New Blog

I have decided to change blog servers, Here is the link. I will try to do a better job of updating this one.

Modern Day Sabbath

Check out this article that I read on Relevant.com yesterday.

Throw me a Bone

I am thinking about getting an ipod nano. Against my better judgment I am stepping over to the dark side. I thought sense I am some liberal, I should follow the trend of all the other lemmings. No not really. I am just tired of not being about to download pod cast from the internet. Anyways I need your help. I am going to order my ipod from apple, and they engrave the back of the ipod for you. But being unoriginal I have no idea what I would put. I was thinking something like “I love kittens” or “Damm the Man, Save the Empire”
But I am sure someone can come up with something better. So if you will do me a favor and leave your suggestions as a comment.

Miller's Response

Most of you know that I a huge of Donald Miller. Ok I’ll be truthful here I am kinda of obsessed. I would read the Funday Sunnies if he wrote them. So a couple of months ago I asked Miller a question on his fan site. I was not sure if I would get an answer not, but I did. Below is my question and his response.
At the time I submitted this question I was really questioning if it what the happy medidum of evanglism was in the State. I think so many times as a church we try to throw a prepackage form of Christianity in poeples face. And most of the time they reject it.
In Miller’s response: Thirteen Paradigm Shifts, he does a great job of explain how we as Christians can interact and relate to non-Christians in a non threading way. I am not saying that Millers word are the final say, but he does a great job breaking this down in a way I can understand it.

Don,
I am so happy that you have created a forum like this to interact with your fans. So I have read all of your books. I think your style talks across so many borders in the Christian and non – Christian world. I have been accused by some of my friends of being a little obsessed with your books. Not obsessed I just want as people to read what you write, because I think you present the gospel in such an unique way.
I always thought if I had the opportunity to ask you a question (in person or by email) I would come up with this profound question that would result in a thoughtful profound answer from you. Well when I found out about this website I froze up. It took me a long time to think of a question to ask you. In reality after reading your books, I probably could come up with a million questions. But for now just one.
Actually it is something that I have been struggling with for a while. And after reading an interview and hearing you talk about this I think you might be the man to ask.
What is the happy medium (if any) in evangelism here in the states, specifically to non- Christians?
This has been bogging me down every since I returned from Kenya this past summer. I feel that evangelism is easy in a situation like missions, and especially in a foreign country, to people that have less than I do. But when put on a playing field like I am now “everyday life” here in the states I just can’t do it. Especially in the town that I live I see people struggling with life, and I know that if they only had the Love of Christ their life’s might be fuller. I mean I do share the love that I have, but I don’t share the news. Is that enough? I think the thing that I am afraid of here is offending someone. Giving them impression that all Christians are bible thumping legalist. How do I do this?
Well Don thank you for your time. I am looking forward to reading To Own a Dragon. I actually pulled it on my blog, as well as all of you stuff. Keep writing the mind blow material that you write so well.
Michael

Don’s response:
michael,
if you go to the resource section of www.donaldmillerwords.com there is a free file called “thirteen paradigm shifts” or something like that (click here to open this document). these are the notes from a talk i give on the subject you have inquired about, and i think you will find some interesting thoughts within. you are right about sharing faith being different stateside than it is elsewhere. we live in a unique and complicated country. hope those notes help, michael. all the best.
don

The Lord has risen!

Happy Easter! Today is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three days ago he died on a cross upon Calvary. Although this was a sad event, today is the day that we have been waiting for in anticipation. For today Christ has risen from the day. This morning I was reading in the gospel of Luke, about the resurrection, and marveling at what has happened today. Christ died, but his body is nowhere to be found.
One of the most intriguing part of Luke to me is the end of the book: the Road to Emmaus. I have posted it below for you to read. But let me quickly give you my take on it. When I read this I sometimes put myself in the place of one of the believers. And think of how I would react. If I had seen Christ die in that cross and then looked in that tomb and say it empty. And now a man comes up to me on the road and asks what are we talking about. I don’t know I would react. Especially if this man turned out to be Jesus. I think I would freak out. I sometimes put like to put this passage into perspective in my life.
So many times I find myself in situations like that one. We I have some one walking beside me that I don’t know and is asking me about Christ. Instead of coming up with this wonderful explanation I choke. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because I am afraid of how this person might react to what I am saying. Instead of worrying what they think about what I am saying I should just love them and say what Christ would say and not worry about a thing.

Luke 24:13-35 - On the Road to Emmaus

13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him. 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" 33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Easter is Coming

I read this psalm this past week at a Passover service. I think it is a great psalm to reflect on as we wait for what is coming tomorrow.

Psalm 116
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."
12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant ; you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD— in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.

The Last Words of Jesus

The following are the last seven words (phrases) that Jesus said during his Crucifixion:

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:24)
Woman, behold your son...Behold your mother! (John 19:26-27)
I thirst (John 19:28).
This day you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
It is finished (John 19:30)
Father, into Your hands, I commend My spirit (Luke 23:46)

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. I use to think that this is a sad day. Well it is. It is the day that Jesus Christ died on a cross upon Calvary for our sins. For the sins of the world. I still think that this day is sad, but what I see coming in three days is a wonderful thing.

They following is from Luke 23:26-43 about Jesus’ Crucifixion.

26As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. 27A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. 28At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. 29The time is coming when they'll say, "Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!' 30Then they'll start calling to the mountains, "Fall down on us!' calling to the hills, "Cover us up!' 31If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they'll do with deadwood?" 32Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution. 33When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus prayed, "
Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. 35The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God--ha! The Chosen--ha!" 36The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: 37"So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!" 38Printed over him was a sign: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: "Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!" 40But the other one made him shut up: "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same as him. 41We deserve this, but not him--he did nothing to deserve this." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom." 43He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."