27 Jan 2011
Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV)
In what ways are you an infant? In what ways do you act like a child? In what ways, then, do you act like a man of God?
I see two possible outcomes of being an infant that is pointed out here in scripture (not mutually exclusive but non-conflicting), and I'd like to focus on the second. I've had some pretty painful experiences this week in this area, so this section not only rings some bells but also inspires me to be more than I am.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by (1) every wind of teaching and by (2) the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
I don't see any other way to read this other than that if we do and achieve the first part of the passage (as indicated by the "then we will no longer...") the second parts will occur. So, this unity, maturity, and fullness of Christ that Paul is talking about is what is required to no longer be blown here and there by the "cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming". This week has been particularly difficult. But the only person I can really change is myself. If there is something about me that is perpetuating this effort, this behavior that seems to be so pointed at me, it is me that needs to change. When we as the body of Christ pull together in unity (defined or described in the previous verses), the knowledge of God, and become mature, we can move on from infancy to adulthood.
In what ways do I act like a child?
Prayer Requests:
Todd's Condition
> Praise that Todd is showings sings of being on the path to engraftment.
> Praise that Todd is feeling well and that he is able to be relatively independent in the hospital right now.
> Continued prayer that the donor cells are strengthened and take over the body. When the hospital does a Chimerism test, we want it to see 100% donor cells.
> Continued prayer that God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
> Continued prayer for Todd's health, that when his immune system is so low, that he would not get sick at all. Todd's White Blood Cells (WBC) are up to 0.4, the last I heard.
See Todd's Blog.
Showing posts with label Todd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Todd. Show all posts
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Talk of Men: 21 Jan 2011
21 Jan 2011
Yesterday, I spent some time brainstorming for ideas and presenting ideas that I have stolen from other people. Instead of reading narrative from me, I'd like to solicit some thoughts from you.
I could always use more ideas in these areas to keep my energy going.
Please reply to all and comment on or add another idea either for these categories or in new category of your own.
> You can't feed when you're starving to death yourself.
> Be around.
> Breathe life into her passions.
> Treat her.
> Ask her where her heart/mind is.
> Serve her.
> Discuss how the liked the sermon or bible study.
> Ask her how her relationship with God is.
Prayer Requests:
> That we, as men, would would be strong enough to put our own issues and stresses away for a little while and dote on our wives.
> That we would work on and get better at being the spiritual leader in our house, and/or to prepare our lives for such servant leadership.
different subject....
> Praise that Todd is feeling well and that he is able to be relatively independent in the hospital right now.
> Praise that there isn't much to report. (Sometimes less is more...)
> Continued prayer that the donor cells are strengthened and take over the body. When the hospital does a Chimerism test, we want it to see 100% donor cells.
> Continued prayer that God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
> Continued prayer for Todd's health, that when his immune system is so low, that he would not get sick at all. Todd's White Blood Cells (WBC) are down to 0.0.
See Todd's Blog.
Yesterday, I spent some time brainstorming for ideas and presenting ideas that I have stolen from other people. Instead of reading narrative from me, I'd like to solicit some thoughts from you.
I could always use more ideas in these areas to keep my energy going.
Please reply to all and comment on or add another idea either for these categories or in new category of your own.
> You can't feed when you're starving to death yourself.
> Be around.
> Breathe life into her passions.
> Treat her.
> Ask her where her heart/mind is.
> Serve her.
> Discuss how the liked the sermon or bible study.
> Ask her how her relationship with God is.
Prayer Requests:
> That we, as men, would would be strong enough to put our own issues and stresses away for a little while and dote on our wives.
> That we would work on and get better at being the spiritual leader in our house, and/or to prepare our lives for such servant leadership.
different subject....
> Praise that Todd is feeling well and that he is able to be relatively independent in the hospital right now.
> Praise that there isn't much to report. (Sometimes less is more...)
> Continued prayer that the donor cells are strengthened and take over the body. When the hospital does a Chimerism test, we want it to see 100% donor cells.
> Continued prayer that God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
> Continued prayer for Todd's health, that when his immune system is so low, that he would not get sick at all. Todd's White Blood Cells (WBC) are down to 0.0.
See Todd's Blog.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Talk of Men: 20 Jan 2011
20 Jan 2011
Reading/Focus: I'd just like to do a short one today on the last verse:
Ephesians 5:33 (AMP).
