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Blog tech and blog updates

August 22nd, 2005 @ 7:18 pm by Rich | Share This | 2 comments
Filed under: Blogging, Site Updates, Links, Random Miscellany

Blog Feed Changes

For the approximately baker’s-dozen subscribers to the BlogRodent feed out there, I apologize for the frequent updates to my articles, and the recent change from the full text of the article to just summaries. I personally like receiving the full text feed, but I also worry about constantly resending the full text of articles you’ve already read just because I fixed a typo or uploaded an image. If you want the complete unexpurgated feed back, let me know. (Use the contact link in the navigation bar.)

As soon as I get over the novelty of a new blog and constantly fiddling with it (does it ever happen?), things should settle down to normal. Then you can happily read one or two half-baked posts a month.

Maybe.

Notification by Email

I’ve been working over the past couple of weeks with Scott Merrill, the developer of subscribe2, which provides the ability for

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INSERT INTO wp_bdprss_items_v3 (item_feed_id, item_url, item_name, text_body, item_update_time, item_time, item_date) VALUES ('37', 'http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-vQwmRz07frSd2czSBsr_eQ--?cq=1&p=764', 'Entry for November 14, 2008', '<div>You are a priest!</div> <div> </div> <div>One of the privileges that a Pastor enjoys is being part of the emotional moments, the crises of life, that happen to those he shepherds. A baby is born and we celebrate. A death occurs and we comfort. Marriage gets stormy and we counsel. Disappointment comes and we console. We share life and connect those we love with the One who loves them most. That is what Jesus modeled for us in His ministry! He did not run from people's needs. He shared their lives, stepped into the fears and tears and storms and joy and pain. His Presence made a difference and it still does! In Mark, there are two stories of His compassion that show me the depth of His care. </div> <ul> <li>In chapter 5, we meet a woman sick for years who is too fearful to face Jesus so she just tries to touch Him. When she succeeded, her faith allowed her to experience healing. Jesus sensed the touch and when she came out of the crowd trembling with fear, He gently called her "Daughter!" and then told her that her faith was rewarded. </li> <li>Wrapped around that little drama, we meet a desperate father whose daughter lay dying. Jairus pressed Jesus to come to his home, but the delay on the way brought word she died. Jesus' words are so tender and challenging - "Don't be afraid, just believe!" And he saw his daughter restored.</li></ul> <div> An important part of being a shepherd of God's people is remembering that it's not about me, but rather about becoming a priest that connects people with the grace, peace, and wisdom of God. It's all about Jesus Christ! Never forget that, disciple. Don't get in the way of what the Lord wants to do through you, by thinking it's about you. Serving Christ and becoming a minister (and every Believer is a minister!) is not about giving you or me a sense of importance; it's not about providing a way to gain affirmation; and it's not about creating a list of wins and losses. It's about letting the Presence of Jesus Christ be known as we share life with others. The Word says, "The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less." (Colossians 1:27-28, The Message)</div> <div> </div> <div> As you walk through this day, let yourself be touched! Take an active interest in the people you among whom you live and work. Connect them with Jesus and stand amazed at what He does for them. Here's a word from the Word. I pray it challenges you to a renewed sense of ministry. ". . . for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9-10, NLT) </div> <div>________________________</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"> How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, In a believer's ear; It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds And drives away his fear. <div style="text-align:center;"> It makes the wounded Spirit whole And calms the troubled breast; 'Tis manna to the hungry soul And to the weary, rest.</div> <div style="text-align:center;"> Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, My Prophet, Priest, and King My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring.</div> <div style="text-align:center;"> Till then I would Thy love proclaim With ev'ry fleeting breath; And may the music of Thy name Refresh my soul in death.</div> <div style="text-align:center;"> How Sweet the Name John Newton © Public Domain </div></div>', '1227198280', '1227198275', '2008-11-20')

