“Identity is a complex set of layers, for we are many things. Our occupation, ethnic identity, etc., are part of who we are. But we assign different values to these components and thus Christian maturing is a process in which the most fundamental layer of our identity becomes our self-understanding as a new creature in Christ along with all our privileges in him.”
- Timothy Keller “Gospel Christianity” Course 3 (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2003), 141. Via Of First Importance
Via Rob Schenck
Had Tiger just listened to and obeyed the Commandment, his life, his home, his marriage, his family, his most intimate relationships, his friendships, his reputation, his business, his celebrity, his driving record, his insurance rate . . . his golf game, would all be in a much better state.
See how merciful God is. The Author of the Great Words on Sinai wanted something better for Tiger and the people who love him, like him and do business with him. God wanted the best for Tiger, not this humiliating, heart-wrenching, excruciating, complicating and no-doubt expensive ordeal. Jesus summarized it when He said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Read complete post: Tiger Woods and those Timeless Words from Sinai
An earlier post: One stupid decision away
Dallas Willard writes that if you ask the 74% of Americans who say they have made a commitment to Jesus Christ what the gospel is, they will say something like this: “Jesus died to pay the punishment for our sins. If we will believe this, we will go to heaven when we die.” If we mentally assent to doctrinal truths, say the prayer, then we are justified before God. The door to heaven opens to us. This is a gospel which emphasizes justification, and perhaps minimizes regeneration – the impartation of new life and transformation in the now. “I’m not perfect, just forgiven.” This is the gospel on the right. Willard refers to it as a “gospel of sin management.”
For those on the left, the gospel emphasizes the struggle for social and economic equality, protests over war, gender issues, sexual preference, ecology, speciesism, and a generalized priority of ”correctness” (The Divine Conspiracy, Rediscovering our Hidden Life in God, Willard). This is a gospel which includes all beliefs and practices, except those that are oppressive. Traditional Christianity is not included. There is not an emphasis upon knowing God personally in Jesus Christ.
Are we morally obligated to be happy for the sake of others? What about for the Creator? Abraham Lincoln said, “We are as happy as we decide to be.”
Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers
In his bestselling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey talks about the space that exists between the stimulus and the response. In that space is the power to choose.
This space is like a giant pause button. We don’t have to react to every stimulus. Instead, we can pause, reflect, and chose our response. This is precisely what makes us human.
… As leaders, we need to set a higher standard—myself included. I need to see the space between the stimulus and the response as my opportunity to make a better choice. With God’s help, I will.
Read more at Michael Hyatt, Leading with Purpose
Open your eyes and heart every morning to a new dose of His lovingkindness, compassion, and faithfulness …
“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” ~Lam. 3.21-23 NASB
Do my genes control my health? Why should I take aspirin? How does cancer form? What kinds of stress cause aging? Etc.
Very short (1 to 3 mins.) and highly informative videos by New York Times best selling author, Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