I think this is the last time we'll be in Ephesians 5.
Yesterday, I mentioned that I wished the Amplified Bible did the same for men as it did for women in its discussion how to perform the tasks outlined in Ephesians 5:22-32.
I thought we could take some time to meditate on this and maybe, we could come up with a few more of our own how-to's of doing our job as husbands: spiritual leaders, servants leaders, and every other role that a man of God and husband to our wives may require us to take. Now, I want to put a disclaimer her. Every man that I have every listened to that was married has committed faults, made mistakes, and has gotten lazy from time to time. However, speaking for myself, it is FAR better for me to run in the race trying to win but then lose every time, then to stop entering in the race.
Ideas about being a spiritual leader:
You can't feed when you're starving to death yourself.
How are you supposed to feed and nourish your family, spiritually, if you have given yourself nothing? I am not talking about food or hobbies, but closeness and intimacy with God. Quiet times somehow became the end goal, when in fact they are the means to an end. There is no merit badge for waking up at the butt-crack of dawn and "getting your reading it" if you are not doing so to get closer to God, to pray, and to honestly do it for the sake of your relationship to God. You need to feed yourself, because you are supposed to feed others.
Be around.
Here is an incredibly easy way to show your wife some love. If your wife knows that you are supposed to go hang out with "the guys", but then when she has a rough day, or has a lot to do that you may be able to help with, you then choose to stay home with her and support her. Women are smart. You don't have to announce it. In fact, I don't think it is even important for her to consciously be aware that you chose her over the "the boys" or over the game on TV, or golf. Her knowing that you chose her over those things in order to support he is just a bonus; the real reason we do that is to support her as the spiritual leader of the household.
Breathe life into her passions.
Find out what it is that really speaks to her. This may be difficult to do, but if you find something, an activity, that she would like to do or be involved in, that would help in her spiritual walk, breathe life into that by supporting it. For example, if she really has a passion or desire to volunteer, make some time to do that with her. If you have kids, volunteer to watch them a few times, or on a regular basis. I f she wants to take a class, maybe even unrelated to her spiritual walk, support her in any way to help her take it. Find out what it is that inspires her, and pray for God to cue you into ways to support her. How do you find out these passions, inspirations, desires? Engage in active listening. This means, ask her how she is doing. Ask her what has been on her mind. Ask her if there is anything that she wish she had the time or the energy to do. Don't just ask her this out of the blue, or when she is stressed about something else. Set up a time, take her on a date, go out to dinner, and in making conversation based on just becoming more intimate with your wife, ask her these things. Then just listen. (note: I WORK at trying to do this, and I will admit, it is TOUGH to remember to do this, to have energy to do this, to put my own issues into the background to make that hour about her. I am very much on a journey like this of my own.) This will breathe life into her.
Treat her.
Buy her a little gift. Don't go to the jewelry store and create some stupid debt. Go out, buy her some flowers. Simple flowers that you know she likes, not five dozen, and actually write in a card how much you appreciate her. If this is a struggle, I would ask you to tap that inner Don Juan inside you that was alive and active when you were dating your wife and trying to convince her that you were the better choice than all the rest of the men out there. Just because we married, doesn't mean that the responsibility to romance our wives has ended.
Ask her where her heart/mind is.
When on a date like that, or during a deeper conversation, or during a longer drive, ask her what has been on her mind. Ask her what has been on her heart; what she has been thinking about lately. PLEASE, be gentle and specific with this question. I snide or unpleasant tone in your voice could make her misinterpret your intention. Bad timing with another tough conversation may seize the moment, and steer your good intention elsewhere. However, a well-timed, well-spoken, correctly-toned question of what she has been thinking about lately, or what she has been consumed with, or where her heart has been "this past week" may spark a conversation that really fills her "love tank" and builds some intimacy between you. Intimacy is part of our spiritual leadership responsibilities to initiate and nurture.
Serve her.
