Chris's Musings

I finally got fed up.... and this time I took some action.  That is, I wrote a letter to my Senator  (Saxby Chambliss) expressing my concerns about the way that our government is responding to the economic situation with their recent "stimulus" package.  Here is the text of my note: Dear Senator Chambliss: First of all, I want to thank you for taking a stand against the $787 billion spending package that was just passed by Congress and signed by the President. I am concerned, as many Georgians are, about the future impact of this enormous spending on both ours and future generations. I am also concerned that we may be creating more harm than good by taking this action, even though I understand that some good will probably be done through this bill. My question is: now what? How can we (and you) stand against the waste that we fear is coming as a result of this bill? Or, are we destined to throw away almost $1 trillion in a 70% shot, by the President's own admission, ...

I thought that this was extremely cool... Saw this writing on the website for City Church of San Francisco... was really impressed.  It's a good read (text below):  Link: http://www.citychurchsf.org/citylove/citylove.htm  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God. -Hebrews 11:10 God began history in a Garden, but is ending it in a city (Rev.21). God tells Adam to multiply and develop a civilization that will glorify him (Gen.1:27-28). Adam fails, and God through Christ the second Adam does get a civilization that glorifies him, but Hebrews and Revelation 21 show us that this world is urban. The wife of the Lamb is a beautiful city, shining with the glory of God (Rev.21:10-11). When we look at the New Jerusalem, we discover that in the midst of the city is a crystal river and the Tree of Life, bearing fruit and leaves which heal the nations of the effects of the divine covenant curse. This city is the Garden of Eden, remade. The City is ...

Yesterday in my quiet time, I read what was to me a familiar story in the Bible... Have you ever read a familiar story or passage and either because you read on -or- you see something that hasn't jumped off the page to you before, God just rocks your world with it?  -OR- He gives you an "ah ha moment?"  This happened to me yesterday. The story is one about a guy from a foreign (somewhat hostile) country who has leprosy , a really socially limiting disease, and hears about how he could get healed by this prophet (Elisha) in Israel, goes to seek healing and in the process of being healed meets God on God's own terms and is miraculously healed.  I have read this story many times because it has spoken to me about seeking God on His own terms and not mine... and I have actually lead devotions on this passage because I love it so much... but this time I got something different out of it.  Yesterday, I didn't stop at the point where Naaman got healed... instead I read o...

I was preparing for my small group study this afternoon and ran across this question... arising from the "Balanced" series we are conducting at church.  It's prompted some thoughts as I read it: "Discontentment is robbing our generation."  Do you agree with this statement?  If so, how? Given the context of our study over the last few weeks, I would agree wholeheartedly with this statement.  We have fallen heads down into the trap of discontentment when it comes to "things" that is has caused us to do some really stupid things in the name of "keeping up," "upgrading," "being good to yourself," etc.  The amount of credit card debt that most of us Americans hold is evidence that discontentment is robbing us of our financial security.   It is also robbing us of our joy... in an effort to "keep up" and have the newest, biggest, fastest, blah, blah, blah... we are not enjoying the life that we have and in a sense ...

Psalm 40 :1-13;16-17 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart....