July 2nd, 2009
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I praise you Lord!
When? From this very second until every clock stops–and beyond.
Where? On every square foot of earth the sun touches from sunrise to sunset.
Why? Because you are so high. You are so exalted there is no nation greater than you. Your throne is so elevated you have to stoop to see the heavens and the earth.
But, you are also so low. You draw near to the most humble–the poor man with nothing but dust to his name; the childless woman with only tears as family. And you replace their pain with pleasure.
That’s why I praise you Lord!
Tags: Joy, Poor, Prayer, Psalms, social justice, Suffering, Worship
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July 1st, 2009
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When I see how wonderfully your world works, LORD, I shout “Hallelujah!”
You’ve created it so that when we walk in your way, even our children experience blessing.
When we generously fill the needs of others, you generously fill our own needs.
When we treat others right, you treat us right.
When we stand with you, our hearts stand secure–no fear.
I praise you, LORD, for such a world as this.
Tags: Joy, Poor, Prayer, Psalms, Worship
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June 30th, 2009
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LORD there are as many reasons to praise you as there are letters in the alphabet:
You are awesome.
You are brilliant.
You are compassionate.
You are dependable.
You are enduring.
I could just go on and on. Not even the alphabet can exhaust the many reasons I have to praise you today.
Tags: Joy, Prayer, Psalms, Worship
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June 29th, 2009
Sometimes a situation can be viewed in two very different ways. These brief commercials for Ameriquest Mortgage explore how different people can see the same situation but reach different conclusions: (video). Sometimes different people can see the same situation but reach different conclusions.
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Tags: Joy, Spiritual Disciplines, Suffering, Worship
Posted in My Last Sermon, Training | No Comments »
June 29th, 2009
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My God, do something about this enemy of mine!
He attacks me for no good reason. He treats me the way he treats all who are poor, needy, or brokenhearted: with callous disregard.
May the curses he shouts boomerang back to him.
May the blessings he withholds be withheld from him.
May his days be miniscule and his shame much.
Save me from him, my God.
Do this, and I will praise you.
Tags: Prayer, Psalms, sin, Suffering, Worship
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June 24th, 2009
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I awaken the dawn, LORD, with my song about you.
I want this tune to fill the ears of all the world as they rise this morning:
“God’s love is higher than the heavens.
God’s faithfulness reaches to the skies.
God’s power is greater than ours.”
May your glory, O God, be over all the earth.
Tags: Forgiveness, glory, Prayer, Psalms, Worship
Posted in Blog, Growth | 1 Comment »
June 24th, 2009
How many?
Click here for a lighthearted answer to the question from Ben Witherington III.
Tags: Joy
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June 23rd, 2009
Last week I read the blog of a friend Lynn Anderson, a friend of mine. Lynn has preached in Churches of Christ for decades. He is the author of several books. Now in the final chapters of his ministry he serves as a mentor and consultant to ministers, elders, churches and other organizations. Lynn has preached at Highland and has served as a consultant for our staff and elders. I have never sat and talked with Lynn when he didn’t go out of his way to pray with me or encourage me spiritually. He is in my Christian-Hall-of-Fame. In my short Christian life Lynn Anderson has been a fixture. His preaching and writing are among my earliest Christian memories. And there’s a part of me that has always assumed that Lynn will always be around. But last week he announced on his blog that he needs spinal surgery and that there are very significant complicating factors.
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Tags: Joy, Spiritual Disciplines, Suffering, Worship
Posted in My Last Sermon, Obstacles | No Comments »
June 23rd, 2009
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I have heard the stories of your wonderful deeds:
Some wandered in wastelands lost and lonely. They cried to you and you saved them from their distress.
Some despaired in darkness imprisoned and enslaved. They cried to you and you saved them from their distress.
Some sat in sin then suffered your wrath. They cried to you and you saved them from their distress.
Some sailed the sea but were caught in its storms. They cried to you and you saved them from their distress.
May they, may we, give thanks to you LORD for your unfailing love and your wonderful deeds.
Tags: Forgiveness, Joy, Prayer, Psalms, sin, Suffering, Worship
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June 22nd, 2009
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This morning, LORD, I remember your mighty acts and say, “Hallelujah!”
But like the rest of your people, LORD, I often forget.
I forget that day you led your people across the Red Sea; I forget that time your people refused to enter their Promised Land; I forget when your people worshiped other gods in the home you provided.
But this morning, LORD, I remember. And I remember how, through it all, your love endured. And so I say, “Hallelujah!”
Tags: discipleship, Forgiveness, glory, Joy, Prayer, Psalms, Worship
Posted in Blog, Growth | No Comments »