On a day where she could really use some encouragement, offer to do something for her that is usually her job, but is something that you can do. These type of things could be as simple as chores around the home that she usually has to do. If Jesus, the Son of God, can bend down on a dirty floor and wash the feet of people who walk around in the dirty all day and probably don't shower much more than once a week, then we can do a few chores around the house. Wash the dishes, cook dinner, clean the house, clean the bathroom, wash her car, vacuum her car, help fold or put away the laundry, take her clothes to the dry cleaners, take the kids to the park for a while and let her rest. Any of these things may speak to her, build intimacy with her, make her feel loved by you, and create possibility to have deep spiritual conversation with her later. If she doesn't feel like you much care about her day, her stress, her to-do list, and try to have those deep-talks with her, you're playing with danger.
Discuss how the liked the sermon or bible study.
Just because the preacher talked during the sermon for an hour doesn't mean that a discussion isn't warranted between you and your wife, sharing what spoke to you about the sermon. Be ready to share what it seemed to say to you. Be honest and share if it made you feel guilty, feel convicted, or feel empowered by something. Just start the conversation and see where it goes. This is a chance to spiritually reflect on how the sermon impacted you, which will help to apply it to your life.
Ask her how her relationship with God is.
This is the ultimate. If you can do some of the things above to build enough intimacy or already have the intimacy to be able to start a discussion about each of your relationships with God, you're right where you want to be. Pay close attention to the word "each". She is going to want you to share as well, this conversation isn't just about her, but DO wait until she asks. Listen, and actually listen. This may require shutting everything else off. Sometimes road trips, dates, quiet evenings at home with the TV off and the kids in bed are the best time for this. A man and his wife need to share these spiritual aspects of their lives (along with everything else really) to grow together to Christ and in Christ.
Okay, maybe that wasn't really a short one. What can I say? I had a few ideas come to me....
Prayer Requests:
> That we, as men, would would be strong enough to put our own issues and stresses away for a little while and dote on our wives.
> That we would work on and get better at being the spiritual leader in our house, and/or to prepare our lives for such servant leadership.
different subject....
> Praise that Todd is feeling well and that he is able to be relatively independent in the hospital right now.
> Praise that there isn't much to report. (Sometimes less is more...)
> Continued prayer that the donor cells are strengthened and take over the body. When the hospital does a Chimerism test, we want it to see 100% donor cells.
> Continued prayer that God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
> Continued prayer for Todd's health, that when his immune system is so low, that he would not get sick at all. Todd's White Blood Cells (WBC) are down to 0.0.
See Todd's Blog.
Reading/Focus: I'd just like to do a short one today on the last verse:
Ephesians 5:33 (AMP).
I think this is the last time we'll be in Ephesians 5.
Yesterday, I mentioned that I wished the Amplified Bible did the same for men as it did for women in its discussion how to perform the tasks outlined in Ephesians 5:22-32.
I thought we could take some time to meditate on this and maybe, we could come up with a few more of our own how-to's of doing our job as husbands: spiritual leaders, servants leaders, and every other role that a man of God and husband to our wives may require us to take. Now, I want to put a disclaimer her. Every man that I have every listened to that was married has committed faults, made mistakes, and has gotten lazy from time to time. However, speaking for myself, it is FAR better for me to run in the race trying to win but then lose every time, then to stop entering in the race.
Ideas about being a spiritual leader:
You can't feed when you're starving to death yourself.
How are you supposed to feed and nourish your family, spiritually, if you have given yourself nothing? I am not talking about food or hobbies, but closeness and intimacy with God. Quiet times somehow became the end goal, when in fact they are the means to an end. There is no merit badge for waking up at the butt-crack of dawn and "getting your reading it" if you are not doing so to get closer to God, to pray, and to honestly do it for the sake of your relationship to God. You need to feed yourself, because you are supposed to feed others.
Be around.
Here is an incredibly easy way to show your wife some love. If your wife knows that you are supposed to go hang out with "the guys", but then when she has a rough day, or has a lot to do that you may be able to help with, you then choose to stay home with her and support her. Women are smart. You don't have to announce it. In fact, I don't think it is even important for her to consciously be aware that you chose her over the "the boys" or over the game on TV, or golf. Her knowing that you chose her over those things in order to support he is just a bonus; the real reason we do that is to support her as the spiritual leader of the household.
Breathe life into her passions.
