Before we dive into our lesson, I want to show you a photo that our own Patti’s granddaughter took of the eclipse from the top of Mount Si, a small mountain outside of Seattle. See if you can see what we saw that took our breath away. I like the birds in the picture too. Researchers in Indiana found the birds instantly stopped singing when it got dark and the frogs instantly started madly croaking. When it began to get light, the frogs stopped and the birds sang again. I’ll give you a chance to share your experiences.
Permission for Photo given by Kristie Thompson
Patti said that is her God Hunt for the week!
I too had a fun God hunt. Flying home from the prisons, I sat next to a couple. The man was reading a book on apologetics I’ve read by Rebecca McLaughlin. I smiled, nodded at the book, gave him my hand to shake, and said, “Hello, brother!” He smiled, shook my hand, and introduced himself and his wife. They were also in prison ministry, in Canada. They also were big Keller fans, listening to 3 or 4 sermons each week. Then they told me of a wonderful interview a well-known Canadian had done of Keller. I watched it and it was SO RICH, so full of scriptural wisdom, that I knew I wanted to do it here on the blog. We will begin this week after you share your thoughts on the eclipse. Though some will be controversial, I know it will be a rich time of iron sharpening iron.
I am going to recommend that you listen to the whole interview and then, because it is so rich, go back and take it in pieces. But if you feel you can’t do that, just take in the pieces I suggest.
I wondered if the darkness of 3 hours at the crucifixion could have been an eclipse, but Christian scientists think not, the timing is off. It was a supernatural miracle. Three of my children saw the total eclipse and were in wonder. Ann Graham Lotz had some interesting thoughts — but neither she nor I was sure what she found meant something. But here it is if you are interested:
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
Monday: The Inclusiveness of Christianity
Painting by Former SIM Missionary Charles Guth
If you are listening to this in parts, listen for perhaps 10 minutes, until he explains that the meaning in life in his parents’ generation was to be good, but changed to “the meaning in life is to be true to yourself.” We’ll spend two
3. What stood out from the opening and why?
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing?
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28
B. James 1:9-10.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people?
6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better?
7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage? How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.)
Tuesday: Meaning in Life Changing from Being a Good Person to Being True to Yourself
8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that?
9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8
B. Proverbs 3:5
10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift?
11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek?
Author Sam Chan, in “How To Talk about Jesus,” tells how he was noticing how Christians seldom bring their non-Christian friends to Christian events, but the exception was his friend Andrew and his wife, who always brought many. When Sam asked Andrew’s wife their secret, she said: “It’s easy. We’re always hanging out – dinners, movies, barbecues. We’re always going to their things, so they’re happy to come to one of our things.”
12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing.
Wednesday: Preaching & Sharing with The Culture in Mind
Listen for about another 9 mnutes up to when Carey asked Tim to give some broad strokes to how he would preach to the current cultural shift of identity being whoever you want to be!
13. Describe how Keller changed his preaching due to this cultural shift.
14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean?
15. How did Keller preach to those who found their meaning in something other than Christ so they could be “free?”
16. Think about a gift of God you made an idol and brought you into slavery. Can you share an example that you might share with a non-Christian?
17. How, did Christ, or is Christ, setting you free from this?
Thursday: An Identity Given and Not Earned
18. What are some of the problems in having an identity that is earned, such as being beautiful, successful in sports or business or raising children, wealthy…
19. Have you experienced the stress of wanting or achieving an earned identity? If so, share.
20. From the following Scriptures, share some of the beauty of an identity given.
A. John 1:12
B. Romans 8:15-17
C. 1 John 3:1-3
D. Ephesians 1:3
21. What else are you thankful for in your identity given? How might you use this to talk to your soul when stressed?
Friday: How Do We Know What Is Right and What is Wrong?
I am not sure when he said it, but one of my favorite tips Keller gave was to ask a non-Christian this question: “Imagine a situation where someone you care about is doing something you feel is wrong, but he feels it is right, and the culture says it is right.” (Think of slavery, abortion, pre-marital sex….) Ask them — how have you decided that this is right? Keller says they will work themselves into a pretzel trying to answer. But we have transcendent truth from God. So, here we go.
22. How do you know what’s right and wrong with these issues through the help of the transcendent truth of Scripture?
A. Pre-marital sex
B. Abortion
C. Marriage
D. Giving to the Poor
Keller gets deeper into these things next week, and so will we. It is so challenging and enlightening. To get you curious, he talks about “red evangelicals” and “blue evangelicals” and how they are both short-sighted.
—Over all it was a particularly good week with the Lord. I was able to spend time doing and enjoying the study here on the blog and I am currently rereading Randy Alcorn’s book “Heaven” and have found it to be so very encouraging and uplifting. By nature of the subject your thoughts are focused on God and the Lord Jesus and it is sweet to be centered on the LORD.
I was back in my ladies bible study at my church for the first time since getting home from Texas as well as having our Wednesday evening Small Group back in our home. All were particularly good times of being in God’s Word together and sweet fellowship. I praise God for his gracious provision spiritually in my life.
I look forward to this week’s study here. 😊
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
I wasn’t prepared to observe the eclipse here at home in Nebraska this year and since it was only a partial one the changes in daylight and the environment were very slight. And it was windy and cold and mostly cloudy only breaking through partially. But 7 years ago we were in the direct path of the total Eclipse and it was an amazing experience. It felt other worldly having dusk happening in the middle of the day. The temperature dropped significantly and the birds stopped singing and went to roost. The doves cooed like they do in the evening and the bats that fly to catch mosquitoes came out into the trees as they would typically do on a summer night. My son and his family and my daughter were with us in our backyard and we all felt an awe in what was happening.
Seeing the Cross in the center of the sun in Kristie’s picture speaks volumes.
I had not seen Ann Graham Lotz’s article. It is absolutely fascinating. I wonder, 🤔and I sincerely say “Come Quickly Lord Jesus!!”
I wondered if the darkness of 3 hours at the crucifixion could have been an eclipse, but Christian scientists think not, the timing is off. It was a supernatural miracle. Three of my children saw the total eclipse and were in wonder. Ann Graham Lotz had some interesting thoughts — but neither she nor I was sure what she found meant something. But here it is if you are interested:
Ann Graham Lotz on The Eclipse
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? – I have been praying about a feeling I’ve had with a gentleman of a new couple joining our life group. I don’t have this feeling about his wife, only of him. After our life group on Wednesday when we were told they would be joining, I started praying again. I had a hard time falling asleep so kept praying. When I woke up I had more peace about him. I’m continuing to pray for God to remove any hard feelings from me, or reveal to the rest of the group if we should need discernment. Since I have more peace about, I think it is probably more one sided.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? – It was too cloudy where I live so we didn’t get to see much of anything, only the sense it got a bit more gloomy than what it already was. I did watch live streams of it and it’s pretty amazing for sure. I read Ann’s blog post and I’m a bit on the fence with it. I agree that God is most likely not happy with us as a nation, but wouldn’t the warning need to be world wide? In Kristie’s photo I saw the birds right off. Not sure what else was seen, but I think the trees at the bottom look like hands reaching up to the sky, maybe to try and get a hold of just one piece of God’s majesty.
On the original text of Kristie’s photo, there is a distinct cross in the middle of the moon. I tried to send it via email and it did not transfer well.
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week?
While home sick from the clinical area, I received a text from my regular nurse sub asking me to call her back after a certain time in the evening. When I finally connected with her on the phone, I could tell this colleague of mine was upset. She proceeded to tell me of an incident with one of my students. I was concerned to hear about it and very surprised as to its extent. We had a long conversation and I promised to address the issue with my students as soon as possible. We both agreed there were some other issues to factor in and she needed time to process things instead of responding in anger to what was a professional misbehavior on my student’s part.
The student called in sick the day I planned to talk with her. That was a God-sighting for me as the night before, I prayed God would show me how to approach the student with grace and firmness. I took it as a time for everybody concerned to “cool” off and see things objectively. I will be seeing her tomorrow after class. I feel God’s confidence as I visit with her regarding the situation.
I would appreciate prayers as we have 10 more days to go before my students take their CNA certifying examination on the 25th.
Prayers for wisdom and words that will reach your student. Prayers your student comes with humility open to the opportunity to learn from her mistake and sees it as learning and not as a personal attack against her. Lord, don’t let her be defensive. In Jesus name.
I will be praying for you, Bing. Lord anoint Bing with Your wisdom and words, as she speaks to her student. Please give Bing peace in her heart and give the student acceptance and kindness in response.
Prayers for wisdom and the right words. Prayers the student comes with a humble attitude and not defensive and views this as a learning opportunity for her career.
Lord, be with Bing as she meets with this student. Have everyone be in the mindset to receive what is said in a helpful way. Give the words you want Bing to provide to this student, and have the student be open to what is said so they can learn from what needs to be corrected. We know Lord, that you are in control of this situation and we trust in you to bring it to completion through Bing. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Thank you all for your prayers. I felt very much at peace while talking with my student. I asked God to help me listen well and understand rather than formulate a reply. Seeing your specific prayers here once again made me feel that what has transpired and has been said during our conversation is where God wanted it to be. I felt there was an accepting and humble attitude on the part of my student and I hope we all have learned from this experience.
Just seeing this Bing. I see it seems to have turned out okay. Thank You Lord!
Ernema T Boettner
April 14, 2024
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
I did not watch the eclipse but saw a timelapse of it on a FB posting. It was so awesome and makes me think of our Creator and how He is so much in control of His creation. Eclipses remind me of the ultimate sovereignty of God-no matter how man seeks to figure things out, some things that are mysteries only belong to God. There is no other.
I must have done too many hidden picture exercises in school and while teaching in the classroom! The cross was showing! I am unsure if it was my reading glasses playing tricks on me, but when I looked at the moon, the cross panned out, got bigger, and then went smaller. I remembered a sermon by Louie Giglio and he talked about the laminin molecule in our DNA shaped like a cross. That which holds us together is the cross. Again, these are fascinating observations and can speak to man. Laura, being our science person here-have you heard about this laminin molecule in the context of its shape as a cross?
Bing,
So glad you are better and will pray for your meeting with the student. These situations are hard ones to address. Praying her response will be appropriate to the authorities in her life. CNA caregivers are crucial in their work with the elderly and infirm people. My Mom was incredibly blessed to have some very special ones at the end of her life. A few years ago I heard and read about the laminin molecule in the DNA. The study of DNA is very fascinating and amazing. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Dee and Bev, thank you for your prayers. I wasn’t feeling too well the day I was supposed to talk to my student and felt God was giving me time to get better and not be overwhelmed by this situation.
Dee, thanks for doing Tim Keller again! I listened to his whole interview. Tim has a way with words that I can understand but are profound, and addressed the crux of the matter with such insight. He is such a humble man. His story about the year he and Kathy were sick warmed my heart. He talked about his ministry disappointments almost nonchalantly and without grumbling and blaming; a reminder for me that disappointment comes with ministry but God will see His purposes prevail.
Oh, I love that about the laminin molecule in our DNA! Our creator is amazing! It spoke to Kristie’s heart when she saw the photo, as she could not see it in the sky.
I do not know much about biology Bing! I am definitely interested in that molecule. I saw the cross in the picture. I did not see it during the eclipse.
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? He is with me.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? The eclipse I was hohum about. I did have friends from out of state visiting. When we saw it, it is awe inspiring. We were also able to see Venus and Jupiter. It was a big deal. The wonder of what God is capable of. I can’t see anything other than the light maybe a small cross
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week?
I had a lovely God hunt at church this morning. I have mentioned one of the students I have mentored at school, Minh. The first day I met him, Minh told me he did not believe in God. Over the past 6 years, Minh and his brother, Tom, have adopted us a their American grandparents. Minh is now back in Viet Nam, working. I invited Minh and Tom to come to church anytime….. Today Tom came! Our pastor did a wonderful sermon about the Whole gospel in one verse: 2Corinthians 5:21. Even though Minh and Tom knew we were Christians and they both went to Christian schools, they did not seem interested in God. Their were several God winks in this whole story, which make it even more amazing! After church, Tom met three young pastors….who I had not met personally before… and a dear friend (and former teacher from our school)…..I don’t know the end of this story for Tom, but he heard a bit of the Gospel from each of them, as well!! I had been trying to connect Tom to one of the youth pastors via email about volunteering, so now they have met and are going to get together. I don’t know what God has in mind, but I am praying for Tom and Minh to come to know Jesus! 2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
God is so powerful. Our planet is so special and so perfectly place. Reminds of the book The Privileged Planet. We take so much for granted. I think the fact that so much changed, especially the temperature in a short time, (the birds and clouds etc. too) that it should give us food for thought. We are in a very fragile spot, yet God has His hand on this whole planet. He truly does have The Whole World in His Hand.
I think we are getting lots of hints from God. We need to pray for eyes that see and minds to know God better and to study His Word.
Amazing work of God in Tom and Minh! Only He can conduct an “orchestra of our circumstances” with such beautiful timing! I stand in awe of God as one song goes!
