Personal Conversation – Sermon Summary

Luke 5:15-16.  Real Followers series, pt.4

Believers in Jesus Christ have direct access to the Lord through prayer.  This connection is essential for a vital relationship with God.

Prayer to the soul is much like food to the body.  Our bodies gain energy when they are fed.  The energy lasts for a period of time and then more food is required.  I believe that prayer is the spiritual equivalent.

One aspect of today’s passage is that Jesus sought out “lonely places” for prayer.  When we hear the word lonely, we have a sense of emptiness, absence, even neglect.  Yet what we find as Christians in our “quiet time” should be the polar opposite.  It is here that we find God.  It is here that we experience our primary spiritual feeding time.  There is no loneliness when we are connected with the Lord.

Fish Story – Sermon Summary

Jonah 2.

It is interesting to read this fascinating literature.  One of the conventions of Hebrew poetry is that the verbs can be translated in either the present or the past tense.  Read it again as if it is being said now.

On My Nightstand – Crazy Love

Crazy Loveby Francis Chan with Danae Yankowski.  David C. Cook, Publisher.  Great subtitle – Overwhelmed by a Relentless God.

I have to confess that I’m only two chapters into this book so far.  What I have already discovered is that Francis’ approach to God is incredibly authentic.  This book appears to be a real challenge to all Christians who desire to draw nearer to God in a real, radical way.  As must as I want to just sit down and read this in one sitting, what I’m finding is that it is working really well to read one chapter, then let it absorb for a couple of days. 

My friend who read this book and described it as “life changing” may have been giving quite an accurate description.  I’ll give my thoughts when I finish.  So far, my prayer life and view of my own life seem to be thoroughly challenged and enlightened.

KO’d

6th grade “Field Day,” the last day of school.  We got to play and play and play all day long.  In our grade school, what we did was play some games in the school gym and then walk down to the little park in Apple Creek, Ohio.  Johnny Appleseed park is what I believe we called it.

This was the day that all 6th graders anticipated as we would celebrate together our final day as kings and queens of the school.  After all, we were the best class ever! 

So we were in the gym, playing one of my favorite games…dodgeball!

New Strength

I recently started a completely new morning routine.  Mind you, I have never been, am not, and cannot fathom ever being a “morning person.”  I have daily arguments with my alarm clock but continue to give thanks to god Himself for whoever invented the snooze alarm and installed it on mine!

So when I say that I now wake up at 5 every morning, please understand just how much of a real chore this is for me.  I am not seeking accolades in any way, but I do want to share with you the benefits I am receiving from this new routine.