Find out what it is that really speaks to her. This may be difficult to do, but if you find something, an activity, that she would like to do or be involved in, that would help in her spiritual walk, breathe life into that by supporting it. For example, if she really has a passion or desire to volunteer, make some time to do that with her. If you have kids, volunteer to watch them a few times, or on a regular basis. I f she wants to take a class, maybe even unrelated to her spiritual walk, support her in any way to help her take it. Find out what it is that inspires her, and pray for God to cue you into ways to support her. How do you find out these passions, inspirations, desires? Engage in active listening. This means, ask her how she is doing. Ask her what has been on her mind. Ask her if there is anything that she wish she had the time or the energy to do. Don't just ask her this out of the blue, or when she is stressed about something else. Set up a time, take her on a date, go out to dinner, and in making conversation based on just becoming more intimate with your wife, ask her these things. Then just listen. (note: I WORK at trying to do this, and I will admit, it is TOUGH to remember to do this, to have energy to do this, to put my own issues into the background to make that hour about her. I am very much on a journey like this of my own.) This will breathe life into her.
Treat her.
Buy her a little gift. Don't go to the jewelry store and create some stupid debt. Go out, buy her some flowers. Simple flowers that you know she likes, not five dozen, and actually write in a card how much you appreciate her. If this is a struggle, I would ask you to tap that inner Don Juan inside you that was alive and active when you were dating your wife and trying to convince her that you were the better choice than all the rest of the men out there. Just because we married, doesn't mean that the responsibility to romance our wives has ended.
Ask her where her heart/mind is.
When on a date like that, or during a deeper conversation, or during a longer drive, ask her what has been on her mind. Ask her what has been on her heart; what she has been thinking about lately. PLEASE, be gentle and specific with this question. I snide or unpleasant tone in your voice could make her misinterpret your intention. Bad timing with another tough conversation may seize the moment, and steer your good intention elsewhere. However, a well-timed, well-spoken, correctly-toned question of what she has been thinking about lately, or what she has been consumed with, or where her heart has been "this past week" may spark a conversation that really fills her "love tank" and builds some intimacy between you. Intimacy is part of our spiritual leadership responsibilities to initiate and nurture.
Serve her.
On a day where she could really use some encouragement, offer to do something for her that is usually her job, but is something that you can do. These type of things could be as simple as chores around the home that she usually has to do. If Jesus, the Son of God, can bend down on a dirty floor and wash the feet of people who walk around in the dirty all day and probably don't shower much more than once a week, then we can do a few chores around the house. Wash the dishes, cook dinner, clean the house, clean the bathroom, wash her car, vacuum her car, help fold or put away the laundry, take her clothes to the dry cleaners, take the kids to the park for a while and let her rest. Any of these things may speak to her, build intimacy with her, make her feel loved by you, and create possibility to have deep spiritual conversation with her later. If she doesn't feel like you much care about her day, her stress, her to-do list, and try to have those deep-talks with her, you're playing with danger.
Discuss how the liked the sermon or bible study.
Just because the preacher talked during the sermon for an hour doesn't mean that a discussion isn't warranted between you and your wife, sharing what spoke to you about the sermon. Be ready to share what it seemed to say to you. Be honest and share if it made you feel guilty, feel convicted, or feel empowered by something. Just start the conversation and see where it goes. This is a chance to spiritually reflect on how the sermon impacted you, which will help to apply it to your life.
Ask her how her relationship with God is.
This is the ultimate. If you can do some of the things above to build enough intimacy or already have the intimacy to be able to start a discussion about each of your relationships with God, you're right where you want to be. Pay close attention to the word "each". She is going to want you to share as well, this conversation isn't just about her, but DO wait until she asks. Listen, and actually listen. This may require shutting everything else off. Sometimes road trips, dates, quiet evenings at home with the TV off and the kids in bed are the best time for this. A man and his wife need to share these spiritual aspects of their lives (along with everything else really) to grow together to Christ and in Christ.
Okay, maybe that wasn't really a short one. What can I say? I had a few ideas come to me....
Prayer Requests:
> That we, as men, would would be strong enough to put our own issues and stresses away for a little while and dote on our wives.
> That we would work on and get better at being the spiritual leader in our house, and/or to prepare our lives for such servant leadership.
different subject....
> Praise that Todd is feeling well and that he is able to be relatively independent in the hospital right now.
> Praise that there isn't much to report. (Sometimes less is more...)