Oh how I continue to blessed by my Lord! This past week I had an opportunity to shore up a pledge I made to a friend’s daughter who is going to dance at Disney next week. A few months ago I heard her husband had lost his job and they were struggling. These dancers work for 2 years to produce the final product, and my friend, was concerned that they couldn’t make the financial commitment. I wanted to give her a donation, but we have also been struggling with our finances and I knew my husband would question my commitment (he is the accountant and watches over our money like a hawk!). He didn’t say no, but he asked me to wait a bit. We all have our “thing,” and his is money. We were getting to crunch time and he and I decided on an amount. I took it to my friend on Wednesday. We had a lovely conversation and they were overwhelmed. I was so happy we could help! I went home and told my husband about the meeting and he told me that we got a tax return. We NEVER get a tax return! We always have to pay more!!! I asked how much and he said $7000. Well, that was nearly the exact amount we owned on a home equity loan he was trying desperately to pay off! And it came that EXACT day when I took the money to my friend. AND, it was $7000, not 9 or 6, but SEVEN! Perfection! Oh my, how He loves us. Thank You Lord Jesus! You are near at all times ♥️
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
Well, we planned to go a few hours NW to Vermont for the eclipse because I am a nerd and have to be in as much totality as I can 😉. My husband has a cousin who has a hunting cabin on a beautiful lake there. We went to St. Louis, Missouri for the 2017 eclipse so I could be in totality as well! Where we were staying we would be in about 2 min 20 sec. We were going to drive another hour NW on the day of the event to add another 1 min of totality, but I was in such a happy place with the sun beating down on me (spring is so cold and wet here that I cannot wait to have my bones warmed) that I told my husband I would sacrifice the extra minute of totality! As the moon begin it’s covering of the Sun, I likened it to Pac Man! It made a weird pattern as it crossed the Sun, beginning from the “SE” side and moving arc like across. When the event occurred, the grandkids and I were in shorts and short sleeves. It got very dark but not 2 am dark. The light was eerie and hard to figure out from where it was coming. It got windy and chilly. It was pitch silent. We got to see the “Diamond ring” and the best part (for me) was the laser pointer like dot on the bottom left side of the sun! It was a prominence! I couldn’t believe my eyes! A prominence is when plasma shoots out of the Sun, condenses, and rains back onto the surface. It forms a beautiful arc of gas! So cool! All in all, it was a very unique experience for our family.
Is the remarkable part of the image a cross in the Sun? So sweet!
Sunday: Eclipse Thoughts and God Hunts
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? The Master’s (Golf) was played this weekend and Scottie Scheffler who is a good Christian and outspoken about it won the tournament. In the interviewing of him he was asked if he’d take his eye off the ball after his first child was born and his response was, I am a competitor and I love to win. I wish it wasn’t so important to me to win, but talking with my buddies after the game they reminded me that I have eternal victory in the cross and that is where my identity lies, not golf.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? It was a beautiful clear day here and it was only a partial eclipse. I made a box for everyone to view it (all glasses were sold out) and it was cool to see the shape change. There were also crescent shaped shadows on our deck. My cardinal couple who always come to my feeders at dawn were both there and confused when it stated getting light again! These verses came to mind while watching it…”For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.“
Colossians 1:16-17 NKJV I didn’t notice the cross in the moon till I read the comments…so cool!
Thanks, Sharon for sharing that quote. As I consider full retirement in a year or two, I need the reminder to look to Jesus and the victory He has won for me on the cross to be my source of identity rather than my teaching career.
If you are listening to this in parts, listen for perhaps 10 minutes, until he explains that the meaning in life in his parents’ generation was to be good, but changed to “the meaning in life is to be true to yourself.” We’ll spend two 3. What stood out from the opening and why?
The number of churches that were planted or started in the boroughs around New York City was so amazing. I love that there were Black, Asian and Hispanic churches in great numbers! Manhattan, the Cosmopolitan area that has more wealthy and professional people seemed the least “churched” area.. less than 1% evangelical.
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing?
I live in a very multi-ethnic area and go to a multi-ethnic church, that is very involved in planting churches all over the world. I am so grateful for this as it has been life changing for me to get to know friends from other cultures. I know Sharon grew up experiencing that! 5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this? A. Galatians 3:28
There is no ethnicity, gender or hierarchy in the eyes of the Father. B. James 1:9-10
The things we humans can tend to value for self and the values we admire in others on this earth, are very fleeting; fame, fortune, beauty and power will be gone. The things that have eternal value are the values of Christ: honoring God, loving others, being selfless, caring for the marginalized, seeking true justice, directing your life away from sinful influences. C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people?
My church is very welcoming of everyone, regardless of background, yet emphasizing the most important thing is to know Christ and commit your life to Him. As our pastor said yesterday: “God grades on the Cross, not the curve.” 6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better?
I have friends of all ages, races and social standings. I enjoy friendships with people that are “real” rather than those of high status. 7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage? How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.)
I have no issues at all with inter-racial marriages.
Monday: The Inclusiveness of Christianity 3. What stood out from the opening and why? – How the churches that were planted back in the 70’s were done by people from other countries and not from those in the western world. For a million people in New York only 9,000 were attending church at that time. It seems that churches got stuck in a mold on how to handle people and when things started to change, they didn’t know how to respond or help those people. 4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing? – I think a multi-ethnic church will open the eyes of the people who attend and help to see things in a different way. It would make people think outside the box of their own thoughts. It wouldn’t be all one sided thoughts. 5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this? A. Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” God does not see us as different. That mentality I think was in breaded in us by generations before us. We learned what we saw or heard. If our families before us thought a different way than what God was teaching, that is what we knew as truth. As we grew up, we needed to see for ourselves what is God’s truth. B. James 1:9-10. – “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.” There are no levels with God. We are all one and the same. Yes there are some who are more educated than others, but in God’s eyes, we are equal. All of what a rich person has can be gone in an instant, and the one with humble means can have a life change just by following Jesus. C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people? – I feel our church is welcoming to everyone who comes through the doors. We have only been attending since June of 21 and on our first day visiting, we were welcomed by the associate pastor, a member of the church and the pastor. That first time, gave us the feeling that we were home. We never looked or visited another church. Everyone has been so nice and many friends have been made. I would say we have a multi ethnic member base and some immigrants, but I’m not sure if we have ex-inmates, but I know we have a gentleman that is involved in the Kairos Ministry in the prison(s) and we can all get involved by making cookies that he brings to them. I really don’t think we would treat them differently, or I would hope we and I wouldn’t. 6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better? – I have a variety of friends and family that are different from me. Have I mastered equality, no. Do I think man I wish I had this or that, yes. But I then get reminded that God has me right where he wants me to be. I have a purpose, though I don’t know what it is all the time. The differences in Church Hill Tennessee are here in race, age and social standing. I can only pray that God gives me the eyes to see them all as he sees them. 7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage? How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.) – I never noticed that in Numbers 12 until I read it again today. Thank you Dee, for always opening our eyes to new things that are in God’s Word. I don’t have an issue with inter racial marriage. If the marriage is a man and a woman, it is a marriage that God can bless. As I grow in age and in His Word, I become more aware of what is acceptable to God, needs to be acceptable to me.
Manhattan is the most secular part of NYC. However, it has grown from 9000 in 2000 to 50,000 in 2014. I guess I thought the entire city was fairly secular. He points out that the other burrows have their Christian roots.
Our culture is becoming more ethnic. TK sees this as a bright spot. I heard this 30 years ago; how there would be more diversity and less of “me” in the future. I thought it was funny that he mentions New Hampshire in his example. But, he is correct!
A cause for concern is that people these days may not know the model of Christianity where there is somewhat of a background. There was some social pressure to join the church because it was a benefit. There was belief in a higher power, an afterlife, they should be good and they needed forgiveness. The “dots.” You don’t have that anymore. You can’t assume people know these basic foundational pieces. I do think these days many people rely on themselves and have no idea that they need Jesus. We sang this song at church this week. I had never heard it, but now it is piercing my heart.
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing?
Different cultures bring different perspectives to the table. They also could take what they are experiencing in our church to others in their particular communities, thereby growing the church worldwide. 5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28
Everyone is included here, Jew and Gentile alike, slave or free, male or female.
Well looks like I’m not off to a very great start this morning. I woke up at 5:15 and finished my lesson but in the copy and paste process that I use writing my answers in my notes I accidentally deleted all my answers. 🥴. I don’t have time to rethink and rewrite them now but will come back to the study later after I finish listening to the whole interview. But I have been blessed by reading others comments.
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? In listening to a Keller sermon, “Confident in Love”, Keller gave an example of two women who were engaged, but the engagements broke up due to the rejection of their fiance’. The first woman was in pain and she got stuck. It turned into bitterness over time. The other woman was in pain but fared well and eventually was able to recover. The difference is that with the first woman, the guys rejection was more real to her heart than the love of God. For the second woman, God’s love was more real to her heart than the guys rejection. The second woman tasted & saw that the Lord is good. So God gave me a glimpse into my heart with these two women, and how I’ve responded to rejection. I’m like the first woman, but hopefully am moving into the posture of the second woman. I thought the penny dropped but I think it’s still coming down the shoot. It’s not stuck thanks to the Holy Spirit, but it’s coming down the shoot. There’s is freedom when the love of God is more real to my heart than the pain of being hurt or betrayed by someone I love.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? My thoughts were more toward watching videos of thousands of people looking up at it and cheering as it happened. ALL of them looking to the sky at once. A picture flashed in my mind of when Christ comes back. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? My second God hunt is the photograph! At first I looked everywhere but the moon, but then I saw the cross in the moon. 🙂
Oh, Rebecca! I needed to read both of these answers today! What a blessing! There’s is freedom when the love of God is more real to my heart than the pain of being hurt or betrayed by someone I love….and this can apply to loss, as well! I just need to have the love of God more real in my heart than any pain I am experiencing!!
Oh, wow, Rebecca! I like your example of the 2 women. “There’s is freedom when the love of God is more real to my heart than the pain of being hurt or betrayed by someone I love.” what a lesson for someone like me who struggles with the idol of man’s approval!
Tuesday: Meaning in Life Changing from Being a Good Person to Being True to Yourself 8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that? – I do remember those times. I remember my mom and dad always saying if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. And to they said before leaving to go someplace, to be good. I remember them giving the example of being nice, and helping others in need. They just always did what was right at the time. 9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.” A. Micah 6:8 – “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” In this verse God is wanting us to do what is right in God’s eyes. He wants us to be humble not puffed up about ourselves. B. Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Here we need to trust that the Lord knows what is best and not try and fix everything before God plan is put in place. Like Abraham and Sarah, they were always trying to fix their problems. It only brings a mess when we do this. 10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift? – In today’s society there are some who have been ‘hurt’ by a church or it’s members so that is what they remember. They hold that hurt against all the rest of us that had nothing to do with it. I think we need to be friendly and listen at where they are at. Our church gave out the book, BLESS: 5 Everyday Ways To Love Your Neighbor and Change the World by Dave and Jon Ferguson. It was a great book I thought and very helpful. It showed how over time, sometimes quick, sometimes years people who are watching you will see something in us that they want. B = Begin with prayer; L = Listen; E – Eat; S – Serve; S = Story. So we need to find someone we want to reach out to and begin praying, then listen to them to see where they are at, eat a meal with them since everyone likes to eat and it’s a safe place, serve them in a way they wouldn’t expect and lastly tell your own story to them because at this point they may trust you more. 11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek? – I’m a little confused on this seeker model church. Is he saying that people are seeking a church that is just morally right and doesn’t address issues going on? Like a feel good prosperity church? One where they can go and say they went to church and it’s more of a social gathering and not a place of learning and growing in God’s Word? Author Sam Chan, in “How To Talk about Jesus,” tells how he was noticing how Christians seldom bring their non-Christian friends to Christian events, but the exception was his friend Andrew and his wife, who always brought many. When Sam asked Andrew’s wife their secret, she said: “It’s easy. We’re always hanging out – dinners, movies, barbecues. We’re always going to their things, so they’re happy to come to one of our things.” 12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing. – Where we live now, most people we meet are Christian. We are in the Bible Belt from what we are told, so they know Christ. But we met a couple that she is starting to come back to Christ but her husband doesn’t want anything to do with it. I’ve asked her to go to bible studies with me and to church and she has started doing that. My husband will ask her husband to go to breakfast once in a while. We go out with them to eat, or to hear music at various places, some which are bar type venues, but we have a good time. We all enjoy going to the different feasts they have in our area and we go to their house to eat or they come to ours to hang out. We have not shut them out in any way and Dawn has said that she is seeing a change in her husband Bob so we continue to pray and let God do the nudging.
The Seeker model philosophy was to make seekers comfortable, entertained, and want to come to church — and go easy on offensive things like sin — but address those Sunday nights. But in truth, the biblical model is that the church is for believers and we are to go out to the unbelievers.
8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that?I don’t remember hearing an emphasis on a personal relationship with Christ, as about obedience and good morals. My parents did emphasize knowing Jesus and prayer, but I did not get that so much from church or Young Life. Girls scouts and Boy scouts were popular when I was growing up and both emphasized good moral behavior. 9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.” A. Micah 6:8 Do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God. Walking with God is the big part of being good, not relying on your self. B. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all you heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Trust the Lord, not your own understanding, not relying on yourself. 10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift? 11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek?
I had not heard of this church model before hearing Tim Keller refer to it, but I looked it up and read about it and it did does not sound like it was solid in it’s “Christ-centeredness”. Here is an excerpt:
One of the unintended consequences of a church that is constantly focused more on outreach than spiritual formation is that this model all but ensures that every generation has to be re-evangelized, since adults raised in such a church do not have the spiritual training to raise its own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Author Sam Chan, in “How To Talk about Jesus,” tells how he was noticing how Christians seldom bring their non-Christian friends to Christian events, but the exception was his friend Andrew and his wife, who always brought many. When Sam asked Andrew’s wife their secret, she said: “It’s easy. We’re always hanging out – dinners, movies, barbecues. We’re always going to their things, so they’re happy to come to one of our things.” 12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing.
The most simple thing I do is just keep in touch with even casual or work friends, as much as possible. Building a friendship (as Sam Chan implied) is just that. I like to connect with people, but in a natural, not forced way. If you find a common interest with someone, follow up on that. When you know and trust someone, it is easier to invite them to something that interests you, such a church! I think the friends that Dee makes through Pickle Ball is a great way to get connected!
