Blog-Hopping

Last night’s meeting was quicker than most, but (I thought) excellent in some of the things that we discovered.  Thanks for sharing your insights.

I want to continue to encourage you to hang in there with Bible reading, study, prayer and Scripture memory review.  When I push a little, please understand that I am not trying to bring you up to any human standard, but simply trying to challenge you to take that next step to becoming more like Jesus Christ.  This group is never about “pass” or “fail” but about growing deeper.  Always ask yourself the question:  Am I farther along in my maturity today than I was a month ago?

This morning I read from Psalms 16, 47, 66 and 116.  For some insights I gained, check out my post on my blog.

If you need the article on “How to Spend Extended Time in Prayer,” just click on the title to access it.  I will be praying for your half day of prayer.

Scripture Plus

Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, a day marked by some denominations for centuries as the beginning of Lent, a season of preparation for Easter.  I have not traditionally observed this season because I was raised that only “those other denominations do that” (i.e. Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, etc.)  But I have grown to understand that some of the other traditions can be valuable as they are informed by Scripture and kept Christ-centered.

You can read more about my thoughts on this on my personal blog, but I just wanted to encourage you to go beyond the basic disciplines of Scripture and Bible reading and discover the value in fasting, confession and repentance, simplicity, solitude and the like.  Richard Foster’s excellent book Celebration of Discipline gives some helpful instruction on exercising these disciplines.

I am seeking, in this season, to glorify God, and to be renewed in the process.  Great is the Lord and worthy to be praised!