> Continued prayer that the donor cells are strengthened and take over the body. When the hospital does a Chimerism test, we want it to see 100% donor cells.
> Continued prayer that God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
> Continued prayer for Todd's health, that when his immune system is so low, that he would not get sick at all. Todd's White Blood Cells (WBC) are down to 0.0.
See Todd's Blog.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Talk of Men: 18 Jan 2011
18 Jan 2011
Please read Todd's prayer requests and pray today. Saturday, Todd's had the transplant.
Reading/Focus: Ephesians 5:25-33 (ESV)
Again, I direct you back to the audio sermon files at http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/sermons starting 12 Aug 2007, in the 3-week sermon series "The Role of Men".
Do I really know what it means to be a man? I think I know what it means to be a man in earthly terms, but do I know what that means in Godly terms? Nearly every christian man I know, myself included, know exactly what verse 22-24 says, but that is what God commands the woman. After what verses for the man say, what God says to the woman is no longer relevant to the man. I'll come back to this.
In this reading, verse 29 challenges me over and over again.
"29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,..."
Chandler (the village church) speaks to these two words for a while. The idea of nourish, mean mostly to provide for. Thankfully, most men see it this way in some regard. In this case, this nourish means to provide for, to make sure that there is food on the table, to protect, to keep a roof over her head, etc. This is not the definition that I struggle with. However, in a spiritual sense, we are also to be the spiritual nourisher in our home. This includes the wife. I don't think this says that we are to the be the only spiritual nourishment, but rather to watch over the spiritual nourishment and growth of all the family members, wife included. This is both keenly important and deeper than I think I fully understand.
It's the other word: "Cherish", that really challenges me. Chandler explains this for me that it means we should treat our wives like "porcelain", meaning to treat her carefully.
"Watch what comes out of your mouth towards them, watch how you touch them, watch how you handle them. They are not to be handled verbally or physically rough. Like porcelain.”
The bible is very clear that it is my job to love my wife like Christ loves the church. This means that I not only have the responsibility of being the initiator of reconciliation in my marriage (which is a huge deal), but also to love my wife regardless of her response. Now, think about that for a minute. For those of you who may challenge me on that, I would first ask you to look at how Christ loves the church. Does Christ's love for me depend on my response? I sure hope to God not! Like Christ loves the church...
Chandler describes this ultimately difficult mission as one guy giving advice to another and he paints it so well, I'll just end by quoting him here, to leave us pondering:
In fact, it's comical. I mean, if you start talking to other people like this, they're like,
“Man, my wife, she just doesn't respond to me well. I mean, I'm just trying and she doesn't let me...” You're like, “Keep loving her.”
“Why should I keep loving her? She doesn't do anything I want...”
“Yeah, yeah, okay. Just keep loving her more. Love her more.”
“What?” “Buy her flowers.”
“I can't stand her.”
“Buy her lots of flowers.”
“I mean, she's this and she's that.”
“You want to really get her? Go ahead and clean the whole house. Clean all of it, bathrooms too. Clean it. Serve her, that's what you do.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah. Serve her, romance her, love her, woo her.”
“Are you serious?” “Absolutely serious.”
I mean, this is a little bit different message, isn't it? “She spit in my face.” “Get her a bottle of water and get a towel.”
Prayer Requests:
> That we, as men, would dare to look deep into what it means to be a man in the eyes of God, and that we would have the gut to pursue being that man, regardless of the cost.
different subject....
> That the donor cells are strengthened and take over the body. When the hospital does a Chimerism test, we want it to see 100% donor cells.
> That God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
> Pray for Todd's health, that when his immune system is so low, that he would not get sick at all.
See Todd's Blog, specifically "T-0: for real this time!"
Please read Todd's prayer requests and pray today. Saturday, Todd's had the transplant.
Reading/Focus: Ephesians 5:25-33 (ESV)
Again, I direct you back to the audio sermon files at http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/sermons starting 12 Aug 2007, in the 3-week sermon series "The Role of Men".
Do I really know what it means to be a man? I think I know what it means to be a man in earthly terms, but do I know what that means in Godly terms? Nearly every christian man I know, myself included, know exactly what verse 22-24 says, but that is what God commands the woman. After what verses for the man say, what God says to the woman is no longer relevant to the man. I'll come back to this.
In this reading, verse 29 challenges me over and over again.
