Bits & Pieces (4/9/13)

Three More Thoughts – “I fear that younger Christians may not have the stomach for disagreement or the critical mind for careful reasoning. We’re going to need a good dose of the fundamentalist obstinacy that most evangelicals love to lampoon. The challenge before the church is to convince ourselves, as much as anyone, that believing the Bible does not make us bigots, just as reflecting the times does not make us relevant.”

The Amazing Call of Being Mom” – “We don’t need to shed this God-given title of “Mom.” We are called to maximize what it means for the glory of Christ. We can embrace our role without grumbling and with the full assurance of God’s sovereign goodness. God promises that as we shine light into this world (and that includes our kids) we will know that our labor was not in vain (Philippians 2:12–16).”

You Could Give Up, or Do This – “The reality is, God constantly places us in situations that are far beyond our ability to bear. He places us smack dab in the middle of befuddling, perplexing, overwhelming, even crushing circumstances. Why does God do this? To humble us. To make us painfully aware that we cannot make it through this life apart from him. To highlight our desperate dependence on him. God strips us of our own strength to make us totally reliant upon his strength.”

We Hear What We Are Trained To Hear -“According to Jesus, there are two kinds of hearing. This is what Jesus means when he says, ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’ (Mark 4:23). Jesus calls us beyond recognizing sounds to obeying or responding or discerning the meaning of the sounds.”

Lay Aside Every Weight – “Could it be that you’re not taking this race seriously enough? You can tell by how much extra weight you’re trying to run with.”

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Bits & Pieces (4/8/13)

The Bottom Line of Christian Ministry – “Every field of life and labor has a bottom line. In business, it is making money, earning profits, and increasing revenue. In education, it is passing tests, making grades, or earning a degree. In sports, it is winning games, awards, and championships. Everything has a bottom line.” So, what is it for ministry?  (H/T)

Running the Race, Looking to the Finisher – “But we do not look sideways to the saints as we run. Our main motivation comes from looking straight ahead at Jesus. He finished the same race of human life. Only he never sinned, and so his race was perfect. When he finished his race, he finished our salvation. So we run, ‘looking to Jesus, the founder and finisher of our faith.'”

The State of the Bible Infographic – This informative picture helps demonstrate people’s perception of the Bible in the US.  (H/T)

How Do You Treat Your Boss? – “Whether or not your boss loves Jesus shouldn’t change your commitment and work ethic. Christians should be the ones leading by example, setting the bar for what it means to work hard and honor the authority placed over you.”

The One-Year Mark – This was a really sweet post about a family who is fostering two little girls. It is a great reminder to all parents to trust our children to the One who holds their future in His hands.

4 Things to Remember During Unwelcome Work – “Glean what you can from the difficult times, because the truths you learn in the valleys keep your feet steady on the mountaintops. There is a time for everything – even unwelcome work. Look for the hidden blessings.”

 

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