Wednesday, May 07, 2008

TWG - May 7, 2008

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TWG - May 7, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Genesis 46:1-17; Psalm 4; Matthew 11

Today is May 7, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. You are part of a devotional community where we put Christ first and our commitment is to spend time with each other and Time with God every day.

A little variety in life never hurts. I only have a limited attention span, so a few changes to the routine are good. I’ve begun watering the amphitheater now… I enjoy watching the grass grow… and praying that it will grow. Then while I was at work, a neighbor, Sharon stopped in to ask if I would help move a canopy. I met Rand and Christina at her place and we moved it! Later Bill and Mike stopped in at church to work… I love it when stuff like that happens. Mike was putting in kitchen shelves. Bill was working on the sidewalk form preparation. I went outside and helped him for about a half an hour. Then last night I went home where I had a long discussion with Shaphen on the nature and character of God. When we try to reason from experience about who God is we can easily come up with a skewed viewpoint. That’s why we need to allow God to explain his character Himself… from the Word. Then last night Susan and I went out to our 30th anniversary dinner and went to see the movie Expelled, a documentary about the Creation, Evolution debate. A must see. A little slow at first, but it gets pretty intense in the middle. No wonder the establishment is hopping mad! I think Ben Stein is going to be Expelled from the establishment if he is not already! I put a picture of Bill, Mike and Rich working on the sidewalk at church on the blog at www.timewithgod.mypodcast.com. It takes three Pine Grovians to drive one nail!

This week’s theme verse is Ephesians 6:14-18 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Put on the full armor of God. We are doing a review of each piece of your armor to capture the essence of how to put it on. With the armor you can stand firm against the onslaught of life’s circumstances and the enemy’s attacks. It will make you a stable and powerful warrior. #3. Put on the “Combat Boots of the Gospel of Peace.” Sitting in the Legionnaires dressing room, you lean over to strap on the leather boot sandals called caligae. Just for a test you tap the sharp point of one of the hobnails protruding from the bottom. Ouch! It is sharp! And it drew blood! You won’t do that again! Then you notice an imprint in the leather around the sole of your shoe “The Gospel of Peace!” Those nails will surely remind you that the gospel cuts two ways! Peace to all who receive it and sorrow for all who reject it. As you wrap the leather thongs firmly around your ankle and tie them off, you repeat those old words, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. I pledge to announce the Gospel of Peace to all who will hear. May it bring faith and hope wherever I wander.” #4. The shield of Faith. Leaning against the wall is your shield. The leather and canvas stretched over a rectangular wooden and metal frame makes it light and stalwart. As a grizzled veteran you have an endless supply of stories of how the shield has saved your life. Flaming arrows may find their mark but they are extinguished quickly by the leather covering. The polished metal “boss” In the center of the shield has more than once deflected a killing blow. Painted on the field in blood red is your ensign. It is a design who’s meaning every legionnaire knows: “Semper Fidelis” or Always Faithful. “Faithful friend,” you murmur as you run your hand across the smooth face of your shield, “I too will be faithful. I choose to believe God has my best interest even in the deepest agony of battle. I will trust in you… Semper Fidelis!” As you heft your shield, you feel invincible. There is not a weapon formed or a temptation that can pierce your armor. So long as you have it on, you’re protected.

Dear Lord. I want to be one of those who bring good news. I pledge to announce the Gospel of Peace to all who will hear. May it bring faith and hope wherever I wander. I too will be faithful. I choose to believe You have my best interest even in the deepest agony of battle. I will trust in you… Semper Fidelis!

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