December « 2009 « Tim Rowland

Archive for December, 2009

Lunatic or Lord?

Friday, December 18th, 2009

I’m making my way through Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and this morning I read, what I think, is one of his greatest statements.

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

As for me, I agree with C.S. Lewis and choose to fall at his feet and call Him Lord and God. What is your decision?

Tim

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Enemy Territory

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

As part of my morning meditation I am reading C.S. Lewis’ classic, Mere Christianity. This morning I read something I want to pass along to you: “Enemy-occupied territory – that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.” Today I would challenge you to so some act of “sabotage”; do something that promotes the values of our King, Jesus, and diminishes the values of our Enemy, Satan. For example, show compassion, be kind, extend mercy, forgive, serve, love, be truthful, act in integrity. Let’s all do some damage to the cause of the Dark Kingdom today.

Tim

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Movie Night

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Last night Gloria and I met some friends for dinner and then went to see The Blindside. It’s the story of Michael Oher, an homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. I highly recommend the movie, but the highlight of the night was not the movie but the chance to spend time with good friends. We caught up on what’s happening in each of our lives, we gave each other simple Christmas gifts and we simply shared a few hours together and I didn’t have to talk ’shop’, if you know what I mean. I was reminded of Gordon MacDonald’s statement in his book, A Resilient Life where he wrote, “Friendships may be the most important treasure one will ever possess this side of heaven.” Based on last night, I agree.

Tim

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Ducks Quack and Eagles Soar

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Today I am passing along a story that my wife sent me a few weeks ago. Currently it is on my computer desk top and I have read it several times. It is an amazing story about sowing and reaping called “Ducks Quack Eagles Soar” I hope you enjoy it and are motivated by it to soar like an eagle. Here it is:

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Concord HS Christmas Spectacular

Monday, December 14th, 2009

My wife and I have lived in Elkhart for 20 years and our son graduated from Concord High School, so it is with some embarrassment that I tell you that yesterday was the first time Gloria and I experienced The Christmas Spectacular. For years we have heard how excellent the performance is that is put on by the Concord Music Department; now we can say that ourselves; it is simply spectacular!

We were impressed with the quality of the musical and vocal talent, the technical support, the variety of costumes and the incredible visuals. But most impressive to us was the clear way in which the true meaning of Christmas was presented. We left encouraged, refreshed and proud of Concord High School for helping us celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world.

If you have never been to The Christmas Spectacular at Concord High School, don’t wait 20 years like we did to see it! Make a note on your 2010 calendar to buy the tickets and experience this amazing performace at Concord High School.

Tim

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Stop Complaining

Friday, December 11th, 2009

A few days ago I was browsing in a book I have in my office and I ran into a quote that has me thinking about something; how much do I complain? This is what the author wrote, “Here is some homework that I promise will change your life. For the next seven days, I challenge you to not complain at all. Not just our loud, but in your head as well. But you have to do it for seven days. Why? Because for the first few days, you will still have some ‘residual complaints’ coming to you from before…I’ve given this challenge to thousands of people, and I’m blown away at how many of them have told me that this one, teensy-weensy exercise has transformed their lives.”

It reminds me of Paul’s words in Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without complaining or arguing…”

Want to join me in giving this a try? I promise to start when the temperature gets above 12! (Just kidding)

Tim

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Trading gods

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

This morning I read in the book of Jeremiah and found the statement in 2:11 quite interesting. It says, “Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods as all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols!” My mind went immediately to the front page article in USA Today that I had glanced at while waiting for my food order in Panera Bread this morning entitled, “More U.S. Christians mix in Eastern; New Age Beliefs”. The article opens with these words…“Going to church this Sunday? Look around. The chances are that one in five of the people there find “spiritual energy” in mountains or trees, and one in six believe in the “evil eye,” that certain people can cast curses with a look — beliefs your Christian pastor doesn’t preach.” The article goes on to detail how Americans mix and match various denominations within the Christian faith as well as various world religions. If you take the time to read the article. I would like to hear your comments about it. Have a great day and try to stay warm!

Tim

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For I am with you and I will take care of you

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Those words come from God to the Prophet Jeremiah and are recorded in Jeremiah 1:19. This morning I began reading the book of Jeremiah. I love that book, in large part because I can easily relate to Jeremiah. He was a prophet to Judah in the years leading up to the fall of Jerusalem. He was called of God to be a prophet, but he didn’t always like his ‘calling’ and sometimes he let God know it (more on that in a later post). These words from God in 1:19 are meant to bring comfort and confidence, and they certainly do. However, as I read those words this morning, I couldn’t help fast forwarding to events in Jeremiah’s life such as his life of virtual poverty, being beaten, put in stocks and in jail. So I conclude that when God says that he will be with me and will take care of me, it doesn’t mean he will necessarily bring financial prosperity and keep my life protected from all pain and suffering. What it means is that in whatever circumstances I find myself he will be there with me and his care will be sufficient for me, even it if doesn’t look like it or feel like it. Have a great day resting in the loving presence and protection of God, I plan to.

Tim

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A Post from a Ponderer

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Today I received an e-mail from Kendra Wiestock responding to my message yesterday on ‘pondering’. Kendra is a seasoned blogger (unlike me) and she forwarded her post from Sunday. She tells of her journey of fighting cancer and looking back over the past four years. She graciously gave me permission to link to it. I hope you will take a couple of minutes and read her story. Thanks, Kendra! and I am impressed with your faith and your grace.

Tim

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A Same Kind of Different As Me

Monday, December 7th, 2009

I know many of you at River Oaks are reading the book, A Same Kind of Different as Me. It is an incredible true story of a very wealthy white man and a very poor black man being brought together in the most unlikly of places. To me, it models Christian compassion at its finest. I’m interested in any thoughts and comments you might have after reading this story.

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