My second try at these questions…lost the first answers. 🙂
Oh, Patti! Thank you for the excerpt! I feel the same way. There is so much to do among us in the church and I would like to see more discipleship within and still not forgetting to enter the worlds of non-Christians. I have been thinking and praying about how I can do this more intentionally. Dee’s example of pickleball is an encouragement!
“One of the unintended consequences of a church that is constantly focused more on outreach than spiritual formation is that this model all but ensures that every generation has to be re-evangelized, since adults raised in such a church do not have the spiritual training to raise its own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
3. What stood out from the opening and why?
“It was amazing to hear about the spiritual climate of New York when Tim Keller arrived in New York. Non-westerners were the “starters” of different Christian groups in particular suburbs or parts of the city, Manhattan (the center city) was secular and the church was small. Only 1% were evangelical Christians, approximately 900 out of 1 million+ people in 1989. By 2014, there were 54,000 evangelical Christians. Religious dots: belief in God, belief in the moral law, belief in sin, and therefore people will show up in church if invited, attend weddings, funerals, Easter, or Christmas. They will have respect for God and evangelism is just having people show up in church and then connecting the dots. What if people don’t come to church or don’t connect the dots or don’t have the dots? What do we do now?” Many Christians in these churches don’t know how to share the gospel.
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing?
He had more areas of concern than bright spots. One bright spot that he sees, though, is the growth of multi-ethnic churches, and there would be more interracial marriages and the population of whites would get smaller. He said this was a good thing because these are going along with the changes.
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28
There are no more distinctions as we know it-all are equal in the sight of God regardless of race, gender, standing in society, etc.
B. James 1:9-10.
Lowly in their exaltation; the rich in their humiliation. All equal in God’s sight.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people?
In our small town, we have people on the fringe of society though not as many as I have seen in the big cities. I believe our church is welcoming to these people.
6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better?
I occasionally rub shoulders with people who I consider popular in politics, business, and sports. I am finding that as I grow older my circle of friends or acquaintances is narrowing primarily due to my decreasing mental bandwidth. I am a natural introvert and would rather talk one on one. I could do better in reaching out to the poor or the rich. Perhaps, I have not been praying for these opportunities.
7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage? How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.)
Marrying an American was the farthest thing from my mind when I met Richard. I had deep respect for the American missionaries that my family got acquainted with starting when I was just a toddler. But that was it. I grew up thinking that each race should marry into their own. When we got married, I saw it more as God’s will for our lives and it didn’t matter that it was interracial. We did have a pushback from several significant people. I believe God protected me from bitterness and anger with those people by reminding me to focus on Him. The challenges were there but Richard and I have committed ourselves to our vows with the help of God.
I think as a Christian, I should not judge others who are in interracial marriages. We are all accountable to God, on level footing at the Cross. Prayer is much needed as the challenges can be great.
Bing, I especially appreciated your thoughts on interracial marriage since you are part of one. I found it interesting that you as part of a different ethnic background grew up thinking that each race should marry into their own. That is how I grew up as well. It wasn’t until I was married and had moved to a city that I met an interracial couple in our church. She was white American and he was Pilipino. They were older and a beautiful example of godly people and it completely changed my views. God was good to show me skin color and different cultures doesn’t really matter.
I love the story of your marriage, Bing. You were both looking for God’s will in your love of one another and that is key to a good marriage. I think like-mindedness, as Laura mentioned with the Mercy ship couple, is what God wants for each of us. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
What you wrote is so true of every marriage: We are all accountable to God, on level footing at the Cross. Prayer is much needed as the challenges can be great.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people?
I think my church is very open to different cultures. We have Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Haitians who attend. We have a very disturbed woman who our pastor has embraced, and succeeded in getting her from cursing outside the sanctuary to attending church each week and taking her medicine so she is tolerable. It was amazing to watch! 6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better?
We try. Others may not be so willing to be our friends either, however. We keep reaching out. 7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage?
We have friends at church who met on the mercy ships. He is African and extremely black. She is from Minnesota and extremely white. We love them. They are so different in appearance but so kind in their hearts. I was brought up in northern Florida. People did not mix in their marriages. I am happy that I have grown since those days. Our daughter married a mixed race man. How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.)
It seems like the Lord was okay with Mose’s wife being Cushite. He defended her.
Tuesday: Meaning in Life Changing from Being a Good Person to Being True to Yourself
8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that?
My parents told us that we need to stay out of trouble, or we will be in trouble with them and with God. There were lots of do’s and don’ts, including not wearing nail polish! (This was from my aunt who was like a second mother to me.)
9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
B. Proverbs 3:5
Trusting in the Lord is how we are led to the good that pleases Him. Our standard of good should be God and not ourselves.
10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift?
We need to engage with people outside of the church. Invest in the lives of people beyond the church.
11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek?
People will not come to church unless they have production values (entertainment) and social benefits This is still traditional- the church is good, good to talk about moral issues, anxiety but this seeker model still thinks of the traditional type of person. They don’t know how to respond to issues of injustice or somebody saying you can’t make me feel guilty because the meaning of life is “be true to yourself”.
Author Sam Chan, in “How To Talk about Jesus,” tells how he was noticing how Christians seldom bring their non-Christian friends to Christian events, but the exception was his friend Andrew and his wife, who always brought many. When Sam asked Andrew’s wife their secret, she said: “It’s easy. We’re always hanging out – dinners, movies, barbecues. We’re always going to their things, so they’re happy to come to one of our things.”
12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing.
I can work on this. Perhaps, regularly attending school events, benefit fundraisers for people in the community. To be honest, I feel tired just thinking about another thing to do but I am praying for God to work in my heart and my eyes to opportunities that He opens for me. Perhaps, I have already “entered” some worlds and may just need to realize them as such, Good for Andrew, and his wife! P.S. I saw Julie’s use of BLESS and I have a light bulb moment with the “E” part! I do love to cook and bake and find a lot of pleasure in working in the kitchen. Thank you, Julie, for sharing! This encouraged me to do one small thing which would be an outreach ( drop off treats or go out for a coke) but would not necessarily require long, tiring face-to-face meetings. And perhaps, the story part will come later but the door has been opened to BLESS an unbeliever.
8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that?
I remember some acquaintances saying, “Why do I need to go to church? I’m a good person.”
9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8
God has told the people what is right. They are to humble themselves, to have mercy, and to do good things.
B. Proverbs 3:5
The people are to trust in God and not lean on themselves.
10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift?
Well, it doesn’t help when scandals occur in churches. I have invited people to church just like I always would. I’m not sure what else to do other than try to lead a life that is interesting to someone else and maybe they would want to join because of it. Telling my story of the finances and the tax return might make someone curious. They might come to understand what I was talking about. Also, I often think that people, as they age and get closer to their death, might reconsider going to church. I tell a story about having babies. At one point in the process you know it’s you and only you, plus God, who can make the baby be born. I think death might be that way too. It is you and God, no one else who can “make” it happen. I might encourage them that way; to get to know the Lord before that time comes. And then, there’s The Chosen!!! Of course! It is so good that people are willing to watch. Even my colleague who grew up Catholic but doesn’t seem to have a spiritual side said she has heard of it.
3. What stood out from the opening and why? That we don’t know how to connect the dots with unbelievers. We can’t evangelize with just telling them the Gospel and asking them to come to church because what if the dots aren’t there? The Christendom culture is gone, so how can we reach people, or get their attention.
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing? It’s beautiful because we are living out the truth that we are equal and all of us are made in his image including male and female. There isn’t a hierarchy in Christ. God designed us to be inclusive!
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this? A. Galatians 3:28; We are all one in Christ whether female or male, slave or free, jew or gentile. Only in Christ can we be truly one and fully accepted. B. James 1:9-10. Whether poor or rich we take a high position in Christ and a low position in pride because we are sinners and did nothing to earn or attain Christ.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people? My church is very welcoming and that includes the homeless. There is a young couple who lives in their car and prefers to live this way. They don’t want any help other than clothes and food every now and then. So we allow them to park in our church parking lot so that they can be safe. We’ve helped them with clothing and food as well. Our church has a huge presence with the homeless at City Union Mission. We have an ex-inmate we’ve enjoyed fellowship with for many years. I wish we had more diversity in our church regarding race. We have latino americans and a few african americans, and a bosnian sister who escaped Bosnia then came to know Christ. I’d like to see more diversity in our church but every tongue and tribe is welcome.
I’m getting to know a beautiful and brave asian woman at work, Yanli. They came from China and the husband had to stay there so it’s just her daughters and her. She can’t speak english well and it’s easy for us to isolate from her because it’s a struggle to communicate. I don’t know, I just enjoy her. She’s such a sweet sister in Christ and I just talk with her like I do anyone else I work with. God has given me a heart for the LGBTQ community and teens with gender identity issues. That said, it’s hard for my husband to see it without cringing. God’s given me compassion and a strong sense of the truth that I’m no better than they are just because I don’t struggle with that. Believe me, I have other things I struggle with, and before I came to Christ I believed anything goes! It’s only because of Him that my life has changed.
6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better? I guess I answered this in the last question! 🙂
Dee, Yep, it’s Sherwood. Also, we have a female worship leader intern. She’s a senior in bible college and is a godly young woman who leads well. She’s homeschooled and is very mature for her age. She has a knack for working well with others and yet making sure the music is done with excellence.
Her generation is very encouraging to me. There are very much on fire for Christ.
Wednesday: Preaching & Sharing with The Culture in Mind Listen for about another 9 mnutes up to when Carey asked Tim to give some broad strokes to how he would preach to the current cultural shift of identity being whoever you want to be! 13. Describe how Keller changed his preaching due to this cultural shift.- He changed his preaching to make sure they understood that Christianity was received not achieved and that if they put their trust in themselves, they would not be free. They would not be able to live up to standards. 14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean? – Even though Paul is saying he is free and belongs to no one, he adapts to the culture that he is in at the time in order to for them to see Jesus and not him. He loves them where they are at in a sense because he wants them all to come to Christ. 15. How did Keller preach to those who found their meaning in something other than Christ so they could be “free?” – He told them that by doing that they will never be free. Their ‘idol’ will not die on a cross for them, it will not save them. Only Jesus Christ can set them free because he died on the cross in their/our place. 16. Think about a gift of God you made an idol and brought you into slavery. Can you share an example that you might share with a non-Christian? – Hmm, it’s hard to pick one, but I was just mentioning this to my bonus son, that when my oldest son was a younger man, I would try and help him not do things in the wrong way and tell him what he should do. He said to me to let him make his own decisions and if he chose wrong it was on him, but basically to step back. So I did. I would not make suggestions to him anymore and one time he was saying something to me and I said, I don’t know, what ever you think…and he said, no, mom I’m asking you for advice now. 🙂 17. How, did Christ, or is Christ, setting you free from this? – God is still working on me in this area of giving advice. He has helped me to rephrase what I want to say in a way that makes it more of a suggestion and not telling people what to do. I will just sit and listen more and what for them to ask me what I think. If they do, I will say, if they don’t I don’t. I will then make sure I’m praying for that situation they are in.
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? There was an issue at work in which I felt like I was being treated unfairly. Instead of complaining about it, I prayed and decided that if it were to continue then it would just be something that I was to have a servant’s heart about. The very next day the issue was resolved. 2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? I see the eclipse as a natural phenomenon like the moon’s gravity affecting the tides. Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? There appears to be some color stripes in the sky, but it may be my computer screen.
Tim Keller was making me cry when he started talking about identity and how Jesus’s death showed how much He loves me and I do not have to perform to showcase my identity.
11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek?
I’m not familiar with the seeker model or Willow Creek.
The Seeker Church model thought it was good to have great production values. I’m not sure I know what he means? Like, a good “show?”
He said the Seeker model also somewhat assumed that people knew it was good to be in church and had the traditional values. They assume that there is a social benefit to going to church, for example they would talk about injustice. They still don’t know how to reach the people who might be struggling. They also are expecting people to believe the meaning of life is to be a good person when, in today’s world the meaning of life is to be true to yourself.
This conversation makes me think of a woman I work with who is really a very thoughtful, kind hearted person who volunteers her time to charitable events in her city. She wants her children to know it’s important to do this. They are part of some secular group. She is not a Christian and probably has never been to church. Her parents were hippies in Maine where she grew up! It confounds me. I guess I’m thinking that she is more of a giver than I am 🤷🏻♀️, and here I am, a Christian! I just don’t know how to fit it all in. And then, does she just die and go to hell because she isn’t a believer? It doesn’t seem right. I have no idea how to handle her with faith. I don’t think she finds it an important idea, yet she is doing Christian things already…
12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing.
Well, many at my work are non-believers. I walked today after school with two of them. It was a gorgeous day and we had fun together!
This is my second “God hunt” this week, but it just popped up on my email. I seem to mention this book: The Privileged Planet a lot! I get emails from an organization that was originally based here and this link is from The Center for Science and Culture and it is about the Eclipse and The Privileged Planet. https://evolutionnews.org/2024/04/to-understand-the-meaning-of-a-solar-eclipse/
Patti, thanks for sharing this article! I may need to do a second read. But the Lord surely gave me another layer of awe for him as Creator of the universe.
Hey Patti, Thanks for sharing the extra God hunt. That is such an informative and delightful read. Mire clear “scientific” evidence of our amazing God. 😊
Thursday: An Identity Given and Not Earned
18. What are some of the problems in having an identity that is earned, such as being beautiful, successful in sports or business or raising children, wealthy…
—Having an identity that is earned is only temporary. Beauty fades. The ability to have continued success in sports declines with age. Business success does not satisfy the inmost needs of the heart. Children need to have their own identities and quickly grow up and move on needing to live independently. The identity of wealth is generally pretty shallow and frankly you can’t take it with you.
19. Have you experienced the stress of wanting or achieving an earned identity? If so, share.
—Yes, In my 40’s I experienced rejection from the leaders in my church. In a small community like ours it feels like everyone in the world is watching and knows. That church had been an integral part of our lives and identity because it had started as small bible study in our living room years before and had grown to be an established church. We had enjoyed the good years of acceptance in that identity.
I so wanted to walk away from the church and church people after that but God knew what was needed and led us to a different fellowship of people. Over time He brought beauty from ashes. Obviously it was used by God to deepen our identity in Him and him alone.
20. From the following Scriptures, share some of the beauty of an identity given.
A. John 1:12
—the right to become a child of God.
B. Romans 8:15-17
—the Spirit affirms we are God’s children. He settles it in our hearts. He makes us heirs together with Jesus. Heirs of his glory. And even by having an identity in the suffering of Jesus it produces a greater glory.
C. 1 John 3:1-3
—as God’s children we know the day is coming when we will see Christ as He really is now and we will be like Him. That gives us hope in our eager expectation and a desire to live godly.
D. Ephesians 1:3
—we are blessed with spiritual blessings beyond this world because of being united to Him and our identity is secure in Him.
21. What else are you thankful for in your identity given? How might you use this to talk to your soul when stressed?
—Having my identity in Christ and being God’s child has brought great security to my heart and mind. He has confirmed His love for me over and over and when I am feeling stressed I know it is imperative that I get alone with Him and get into the Scripture. As I pray and read the Word He faithfully reassures me that I belong to Him and He loves me. Nothing satisfies my soul like He does. 💕
Monday
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28 There’s no distinction in regard to salvation. All who believe are one in Christ Jesus.
B. James 1:9-10. ”Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]; and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.“
James 1:9-10 AMP
Tuesday 9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8
This is what the Lord requires of us…be just, love and walk humbly with God.
B. Proverbs 3:5
We’re to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.
Wednesday 14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean?
Paul isn’t talking about changing doctrine or the message but rather the manner of approach. Paul had a freedom to do whatever he wanted but his main goal was to win souls for Jesus Christ.
18. What are some of the problems in having an identity that is earned, such as being beautiful, successful in sports or business or raising children, wealthy. Those things won’t bring complete satisfaction because they are earned and you have to keep up with the jones in order to keep them and it can become daunting, and stressful. You could easily lose your identity if something happens or if you haven’t performed well enough to achieve what you want. In the end you’ll lose it anyway. 🙂 19. Have you experienced the stress of wanting or achieving an earned identity? If so, share. Oh yes, in being a ‘singer’. My identity before Christ was that I’m a singer and that’s what I do best. To be and stay good, it takes a lot of work and plenty of concerts to stay healthy vocally. If anything happens where you can’t work on it, or if there aren’t any concerts booked, you can slowly loose it. When I came to know Christ, He became my identity and I wanted to sing for Him only so I no longer sang with secular bands, but no work was available in KC and Christian bands were hard to find if at all. I recorded a demo and mailed it out along with a picture to several churches in the area, but none of them had people from the outside come in to do specials or concerts. It felt odd because Christ is my identity and yet I still felt like I wasn’t being true to ‘who i was’ since that was the only thing I could do well. A few months later, I auditioned for a Kansas City Christian artist contest. If we were in the top five, we’d get to perform and after that we’d get to open for a known Christian artist. There were singers and musicians from all over KC and surrounding states. Well, I made the top five but I backed out because I was too scared. 🙂 It was all good because I was a new Christian and God wanted to grow me some more (and still is) but He opened doors for me to sing at other churches and my home church, but I think over the years I let that identity go.
Listen for about another 9 minutes up to when Carey asked Tim to give some broad strokes to how he would preach to the current cultural shift of identity being whoever you want to be!
13. Describe how Keller changed his preaching due to this cultural shift.
He said he would basically meet them where they were with the Gospel. He would teach them that the Christian identity is received, not achieved. Jesus does not disown you because you fail.
14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean?
Paul talks about being a “slave” to others who are different than he. He is a slave in that he wants them to know Christ. He will do anything to have them understand.
15. How did Keller preach to those who found their meaning in something other than Christ so they could be “free?
He taught them that they really weren’t free. They were slaves to their identities (actress, businessman, etc). They would only be free if their identity was in Jesus.
16. Think about a gift of God you made an idol and brought you into slavery. Can you share an example that you might share with a non-Christian?
Definitely my dance. As Keller says, you have to be a slave to your body to stay in shape to dance. About 30 years ago I was introduced to liturgical dance and was hooked! I could finally dance with actual meaning. Unfortunately, it was too late with the slaving over my body. I still struggle with this idol. Ugh!
17. How, did Christ, or is Christ, setting you free from this?
He is giving me other ways to celebrate Him. I have recently begun to sing on our worship team. I have had fun and really love singing, so my focus is elsewhere instead of my body.
It’s so hard in this culture not to care about being thin — we have to care about being healthy! I pray for both of us! I thought I wouldn’t care at this old age, but I still do.
20. From the following Scriptures, share some of the beauty of an identity given. A. John 1:12 – I am a child of God B. Romans 8:15-17 – I’m adopted, not a slave living in fear that I have to earn it! I’ve been given His Holy Spirit to live inside me who reminds me I am his child and I’m an heir of God and co-heirs with Christ. C. 1 John 3:1-3 – What Love God has lavished on us that we are His Children. D. Ephesians 1:3 – God has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
21. What else are you thankful for in your identity given? How might you use this to talk to your soul when stressed? I’m usually always stressed to some degree based on my circumstances. So I’ll do this now.
– He is the lover of my soul, my husband. I am His bride for He pursued me and melted my heart for Him. It was hard to say no! I did nothing but say yes to Him. He’s brought me into the dance of the trinity.
– When I’ve sinned, or am angry at him because I don’t know why something is happening to me, and I hide in the cleft of the rock. It moves me that even in my backing away from him He desires that I “come out” of the cleft and be with Him. He longs to hear my voice. I delight Him, so don’t be afraid, come out!
– I’m a new creature in Christ and His Holy Spirit lives inside me slowly changing me into the image of Christ. I’m a walking temple and can commune with the Holy Spirit whenever I want and He intercedes for me when my heart is troubled and I don’t have words before God. I can talk to him like I talk to anyone else. When I’m in the word and need correction or training, or just need to see a deeper facet of Him, I ask Him to show me and He does. He makes scripture become radioactive. He knits my heart with other believers, and some I don’t know but I’ve just met and there is a connection. He presses on hearts when I pray for others. He surprises me all the time with the love of Christ!
– He is the lover of my soul, my husband. I am His bride for He pursued me and melted my heart for Him. It was hard to say no! I did nothing but say yes to Him. He’s brought me into the dance of the trinity. – When I’ve sinned, or am angry at him because I don’t know why something is happening to me, and I hide in the cleft of the rock. It moves me that even in my backing away from him He desires that I “come out” of the cleft and be with Him. He longs to hear my voice. I delight Him, so don’t be afraid, come out!
Praising God you are back, Rebecca!! Thank you for posting this! I needed this reminder, this very day! So grateful for our God, who is faithful in all things!!!Amen to Thank you , Jesus!!
Patti, so glad to be here with you and all my sisters here. I miss you all. I read your posts and usually don’t have time to respond. I know you are in terrible pain right now in the loss of your sweet husband. He sounds like a humble and gentle man who loved well. Your grief is fresh and yet you think of others. You are so like Christ. Know that we think about you and pray for you. You are in the hearts of everyone here on the blog.
Bev, I miss your posts for they are chock full of His wisdom, and the trials you’ve been through along with how God’s moving through you in those trials to capture the hearts of those around you who may be sleeping or who don’t know Him. I wish I had more time to respond to your posts.
13. Describe how Keller changed his preaching due to this cultural shift.
This is so insightful. Tim was sure ahead of his time, but he never pushed himself into the limelight. He just kept doing what he believed in. The premise of the “meaning of life is to be good” (only Jesus can offer forgiveness if you mess up) for his parents’ generation to the meaning of life is to be true to yourself and find your inner child ( you are never free until you find it in Christ). Nowadays, the meaning is about identity (the only identity that you can receive and not achieve is found in Christ). WOW! Just WOW!
14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean?
“…To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
We have a situation at our church right now that my husband and I continue to pray and ruminate about. There is a need to balance truth and grace and also maintain biblical principles of the non-negotiables.
15. How did Keller preach to those who found their meaning in something other than Christ so they could be “free?”
Answer to #13?
16. Think about a gift of God you made an idol and brought you into slavery. Can you share an example that you might share with a non-Christian?
God has given me people that I love very much, and I was a slave to their approval for a time. I still struggle with approval, but I am more aware when the temptation comes and with God’s help able to recognize it as such and ask for courage to not give in to it.
17. How, did Christ, or is Christ, setting you free from this?
I am more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit whenever this idol rears its ugly head. Dwelling on God’s Word has also helped me.
Thursday: An Identity Given and Not Earned
18. What are some of the problems in having an identity that is earned, such as being beautiful, successful in sports or business or raising children, wealthy…
They all are just “fluff” with no lasting value and satisfaction.
19. Have you experienced the stress of wanting or achieving an earned identity? If so, share.
Yes, more than I want to remember. One example was when I was chosen as our building representative for our school’s “Teacher of the Year” award. At the same time, a parent complained about my rules in the clinical area. I had sleepless nights thinking of the worst. Richard, my husband, gently asked me where my significance lies. It was a humble time to ask God to forgive me for caring so much about the award and to help me do my job to honor him and not seek reward. I did not “win” but I won a lesson in humility.
20. From the following Scriptures, share some of the beauty of an identity given.
A. John 1:12 I am a child of God.
B. Romans 8:15-17 I have the privileges of sonship; heirs of God; fellow heirs with Christ
C. 1 John 3:1-3 I belong to the family of God.
D. Ephesians 1:3 We are with every spiritual blessing in Christ
21. What else are you thankful for in your identity given? How might you use this to talk to your soul when stressed?
The One who gave me my identity is the Creator of the universe. He gave His son to die for me. How much more will He freely give us (me) all things with Him? Romans 8:32
I am loved! He rejoices over me with singing. Zephaniah
Friday: How Do We Know What Is Right and What is Wrong?
22. How do you know what’s right and wrong with these issues through the help of the transcendent truth of Scripture?
Excellent phrase-transcendent truth of Scripture!
A. Pre-marital sex Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
B. Abortion Psalm 139: 13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
I Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
C. Marriage
Matthew 19:4-6 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
D. Giving to the Poor
Lev 25:35 “If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you”
Deut 15:8 “Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need”
James 2:15-16 “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
—I ended up having kind of a hectic week so failed to answer the questions most days but I really did enjoy the Keller Interview.
I asked my pastor son Tyce if he had listened to this interview before and he said he had.
I knew that he especially liked Keller and has read and listened to many of his books and sermons. His comment was that Keller was so good at understanding and preaching into cultural context. Tyce’s thoughts about the culture where we live here in central Nebraska and what it is like was this.
“Ours is mostly different from NYC. People here believe in God who is mostly far away, but believe the goal is to feel good and keep some rules. Academic title for that is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.”
So central Nebraskans pretty much believe in one God who they try to appease a bit by being moral in order to feel good about themselves.
I think the challenge I have taken from this week is to evaluate how to approach the unsaved in my local culture. I think that involves helping them see and understand that God is an up close and personal God who wants a relationship with us and He really does care about us but good works won’t get us right with God. Sin separates us and Jesus provided the way to a relationship with God by dying for our sin. I can certainly tell them what He has done in my own life personally.
22. How do you know what’s right and wrong with these issues through the help of the transcendent truth of Scripture?
I think you want me to find scripture to support each of these?
A. Pre-marital sex
”“Suppose a man meets a young woman, a virgin who is engaged to be married, and he has sexual intercourse with her. If this happens within a town, you must take both of them to the gates of that town and stone them to death. The woman is guilty because she did not scream for help. The man must die because he violated another man’s wife. In this way, you will purge this evil from among you.“
Deuteronomy 22:23-24 NLT
B. Abortion
On the road, and will report this one back later 🤷🏻♀️ C. Marriage
”But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.“
Matthew 5:28 NLT
”So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.“
Ephesians 5:33 NLT
D. Giving to the Poor
”Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.“
Proverbs 22:9 NLT
”“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.“
Matthew 5:3 NLT
”So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.“
Luke 11:41 NLT
”Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,“
1 Corinthians 6:9 NLT
Saturday:
23. What is your take-a-way and why?
I am so thankful, Dee, for this interview. I will be going back to it periodically even if it were just to hear Tim again. Sniff…sniff…sniff. I am a double-basket case! I am going to share this with several friends.
My takeaway: The realization that God’s message (He loves you and sent His son to die in your place so you can have eternal life and enjoy His presence) never changes from generation to generation but we need to keep the culture in mind as we harness our resources to be effective ministers of the gospel. I especially loved Thursday’s questions on identity. The Christian faith is the only one where your identity is given and not earned.
Fernando Ortega’s “Give me Jesus” says it all: “You can have all this world But give me Jesus. “
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Keller Interview: Part I.
Sunday: Eclipse Thoughts and God Hunts
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week?
—Over all it was a particularly good week with the Lord. I was able to spend time doing and enjoying the study here on the blog and I am currently rereading Randy Alcorn’s book “Heaven” and have found it to be so very encouraging and uplifting. By nature of the subject your thoughts are focused on God and the Lord Jesus and it is sweet to be centered on the LORD.
