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Listening to the Voice of Creation

April 18, 2024 by
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The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4

A thought occurred to me on my bike ride today. After rocking out to some classic Deep Purple for a while, I got to my turn-around point and wondered what I should listen to next. I thought about listening to a spiritual audiobook. Then I thought, why not just ride in silence and listen to creation preach the good news to me?!

I didn’t have to listen very long before I heard creation shouting. Here’s what it had to say…

Right away I saw a tree poking up out of the ground that had split into two trees right at the base. It made me think about cooperation, unity and sharing space and resources with another. I puzzled at what a rare thing that seems to be.

I then saw a Great Blue Heron standing completely still in the river. I was overwhelmed by what an impressive and massive beast it was. What occurred to me was that, as majestic, awesome, powerful, graceful and fierce this bird was, it still needed rely on its creator for its daily meal. It had to be out there, early in the morning, making a very careful, patient and concerted effort for its continual survival. There was no resting on its past victories. There were no breaks because of how awesome of a creature it is.

photo courtesy of Canva Pro

Next, I found another set of trees that was joined at the base. Perhaps this phenomenon isn’t quite as rare as I imagined. What was really striking about this particular growth was that there weren’t just two trees growing together, but three. It was almost as though it was a little family – Daddy tree, mama tree and baby tree.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

In addition to some deer just lying down by the river taking a rest, and all the different sounds of various birds, frogs and chipmunks, I saw humans. Humans were stopped in their tracks everywhere gazing in amazement (some, like me, taking photos) of the creation in front of their eyes. What an appropriate reaction, I thought. I also wondered if other animals are as amazed at creation as humans can be. I mean, do squirrels look at deer and think, “wow, that’s so cool!”? Do they get home to their squirrel families and talk about the wonders they saw down by the river that day?

There was also the new Spring growth juxtaposed against the old dead trees and leaves lying about. This made me think that we live in a continual cycle of revival, renewal, regeneration, redemption and restoration.

So, yes, creation did preach the good news to me today.

Interestingly I found that, immediately upon exiting the forest preserve trails, there was construction, machinery, traffic, pollution (of all sorts), industrial sites, fences, billboards, leaf blowers, malls, power lines, etc. This made me think that, though you can certainly find beauty in the smallest things surrounded by the worst conditions, it is often quite necessary to “get away” from all the distractions for a while, create space and surround yourself with an opportunity to go deeper.

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Life to the Full

April 28, 2023 by
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If you ask a hundred people what they think “life to the full” means, you will get a hundred different answers.

I posed this question to my friends on Facebook, and here’s what some of them had to say…

It means to continue to watering and cultivate the Holy Spirit in my life every day. (Gal 5:22-25) Then living out these characteristics to those God puts in my path today.

Brian

Doing what I love and loving what I do everyday.

Marci

Do I allow the knowledge and certainty of my salvation to impact every facet of my life in all its growth opportunities?

Gary

Contentedness!

Jill

However, if you ask AI to write a three-point sermon for you on what life to the full means, which is what I did, here’s what you might get…

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, we will reflect on the words of Jesus found in John 10:10, where he says, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” This verse is a powerful reminder of the abundant life that Christ offers us. Let us explore this verse together and discover what it means for us today.

Firstly, the abundant life that Christ offers is not merely about material possessions or earthly pleasures. Instead, it is a life filled with spiritual abundance. Jesus came to offer us a life where we can experience the love of God, the peace that surpasses all understanding, and the joy of salvation. This abundant life is rooted in a relationship with Christ, where we can find rest for our weary souls and hope for the future. As we draw closer to Christ, we can experience the fullness of life that he promises.

Secondly, the abundant life that Christ offers is a life of purpose. Jesus did not come to simply give us a life of leisure and ease. Instead, he came to offer us a life where we can make a difference in the world. Christ has a unique purpose and plan for each one of us, and when we surrender our lives to him, he can use us to bring hope, healing, and love to those around us. As we seek to live out his purpose for our lives, we can experience the fullness of life that he promises.

Finally, the abundant life that Christ offers is a life of eternal significance. Jesus came to offer us a life that extends beyond the here and now. He offers us the gift of eternal life with him in heaven. This eternal life is not just a continuation of our earthly existence but a life that is free from pain, suffering, and sin. It is a life where we can be in the presence of God forever, and where we can experience the fullness of his love and grace.

In conclusion, let us remember the words of Jesus in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” The abundant life that Christ offers is a life filled with spiritual abundance, purpose, and eternal significance. As we seek to live out this abundant life, let us draw closer to Christ, discover his purpose for our lives, and look forward to the eternal life that he offers us.

