Why I love seminary:
Today, I had a great conversation with Cal, an older gentleman who was a missionary in South East Asia for forty years. Amidst our laughs about ministry and how I have a Jonah complex, I saw all the joy he had from living a fulfilled life, one that served Christ by serving others. It brought back something Christopher Wright said in his book,”The Mission of God” full circle: “If, then, it is in Christ crucified and risen that we find the focal point of the whole Bible’s grand narrative, and therein also the focal point of the whole mission of God, our response is surely clear” (535). As pastors or missionaries, we are also involved in God’s redemptive work.
The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God.
I can’t fully describe the peace I was given from knowing the Prince of Peace.
Journal Of An Ex-Bad Guy: Decoding Christianese
“Tonight, we are going to first spend some time approaching the Lord’s throne in worship. Then, we will dive right into a time of intercession and lifting up of praise to our Father. Pastor Smith will then kick off today’s Word. Let us bow our heads.”
*Worship leader bows his head.*
”Jesus,…
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
The Spiritual Gifts Test
Jacob, one of my fraternity brothers, posted a link for The Spiritual Gifts test. Spiritual gifts are God-given graces meant to build up the body of Christ (the Church). Here are the results from my own test:
Apparently, my top 3 spiritual gifts come at a tie, so it’s really a top 4:
1. “Helps/Serving/Ministering” and “Pastor/Teacher”
Helps/Serving/Ministering
This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit empowers certain Christians to render practical help in both physical and spiritual matters. Serving one another, like evangelism, is a calling of all Christians, but there are some who have a special desire to serve, and receive great blessing from it. See Romans 12:7, I Corinthians 12:28, Galatians 6:1-2Pastor/Teaching
This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to preach and teach the Word of God and to take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a body of believers. See Ephesians 4:11, I Peter 5:1-11
2. “Administration/Ruling” and “Mercy”
Administration/Ruling
This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to organize, administrate, and promote the various affairs of the local church’s ministry to direct them effectively. A local church cannot grow beyond a certain point without the ministry of these individuals. See I Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:8, Titus 1:4-5Mercy
This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to minister to and have compassion for those who are suffering or afflicted.
See Romans 12:8, Luke 10:30-37
I’m not too happy with the “pastor” word showing up. I can’t escape it.
People often ask when the next step in evolution—the step to something beyond man—will happen. But in the Christian view, it has happened already. In Christ a new kind of man appeared: and the new kind of life which began in Him is to be put into us.
Even in social life, you will never make a good impression on other people until you stop thinking about what sort of impression you’re making.
A little late, but good to know, especially finding out my favorite athlete, Jonathan Horton made the list. (via London 2012 Olympics Opens With Spectacular Ceremony: 10 Christian Athletes to Watch (PHOTO))
Source: christianpost.com
