Never let the gospel get smaller

A great word of exhortation regarding the gospel from John Piper.

Read, digest, and live it!

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U.S. city with highest murder rate

The answer will surprise you. (HT:  JT)

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Is Jesus Christ everything?

If Jesus Christ isn’t everything to you, he probably  means little to you.

If you haven’t take care of the most important thing, then why are you so busy doing everything else?

–Joe Waresak, Seek First Ministries, The Missional Life

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Common finanical sense

“Creditors have better memories than debtors”-Benjamin Franklin

“There are plenty of ways to get ahead. The first is so basic I’m almost embarrased to say it:  Spend less than you earn.”–Paul Clitheroe

“Home is the place where boys and girls first learn how to limit their wishes, abide by the rules, and consider the rights and needs of others.”–Sidonie Gruenberg.

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Is your “to-do” list done?

C. J. Mahaney reminds us (I need this on a Monday and every day):

“Only God gets his to-do list done each day. “

This simple sentence informs how I begin my day, what I expect to accomplish during the day, and how I close each day.

When I step out of my office and turn the light off at the end of my day, and the list of to-dos is incomplete, I say to my secretary, “Nora, we will try again tomorrow.” This brief statement is an acknowledgment of my limitations, and is my way of saying that—once again—I didn’t get everything done. It’s a moment for me to cultivate humility.

No matter how much planning, scheduling, and discipline is present in my life, I will never completely redeem the time. I am a finite creature, limited in what I can accomplish, and further limited by my sin. So it should surprise nobody that I leave to-dos undone each and every day.

My joy is not derived from the flawless execution of my goals. My joy each day is derived from the person and work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Only God gets his to-do list done each day. I need the cross of Christ each day.

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Think about it

In the past year, month, or week have you looked more Christ -like or more world-like?–Joe Waresak, Seek First Ministries

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”–Spurgeon

If Christ is not controlling all of me, the chances are very good that He is not controlling any of me!–A. W. Tozer

Who or what defines your life?–Joe Waresak

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A prayer for Sunday and any day

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of deaths, and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.

Musing on my habitation,
Musing on my heav’nly home,
Fills my soul with holy longings:
Come, my Jesus, quickly come;
Vanity is all I see;
Lord, I long to be with Thee!
Lord, I long to be with Thee!

William Williams From hymntime

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Strength for weary moms

The Mahaney ladies have been offering encouragements to moms who are tired and feel like giving up. They encourage moms not to grow weary in doing well for in due season you will reap if you don’t give up!

1.    Preach the gospel to yourself (pt. one and two)
2.    Prize your husband (pt. one and two)
3.    Parent all the time (pt. one, two and three)
4.    Pay attention (pt. one, two and three)
5.    Pursue help in parenting.

Read more here.

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Success in parenting?

How would you define success in parenting?

Leave a comment.  Start the discussion.

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Giving your children a vision!

I am speaking today at a homeschool conference on how to give your children a vision of God.

Here are some of the practical suggestions I strive to do (imperfectly).

• Develop a high view of God yourself!
• Teach your children the seriousness of public worship
• Lead your family in daily worship
• Instruct your children in personal worship of God
• Get to the heart!
• Pray with your children faithfully
• Teach your children how to use their time well and how to be self-disciplined
• Don’t polish their idols
• Don’t exasperate your children
• Continually coach your children in everything from teaching them to respect and obey authority to how to stand alone
• Introduce your children to godly men and women. Have them in your home
• Stress character, don’t just strive for conformity
• Instruct in biblical masculinity and femininity

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