"29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,..."
Chandler (the village church) speaks to these two words for a while. The idea of nourish, mean mostly to provide for. Thankfully, most men see it this way in some regard. In this case, this nourish means to provide for, to make sure that there is food on the table, to protect, to keep a roof over her head, etc. This is not the definition that I struggle with. However, in a spiritual sense, we are also to be the spiritual nourisher in our home. This includes the wife. I don't think this says that we are to the be the only spiritual nourishment, but rather to watch over the spiritual nourishment and growth of all the family members, wife included. This is both keenly important and deeper than I think I fully understand.
It's the other word: "Cherish", that really challenges me. Chandler explains this for me that it means we should treat our wives like "porcelain", meaning to treat her carefully.
"Watch what comes out of your mouth towards them, watch how you touch them, watch how you handle them. They are not to be handled verbally or physically rough. Like porcelain.”
The bible is very clear that it is my job to love my wife like Christ loves the church. This means that I not only have the responsibility of being the initiator of reconciliation in my marriage (which is a huge deal), but also to love my wife regardless of her response. Now, think about that for a minute. For those of you who may challenge me on that, I would first ask you to look at how Christ loves the church. Does Christ's love for me depend on my response? I sure hope to God not! Like Christ loves the church...
Chandler describes this ultimately difficult mission as one guy giving advice to another and he paints it so well, I'll just end by quoting him here, to leave us pondering:
In fact, it's comical. I mean, if you start talking to other people like this, they're like,
“Man, my wife, she just doesn't respond to me well. I mean, I'm just trying and she doesn't let me...” You're like, “Keep loving her.”
“Why should I keep loving her? She doesn't do anything I want...”
“Yeah, yeah, okay. Just keep loving her more. Love her more.”
“What?” “Buy her flowers.”
“I can't stand her.”
“Buy her lots of flowers.”
“I mean, she's this and she's that.”
“You want to really get her? Go ahead and clean the whole house. Clean all of it, bathrooms too. Clean it. Serve her, that's what you do.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah. Serve her, romance her, love her, woo her.”
“Are you serious?” “Absolutely serious.”
I mean, this is a little bit different message, isn't it? “She spit in my face.” “Get her a bottle of water and get a towel.”
Prayer Requests:
> That we, as men, would dare to look deep into what it means to be a man in the eyes of God, and that we would have the gut to pursue being that man, regardless of the cost.
different subject....
> That the donor cells are strengthened and take over the body. When the hospital does a Chimerism test, we want it to see 100% donor cells.
> That God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
> Pray for Todd's health, that when his immune system is so low, that he would not get sick at all.
See Todd's Blog, specifically "T-0: for real this time!"
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Talk of Men: 14 Jan 2011
14 Jan 2011
Please read Todd's prayer requests and pray today. Today is transplant day.
Reading: Ephesians 5
Again, I direct you back to the audio sermon files at http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/sermons starting 12 Aug 2007, in the 3-week sermon series "The Role of Men".
I began reading this passage in verses 22 and 25, but then looked back to the beginning of the chapter, and immediately stopped short. Yesterday we were talking about courageous love, love that not only risks a loving action, but endures with this love [Thank you Brian].
To relate this to Pastor David's sermon on Sunday, if in talking about this kind of love yesterday, we would be focusing on looking outward. This passage today strikes deeply inward.
Verse 3 is one TALL order:
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
In my experience, guys (I fully included here) are overtly guilty in the area discussed in verse 4. However, as we read further into this chapter, I fully believe that Paul is scaling up in his challenges. First, is this personal purity area. Second, Paul challenges us to live as children of light (verse 9-11) and to understand what the Lord's will is (verse 17). Instead of living in and doing evil deeds, Paul says that we are supposed to expose them and bring them to light. Now, I don't think that Paul intends for us to expose others' sins by "outing" them on a public blog or in front of the church, but rather for one man to sharpen another, just as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). But remember, Paul is still talking to both men and women here, this is not exclusive for us males to be doing. It isn't until verse 25 that Paul addresses the men specifically.
I think that it is no coincidence that Paul only spends 3 verses on the women, and then spend 8-9 verses on the men. As head of the household, there is much more call on the man. And this is where I think it gets really hard. Specifically, Paul commands the women to submit to their husbands. Paul commands the men to die (love your wife as Christ loved the church: What did he do for the church?). What does he mean? Well, how can you die?