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INSERT INTO wp_bdprss_items_v3 (item_feed_id, item_url, item_name, text_body, item_update_time, item_time, item_date) VALUES ('37', 'http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-vQwmRz07frSd2czSBsr_eQ--?cq=1&p=763', 'Entry for November 13, 2008', '<div>Wrinkles and Wisdom</div> <div> </div> <div>I caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror this morning and wondered who that old guy staring back at me was! Grandpa Scott- that's me! All grown-up, just starting the last quarter in this game of life. Aging is inevitable, but not maturity! Some men die of old age while still thinking and acting like a teenage boy. I don't want to be one of them. </div> <div>Maturity gives a person the freedom to choose to master his impulses because he understands that he won't 'just die' if he doesn't get what he thinks he needs or wants. </div> <div>Maturity clarifies the truly important from the merely urgent. </div> <div>Maturity refocuses the man from image-building to authenticity. It allows a person to live 'now' instead of waiting for some ideal set of circumstances to develop so that he can really live. </div> <div>Maturity brings acceptance (not apathy!) of spiritual gifts, opportunities, and yes -even limitations - and in that acceptance is found the fertile soil in which real effectiveness grows a rich crop of spiritual and relational fruit. Instead of striving to become somebody's ideal, the mature man is content to be the best at who he is.</div> <div> </div> <div>The Word urges us to grow up. "No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd." (Ephesians 4:14-17, The Message) </div> <div> </div> <div>For the disciple, maturity develops from two things: Commitment to the Truth and a Radical obedience to Christ. </div> <div> </div> <div>We will not mature as long as we hide from the truth - about ourselves, about life, about what we've done or who we are. Jesus said it simply: "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Truth can be devastating. Admitting that we sin and fail, letting the Spirit of God and/or those He brings into our lives tell us the the truth, won't always be much fun, but if we face it, God will give us grace to deal with it as necessary. </div> <div> </div> <div>James, that practical teacher, reminds us of the importance of acting on the truth. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:22-25, NIV) </div> <div> </div> <div>We will not mature if we let discipleship remain an idea that is separate from 'real life.' James tells us to 'do what the Word says!' By way of illustration, he goes on to say, "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." (James 1:26-27, The Message) </div> <div> </div> <div>Disciple, it's time to grow on. You're going to get older and there's not a thing you can do about that. Match aging with maturity and then you will be able to enjoy the blessings of being all grown up.</div> <div>____________________</div> <div> </div> <div>I am Thine O Lord; I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me. But I long to rise in the arms of faith, And be closer drawn to Thee. Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord, By the power of grace divine. Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, And my will be lost in Thine. Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord. To Thy precious bleeding side. I Am Thine, O Lord Fanny Crosby © Public Domain </div>', '1227198280', '1227198274', '2008-11-20')

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INSERT INTO wp_bdprss_items_v3 (item_feed_id, item_url, item_name, text_body, item_update_time, item_time, item_date) VALUES ('37', 'http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-vQwmRz07frSd2czSBsr_eQ--?cq=1&p=762', 'Entry for November 12, 2008', 'Who's is going to pay for it? I encouraged dreaming yesterday. I hope you didn't take that as permission to get lost in silly fantasies. With a child-like faith, allow yourself to think about how God wants you to go against the flow, how He is asking you to apply yourself to make a difference for the Kingdom. Somebody asked me, "And just where do I get the resources I need to make that dream into a reality?" With confidence I can say, "If your dream is inspired by God, and if you're willing to work hard and think 'out of the box,' He will provide!" A story from Genesis makes that point. "Dad, we have the flint and the wood for our sacrifices, but where is the sheep for the offering?" Abraham and Isaac were on their way to Moriah. Both are filled with questions. One of them is wonders where the lamb is and the other is trying to understand what God is doing and why! The account of the testing of Abraham in Genesis 22, wraps up with a Hebrew proverb.... "When you get to the mountain, God will provide." That was how Abraham responded to his son's question. "Isaac, God will see to it that there is a sheep for the offering." In other words, "we will just keep going and see how He works it out." Is God calling you to some sacrifice, has He pointed you down a road filled with challenges that you have NO IDEA how to overcome? "When you get to the mountain, God will provide." If you're at all like me, you prefer that He show you the plan BEFORE you get to the mountain. Being the planning type, I rest better when the route is laid out, the provisions set aside, and the outcome is assured. There's nothing wrong with purpose and planning, but God reserves the right to CHANGE our plans and not to tell us what He's doing. That is why faith is a basic requirement for living out His dreams in our lives. "It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Hebrews 11:6, NLT) When He calls us to take up His challenges, He is not cruel nor is He impulsive. He wants us to know that it is His doing, not ours. He is leading us into new revelations of Himself. Deeper vision; greater dreams! The text of Genesis 22 gives us no insight into Abraham's emotions on that three day journey to Moriah. What is underscored is that he was obedient and trusting -- even though everything he had built his life around -- God's covenant, the life of his beloved son -- was on the line. It appeared that God had kicked the legs out from underneath him, that God was a deceiver who gave with one hand and took away with the other. But Abraham did not accuse God, rebel against God, or even resist. After receiving the Word of the LORD, the Bible says, 'early the next morning, he got up and saddled his donkey' to go and obey! I think he must have kept repeating to himself, "God will see to it. God will provide" over and over and over. What would God do? The writer in Hebrews says that Abraham considered that God could raise his son from the dead if necessary! You know the story. As he raised the knife to slay his son, God spoke. "Enough! I have seen the depth of your love." The Message translation concludes the story like this: "Abraham looked up. He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. He named that place GOD-Yireh (God-Sees-to-it!). That's where we get the saying, "On the mountain of GOD, he sees to it." Live obediently today. Keep moving toward the mountain trusting that when you get there, GOD-Yireh, the One who sufficient and able, will 'see to it' giving you just what you need at that time! He will because He is faithful. Jehovah Jireh, my provider, His grace is sufficient for me, for me, for me. Jehovah Jireh, my provider, His grace is sufficient for me. My God shall supply all my needs, According to His riches in glory. He will give His angels charge over me. Jehovah Jireh careth for me, for me, for me. Jehovah Jireh careth for me. © 1974 Sound III, Inc. (Admin. by MCA Music Publishing) / Universal -MCA Music PublishingCCLI License No. 810055. ', '1227198280', '1227198273', '2008-11-20')

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