Blogs-To-Go (6.9.11)

The Truth About Hoarders
I've never seen the show, and I didn't realize this was such a harmful problem for people.

Celebrity Pastors
Great article on seven things to keep in mind in light of "celebrity pastors."

The Happiness of Holiness
Holiness is much more enjoyable than sin. I agree.

Poking fun at Nazis
I know it isn't PC, but I giggled.

I will not blog in anger.

But it will be difficult.

King Solomon once wrote, "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." (Proverbs 10:19 ESV) In this case, I'll be prudent and restrain my fingers.

I googled that Camping guy to find out how his followers are doing the Sunday after the Non-Rapture. I saw how his organization is $80 million richer. I immediately thought of an Old Testament prophecy from Ezekiel:

"And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice." (Ezekiel 22:28-29 ESV)

My heart filled with (hopefully) righteous indignation. I could feel heat inside my chest and face.

Part of me wants to rejoice that God will have His vengeance. That is sinful and unmerciful and nothing like Jesus. If I were in his shoes, I'd desire mercy and compassion and forgiveness, not justice.

The other part of me want to pray that God kindly shows Camping his sin and lovingly draws him to repentance. That's what I  want from God for myself--loving kindness that leads to repentance.

I'm off to write in my journal a prayer. Well, really two prayers--one for Camping's heart and the other for my own.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

(Ephesians 4:31-5:2 ESV)

Okay, Pastor Paul. I'll do that. No, God will do that in me.

I don't take notes in church.

I used to. I think I have since I became a Christian. I've carried my cutesy, usually floral journal or notebook to church with my pen and Bible. (Lately, I've even carried my pencil pouch in. Now, that's serious business.) Brownie points, right?

Well, last week I read a blog entry from Ray Ortlund about taking notes in church, and I was taken aback. "I have often discouraged the taking of notes while I am preaching..." What?! Why not? Shouldn't we be writing down all the main points and nifty quotes and anything else we deem worthy of our paper and pen? 

I read on, "The first and primary object of preaching is not only to give information....While you are writing your notes, you may be missing something of the impact of the Spirit." 

Wow, I had never thought that through. While I'm taking notes as though I'm seated in a lecture hall, the Spirit of the Living God may be speaking to my heart. I may be too busy being studious to hear His voice. 

Today, I read this quote from Jonathan Edwards on another blog: "The main benefit that is obtained by preaching is by impression made upon the mind in the time of it, and not by the effect that arises afterwards by a remembrance of what was delivered." 

All this to say, I no longer take notes in church. I'm learning to sit under the preaching of the Word and let it soak into my heart. I jot down thoughts or impressions in the margins of my Bible or on my hand. (Sometimes I know I should pray or journal through something later and must remember it.) 

I'm now seeing God's Word as a means to greater intimacy with the Lord, rather than a way to just know more stuff about Him. Besides, here's a confession: I rarely...ahem...don't ever go back and look through sermon notes. 

“This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” ~Jesus, from John 17:3