Author: rwren
Musician, writer, reader, thinker, worshiper, leaning on the Gospel, depending on Grace, learning obedience, failing, falling, getting back up.
Married to Tina, father to Gage, covenant member of The Village Church.
first thoughts iii
this is part 3 of the first thoughts series where i start with an object in my immediate surroundings and then write a short sentence about it. from there i take another word from the sentence and begin another sentence. sort of a word association writing game. okay here goes
i have a denim coat
did the redcoats actually have coats?
does the word actually get way too overused in modern day language
is modernism an era of the past or isn't it always here
if its wrong for churches to live in the past, what do we make of the christ of 1 AD
when they say we need to be the church not go to church that's not completely accurate
would it be accurate to say that the difference between the invisible church and the institutional church has been neglected
as a kid i wanted the power of invisibility
holy spirit as a person or as a power?
if he's a person as i believe he is why don't we call him the holy sperson
every denomination that exists was born from the idea that belief is important
why are my ideas original until i revisit them the next day and then i realize they're retreads
whenever i look at the michelin man i wonder if those rolls on his body are treads or some kind of weird body fat
do fat hip hoppers go around saying "that's fat" or "that's phat"? and if they say "phat" are they phat?
is the difference between a hip hopper and a hip hugger simply a belt?
when professional singers belt out the national anthem on tv, then you realize at once how much production is involved in their records.
is it reCORD or REcord?
if you pull the umbilical cord on a newborn, will a parachute fly out?
if humans sky dive, what do birds do for thrills?
it would thrill me immensely to end this post right NOW!
Affection for Christ: stirred or stolen
First read this blog post by Village Church pastor Matt Chandler. Then come back and give me your list of 5-10 activities when your passion for Christ is stirred, and 5-10 things when your passion for Christ is stolen. Don't worry, doesn't have to be exact, if you only come up with 2 or 3 that's okay. Here's mine.
When my passion for Christ is stirred:
1. early morning reading with coffee (Bible and Books about the Bible)
2. sermons by Piper and Chandler.
3. Ministry conferences that emphasize spiritual refreshment over practical ideas.
4. lately, poetry. writing and reading it
5. Praise and Worship music namely Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher, Tim Hughes
6. One on one lunches with friends who are more passionate for Christ and the Word of God than I am
7. playing piano (instrumental)
8. playing guitar while singing praise music
9. blogging
10. Time with my family outside of the house
When my passion for Christ is stolen:
1. watching tv reruns or excessive tv in general
2. spending too much time online
3. listening to griping and complaining
4. obsessing over my fantasy football lineup
5. worrying about the Cowboys, Mavs, and Rangers (ok, i actually gave up on the Rangers years ago)
6. playing out negative scenarios in my mind before they happen
7. fixating on material desires
8. thinking about what others think about my actions
9. legalism – by others and from myself
10.blogging
11. when my family time lacks quality, like sitting in front of a tv show but not interacting with each other
12. spending too much time over ministry practices and pragmatism.
Alright, I could write more but then i would start losing my passion for Christ. : ) Remember, these activities are not spiritual in of themselves, but are often contributors to our passions and energies. If you cheated and didn't read the Chandler post, please go back and do so.
Come on, give me you lists. I'd like to see at least 20 comments. Blessings, Rob
Grace Breaks 