I was back in my ladies bible study at my church for the first time since getting home from Texas as well as having our Wednesday evening Small Group back in our home. All were particularly good times of being in God’s Word together and sweet fellowship. I praise God for his gracious provision spiritually in my life.
I look forward to this week’s study here. 😊
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
I wasn’t prepared to observe the eclipse here at home in Nebraska this year and since it was only a partial one the changes in daylight and the environment were very slight. And it was windy and cold and mostly cloudy only breaking through partially. But 7 years ago we were in the direct path of the total Eclipse and it was an amazing experience. It felt other worldly having dusk happening in the middle of the day. The temperature dropped significantly and the birds stopped singing and went to roost. The doves cooed like they do in the evening and the bats that fly to catch mosquitoes came out into the trees as they would typically do on a summer night. My son and his family and my daughter were with us in our backyard and we all felt an awe in what was happening.
Seeing the Cross in the center of the sun in Kristie’s picture speaks volumes.
I had not seen Ann Graham Lotz’s article. It is absolutely fascinating. I wonder, 🤔and I sincerely say “Come Quickly Lord Jesus!!”
Sunday: Eclipse Thoughts and God Hunts
I wondered if the darkness of 3 hours at the crucifixion could have been an eclipse, but Christian scientists think not, the timing is off. It was a supernatural miracle. Three of my children saw the total eclipse and were in wonder. Ann Graham Lotz had some interesting thoughts — but neither she nor I was sure what she found meant something. But here it is if you are interested:
Ann Graham Lotz on The Eclipse
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? – I have been praying about a feeling I’ve had with a gentleman of a new couple joining our life group. I don’t have this feeling about his wife, only of him. After our life group on Wednesday when we were told they would be joining, I started praying again. I had a hard time falling asleep so kept praying. When I woke up I had more peace about him. I’m continuing to pray for God to remove any hard feelings from me, or reveal to the rest of the group if we should need discernment. Since I have more peace about, I think it is probably more one sided.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? – It was too cloudy where I live so we didn’t get to see much of anything, only the sense it got a bit more gloomy than what it already was. I did watch live streams of it and it’s pretty amazing for sure. I read Ann’s blog post and I’m a bit on the fence with it. I agree that God is most likely not happy with us as a nation, but wouldn’t the warning need to be world wide? In Kristie’s photo I saw the birds right off. Not sure what else was seen, but I think the trees at the bottom look like hands reaching up to the sky, maybe to try and get a hold of just one piece of God’s majesty.
I agree with your worldwide thought.
Look more carefully at the moon.
On the original text of Kristie’s photo, there is a distinct cross in the middle of the moon. I tried to send it via email and it did not transfer well.
Oh I see it now. Amazing!
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week?
While home sick from the clinical area, I received a text from my regular nurse sub asking me to call her back after a certain time in the evening. When I finally connected with her on the phone, I could tell this colleague of mine was upset. She proceeded to tell me of an incident with one of my students. I was concerned to hear about it and very surprised as to its extent. We had a long conversation and I promised to address the issue with my students as soon as possible. We both agreed there were some other issues to factor in and she needed time to process things instead of responding in anger to what was a professional misbehavior on my student’s part.
The student called in sick the day I planned to talk with her. That was a God-sighting for me as the night before, I prayed God would show me how to approach the student with grace and firmness. I took it as a time for everybody concerned to “cool” off and see things objectively. I will be seeing her tomorrow after class. I feel God’s confidence as I visit with her regarding the situation.
I would appreciate prayers as we have 10 more days to go before my students take their CNA certifying examination on the 25th.
Prayers for wisdom and words that will reach your student. Prayers your student comes with humility open to the opportunity to learn from her mistake and sees it as learning and not as a personal attack against her. Lord, don’t let her be defensive. In Jesus name.
I will be praying for you, Bing. Lord anoint Bing with Your wisdom and words, as she speaks to her student. Please give Bing peace in her heart and give the student acceptance and kindness in response.
Prayers for wisdom and the right words. Prayers the student comes with a humble attitude and not defensive and views this as a learning opportunity for her career.
Lord, be with Bing as she meets with this student. Have everyone be in the mindset to receive what is said in a helpful way. Give the words you want Bing to provide to this student, and have the student be open to what is said so they can learn from what needs to be corrected. We know Lord, that you are in control of this situation and we trust in you to bring it to completion through Bing. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Thank you all for your prayers. I felt very much at peace while talking with my student. I asked God to help me listen well and understand rather than formulate a reply. Seeing your specific prayers here once again made me feel that what has transpired and has been said during our conversation is where God wanted it to be. I felt there was an accepting and humble attitude on the part of my student and I hope we all have learned from this experience.
Just seeing this Bing. I see it seems to have turned out okay. Thank You Lord!
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
I did not watch the eclipse but saw a timelapse of it on a FB posting. It was so awesome and makes me think of our Creator and how He is so much in control of His creation. Eclipses remind me of the ultimate sovereignty of God-no matter how man seeks to figure things out, some things that are mysteries only belong to God. There is no other.
I must have done too many hidden picture exercises in school and while teaching in the classroom! The cross was showing! I am unsure if it was my reading glasses playing tricks on me, but when I looked at the moon, the cross panned out, got bigger, and then went smaller. I remembered a sermon by Louie Giglio and he talked about the laminin molecule in our DNA shaped like a cross. That which holds us together is the cross. Again, these are fascinating observations and can speak to man. Laura, being our science person here-have you heard about this laminin molecule in the context of its shape as a cross?
Father, please be with Bing as she talks to this student and give her favor and wisdom.
I hadn’t heard of the laminin molecule. Wow.
Bing,
So glad you are better and will pray for your meeting with the student. These situations are hard ones to address. Praying her response will be appropriate to the authorities in her life. CNA caregivers are crucial in their work with the elderly and infirm people. My Mom was incredibly blessed to have some very special ones at the end of her life. A few years ago I heard and read about the laminin molecule in the DNA. The study of DNA is very fascinating and amazing. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Dee and Bev, thank you for your prayers. I wasn’t feeling too well the day I was supposed to talk to my student and felt God was giving me time to get better and not be overwhelmed by this situation.
Dee, thanks for doing Tim Keller again! I listened to his whole interview. Tim has a way with words that I can understand but are profound, and addressed the crux of the matter with such insight. He is such a humble man. His story about the year he and Kathy were sick warmed my heart. He talked about his ministry disappointments almost nonchalantly and without grumbling and blaming; a reminder for me that disappointment comes with ministry but God will see His purposes prevail.
Oh, I love that about the laminin molecule in our DNA! Our creator is amazing! It spoke to Kristie’s heart when she saw the photo, as she could not see it in the sky.
I just looked up the laminin molecule and it is amazing how God created us to be near him and remember his sacrifice at all times.
I do not know much about biology Bing! I am definitely interested in that molecule. I saw the cross in the picture. I did not see it during the eclipse.
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? He is with me.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? The eclipse I was hohum about. I did have friends from out of state visiting. When we saw it, it is awe inspiring. We were also able to see Venus and Jupiter. It was a big deal. The wonder of what God is capable of. I can’t see anything other than the light maybe a small cross
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week?
I had a lovely God hunt at church this morning. I have mentioned one of the students I have mentored at school, Minh. The first day I met him, Minh told me he did not believe in God. Over the past 6 years, Minh and his brother, Tom, have adopted us a their American grandparents. Minh is now back in Viet Nam, working. I invited Minh and Tom to come to church anytime….. Today Tom came! Our pastor did a wonderful sermon about the Whole gospel in one verse: 2Corinthians 5:21. Even though Minh and Tom knew we were Christians and they both went to Christian schools, they did not seem interested in God. Their were several God winks in this whole story, which make it even more amazing! After church, Tom met three young pastors….who I had not met personally before… and a dear friend (and former teacher from our school)…..I don’t know the end of this story for Tom, but he heard a bit of the Gospel from each of them, as well!! I had been trying to connect Tom to one of the youth pastors via email about volunteering, so now they have met and are going to get together. I don’t know what God has in mind, but I am praying for Tom and Minh to come to know Jesus!
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
God is so powerful. Our planet is so special and so perfectly place. Reminds of the book The Privileged Planet. We take so much for granted. I think the fact that so much changed, especially the temperature in a short time, (the birds and clouds etc. too) that it should give us food for thought. We are in a very fragile spot, yet God has His hand on this whole planet. He truly does have The Whole World in His Hand.
I think we are getting lots of hints from God. We need to pray for eyes that see and minds to know God better and to study His Word.
That’s so exciting — and wonderful Tom connected with pastors. Lord, please continue to woo Tom and Minh!
Amen!
God is in control! Love it! Tom is taking one step at a time toward God.
Amazing work of God in Tom and Minh! Only He can conduct an “orchestra of our circumstances” with such beautiful timing! I stand in awe of God as one song goes!
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week?
Oh how I continue to blessed by my Lord! This past week I had an opportunity to shore up a pledge I made to a friend’s daughter who is going to dance at Disney next week. A few months ago I heard her husband had lost his job and they were struggling. These dancers work for 2 years to produce the final product, and my friend, was concerned that they couldn’t make the financial commitment. I wanted to give her a donation, but we have also been struggling with our finances and I knew my husband would question my commitment (he is the accountant and watches over our money like a hawk!). He didn’t say no, but he asked me to wait a bit. We all have our “thing,” and his is money. We were getting to crunch time and he and I decided on an amount. I took it to my friend on Wednesday. We had a lovely conversation and they were overwhelmed. I was so happy we could help! I went home and told my husband about the meeting and he told me that we got a tax return. We NEVER get a tax return! We always have to pay more!!! I asked how much and he said $7000. Well, that was nearly the exact amount we owned on a home equity loan he was trying desperately to pay off! And it came that EXACT day when I took the money to my friend. AND, it was $7000, not 9 or 6, but SEVEN! Perfection! Oh my, how He loves us. Thank You Lord Jesus! You are near at all times ♥️
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
Well, we planned to go a few hours NW to Vermont for the eclipse because I am a nerd and have to be in as much totality as I can 😉. My husband has a cousin who has a hunting cabin on a beautiful lake there. We went to St. Louis, Missouri for the 2017 eclipse so I could be in totality as well! Where we were staying we would be in about 2 min 20 sec. We were going to drive another hour NW on the day of the event to add another 1 min of totality, but I was in such a happy place with the sun beating down on me (spring is so cold and wet here that I cannot wait to have my bones warmed) that I told my husband I would sacrifice the extra minute of totality! As the moon begin it’s covering of the Sun, I likened it to Pac Man! It made a weird pattern as it crossed the Sun, beginning from the “SE” side and moving arc like across. When the event occurred, the grandkids and I were in shorts and short sleeves. It got very dark but not 2 am dark. The light was eerie and hard to figure out from where it was coming. It got windy and chilly. It was pitch silent. We got to see the “Diamond ring” and the best part (for me) was the laser pointer like dot on the bottom left side of the sun! It was a prominence! I couldn’t believe my eyes! A prominence is when plasma shoots out of the Sun, condenses, and rains back onto the surface. It forms a beautiful arc of gas! So cool! All in all, it was a very unique experience for our family.
Is the remarkable part of the image a cross in the Sun? So sweet!
Great story of our Lord our Provider!
Oh, I love how the Lord answered your prayer about the donation…down to the details! Perfection!
Oh Laura, what a blessing for you this past week. From God providing to the eclipse. He is amazing in all he has created around us.
Laura, two amazing Ephesians 3:20-21 answers to prayer!
Yes!
Sunday: Eclipse Thoughts and God Hunts
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week?
The Master’s (Golf) was played this weekend and Scottie Scheffler who is a good Christian and outspoken about it won the tournament. In the interviewing of him he was asked if he’d take his eye off the ball after his first child was born and his response was, I am a competitor and I love to win. I wish it wasn’t so important to me to win, but talking with my buddies after the game they reminded me that I have eternal victory in the cross and that is where my identity lies, not golf.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph?
It was a beautiful clear day here and it was only a partial eclipse. I made a box for everyone to view it (all glasses were sold out) and it was cool to see the shape change. There were also crescent shaped shadows on our deck. My cardinal couple who always come to my feeders at dawn were both there and confused when it stated getting light again! These verses came to mind while watching it…”For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.“
Colossians 1:16-17 NKJV
I didn’t notice the cross in the moon till I read the comments…so cool!
Thank you for sharing what Scottie Scheffler said about his eternal victory in the cross and that is where his identity lies!
Great testimony from the golfer!
Thanks, Sharon for sharing that quote. As I consider full retirement in a year or two, I need the reminder to look to Jesus and the victory He has won for me on the cross to be my source of identity rather than my teaching career.
I have been pondering identity since we heard TK talk about Peter last week! It is Jesus, who I should get my identity, not my work, family, etc.
If you are listening to this in parts, listen for perhaps 10 minutes, until he explains that the meaning in life in his parents’ generation was to be good, but changed to “the meaning in life is to be true to yourself.” We’ll spend two
3. What stood out from the opening and why?
The number of churches that were planted or started in the boroughs around New York City was so amazing. I love that there were Black, Asian and Hispanic churches in great numbers! Manhattan, the Cosmopolitan area that has more wealthy and professional people seemed the least “churched” area.. less than 1% evangelical.
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing?
I live in a very multi-ethnic area and go to a multi-ethnic church, that is very involved in planting churches all over the world. I am so grateful for this as it has been life changing for me to get to know friends from other cultures. I know Sharon grew up experiencing that!
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28
There is no ethnicity, gender or hierarchy in the eyes of the Father.
B. James 1:9-10
The things we humans can tend to value for self and the values we admire in others on this earth, are very fleeting; fame, fortune, beauty and power will be gone. The things that have eternal value are the values of Christ: honoring God, loving others, being selfless, caring for the marginalized, seeking true justice, directing your life away from sinful influences.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people?