May God bless us as we seek to live out the abundant life that he has promised us. Amen.

(This sermon was generated using ChatGPT.)

What do you think? Did the computer get it “right”? Will AI programs take over writing sermons? Let me know in the comments.

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Top 10 Free Resources for Christian Devotionals

August 11, 2021 by
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Okay, here it is! The Top 10 Free Resources for Christian Devotionals – on and off line. Enjoy!

And then you say, “You mean, that’s it? There’s not a bunch of filler content that I have to read through before I get to the list? Man, that’s unusual.”

10 – Google

It’s so obvious that often times we don’t even remember that an entire world of information is at our fingertips if we just search for it. You can search for anything in Google. It’s the number one search engine in the world. I just typed in “Christian devotionals for” and Google automatically suggested, “couples, seniors, newlyweds, college students, young adults, new moms, dating couples and anxiety” to name a few. Is there something specific you’re looking for? Type it into Google and you will more than likely have thousands of results in an instant.

Obviously, one of the reasons people hesitate to use Google is because anything goes on the internet. You never know if what you find is going to be helpful or not. I have discovered both helpful and unhelpful stuff out there.

9 – YouTube

Second only to Google, YouTube is the top search engine for anything you might be looking for. As you type in your search it will give recommendations based on the hottest topics. The nice thing about YouTube, of course, is that all your results will be video based. As with Google, however, you have to be discerning. There can be a lot of material to sift through, and not all of it is accurate or helpful. However, YouTube does host some of the best content out there, so it’s worth it to take the time to look into it.

8 – Personal Bookshelves

Between you and your friends I’ll bet you have more than enough devotional material on your own bookshelves to keep you busy for years. I was going to list the devotional and spiritual books that my wife and I have, but it was too overwhelming to even think about. We have the classics like Pilgrim’s Progress, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas À Kempis, The Confessions of Saint Augustine and many others.

We also have a friend that works at a Christian bookstore that brings us many brand new titles as well. And then there’s everything in between, and that’s just our bookcases (plural on cases). We could go over to our friend’s homes and the list would go on. Usually friends are very accommodating at letting you borrow their books.

7 – Your Local Library: On- and Off-line

Speaking of borrowing books, why not go to one of the bigger libraries around? Your local library has tons of materials to check out at no cost. What’s more, nowadays most libraries have an online component where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks even in the middle of a pandemic, a snowstorm or any other reason that might keep you from leaving your home.

You can access your local library’s online resources, if you have a valid library card, through mobile apps such as Hoopla for Android, Hoopla for iOS and Libby.

6 – Your Church

Your local church organization will most likely have both online and offline resources for your devotional needs. Ask your pastor – or anyone in your church for that matter – what resources are available. If they don’t have anything that fits your needs, ask if there is a sister congregation that would have something for you.

5 – Your Denomination’s Main Website

Most likely the local fellowship that you are a part of is part of a larger fellowship of churches. It may be organized on the regional, national and even international levels. Each of these levels will probably have their own website with devotional resources.

For example, for Catholics there is a website called “Catholic Online” at https://www.catholic.org/. For more local chapters of Catholic organizations you can search for your local diocese. If you’re not sure about what websites are connected with your local congregation, check your local congregation’s website or ask your pastor.

4 – YouVersion Bible App Plans

The YouVersion Bible App has been installed on hundreds of millions of devices for a good reason. It’s filled with tons of great free resources and study tools. It even has a community component so you can connect with friends. Within the app there are a number of study plans and daily devotionals that you can sign up for at no cost. They even have a separate bible app for kids. Check them out at https://www.youversion.com/

3 – Podcasts

What’s surprising to me is how many people are still not aware of what a podcast is or how it works. Hey, no judgment here. It’s just surprising to me because they’re so awesome, so accessible and oh so free! If you’re not aware, a podcast is basically like an on-demand radio show. If you have any kind of device that’s connected to the internet, you can access them. In fact, you probably already have an app on your mobile phone to start listening to them right now.

One of the most impressive, informative and enlightening podcasts that I have heard is the BEMA Discipleship podcast. Unbelievably mind-blowing. Dudes, you GOTTA check it out! Visit their website here. What I love about their podcast – in addition to the fact that it’s so amazing – is that they include links to study materials in the show notes of their episodes.

Lastly, I also have to put in a plug for the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast put out by Premier Christian Radio. If you’re not familiar with NT Wright, I’m sorry. You’re REALLY missing out. He is probably the wisest, most brilliant, funniest, warmest theologian of our day. He also has an incredible voice! Please listen to him and read his books.

