Archives For scripture

Let me tell you this: on judgment day people will have to own up to every trivial word they say. Yes: you will be vindicated by your own words – and you will be condemned by your own words.”

Jesus, from Matthew 12:36-37 Kingdom New Testament

Their speech – and remember that they had just accused Jesus of black magic – will show what’s really in their hearts. Casual words always reveal deep attitudes; Jesus said it long before Sigmund Freud did (in the famous ‘Freudian slip’, the secret someone is trying to hide pops out of their mouth before they can stop it). As a result, casual words will be used on the day of judgment as a reliable indicator of what really matters, the state of the heart.

N.T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone

So That’s Why You Should Watch Your Mouth….

Posted by Chris on June 17, 2013 In Church, Life, Mission , , ,
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Eyeglasses on Open Book

How to Develop a Prayer Journal

Chris —  February 18, 2013

Prayer journaling is one of those things you hear “spiritual” people talking about, but no one seems to explain what it is.  Journaling of any sort is a tricky enterprise.  When done well, it can help a person interpret their life.  But without` a clear methodology, it can easily become a book of rants and complaints, which is not inspiring to do on a regular basis.  Prayer is the same way.  Left to ourselves, we often avoid it.  When we do pray, it’s hard to get beyond the begging and the whining.

Student Writing
Prayer journaling can be any place you record your conversations with God.  However, by setting up a few standards, you can avoid the self-centeredness and participate in a genuine conversation.  I developed this scripture-led method as a means of praying through my daily reading of scripture. Continue Reading…

In God, Growth, Mission , , ,
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Only the Darkest Will Do on Holy Saturday

Chris —  April 23, 2011

I know of nothing darker in scripture, and nothing better to ruminate on the day after our Lord’s death.  Please take a moment to read it all.

LORD, you are the God who saves me;
day and night I cry out to you.
May my prayer come before you;
turn your ear to my cry.

I am overwhelmed with troubles
and my life draws near to death.
I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am like one without strength.
I am set apart with the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
whom you remember no more,
who are cut off from your care.

You have put me in the lowest pit,
in the darkest depths.
Your wrath lies heavily on me;
you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.
You have taken from me my closest friends
and have made me repulsive to them.
I am confined and cannot escape;
my eyes are dim with grief.

I call to you, LORD, every day;
I spread out my hands to you.
Do you show your wonders to the dead?
Do their spirits rise up and praise you?
Is your love declared in the grave,
your faithfulness in Destruction?
Are your wonders known in the place of darkness,
or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

But I cry to you for help, LORD;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
Why, LORD, do you reject me
and hide your face from me?

From my youth I have suffered and been close to death;
I have borne your terrors and am in despair.
Your wrath has swept over me;
your terrors have destroyed me.
All day long they surround me like a flood;
they have completely engulfed me.
You have taken from me friend and neighbor—
darkness is my closest friend.

In Church, God, Life , , , , ,
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