The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (The Pace of Life)

Does your life seem hectic, an ordeal, unhealthy? For me having a daily quiet time in God’s Word really helps. We can allow busyness to steal our joy, confuse our priorities, damage our relationships. I welcome any comments you might have on the possibility of sssllllooowwwiiinnnggg down.

 

Stay Spiritually Fit and Healthy — Until You Are Dead! Part 7

In 1994 Os Guinness wrote a book called Fit Bodies Fat Minds: Why Evangelicals Don’t Think and What to Do About It.  I think I could write a book called Fat Bodies and Fat Minds and Thin Wallets!

I’m working hard at getting fitter in my late 60’s.  But how much effort am I spending on getting spiritually healthy?  A major theme of the little epistle of Titus deals with soundness of soul.  Let’s look at our next section of this incredible letter:

Here in Chapter three we see our “B.C.” condition (before Christ).  Eight awful adjectives are used to describe us in our unsaved reality.  We were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

But God didn’t leave us that way!  In His kindness and love (v. 4) our Savior appeared and saved us!  He didn’t save us because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy (v. 5).  The Holy Spirit washed and renewed us and was “poured out generously” on us (v. 6).  We have now been “justified by his grace” (v. 7) and have become “heirs having the hope of eternal life” (v. 7).

That is what has happened to us!  That’s the truth about what we were and what we are now in Christ.  And that kind of healthy good news ought to sink into our spiritual bones and cause us to rejoice!

Stress is a major factor in negatively impacting the health of many people.  But “stress” can also be a verb.  And Paul challenges Titus to “stress these things” (v. 8).  We are to focus upon and emphasize these truths so that those who have made this transition out of darkness into His light “may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good” (v. 8).  Realization and practical response are required of the healthy believer who enjoys soundness of soul!  (to be continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stressed? (Time for a Great Commercial)

Are you stressed?  It’s great to know that our God is far more powerful than a karate-trained log splitter!

 

Psalms of the Salter: Some Thoughts on Really Living for the Lord (Psalm 4)

Although I am not an Old Testament scholar, I’ve been asked by Word of Life in Korea to teach a course next June on the book of Psalms.  As some of you know, I’ve been on a quest to unit-read all the books of the Bible (with the exception of the Psalms, which isn’t written to be unit-read).

It will do my soul good to go through the book of Psalms.  Let’s tackle Psalm 4 today:

Psalm 4
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
1 Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.

6
Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7
Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.

8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

 

Time for a Great Cartoon! Playing house!

Questions:

1.  What patterns are you and I establishing for our children when it comes to our homes?

2.  Do you and your family have dinner together at least three or four times a week?  How do you deal with the out-of-control demand of activities on you and your family?

 

What Animals Are Thinking #25 (scroll down)