My church is very welcoming of everyone, regardless of background, yet emphasizing the most important thing is to know Christ and commit your life to Him. As our pastor said yesterday: “God grades on the Cross, not the curve.”
6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better?
I have friends of all ages, races and social standings. I enjoy friendships with people that are “real” rather than those of high status.
7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage? How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.)
I have no issues at all with inter-racial marriages.
Pattie, I love your answer to 5c, “God grades on the cross not the curve.”
Patti — I love “God grades on the cross not the curve.” Such a succinct Gospel sentence!
Monday: The Inclusiveness of Christianity
3. What stood out from the opening and why? – How the churches that were planted back in the 70’s were done by people from other countries and not from those in the western world. For a million people in New York only 9,000 were attending church at that time. It seems that churches got stuck in a mold on how to handle people and when things started to change, they didn’t know how to respond or help those people.
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing? – I think a multi-ethnic church will open the eyes of the people who attend and help to see things in a different way. It would make people think outside the box of their own thoughts. It wouldn’t be all one sided thoughts.
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” God does not see us as different. That mentality I think was in breaded in us by generations before us. We learned what we saw or heard. If our families before us thought a different way than what God was teaching, that is what we knew as truth. As we grew up, we needed to see for ourselves what is God’s truth.
B. James 1:9-10. – “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.” There are no levels with God. We are all one and the same. Yes there are some who are more educated than others, but in God’s eyes, we are equal. All of what a rich person has can be gone in an instant, and the one with humble means can have a life change just by following Jesus.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people? – I feel our church is welcoming to everyone who comes through the doors. We have only been attending since June of 21 and on our first day visiting, we were welcomed by the associate pastor, a member of the church and the pastor. That first time, gave us the feeling that we were home. We never looked or visited another church. Everyone has been so nice and many friends have been made. I would say we have a multi ethnic member base and some immigrants, but I’m not sure if we have ex-inmates, but I know we have a gentleman that is involved in the Kairos Ministry in the prison(s) and we can all get involved by making cookies that he brings to them. I really don’t think we would treat them differently, or I would hope we and I wouldn’t.
6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better? – I have a variety of friends and family that are different from me. Have I mastered equality, no. Do I think man I wish I had this or that, yes. But I then get reminded that God has me right where he wants me to be. I have a purpose, though I don’t know what it is all the time. The differences in Church Hill Tennessee are here in race, age and social standing. I can only pray that God gives me the eyes to see them all as he sees them.
7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage? How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.) – I never noticed that in Numbers 12 until I read it again today. Thank you Dee, for always opening our eyes to new things that are in God’s Word. I don’t have an issue with inter racial marriage. If the marriage is a man and a woman, it is a marriage that God can bless. As I grow in age and in His Word, I become more aware of what is acceptable to God, needs to be acceptable to me.
3. What stood out from the opening and why?
Manhattan is the most secular part of NYC. However, it has grown from 9000 in 2000 to 50,000 in 2014. I guess I thought the entire city was fairly secular. He points out that the other burrows have their Christian roots.
Our culture is becoming more ethnic. TK sees this as a bright spot. I heard this 30 years ago; how there would be more diversity and less of “me” in the future. I thought it was funny that he mentions New Hampshire in his example. But, he is correct!
A cause for concern is that people these days may not know the model of Christianity where there is somewhat of a background. There was some social pressure to join the church because it was a benefit. There was belief in a higher power, an afterlife, they should be good and they needed forgiveness. The “dots.” You don’t have that anymore. You can’t assume people know these basic foundational pieces. I do think these days many people rely on themselves and have no idea that they need Jesus. We sang this song at church this week. I had never heard it, but now it is piercing my heart.
https://open.spotify.com/track/786kFVhHYQ3zIgTHWo6WHQ?si=Cy1NPa3QT_6oKbJ3X51zSw&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Acloser
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing?
Different cultures bring different perspectives to the table. They also could take what they are experiencing in our church to others in their particular communities, thereby growing the church worldwide.
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28
Everyone is included here, Jew and Gentile alike, slave or free, male or female.
B. James 1:9-10.
The rich will fade and the poor will rise
Well looks like I’m not off to a very great start this morning. I woke up at 5:15 and finished my lesson but in the copy and paste process that I use writing my answers in my notes I accidentally deleted all my answers. 🥴. I don’t have time to rethink and rewrite them now but will come back to the study later after I finish listening to the whole interview. But I have been blessed by reading others comments.
So sorry, Bev! That happened to me last week! I am always blessed by reading your comments!
Oh Bev, I’ve had that happen and I think, Ok God you didn’t want me to post what I said, and I try again and new thoughts come out. LOL
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? In listening to a Keller sermon, “Confident in Love”, Keller gave an example of two women who were engaged, but the engagements broke up due to the rejection of their fiance’. The first woman was in pain and she got stuck. It turned into bitterness over time. The other woman was in pain but fared well and eventually was able to recover. The difference is that with the first woman, the guys rejection was more real to her heart than the love of God. For the second woman, God’s love was more real to her heart than the guys rejection. The second woman tasted & saw that the Lord is good. So God gave me a glimpse into my heart with these two women, and how I’ve responded to rejection. I’m like the first woman, but hopefully am moving into the posture of the second woman. I thought the penny dropped but I think it’s still coming down the shoot. It’s not stuck thanks to the Holy Spirit, but it’s coming down the shoot. There’s is freedom when the love of God is more real to my heart than the pain of being hurt or betrayed by someone I love.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? My thoughts were more toward watching videos of thousands of people looking up at it and cheering as it happened. ALL of them looking to the sky at once. A picture flashed in my mind of when Christ comes back. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? My second God hunt is the photograph! At first I looked everywhere but the moon, but then I saw the cross in the moon. 🙂
Rebecca, I love both of your answers. WOW, great reminders for sure.
Oh, Rebecca! I needed to read both of these answers today! What a blessing! There’s is freedom when the love of God is more real to my heart than the pain of being hurt or betrayed by someone I love….and this can apply to loss, as well! I just need to have the love of God more real in my heart than any pain I am experiencing!!
That is an interesting parallel with the eclipse!
Oh, wow, Rebecca! I like your example of the 2 women. “There’s is freedom when the love of God is more real to my heart than the pain of being hurt or betrayed by someone I love.” what a lesson for someone like me who struggles with the idol of man’s approval!
Tuesday: Meaning in Life Changing from Being a Good Person to Being True to Yourself
8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that? – I do remember those times. I remember my mom and dad always saying if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. And to they said before leaving to go someplace, to be good. I remember them giving the example of being nice, and helping others in need. They just always did what was right at the time.
9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8 – “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” In this verse God is wanting us to do what is right in God’s eyes. He wants us to be humble not puffed up about ourselves.
B. Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Here we need to trust that the Lord knows what is best and not try and fix everything before God plan is put in place. Like Abraham and Sarah, they were always trying to fix their problems. It only brings a mess when we do this.
10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift? – In today’s society there are some who have been ‘hurt’ by a church or it’s members so that is what they remember. They hold that hurt against all the rest of us that had nothing to do with it. I think we need to be friendly and listen at where they are at. Our church gave out the book, BLESS: 5 Everyday Ways To Love Your Neighbor and Change the World by Dave and Jon Ferguson. It was a great book I thought and very helpful. It showed how over time, sometimes quick, sometimes years people who are watching you will see something in us that they want. B = Begin with prayer; L = Listen; E – Eat; S – Serve; S = Story. So we need to find someone we want to reach out to and begin praying, then listen to them to see where they are at, eat a meal with them since everyone likes to eat and it’s a safe place, serve them in a way they wouldn’t expect and lastly tell your own story to them because at this point they may trust you more.
11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek? – I’m a little confused on this seeker model church. Is he saying that people are seeking a church that is just morally right and doesn’t address issues going on? Like a feel good prosperity church? One where they can go and say they went to church and it’s more of a social gathering and not a place of learning and growing in God’s Word?
Author Sam Chan, in “How To Talk about Jesus,” tells how he was noticing how Christians seldom bring their non-Christian friends to Christian events, but the exception was his friend Andrew and his wife, who always brought many. When Sam asked Andrew’s wife their secret, she said: “It’s easy. We’re always hanging out – dinners, movies, barbecues. We’re always going to their things, so they’re happy to come to one of our things.”
12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing. – Where we live now, most people we meet are Christian. We are in the Bible Belt from what we are told, so they know Christ. But we met a couple that she is starting to come back to Christ but her husband doesn’t want anything to do with it. I’ve asked her to go to bible studies with me and to church and she has started doing that. My husband will ask her husband to go to breakfast once in a while. We go out with them to eat, or to hear music at various places, some which are bar type venues, but we have a good time. We all enjoy going to the different feasts they have in our area and we go to their house to eat or they come to ours to hang out. We have not shut them out in any way and Dawn has said that she is seeing a change in her husband Bob so we continue to pray and let God do the nudging.
Love BLESS!
The Seeker model philosophy was to make seekers comfortable, entertained, and want to come to church — and go easy on offensive things like sin — but address those Sunday nights. But in truth, the biblical model is that the church is for believers and we are to go out to the unbelievers.
Thank you for the Seeker explanation, Dee. I love the Biblical Model!
Thanks, Dee for the Seeker model explanation. I was a little confused about it when I was answering the question.
Thanks Dee. Appreciate the explanation.
Thank you for the B.L.E.S.S. recommendation, Julie!
You’re welcome Patti, it was a big help for me when I read it.
8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that?I don’t remember hearing an emphasis on a personal relationship with Christ, as about obedience and good morals. My parents did emphasize knowing Jesus and prayer, but I did not get that so much from church or Young Life. Girls scouts and Boy scouts were popular when I was growing up and both emphasized good moral behavior.
9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8 Do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God. Walking with God is the big part of being good, not relying on your self.
B. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all you heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Trust the Lord, not your own understanding, not relying on yourself.
10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift?
11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek?
I had not heard of this church model before hearing Tim Keller refer to it, but I looked it up and read about it and it did does not sound like it was solid in it’s “Christ-centeredness”. Here is an excerpt:
One of the unintended consequences of a church that is constantly focused more on outreach than spiritual formation is that this model all but ensures that every generation has to be re-evangelized, since adults raised in such a church do not have the spiritual training to raise its own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Author Sam Chan, in “How To Talk about Jesus,” tells how he was noticing how Christians seldom bring their non-Christian friends to Christian events, but the exception was his friend Andrew and his wife, who always brought many. When Sam asked Andrew’s wife their secret, she said: “It’s easy. We’re always hanging out – dinners, movies, barbecues. We’re always going to their things, so they’re happy to come to one of our things.”
12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing.
The most simple thing I do is just keep in touch with even casual or work friends, as much as possible. Building a friendship (as Sam Chan implied) is just that. I like to connect with people, but in a natural, not forced way. If you find a common interest with someone, follow up on that. When you know and trust someone, it is easier to invite them to something that interests you, such a church! I think the friends that Dee makes through Pickle Ball is a great way to get connected!
My second try at these questions…lost the first answers. 🙂
Good second try. : [ Sorry you lost the first set.
The excerpt on your number 11 is helpful too. Thanks for digging deeper Patti.
Oh, Patti! Thank you for the excerpt! I feel the same way. There is so much to do among us in the church and I would like to see more discipleship within and still not forgetting to enter the worlds of non-Christians. I have been thinking and praying about how I can do this more intentionally. Dee’s example of pickleball is an encouragement!
“One of the unintended consequences of a church that is constantly focused more on outreach than spiritual formation is that this model all but ensures that every generation has to be re-evangelized, since adults raised in such a church do not have the spiritual training to raise its own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
3. What stood out from the opening and why?
“It was amazing to hear about the spiritual climate of New York when Tim Keller arrived in New York. Non-westerners were the “starters” of different Christian groups in particular suburbs or parts of the city, Manhattan (the center city) was secular and the church was small. Only 1% were evangelical Christians, approximately 900 out of 1 million+ people in 1989. By 2014, there were 54,000 evangelical Christians.
Religious dots: belief in God, belief in the moral law, belief in sin, and therefore people will show up in church if invited, attend weddings, funerals, Easter, or Christmas. They will have respect for God and evangelism is just having people show up in church and then connecting the dots. What if people don’t come to church or don’t connect the dots or don’t have the dots? What do we do now?” Many Christians in these churches don’t know how to share the gospel.
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing?
He had more areas of concern than bright spots. One bright spot that he sees, though, is the growth of multi-ethnic churches, and there would be more interracial marriages and the population of whites would get smaller. He said this was a good thing because these are going along with the changes.
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28
There are no more distinctions as we know it-all are equal in the sight of God regardless of race, gender, standing in society, etc.
B. James 1:9-10.
Lowly in their exaltation; the rich in their humiliation. All equal in God’s sight.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people?
In our small town, we have people on the fringe of society though not as many as I have seen in the big cities. I believe our church is welcoming to these people.
6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better?
I occasionally rub shoulders with people who I consider popular in politics, business, and sports. I am finding that as I grow older my circle of friends or acquaintances is narrowing primarily due to my decreasing mental bandwidth. I am a natural introvert and would rather talk one on one. I could do better in reaching out to the poor or the rich. Perhaps, I have not been praying for these opportunities.
7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage? How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.)
Marrying an American was the farthest thing from my mind when I met Richard. I had deep respect for the American missionaries that my family got acquainted with starting when I was just a toddler. But that was it. I grew up thinking that each race should marry into their own. When we got married, I saw it more as God’s will for our lives and it didn’t matter that it was interracial. We did have a pushback from several significant people. I believe God protected me from bitterness and anger with those people by reminding me to focus on Him. The challenges were there but Richard and I have committed ourselves to our vows with the help of God.
