Quiet Time: Be the Man

Be the Man

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, and be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 

My son, Matt, loves the reality comedy show, Duck Dynasty. Recently the leader of the program, Phil Robertson, got himself suspended from the sitcom for being frank in an interview with GQ magazine. (Why in the world GQ wanted to interview this guy is beyond me) Apparently, in line with his conservative Christian views, and notorious palpable candor, he said, among other things, that he believed the bible taught the LGBT lifestyle was wrong and that he found it to be illogical. When did Americans, gay or otherwise, start wearing their heart on their sleeve?

Matthew, furious at the way A & E network handled the situation made a derogatory comment regarding homosexuals. Well, that got my attention. I immediately addressed the off color remark while supporting Matt's biblically based convictions by reminding him of (Ephesians 4:29) Believers are to fight for the right while maintaining an attitude of love for people. (For example, a combat soldier reflected how he fought and killed the enemy, without a sense of hatred or personal malice toward them at all. In this soldier’s eyes the enemy brought about their own demise by choosing to fight)

I don’t understand when Americans became intimidated by free speech. It seems rather silly in a country that prides itself on being brash and out spoken. However, Christ followers need to understand that their world view will always be challenged; even hated.

Perhaps it’s time to do a better job at training ourselves to respond appropriately when the enemy is attacking our position. If we don’t, the only examples we'll have are the talking heads on television and radio who spout blatant heated commentary with no thought to the unshakeable unchanging word of God.

Look, the bottom line is that Christians should expect hostility from the world; but, we should also become adept at handling these attacks like good soldiers from a position of strength, reason, and love (Psalm 37:7-9).

Christ followers don’t wear their heart on their sleeves; it is kept safe behind the breast-plate of righteousness (Eph. 6:14)    

Song Series: Christ Is Enough

Christ Is Enough

First place in everything

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything – Colossians 1:18

Any Christian musician worth his salt longs for the day of writing a song that impacts God’s people toward a deeper love and walk with Christ. It looks like pastor Morgan has done  just that… again! 

 “Christ Is Enough” by Reuben Morgan, is  a foundational  song from the Hillsong Live Glorious Ruins album . By now most contemporary worship teams are quite familiar with Reuben’s work, as the Hillsong church worship pastor. Over the years his songs “Mighty to Save”, “God Is Able”, and “Believe” have become staples on many church song sets.

Brian Houston, senior pastor at Hillsong Church, was so moved by the message in this piece, that he actually built a two part sermon around it. (here’s the link for part 1: http://audacious.me/library_items/sermons/5216d0bb47ef506b89000005)

I love music that re-calibrates my thinking and enlivens my love for the Messiah, the firstborn over all creation. I want Him to be the firstborn of my heart, don't you? 

Firstborn (prōtotokos: the first born of an Israelite family inherited everything that the Father owned; he was the heir apparent, the owner of it all)

 "Christ Is Enough"

(Our worship team will begin learning the song this week and our congregation will begin worshipping with it by mid-October, LORD willing)