died for you failures…

When you realize you’re the person that won’t understand…

When you cut someone off in traffic…

When you trip and fall morally…

When you say something stupid…

When you set yourself up for the biggest verbal smack-down in the world and take it right in the teeth…

When you let your pride trip you up and get to taste some dirt…

never forget that God’s grace wasn’t just meant for you

but be glad that it is meant for you

in Christ,

Isaiah

Here at Summit Christian College a majority of the faculty and staff are going to be involved in the county wide biggest loser contest. If we (as a college) lose more than other businesses in the area, we’ll receive a plaque. I’m wondering what it will say… “Summit Christian College is the biggest loser!” – I guess we’ll see.

Anyway, we’re all also on teams, which hopefully means healthy competition that leads to more weight loss. Merle and I are together on a team, so if you see either of us eating some of the candy at the college – call us on it. (slap Merle’s hand!)  However, if you see any of the other faculty or staff – you know what to do…

I look forward to seeing us all becoming healthier. May the best team win!

in Christ,

Isaiah

Ezra 7:10

¹⁰ For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

I want to be like Ezra.  I want to have my heart set on studying the Word, and to do it – to put it into action.

Who do you want to be like?

in Christ,

Isaiah

I began in January reading through a 1 year Bible plan.  I’ve really enjoyed it, and have had some great insights but there’s one problem.

I’m behind.  Instead of a 1 year Bible plan (NT twice and OT once), I’m more like at the 18 month plan.

At some point in the OT I got behind, over the summer, during camps… I was “busy”.

We all can make excuses, but I guess it just shows how much a commitment to God means.

We all get up on time for work, or get the kids to school, reading a novel about vampires who love younger girls (or whatever fiction you’re into) or definitely make time for our favorite TV show…

but when it comes to reading God’s word, going to Church, serving those he loves…

What makes it different?  Why do we not follow through?

I’m not saying you’re a horrible person if you don’t read the Bible in a year, or anything like that.

I’m asking if we’re actually committing ourselves to the ONE we say we are.

How about you?  Any one out there have trouble with the 1 year  er, 18 month plan, or maybe a different type of commitment?

Maybe we can pray for each other and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:23-24), and thank God for his grace.

In Christ,

Isaiah

It is quickly coming up to the time of the year where Christmas songs are being played, people are getting out their credit cards and the annual debate occurs over stores using Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.

I understand where it comes from, I do. I believe that Jesus is the reason for the season, that it should be Merry Christmas… but I’m sick and tired of seeing Christians show what we’re against.

We’re always seen protesting, whining and picketing.  Why aren’t we seen serving, loving and praying?

Why don’t we start showing what we are for.

Instead of spending a few minutes forwarding that happy holidays angry forward… take that time to pray for someone. Instead of picketing, donate your time to a soup kitchen. Instead of whining, help people and love them as Jesus loved them.

Do what you want with your money… but give Jesus your heart.

Maybe when we all do this… people will know what we are for, and see that Jesus IS the reason for the season.

Just a thought,
in Christ,

Isaiah

Acts 26:24-29 (NIV)

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

When was the last time someone called you insane?

When was the last time you were “out of your mind” for Jesus?

Kind’ve makes you think…

in Christ,

Isaiah

Ephesians 3:17b-18

…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ

It seems that we really like to measure things… comparing houses, tv screen sizes, cars that get better gas mileage, or can hold more people, even neighborhoods that make sure your grass is mowed often – 3″ and no taller!  We are constantly in search of measuring up in the more or less department, yet we never seem to be able to grasp the more important measurements…  like the one above.

How Wide, Long, High and Deep is the love of Christ!

Stop and think about that right now.

Compare God’s love to what you’re worried and anxious about… to the fear that you’re holding… to the sin that you think you can’t be rid of…

Which is wider, longer, higher and deeper?

Which matters more?

God loves you more than we can ever measure… hold on to that.

in Christ,

Isaiah

Lately, I’ve been digging into meditating on the Psalms and trying to just focus on one passage of Scripture.  I still read other passages, but every day I’ve been trying to focus on Psalm 1… Verse 2 says why.

¹ Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

So, even before the beginning of the new year and all the resolutions, I’m trying to change.  I want to be able to meditate on the law of the LORD, on his Word, day and night.

That somewhat begs the question though, how do we meditate?

I’m reading some of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Meditating On The Word to find out how…

We’ll see how this goes.

in Christ,

Isaiah

p.s. How do you meditate on His Word?

I haven’t posted for some time, and rather than give you a long list of excuses… I thought I’d just write a new post.

Lately I’ve been reading my paper Bible far more than my electronic versions of the Bible.  There’s just something about paper and the heft of a book, and the feel of underlining a verse in “real” life.  I underline and highlight verses on my electronic versions and it just isn’t the same.

So, my question to you is this:  Do you prefer reading the Bible in paper form, pixel form, or a combination of both?

I’ll admit that I’m both, when I’m laying in bed at night, it is much easier to read on my iPod touch, which doesn’t require a seperate light and physically changing pages…

So… Paper, pixel or both?

in Christ,

Isaiah

I’ve been reading more lately, so I thought I’d share a couple books that I’ve been reading.

Killing Cockroaches: And Other Scattered Musings on Leadership
by Tony Morgan

This is a great “pick-up” book.  By that I mean pick up and read a chapter or two at a time, not pick-up line book.  This is a book on church leadership after all… Anyway, its all musings from Tony as he talks about his time in the ministry, and previously as a ceo, fighting to keep from killing cockroaches (literally and figuratively).  There are several guest posts that highlight this idea.  Here’s one of my favorite “chapters”:

10 EASY WAYS TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT A LEADER

1. You’re waiting on a bigger staff and more money to accomplish your vision.
2. You think you need to be in charge in order to have influence.
3. You’re content.
4. You tend to foster division instead of generating a helpful dialogue.
5. You think you need to say something to be heard.
6. You find it easier to blame others for your circumstances than to take responsibility for solutions.
7. It’s been some time since you said, “I messed up.”
8. You’re driven by the task instead of the relationships and the vision.
9. Your dreams are so small that people think they can be achieved.
10. No one is following you.

All in all I say its definitely a “Recommended Read”

Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide-Eyed Wonder in God’s Spoken World
by N.D. Wilson

Wow. This book hit me at just the right time, and in just the right places.  I read this book as fast as I could, then began to recommend it to those around me.  I’ll try to explain why I thought it was so good.  In a few pages, N.D. Wilson goes through the seasons as metaphors for life.  All throuhgout the book there are stories of wonder, each weaving in and out of a philosophical concept, even diving into the “problem” of evil.  I really can’t explain it well enough, but I’ll say this:  Read this book.  If you want you can even hit me up in the comments, and if you’re local you can borrow my copy.  This is one of the books that I received free, from following @michaelhyatt on twitter.

What books  have you read lately?

in Christ,

Isaiah