I think as a Christian, I should not judge others who are in interracial marriages. We are all accountable to God, on level footing at the Cross. Prayer is much needed as the challenges can be great.
Appreciated your testimony of how you responded to those who criticized your inter-racial marriage.
Bing, I especially appreciated your thoughts on interracial marriage since you are part of one. I found it interesting that you as part of a different ethnic background grew up thinking that each race should marry into their own. That is how I grew up as well. It wasn’t until I was married and had moved to a city that I met an interracial couple in our church. She was white American and he was Pilipino. They were older and a beautiful example of godly people and it completely changed my views. God was good to show me skin color and different cultures doesn’t really matter.
I love the story of your marriage, Bing. You were both looking for God’s will in your love of one another and that is key to a good marriage. I think like-mindedness, as Laura mentioned with the Mercy ship couple, is what God wants for each of us. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
What you wrote is so true of every marriage: We are all accountable to God, on level footing at the Cross. Prayer is much needed as the challenges can be great.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people?
I think my church is very open to different cultures. We have Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Haitians who attend. We have a very disturbed woman who our pastor has embraced, and succeeded in getting her from cursing outside the sanctuary to attending church each week and taking her medicine so she is tolerable. It was amazing to watch!
6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better?
We try. Others may not be so willing to be our friends either, however. We keep reaching out.
7. Have your views shifted in any way in regard to inter-racial marriage?
We have friends at church who met on the mercy ships. He is African and extremely black. She is from Minnesota and extremely white. We love them. They are so different in appearance but so kind in their hearts. I was brought up in northern Florida. People did not mix in their marriages. I am happy that I have grown since those days. Our daughter married a mixed race man.
How do you think a Christian should feel and why? (I have often wondered about Number 12 and Miriam and Aaron talking against Moses because of his Cushite wife, who was most likely black. If you are interested, take a look and see what you think.)
It seems like the Lord was okay with Mose’s wife being Cushite. He defended her.
Great story of the couple who met on Mercy Ships.
Tuesday: Meaning in Life Changing from Being a Good Person to Being True to Yourself
8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that?
My parents told us that we need to stay out of trouble, or we will be in trouble with them and with God. There were lots of do’s and don’ts, including not wearing nail polish! (This was from my aunt who was like a second mother to me.)
9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
B. Proverbs 3:5
Trusting in the Lord is how we are led to the good that pleases Him. Our standard of good should be God and not ourselves.
10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift?
We need to engage with people outside of the church. Invest in the lives of people beyond the church.
11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek?
People will not come to church unless they have production values (entertainment) and social benefits This is still traditional- the church is good, good to talk about moral issues, anxiety but this seeker model still thinks of the traditional type of person. They don’t know how to respond to issues of injustice or somebody saying you can’t make me feel guilty because the meaning of life is “be true to yourself”.
Author Sam Chan, in “How To Talk about Jesus,” tells how he was noticing how Christians seldom bring their non-Christian friends to Christian events, but the exception was his friend Andrew and his wife, who always brought many. When Sam asked Andrew’s wife their secret, she said: “It’s easy. We’re always hanging out – dinners, movies, barbecues. We’re always going to their things, so they’re happy to come to one of our things.”
12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing.
I can work on this. Perhaps, regularly attending school events, benefit fundraisers for people in the community. To be honest, I feel tired just thinking about another thing to do but I am praying for God to work in my heart and my eyes to opportunities that He opens for me. Perhaps, I have already “entered” some worlds and may just need to realize them as such, Good for Andrew, and his wife!
P.S. I saw Julie’s use of BLESS and I have a light bulb moment with the “E” part! I do love to cook and bake and find a lot of pleasure in working in the kitchen. Thank you, Julie, for sharing! This encouraged me to do one small thing which would be an outreach ( drop off treats or go out for a coke) but would not necessarily require long, tiring face-to-face meetings. And perhaps, the story part will come later but the door has been opened to BLESS an unbeliever.
8. In the 20th century, most people, Christian or not, felt the meaning in life was to be good. Do you remember those times? If so, what do you remember that exemplified that?
I remember some acquaintances saying, “Why do I need to go to church? I’m a good person.”
9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8
God has told the people what is right. They are to humble themselves, to have mercy, and to do good things.
B. Proverbs 3:5
The people are to trust in God and not lean on themselves.
10. In the 20th century, you might be successful in inviting someone to church or church events because they generally thought church was a good thing. That’s gotten harder. Therefore, how should our methods of evangelism change because of the cultural shift?
Well, it doesn’t help when scandals occur in churches. I have invited people to church just like I always would. I’m not sure what else to do other than try to lead a life that is interesting to someone else and maybe they would want to join because of it. Telling my story of the finances and the tax return might make someone curious. They might come to understand what I was talking about. Also, I often think that people, as they age and get closer to their death, might reconsider going to church. I tell a story about having babies. At one point in the process you know it’s you and only you, plus God, who can make the baby be born. I think death might be that way too. It is you and God, no one else who can “make” it happen. I might encourage them that way; to get to know the Lord before that time comes. And then, there’s The Chosen!!! Of course! It is so good that people are willing to watch. Even my colleague who grew up Catholic but doesn’t seem to have a spiritual side said she has heard of it.
3. What stood out from the opening and why? That we don’t know how to connect the dots with unbelievers. We can’t evangelize with just telling them the Gospel and asking them to come to church because what if the dots aren’t there? The Christendom culture is gone, so how can we reach people, or get their attention.
4. When asked if he saw anything good about our changing culture, he said that more churches are becoming multi-ethnic and desiring to be multi-ethnic. Why might this be a good thing? It’s beautiful because we are living out the truth that we are equal and all of us are made in his image including male and female. There isn’t a hierarchy in Christ. God designed us to be inclusive!
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28; We are all one in Christ whether female or male, slave or free, jew or gentile. Only in Christ can we be truly one and fully accepted.
B. James 1:9-10. Whether poor or rich we take a high position in Christ and a low position in pride because we are sinners and did nothing to earn or attain Christ.
C. How welcoming is your church and are you to people on the fringe of society such as ex-inmates, immigrants, and high-maintenance people? My church is very welcoming and that includes the homeless. There is a young couple who lives in their car and prefers to live this way. They don’t want any help other than clothes and food every now and then. So we allow them to park in our church parking lot so that they can be safe. We’ve helped them with clothing and food as well. Our church has a huge presence with the homeless at City Union Mission. We have an ex-inmate we’ve enjoyed fellowship with for many years. I wish we had more diversity in our church regarding race. We have latino americans and a few african americans, and a bosnian sister who escaped Bosnia then came to know Christ. I’d like to see more diversity in our church but every tongue and tribe is welcome.
I’m getting to know a beautiful and brave asian woman at work, Yanli. They came from China and the husband had to stay there so it’s just her daughters and her. She can’t speak english well and it’s easy for us to isolate from her because it’s a struggle to communicate. I don’t know, I just enjoy her. She’s such a sweet sister in Christ and I just talk with her like I do anyone else I work with. God has given me a heart for the LGBTQ community and teens with gender identity issues. That said, it’s hard for my husband to see it without cringing. God’s given me compassion and a strong sense of the truth that I’m no better than they are just because I don’t struggle with that. Believe me, I have other things I struggle with, and before I came to Christ I believed anything goes! It’s only because of Him that my life has changed.
6. One test of our maturity in Christ is if we are friends with people very different than us in race, age, social standing, etc. How are you doing? How could you do better? I guess I answered this in the last question! 🙂
How beautiful, Rebecca. Is this Sherwood?
Dee, Yep, it’s Sherwood. Also, we have a female worship leader intern. She’s a senior in bible college and is a godly young woman who leads well. She’s homeschooled and is very mature for her age. She has a knack for working well with others and yet making sure the music is done with excellence.
Her generation is very encouraging to me. There are very much on fire for Christ.
Wednesday: Preaching & Sharing with The Culture in Mind
Listen for about another 9 mnutes up to when Carey asked Tim to give some broad strokes to how he would preach to the current cultural shift of identity being whoever you want to be!
13. Describe how Keller changed his preaching due to this cultural shift.- He changed his preaching to make sure they understood that Christianity was received not achieved and that if they put their trust in themselves, they would not be free. They would not be able to live up to standards.
14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean? – Even though Paul is saying he is free and belongs to no one, he adapts to the culture that he is in at the time in order to for them to see Jesus and not him. He loves them where they are at in a sense because he wants them all to come to Christ.
15. How did Keller preach to those who found their meaning in something other than Christ so they could be “free?” – He told them that by doing that they will never be free. Their ‘idol’ will not die on a cross for them, it will not save them. Only Jesus Christ can set them free because he died on the cross in their/our place.
16. Think about a gift of God you made an idol and brought you into slavery. Can you share an example that you might share with a non-Christian? – Hmm, it’s hard to pick one, but I was just mentioning this to my bonus son, that when my oldest son was a younger man, I would try and help him not do things in the wrong way and tell him what he should do. He said to me to let him make his own decisions and if he chose wrong it was on him, but basically to step back. So I did. I would not make suggestions to him anymore and one time he was saying something to me and I said, I don’t know, what ever you think…and he said, no, mom I’m asking you for advice now. 🙂
17. How, did Christ, or is Christ, setting you free from this? – God is still working on me in this area of giving advice. He has helped me to rephrase what I want to say in a way that makes it more of a suggestion and not telling people what to do. I will just sit and listen more and what for them to ask me what I think. If they do, I will say, if they don’t I don’t. I will then make sure I’m praying for that situation they are in.
1. Did you have a God Hunt this week? There was an issue at work in which I felt like I was being treated unfairly. Instead of complaining about it, I prayed and decided that if it were to continue then it would just be something that I was to have a servant’s heart about. The very next day the issue was resolved.
2. What are your thoughts on the Eclipse? I see the eclipse as a natural phenomenon like the moon’s gravity affecting the tides. Did you see anything remarkable in Kristie’s photograph? There appears to be some color stripes in the sky, but it may be my computer screen.
Love you servant’s heart, Dawn!
Great attitude, Dawn — and wonderful God Hunt.
Look more closely at the moon!
Tim Keller was making me cry when he started talking about identity and how Jesus’s death showed how much He loves me and I do not have to perform to showcase my identity.
Melts our hearts!
Oh Sweet Bing! God bless you 💕
Amen, So thankful Jesus gave us the only identity we just need to receive and not achieve.
11. What was either positive or negative about the Seeker Church model like Willow Creek?
I’m not familiar with the seeker model or Willow Creek.
The Seeker Church model thought it was good to have great production values. I’m not sure I know what he means? Like, a good “show?”
He said the Seeker model also somewhat assumed that people knew it was good to be in church and had the traditional values. They assume that there is a social benefit to going to church, for example they would talk about injustice. They still don’t know how to reach the people who might be struggling. They also are expecting people to believe the meaning of life is to be a good person when, in today’s world the meaning of life is to be true to yourself.
This conversation makes me think of a woman I work with who is really a very thoughtful, kind hearted person who volunteers her time to charitable events in her city. She wants her children to know it’s important to do this. They are part of some secular group. She is not a Christian and probably has never been to church. Her parents were hippies in Maine where she grew up! It confounds me. I guess I’m thinking that she is more of a giver than I am 🤷🏻♀️, and here I am, a Christian! I just don’t know how to fit it all in. And then, does she just die and go to hell because she isn’t a believer? It doesn’t seem right. I have no idea how to handle her with faith. I don’t think she finds it an important idea, yet she is doing Christian things already…
12. Where could you enter into the worlds of non-Christians where you live? If you are, already, tell what you are doing.
Well, many at my work are non-believers. I walked today after school with two of them. It was a gorgeous day and we had fun together!
This is my second “God hunt” this week, but it just popped up on my email. I seem to mention this book: The Privileged Planet a lot! I get emails from an organization that was originally based here and this link is from The Center for Science and Culture and it is about the Eclipse and The Privileged Planet.
https://evolutionnews.org/2024/04/to-understand-the-meaning-of-a-solar-eclipse/
Patti, thanks for sharing this article! I may need to do a second read. But the Lord surely gave me another layer of awe for him as Creator of the universe.
Hey Patti, Thanks for sharing the extra God hunt. That is such an informative and delightful read. Mire clear “scientific” evidence of our amazing God. 😊
Thursday: An Identity Given and Not Earned
18. What are some of the problems in having an identity that is earned, such as being beautiful, successful in sports or business or raising children, wealthy…
—Having an identity that is earned is only temporary. Beauty fades. The ability to have continued success in sports declines with age. Business success does not satisfy the inmost needs of the heart. Children need to have their own identities and quickly grow up and move on needing to live independently. The identity of wealth is generally pretty shallow and frankly you can’t take it with you.
19. Have you experienced the stress of wanting or achieving an earned identity? If so, share.
—Yes, In my 40’s I experienced rejection from the leaders in my church. In a small community like ours it feels like everyone in the world is watching and knows. That church had been an integral part of our lives and identity because it had started as small bible study in our living room years before and had grown to be an established church. We had enjoyed the good years of acceptance in that identity.
I so wanted to walk away from the church and church people after that but God knew what was needed and led us to a different fellowship of people. Over time He brought beauty from ashes. Obviously it was used by God to deepen our identity in Him and him alone.
20. From the following Scriptures, share some of the beauty of an identity given.
A. John 1:12
—the right to become a child of God.
B. Romans 8:15-17
—the Spirit affirms we are God’s children. He settles it in our hearts. He makes us heirs together with Jesus. Heirs of his glory. And even by having an identity in the suffering of Jesus it produces a greater glory.
