But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17
Sometimes we question if we can discern what is of God and what isn't. If you question whether or not something originates from the wisdom and heart of God, measure it by the descriptors in this passage - pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, good fruits and sincere. Pretty straight-forward.
This is from The Daily Verse.
Trained for War
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, May 19 2009
"Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers
for battle" (Psalm 144:1)
You'll never experience God in powerful ways by acquiring Bible knowledge
alone. It is only when that knowledge is used in the heat of battle that
you will know the reality of what you've learned intellectually. Otherwise,
it remains only an exercise in spiritual gymnastics that yields little
fruit.
David became a great warrior and leader of a nation at an early age. His
training ground was his job as a shepherd in the open fields. When bears
and lions sought to take his sheep, he personally fought them. This was
his early preparation for future battles. Goliath was the real competition
amongst a discerning audience to reveal how well his training prepared
him.
Today, our local churches often look more like luxury cruise liners
designed to tickle the ears, entertain its members and make them feel good
instead of a battleship designed to train an army for war. The average
member still watches from the sideline.
In sports you discover how well you handle pressure by competing. You can
practice all you want but never know how you will do until you enter the
game and test what you've learned and practiced when there is pressure
added to the equation. In battle you discover how well you are trained by
what you actually do on the battlefield.
Have you ever prayed with someone in public? Have you ever personally led
someone to Christ? Have you ever served others for the sake of the Gospel?
Have you ever taught a Bible study? If you said no to these questions, you
are not engaged in the game. Today, why not ask God to give you the grace
to step onto the battlefield.
For those of you interested, Deborah Rosenkranz (Former German singing Flight Attendant) is interviewed on the German version of Hour of Power.
Dutch association BCB plans Book & Music Festival, Christian Bookstore Day. BCB—the primary association of Dutch Christian retailers and suppliers, which represents the Netherlands in ChristianTrade Association International—is planning a new consumer Christian Book & Music Festival and a Christian Bookstore Day. BCB is changing the focus of its annual fall consumers’ fair to be more experiential. Current plans are for several large, themed areas, each running continuous programming. Depending on logistics, the revamped event will be held later this year or in 2010. For Christian Bookstore Day, BCB plans to coordinate and generate nationwide publicity and develop in-store materials. Each local store would organize its own activities and local publicity, highlighting its own identity. Publishers can participate with discounts, giveaways, and other promotions to attract buyers. The first Christian Bookstore Day is planned for early 2010.
My wife started a garden tonight with our next door neighbor and another friend. They're using a plot of land her church owns. Krissy came home all muddy.