Ways to die:
Die (physically), though through the movies we worship, we should be familiar and already comfortable with (Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, etc).
Die to the world.
Die to sin (might be considered the same as the previous).
Die to yourself.
While you may be called to do the first, I think this is the one we shouldn't be seeking out. :) However, step 1 is to die to the world. If we are a Christian, we have already begun the process. But in referring to our wives, I think we are dying ourselves. This is the hardest for me: To be strong, to stand firm, to put my wants and needs behind my wife's needs, all day, every day, and to not cry about it in the process.
My thoughts and questions:
Why is it so dang hard to love her in her love language when I am not feeling like doing it? Why is it sometimes easier to change the oil (something I also don't like doing) than to buy flowers when I am not feeling loved myself?
Do I know my wife's needs? Could I name them? If someone asked me what she needs me to do for her to feel love, would I be able to tell them? Would I be able to say that I regularly do those things?
What are other ways that I should be "dying to myself"?
Changing the subject....
Prayer Requests:
That God would prepare Todd's body for his transplant TODAY.
That God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
Pray for a boring and uneventful day.
Pray for the donor cells to completely take over Todd's body.
See Todd's Blog, specifically "T-1: Thankful!".
Please read Todd's prayer requests and pray today. Today is transplant day.
Reading: Ephesians 5
Again, I direct you back to the audio sermon files at http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/sermons starting 12 Aug 2007, in the 3-week sermon series "The Role of Men".
I began reading this passage in verses 22 and 25, but then looked back to the beginning of the chapter, and immediately stopped short. Yesterday we were talking about courageous love, love that not only risks a loving action, but endures with this love [Thank you Brian].
To relate this to Pastor David's sermon on Sunday, if in talking about this kind of love yesterday, we would be focusing on looking outward. This passage today strikes deeply inward.
Verse 3 is one TALL order:
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
In my experience, guys (I fully included here) are overtly guilty in the area discussed in verse 4. However, as we read further into this chapter, I fully believe that Paul is scaling up in his challenges. First, is this personal purity area. Second, Paul challenges us to live as children of light (verse 9-11) and to understand what the Lord's will is (verse 17). Instead of living in and doing evil deeds, Paul says that we are supposed to expose them and bring them to light. Now, I don't think that Paul intends for us to expose others' sins by "outing" them on a public blog or in front of the church, but rather for one man to sharpen another, just as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). But remember, Paul is still talking to both men and women here, this is not exclusive for us males to be doing. It isn't until verse 25 that Paul addresses the men specifically.
I think that it is no coincidence that Paul only spends 3 verses on the women, and then spend 8-9 verses on the men. As head of the household, there is much more call on the man. And this is where I think it gets really hard. Specifically, Paul commands the women to submit to their husbands. Paul commands the men to die (love your wife as Christ loved the church: What did he do for the church?). What does he mean? Well, how can you die?
Ways to die:
Die (physically), though through the movies we worship, we should be familiar and already comfortable with (Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, etc).
Die to the world.
Die to sin (might be considered the same as the previous).
Die to yourself.
While you may be called to do the first, I think this is the one we shouldn't be seeking out. :) However, step 1 is to die to the world. If we are a Christian, we have already begun the process. But in referring to our wives, I think we are dying ourselves. This is the hardest for me: To be strong, to stand firm, to put my wants and needs behind my wife's needs, all day, every day, and to not cry about it in the process.
My thoughts and questions:
Why is it so dang hard to love her in her love language when I am not feeling like doing it? Why is it sometimes easier to change the oil (something I also don't like doing) than to buy flowers when I am not feeling loved myself?
Do I know my wife's needs? Could I name them? If someone asked me what she needs me to do for her to feel love, would I be able to tell them? Would I be able to say that I regularly do those things?
What are other ways that I should be "dying to myself"?
Changing the subject....
Prayer Requests:
That God would prepare Todd's body for his transplant TODAY.
That God would strengthen Jen, as she is taking care of most of the things at home, while visiting Todd in the hospital.
Pray for a boring and uneventful day.
Pray for the donor cells to completely take over Todd's body.
See Todd's Blog, specifically "T-1: Thankful!".
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