C. 1 John 3:1-3
—as God’s children we know the day is coming when we will see Christ as He really is now and we will be like Him. That gives us hope in our eager expectation and a desire to live godly.
D. Ephesians 1:3
—we are blessed with spiritual blessings beyond this world because of being united to Him and our identity is secure in Him.
21. What else are you thankful for in your identity given? How might you use this to talk to your soul when stressed?
—Having my identity in Christ and being God’s child has brought great security to my heart and mind. He has confirmed His love for me over and over and when I am feeling stressed I know it is imperative that I get alone with Him and get into the Scripture. As I pray and read the Word He faithfully reassures me that I belong to Him and He loves me. Nothing satisfies my soul like He does. 💕
Monday
5. Somewhere in this interview, Keller talks about the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ. In his sermon “One Way or Many” he says Christianity is the most exclusive religion (only one way to God) but also the most inclusive. How do the following Scriptures support this?
A. Galatians 3:28 There’s no distinction in regard to salvation. All who believe are one in Christ Jesus.
B. James 1:9-10. ”Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]; and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.“
James 1:9-10 AMP
Tuesday
9. Consider the following Scriptures. What do they say about the goal of being good and the goal of being “true to yourself.”
A. Micah 6:8
This is what the Lord requires of us…be just, love and walk humbly with God.
B. Proverbs 3:5
We’re to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.
Wednesday
14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean?
Paul isn’t talking about changing doctrine or the message but rather the manner of approach. Paul had a freedom to do whatever he wanted but his main goal was to win souls for Jesus Christ.
18. What are some of the problems in having an identity that is earned, such as being beautiful, successful in sports or business or raising children, wealthy. Those things won’t bring complete satisfaction because they are earned and you have to keep up with the jones in order to keep them and it can become daunting, and stressful. You could easily lose your identity if something happens or if you haven’t performed well enough to achieve what you want. In the end you’ll lose it anyway. 🙂
19. Have you experienced the stress of wanting or achieving an earned identity? If so, share. Oh yes, in being a ‘singer’. My identity before Christ was that I’m a singer and that’s what I do best. To be and stay good, it takes a lot of work and plenty of concerts to stay healthy vocally. If anything happens where you can’t work on it, or if there aren’t any concerts booked, you can slowly loose it. When I came to know Christ, He became my identity and I wanted to sing for Him only so I no longer sang with secular bands, but no work was available in KC and Christian bands were hard to find if at all. I recorded a demo and mailed it out along with a picture to several churches in the area, but none of them had people from the outside come in to do specials or concerts. It felt odd because Christ is my identity and yet I still felt like I wasn’t being true to ‘who i was’ since that was the only thing I could do well. A few months later, I auditioned for a Kansas City Christian artist contest. If we were in the top five, we’d get to perform and after that we’d get to open for a known Christian artist. There were singers and musicians from all over KC and surrounding states. Well, I made the top five but I backed out because I was too scared. 🙂 It was all good because I was a new Christian and God wanted to grow me some more (and still is) but He opened doors for me to sing at other churches and my home church, but I think over the years I let that identity go.
Awww — I didn’t know that KC contest story!
Listen for about another 9 minutes up to when Carey asked Tim to give some broad strokes to how he would preach to the current cultural shift of identity being whoever you want to be!
13. Describe how Keller changed his preaching due to this cultural shift.
He said he would basically meet them where they were with the Gospel. He would teach them that the Christian identity is received, not achieved. Jesus does not disown you because you fail.
14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean?
Paul talks about being a “slave” to others who are different than he. He is a slave in that he wants them to know Christ. He will do anything to have them understand.
15. How did Keller preach to those who found their meaning in something other than Christ so they could be “free?
He taught them that they really weren’t free. They were slaves to their identities (actress, businessman, etc). They would only be free if their identity was in Jesus.
16. Think about a gift of God you made an idol and brought you into slavery. Can you share an example that you might share with a non-Christian?
Definitely my dance. As Keller says, you have to be a slave to your body to stay in shape to dance. About 30 years ago I was introduced to liturgical dance and was hooked! I could finally dance with actual meaning. Unfortunately, it was too late with the slaving over my body. I still struggle with this idol. Ugh!
17. How, did Christ, or is Christ, setting you free from this?
He is giving me other ways to celebrate Him. I have recently begun to sing on our worship team. I have had fun and really love singing, so my focus is elsewhere instead of my body.
It’s so hard in this culture not to care about being thin — we have to care about being healthy! I pray for both of us! I thought I wouldn’t care at this old age, but I still do.
20. From the following Scriptures, share some of the beauty of an identity given.
A. John 1:12 – I am a child of God
B. Romans 8:15-17 – I’m adopted, not a slave living in fear that I have to earn it! I’ve been given His Holy Spirit to live inside me who reminds me I am his child and I’m an heir of God and co-heirs with Christ.
C. 1 John 3:1-3 – What Love God has lavished on us that we are His Children.
D. Ephesians 1:3 – God has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
21. What else are you thankful for in your identity given? How might you use this to talk to your soul when stressed? I’m usually always stressed to some degree based on my circumstances. So I’ll do this now.
– He is the lover of my soul, my husband. I am His bride for He pursued me and melted my heart for Him. It was hard to say no! I did nothing but say yes to Him. He’s brought me into the dance of the trinity.
– When I’ve sinned, or am angry at him because I don’t know why something is happening to me, and I hide in the cleft of the rock. It moves me that even in my backing away from him He desires that I “come out” of the cleft and be with Him. He longs to hear my voice. I delight Him, so don’t be afraid, come out!
– I’m a new creature in Christ and His Holy Spirit lives inside me slowly changing me into the image of Christ. I’m a walking temple and can commune with the Holy Spirit whenever I want and He intercedes for me when my heart is troubled and I don’t have words before God. I can talk to him like I talk to anyone else. When I’m in the word and need correction or training, or just need to see a deeper facet of Him, I ask Him to show me and He does. He makes scripture become radioactive. He knits my heart with other believers, and some I don’t know but I’ve just met and there is a connection. He presses on hearts when I pray for others. He surprises me all the time with the love of Christ!
From Rebecca:
– He is the lover of my soul, my husband. I am His bride for He pursued me and melted my heart for Him. It was hard to say no! I did nothing but say yes to Him. He’s brought me into the dance of the trinity.
– When I’ve sinned, or am angry at him because I don’t know why something is happening to me, and I hide in the cleft of the rock. It moves me that even in my backing away from him He desires that I “come out” of the cleft and be with Him. He longs to hear my voice. I delight Him, so don’t be afraid, come out!
OH my… I needed this encouragement today!!! Thank you Jesus. I knew there was a reason He wanted me back on Dee’s blog.
Praising God you are back, Rebecca!! Thank you for posting this! I needed this reminder, this very day! So grateful for our God, who is faithful in all things!!!Amen to Thank you , Jesus!!
Patti, so glad to be here with you and all my sisters here. I miss you all. I read your posts and usually don’t have time to respond. I know you are in terrible pain right now in the loss of your sweet husband. He sounds like a humble and gentle man who loved well. Your grief is fresh and yet you think of others. You are so like Christ. Know that we think about you and pray for you. You are in the hearts of everyone here on the blog.
I’m too am so glad you are back in the blog Rebecca. You bless us with your transparency and your sweet heart for Jesus.
Bev, I miss your posts for they are chock full of His wisdom, and the trials you’ve been through along with how God’s moving through you in those trials to capture the hearts of those around you who may be sleeping or who don’t know Him. I wish I had more time to respond to your posts.
20. From the following Scriptures, share some of the beauty of an identity given.
A. John 1:12
A child of God.
B. Romans 8:15-17
We have God’s spirit.
We are God’s children.
We are God’s heirs.
C. 1 John 3:1-3
God calls us His children.
We will be like Him.
We are eagerly awaiting Him.
We keep ourselves pure.
D. Ephesians 1:3
We are blessed with a spiritual blessing.
We are united with Christ.
Great, Laura.
13. Describe how Keller changed his preaching due to this cultural shift.
This is so insightful. Tim was sure ahead of his time, but he never pushed himself into the limelight. He just kept doing what he believed in. The premise of the “meaning of life is to be good” (only Jesus can offer forgiveness if you mess up) for his parents’ generation to the meaning of life is to be true to yourself and find your inner child ( you are never free until you find it in Christ). Nowadays, the meaning is about identity (the only identity that you can receive and not achieve is found in Christ). WOW! Just WOW!
14. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. What does Paul say, and what does he mean?
“…To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
We have a situation at our church right now that my husband and I continue to pray and ruminate about. There is a need to balance truth and grace and also maintain biblical principles of the non-negotiables.
15. How did Keller preach to those who found their meaning in something other than Christ so they could be “free?”
Answer to #13?
16. Think about a gift of God you made an idol and brought you into slavery. Can you share an example that you might share with a non-Christian?
God has given me people that I love very much, and I was a slave to their approval for a time. I still struggle with approval, but I am more aware when the temptation comes and with God’s help able to recognize it as such and ask for courage to not give in to it.
17. How, did Christ, or is Christ, setting you free from this?
I am more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit whenever this idol rears its ugly head. Dwelling on God’s Word has also helped me.
Thursday: An Identity Given and Not Earned
18. What are some of the problems in having an identity that is earned, such as being beautiful, successful in sports or business or raising children, wealthy…
They all are just “fluff” with no lasting value and satisfaction.
19. Have you experienced the stress of wanting or achieving an earned identity? If so, share.
Yes, more than I want to remember. One example was when I was chosen as our building representative for our school’s “Teacher of the Year” award. At the same time, a parent complained about my rules in the clinical area. I had sleepless nights thinking of the worst. Richard, my husband, gently asked me where my significance lies. It was a humble time to ask God to forgive me for caring so much about the award and to help me do my job to honor him and not seek reward. I did not “win” but I won a lesson in humility.
20. From the following Scriptures, share some of the beauty of an identity given.
A. John 1:12 I am a child of God.
B. Romans 8:15-17 I have the privileges of sonship; heirs of God; fellow heirs with Christ
C. 1 John 3:1-3 I belong to the family of God.
D. Ephesians 1:3 We are with every spiritual blessing in Christ
21. What else are you thankful for in your identity given? How might you use this to talk to your soul when stressed?
The One who gave me my identity is the Creator of the universe. He gave His son to die for me. How much more will He freely give us (me) all things with Him? Romans 8:32
I am loved! He rejoices over me with singing. Zephaniah
Friday: How Do We Know What Is Right and What is Wrong?
22. How do you know what’s right and wrong with these issues through the help of the transcendent truth of Scripture?
Excellent phrase-transcendent truth of Scripture!
A. Pre-marital sex Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
B. Abortion Psalm 139: 13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
I Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
C. Marriage
Matthew 19:4-6 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
D. Giving to the Poor
Lev 25:35 “If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you”
Deut 15:8 “Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need”
James 2:15-16 “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
Good scriptural support, Bing.
Saturday:
23. What is your take-a-way and why?
—I ended up having kind of a hectic week so failed to answer the questions most days but I really did enjoy the Keller Interview.
I asked my pastor son Tyce if he had listened to this interview before and he said he had.
I knew that he especially liked Keller and has read and listened to many of his books and sermons. His comment was that Keller was so good at understanding and preaching into cultural context. Tyce’s thoughts about the culture where we live here in central Nebraska and what it is like was this.
“Ours is mostly different from NYC. People here believe in God who is mostly far away, but believe the goal is to feel good and keep some rules. Academic title for that is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.”
So central Nebraskans pretty much believe in one God who they try to appease a bit by being moral in order to feel good about themselves.
I think the challenge I have taken from this week is to evaluate how to approach the unsaved in my local culture. I think that involves helping them see and understand that God is an up close and personal God who wants a relationship with us and He really does care about us but good works won’t get us right with God. Sin separates us and Jesus provided the way to a relationship with God by dying for our sin. I can certainly tell them what He has done in my own life personally.
Like Tyce, I loved Kellers phrase “moralistic therapeutic deism.”
22. How do you know what’s right and wrong with these issues through the help of the transcendent truth of Scripture?
I think you want me to find scripture to support each of these?
A. Pre-marital sex
”“Suppose a man meets a young woman, a virgin who is engaged to be married, and he has sexual intercourse with her. If this happens within a town, you must take both of them to the gates of that town and stone them to death. The woman is guilty because she did not scream for help. The man must die because he violated another man’s wife. In this way, you will purge this evil from among you.“
Deuteronomy 22:23-24 NLT
B. Abortion
On the road, and will report this one back later 🤷🏻♀️
C. Marriage
”But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.“
Matthew 5:28 NLT
”So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.“
Ephesians 5:33 NLT
D. Giving to the Poor
”Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.“
Proverbs 22:9 NLT
”“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.“
Matthew 5:3 NLT
”So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.“
Luke 11:41 NLT
You did it!
For abortion, duh! One of the 10 commandments….
”“You must not murder.“
Deuteronomy 5:17 NLT
And here is one for pre-marital sex:
”Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,“
1 Corinthians 6:9 NLT
Saturday:
23. What is your take-a-way and why?
I am so thankful, Dee, for this interview. I will be going back to it periodically even if it were just to hear Tim again. Sniff…sniff…sniff. I am a double-basket case! I am going to share this with several friends.
My takeaway: The realization that God’s message (He loves you and sent His son to die in your place so you can have eternal life and enjoy His presence) never changes from generation to generation but we need to keep the culture in mind as we harness our resources to be effective ministers of the gospel. I especially loved Thursday’s questions on identity. The Christian faith is the only one where your identity is given and not earned.
Fernando Ortega’s “Give me Jesus” says it all: “You can have all this world But give me Jesus. “