2 – The Bible Project

O. M. G. If I wasn’t a Christian I’d swear. The Bible Project is practically the best resource on the planet EVER to have come about. Please tell me you’ve watched at least one of their videos. However, they are like like Lay’s potato chips: No one can eat just one.

The Bible Project is a collection of short 5-10 minute videos that explain the Bible and its story in a way like no-other. One video and your mind will be completely blown. Check out the website here.

And guess what…they even have a podcast!

1 – The Bible

Okay, now we’re treading on holy ground. The Bible, along with the Holy Spirit, is a combination that inspires awe and reverence. Logically this is the number one resource for daily devotionals and inspiration. Plus, even if you have the most basic bible around, chances are it’s going to have references and possibly even a small concordance to help guide you through the scriptures.

First, begin with prayer. Ask the Spirit to guide you. Then, open the Bible. Read it. Take notes on what strikes you, even if it makes no sense. Meditate on it. Memorize it. Ask questions – lots of questions. Use the footnotes to cross-reference verses. Use the maps, notes and concordance to make it a richer experience.

Okay, Now What?

As you’re probably well aware, the problem is never a lack of information. If all we needed was information the world would be a much better place. We have more than we could ever consume in a million lifetimes.

The problem is direction and motivation. What do we choose? Why do we take the time to consume and process it?

The main thing you have to do is ask. If you’re not sure what to study, the first thing to do would be to pray about it and then ask a pastor or several trusted friends for their suggestion. However, when it comes right down to it, it’s the Bible, so can you really go wrong? Can you really make a “bad” or “wrong” decision about what to study? It only becomes problematic when it turns into spiritual pride. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up,” as Paul once said.

It’s okay to participate in a group study if it’s meeting your needs, but you may need to supplement a group study program with something that is more specifically tailored to your needs. You may even want to consult a Christian coach about it.

How about getting and/or staying motivated? It can be really easy to get excited about a new book or devotional series only to drop it like a diet plan within a couple days. This is where asking a friend to join you in the journey may be of some help. You could “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” as the scripture says.

Happy Studying!

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The 5 Best Christian Affirmation Videos on YouTube

August 22, 2019 by
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For this roundup of the 5 best Christian affirmation videos on YouTube, results are based on the first five videos that appeared in a Google search. The search was the same as the title of this article.

This was the sole criteria for the results. There is no personal bias in these results whatsoever.

Here are the videos as they appear in the Google search as of the date of this article… Continue reading “The 5 Best Christian Affirmation Videos on YouTube”

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Why Am I a Christian?

August 17, 2019 by
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If you’re a Christian, have you every thought about why you are a Christian? Have you ever asked yourself that question – why am I a Christian?

I was having a conversation with someone I had just met. In our first video conference they noticed all the guitars hanging on the wall behind me. They commented on what a nice studio I have and then asked if I play in any bands.

That struck a nerve with me, because all my life I’ve had these insecurities about not playing in a band. Sometimes it feels like you’re not a serious musician, or a respected musician, if you’re not playing in a band of some sort. Plus, sometimes it just feels like you’re missing out on a whole lot of fun!

I scrambled for things to say. I told him how I play in a jazz duo (and wanted to add that I do so every week, just to make myself sound more legitimate). I also mentioned that I do a lot of solo stuff and studio work. I told him that I had been working that day on recording some meditation music for an affirmation video I was creating.

The thought also crossed my mind to tell him that I play at church a lot, but, at the time of writing this, it’s not with a band. Also, since I didn’t know this person very well, I wasn’t sure if mentioning that I am a Christian was an appropriate or helpful move. That affirmation video I was creating? I didn’t mention to him that it was a Christian affirmation video.

For a lot of people, being a Christian isn’t cool. Continue reading “Why Am I a Christian?”

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Rob Bell: An Introduction to Lessons I’ve Learned

August 7, 2019 by 0 Comments
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When it comes to Rob Bell, you’re in one of three camps – you either love him, you hate him or you don’t know about him. This is the same effect that Jesus had on people. You just couldn’t remain indifferent to the man. You had to choose a side.

Over the past several years I have read nearly every one of Rob’s numerous books, I’ve listened to all 250+ podcasts, I’ve watched his YouTube videos and I’ve seen him live twice.

You could say I’m a bit of a fan, and in this and following articles I am going to share with you some valuable lessons that I think we all – whether you like him or not – can benefit from.

In this article I’m going to focus on some very general lessons that I’ve observed in talking with other people about Rob.

Let’s dive in… Continue reading “Rob Bell: An Introduction to Lessons I’ve Learned”