Welcome back. You belong here.
Quotes from the interview with Tedd Haggard on Larry King Live:
"I tried to pray more, fast, be more spiritual. But reading my Bible made me worst"
"Mr. Jones rescued me, I am thankful for him"
"These feelings are not a choice"
"I lost the ability to seek God"
"I became world wide unrighteous"
"It was just a disaster"
"I don't think the boxes work for me, I have some thoughts that don't fit the boxes"
"Jesus has never ever drawn away from me"
"I never thought of leaving the faith"
"Superstitions of the faith"
"I need mercy and grace"
Gayle
"I do know he's a sinner"
"We had a great sexual relationship in our marriage"
"It had it's seasons of distance"
"I knew he had struggles in his thoughts"
"I'm willing to go through the process"
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
MLK and Tuesday
Welcome back. You belong here.
Today I was at our children's Martin Luther King's assembly. It was a time of poems, readings, songs all dealing with MLK's life changing speech "I Have a Dream." There were many moving moments for me as I saw 300+ children (over 60% of them of Latino decent, including our three, in the only dual immersion school in suburban mostly White Arvada, Colorado) take part and learn about this amazing man.
One moment in particular was a reading of examples of discrimination in the 60's. One read something like, "if I was a white child, I was told I couldn't play with black children."
At the end of the assembly, the MC got up and spoke of Lincoln and the many presidents who have made this a great land, of the progress we have made as a country. As I heard these words, I couldn't help think of the magnitude of Tuesday's presidential inauguration.
I felt so proud to be an American, and to be in a country that chose to elect Barak Obama as the first ever African American president. It was a very moving moment for me. Martin Luther King would be proud.
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
A Man Died
Welcome back. You belong here.
I've been reading different books about the atonement, the cross, etc. One example is "Rediscovering the Scandal of the Cross" by Joel Green and Mark Baker. I've always been interested in understanding the background of "penal substitution" as the primary way to describe Jesus' work on the cross. Seminary started that process for me, and I continue it on my own.
I guess, after reading much on the subject, I can't help but realize one thing. A man died for me. No matter how it's been described since then, what God meant, Paul meant, Mark meant, etc. etc. still, a man died for me and for you. That's pretty unheard of and it seems to mean a ton! It makes me feel humbled, it makes me wonder why would anyone do that, it makes me thankful.
It reminds me of John's words in John 15:13, "Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for a friend. You are my friends...."
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
I've been reading different books about the atonement, the cross, etc. One example is "Rediscovering the Scandal of the Cross" by Joel Green and Mark Baker. I've always been interested in understanding the background of "penal substitution" as the primary way to describe Jesus' work on the cross. Seminary started that process for me, and I continue it on my own.
I guess, after reading much on the subject, I can't help but realize one thing. A man died for me. No matter how it's been described since then, what God meant, Paul meant, Mark meant, etc. etc. still, a man died for me and for you. That's pretty unheard of and it seems to mean a ton! It makes me feel humbled, it makes me wonder why would anyone do that, it makes me thankful.
It reminds me of John's words in John 15:13, "Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for a friend. You are my friends...."
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
Monday, January 12, 2009
Why I No Longer Hang Out At Coffee Shops
Welcome back. You belong here.
I used to hang out at coffee shops all the time. My idea was to hang out with young people and strike up a conversation with hopes to be the kingdom to others. But instead, it became a place to do my own thing, stare out the window, or a place to feel cool.
While at all those coffee shops, I never helped the poor, fed the hungry, built any sense of genuine relationships, never offered anyone a job, or helped them with diapers for their children. In fact, the poor or 'out of place', were often unwanted.
And while I understand that cool people need Jesus, I choose to be in relationship with people in other ways.
Currently, I have relationships with many of the guys at our children's school, a lower income, mostly Latino elementary school. I've also done a few things at our church such as "Shining Star" helping families in need during the Christmas season.
I need to do more.
Today, I was at Starbucks doing some work and I saw dozens of people come in and out, some reading their spiritual books and bibles, others doing e-harmony and most, sitting alone, online. I sat there the whole time, alone, doing busy work and I remembered how I used to think that was so me.
Now, I'm no longer hanging out at coffee shops and I support those that do. But for me, I am spending my time differently. And if you want to meet me at Starbucks, I'll be there, but now, it means something totally different.
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
I used to hang out at coffee shops all the time. My idea was to hang out with young people and strike up a conversation with hopes to be the kingdom to others. But instead, it became a place to do my own thing, stare out the window, or a place to feel cool.
While at all those coffee shops, I never helped the poor, fed the hungry, built any sense of genuine relationships, never offered anyone a job, or helped them with diapers for their children. In fact, the poor or 'out of place', were often unwanted.
And while I understand that cool people need Jesus, I choose to be in relationship with people in other ways.
Currently, I have relationships with many of the guys at our children's school, a lower income, mostly Latino elementary school. I've also done a few things at our church such as "Shining Star" helping families in need during the Christmas season.
I need to do more.
Today, I was at Starbucks doing some work and I saw dozens of people come in and out, some reading their spiritual books and bibles, others doing e-harmony and most, sitting alone, online. I sat there the whole time, alone, doing busy work and I remembered how I used to think that was so me.
Now, I'm no longer hanging out at coffee shops and I support those that do. But for me, I am spending my time differently. And if you want to meet me at Starbucks, I'll be there, but now, it means something totally different.
Have a great day,
Into the future,
davidT
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