I used to pray my kids would grow up to do great things for God. I grew up and didn’t do anything great for God, but maybe my role was to be the MOTHER of people who did great things for God. So I prayed for that. What my kids do for God isn’t what burns in my belly anymore.
I took my daughter to visit my alma mater yesterday. She wants to do music education, so we toured the buildings, including the performing arts center where the sights and smells popped a cork, and a thousand memories exploded on my brain. I had to catch my breath.
I don’t think God speaks to us in audible words, like, “Hey George – hope you’re enjoying the nice breeze tonight. Love ya, Bud.” He just touches us at our core, and if we’re paying attention, we hear it.
What’s the purpose of that 22-year-old’s life cut from all his potential just as he was being launched from his parent’s nest? What’s the purpose of a young mother who doesn’t live to see her offspring grow up? What’s the purpose of the millions of tiny babies nobody knew? What’s the purpose of all the old people who will die in obscurity, never having made history?
Facing our brokenness is a breathtaking act of faith in the living God; refusal to face our brokenness is a tragic denial of his existence, power, and goodness. Because the denial of painful reality comes so naturally, it is rarely labeled as sinful. Nor do we recognize how much it dishonors the God who loves […]
“In your Bible reading, an author will often compare two things. It’s important to stop and study everything you learn about how those two things are similar and different. In this lab, Pastor John looks at our slavery to sin and freedom in Christ.”
By John Piper. ©2014 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org
I was wearing work out pants and a sweatshirt, and I was having a bad hair day. Pony tail and stringy bangs. While keeping my head low and browsing their sale racks I analyzed my thoughts. Do you ever do that? Listen – really listen – to the messages you’re telling yourself? Here’s what I heard:
Pastor John introduces a new series focused on Romans 8. First, he spends a couple minutes helping you make the most of Look at the Book. Then, he gives you seven reasons why Romans 8 is the greatest chapter in all the Bible.
By John Piper. ©2014 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org
He is tied to us. By placing His image in us, God assumes an extra measure of ownership and responsibility for our lives. We are His brand, His trademark. You may remember that the second commandment prohibits making graven images of God. Part of the reason behind this is that God has already given a graven image of Himself—in us.
But more than this, by placing His image on us, God has bound Himself to us as a parent. We are His children. And like any good parent, He must protect and nurture His children. The beauty and genius of this is that our good and His glory are inseparable. While our good is found by displaying His glory, His glory is found by bringing about our good.
Photo Credit: Justin in SD via Compfight cc
